Last year hundreds of people from Belgian Flanders emigrated north of the border and set up home in the southern Dutch province of Zeeland.

This story is published in partnership with flandersnews.be.

600 people made the move last year, double the number in 2010. Some real estate agents in Zeeland say that today they have more Flemish customers from Belgium than Dutch clients.

Lower prices
House prices are the reason why so many people from Flanders have decided to buy a home in the Netherlands. House prices continue to rise in Belgium, while in the Netherlands prices are falling. Prices in Zeeland are relatively low even by Dutch standards. Comparable homes south of the border will easily set you back an extra 40,000 euros.

Most Dutch properties are well maintained and life in the Netherlands is said to be cheaper. Dutch people in Zeeland Flanders - that part of Zeeland immediately bordering Flanders - are happy with the influx of Belgians as many properties have been standing empty and whole districts face depopulation.

Still working in Belgium
Most of the people who have moved to the Netherlands have kept their jobs in Belgium. Some even have shorter journey times to work than when they lived in congested Belgium.

Real estate agents in Zeeland intend to launch a campaign to attract more Flemish home buyers soon. Belgian estate agents concede that home prices are often cheaper in Zeeland Flanders, but stress that taxes may be higher.

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