The Netherlands is a popular relocation choice for expats and immigrants. The residents are known for their friendly and welcoming attitude and many cities in the Netherlands have wonderfully relaxed atmospheres.
When relocating you’ll want to take into account what cities have the best work opportunities, where is the best spot for families, and what cities tick every box for your specifications.
Let’s take a look at some of the best places to live in the Netherlands.
Best Places To Live In The Netherlands
City | Reason |
---|---|
Amsterdam | Best for work |
Groningen | Best for affordability |
Rotterdam | Best for families |
Amsterdam, Amsterdam-Zuid | Best for immigrants |
Utrecht | Best for retirement |
Rotterdam, Oude Westen | Best for young adults |
Leiden | Best for students |
Amsterdam, Dam Square | Best for food and nightlife |
Rotterdam, City Centre and Cool District | Best for singles |
Utrecht | Best for the LGBT+ community |
Maastricht | Best for weather |
Zandvoort | Best for beaches |
Best Places To Live In The Netherlands for Work
The best city for work in the Netherlands is the capital, Amsterdam, which is a huge economic hub for various large and small employers, as well as recently becoming a haven for freelancers.
Two of the largest industries in Amsterdam are tourism and hospitality, as well as growing industries in automobile, banking, and media. Internationally famed companies like Shell, Phillips and Heineken have their headquarters here.
Competition for work in Amsterdam is quite high, however, and it’s worth keeping this in mind when considering moving if you don’t already have a job.
There is a high quality of life in Amsterdam, with high average salaries and the city is considered to be safe, clean and well-maintained.
Hague also has a wide number of job opportunities and is considered the administrative capital of the Netherlands. Those who are working in the fields of international affairs, in particular, should consider Hague as a good potential.
Cheapest Places To Live In The Netherlands
Groningen is a city in the northern Netherlands and it is commonly ranked as one of the most affordable cities in the country. Full of outstanding architecture, such as the Martinitoren clock tower, Groningen is a great choice for relocators on a budget.
Accommodation in Groningen is very affordable though there is a high demand for rental properties. The quality of life in Groningen is also high – there are plenty of bars, cafes, restaurants and grocery stores.
You’ll find the city centre to have the most expensive costs – primarily in terms of accommodation.
Groningen is a known student city with a diverse and highly-educated population. This makes it a good choice for those with an interest in culture, history and arts.
Zeeland is one of the least populated provinces in the Netherlands and is another good prospect for anyone who is hoping to move to a more affordable area.
Best Places To Live In The Netherlands for Families
The major cities in the Netherlands are all good potential choices for a family choosing to relocate. Before moving you’ll want to take into consideration the type of area you’ll be moving to, the facilities available and whether or not it suits your budget.
Rotterdam is a major port city in South Holland and is a fantastic choice for family living. It has an international airport and an excellent public transport system including bus, tram and the metro.
There are plenty of amenities in Rotterdam that are family-friendly, such as the zoo, museums, playgrounds and natural spaces like parks and waterfronts.
Job opportunities are common in Rotterdam, though the competition is quite high as it is an international and multi-cultural city. Rotterdam is considered a safe city and the healthcare options available are to a high standard.
Amsterdam is another popular choice for those wanting to move to live in the Netherlands with family. Like Rotterdam, costs will be generally higher due to the nature of city living, but this is balanced by the convenience and quality of life.
Best Places To Live In The Netherlands for Immigrants
Amsterdam is a very popular choice for expats in the Netherlands – the city has a vibrant culture with plenty of opportunities for exploring. The city is well known for its welcoming attitude towards immigrants and the people are reported to be friendly and kind.
The city offers good opportunities for workers and South Amsterdam (or Amsterdam-Zuid) has an existing community of western expats who are looking for a family-style living.
Amsterdam North (or Amsterdam-Noord) is located along the IJ canal and is another popular spot for immigrants. It’s a newly developed part of Amsterdam and is famous for its A’DAM LOOKOUT.
Despite being the most populated city in the Netherlands, there are plenty of natural spaces in Amsterdam – there are over 30 parks and lovely major canals to stroll alongside. There are also plenty of restaurants, bars and nightclubs for those who enjoy partying.
Best Places To Live In The Netherlands for Retirement
The Netherlands is consistently named one of the best places to retire in the world, and Dutch people are often found to be the happiest. All of this makes The Netherlands a really attractive country for those looking to retire.
