Kinrooi named Limburg's most loyal municipality: 'Residents don't need holidays'

Kinrooi, a municipality in Belgium's Limburg province, stands out as the most steadfast community, with a remarkable 75.4% of its residents having lived there for over a decade. This deep-rooted connection to the area surpasses that of other Limburg municipalities and places it second only to Poperinge in Flanders. Oudsbergen rounds out the top three.

Mayor Peter Nies of Kinrooi attributes this strong sense of belonging to a conscious choice by residents to settle or remain in the area. He highlights the "very strong social fabric" present in the various village centers and a "vibrant association life" that fosters a lasting bond between people and their municipality. This contrasts with other Flemish provinces, where long-term residency rates are generally lower, with Limburgers demonstrating the highest loyalty overall.

Residents echo the mayor's sentiments, describing Kinrooi as a "fantastic place to live." Inhabitant Heidi Dierckx, who returned after a brief stint elsewhere, expresses her commitment to staying permanently, stating, "Anyone who lives in Kinrooi doesn't really need to go on vacation anymore." Café owner Ine Snijders notes the close-knit nature of the community, where "everyone knows each other and looks out for each other," contributing to a "nice village feeling."