I split my life between two of the richest regions in the world: the UK home counties, and the Brussels region. Three and a half days per week in each. This is a short thread about some similarities and differences, and what that tells me about priorities.

Disclaimer: most of the following is based purely on my subjective empirical observations living in both places and using public spaces. You would never know that both regions enjoy similar levels of wealth. One feels poor, the other feels rich, you can guess which is which.

Similarities: rich, northern European, densely populated, frequently shit weather. Home to high value added service industries and high tech industries. Both have been through painful austerity during the last decade. Differences: taxation levels; quality of life; infrastructure.

In and around Brussels small businesses thrive, high streets are full of family-run stores selling high quality goods to people who seem to have plenty of cash to spend. In UK high streets you'll rarely find a store that isn't a chain, and many lie empty.

Brussels is full of green spaces being used by locals, over the last ten to fifteen years they've been transformed with new bike paths, exercise tracks, water fountains. Roads and paths are carefully maintained. These spaces feel alive and precious.