Utrecht is located in the mainland of the Netherlands and is frequently called ‘Little Amsterdam’. The city is remarkably beautiful and has homes, bridges and canals that date back to the Medieval period.
The accommodation in Utrecht varies depending on location but it’s possible to rent or purchase anything from a flat in the city to a more rural homestead.
With an almost fantastical charm, Utrecht is more than just an attractive location. There are plenty of cultural events in the city throughout the year, as well as a large restaurant scene.
The Hague is also noted as a great option for retirees. Located on the North Sea coast, The Hague has many cultural attractions as well as all the convenient amenities of a big city.
Best Places To Live In The Netherlands for Young Adults
Rotterdam has a vibrant culture that is very popular with young adults and students. The city has lots of modern architecture as well as a strong arts scene.
The city is one of the more expensive in the Netherlands, but it is also known as one of the trendiest with options for every type of lifestyle. There is a wide range of clubs, party and music venues, and bars for those who enjoy partying.
Oude Westen is a district in Rotterdam where there is an existing expat community. The district is known to be very artsy and hipster and draws in a lot of creative residents.
Amsterdam is another firm destination for young adults with its thriving job market and interesting sights, but Arnhem is another choice area that may be overlooked.
Arnhem is a vibrant city that has a lot of different amenities and attractions for young people such as the Netherlands Open Air Museum.
Best Places To Live In The Netherlands for Students
There are several cities in the Netherlands which are good choices for students. The country is known for its high levels of quality education, with good teaching and research.
The education system in the Netherlands does run differently from the rest of Europe, but there are plenty of good universities for international students.
Leiden is one of the Netherlands’ student cities and welcomes international students. The majority of the student resides in the city centre where there are many entertainment options such as bars, clubs and pubs.
Leiden is also considerably cheaper than bigger cities such as Amsterdam or Rotterdam.
Groningen is another fantastic choice for students. The city has a large student population and there are lots of different amenities and attractions for students to engage with as well as strong nightlife.
Best Places To Live In The Netherlands for Food and Nightlife
Amsterdam is commonly considered the foodie capital of the Netherlands. As the capital city, it is easy to find a wide range of authentic Dutch cuisine in Amsterdam.
Popular food choices include Bitterballen (crispy meatballs), Broodje Haring (herring sandwich) and stroopwafel (two pancakes stuck together with syrup).
The city has also begun expanding its restaurant scene, with lots of new developments dedicated to vegetarian and vegan customers. Some of the best areas to explore for delicious food are De Dam (the central town square) and Leidseplein (a hub centred around Leidseplein Square).
Amsterdam is also known as the nightlife centre of the Netherlands. There are plenty of bars and nightclubs in the city, as well as canal-side cafes for those who enjoy drinking or smoking.
The city also enjoys a wide array of different festivals, cultural concerts and dance parties. Main areas of Amsterdam for party lovers are Dam Square (the same area as the Red Light District), Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein.
Best Places To Live In The Netherlands for Singles
Rotterdam is one of the best cities for singles – it comes with all the conveniences of a big city but has more affordable housing than Amsterdam and a generally lower cost of living.
Rotterdam is also very well connected and you can easily travel to Amsterdam, The Hague and other cities in the Netherlands. The City Centre and Cool District are two well-liked and active areas with good accommodation.
Rotterdam has lots of attractions to keep its residents occupied, such as the Maritime Museum and the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum, as well as being an architecturally beautiful city that is also home to the Erasmus Bridge.
As Rotterdam is also a student city, there are plenty of bars and clubs, and Rotterdam has a lively nightlife scene for those who may enjoy an evening drink by the canal or who want to spend the night dancing until the early hours.
For those hoping for a slightly quieter home life, then Haarlem may be the ideal choice for you. The town is very charming with distinctly quaint architecture, plenty of museums, good shopping districts and lovely nature walks.
Best Places To Live In The Netherlands for the LGBT+ Community
The Netherlands is a very progressive country that is tolerant and welcoming to members of the LGBT+ community. While many areas of Amsterdam and Rotterdam are good for the LGBT+ community, the city of Utrecht is also a fantastic choice.
Utrecht is one of the largest cities in the Netherlands and is known for its medieval centre and charming appearance. Many consider it to be a cosier version of Amsterdam.
The LGBT+ scene in Utrecht is smaller than in other cities but there are parties and bars dedicated to the community, as well as opportunities to meet up with other members.
Amsterdam is also a great choice for LGBT+ members – the city has a relaxed and tolerant atmosphere with dedicated bars and parties for the community, as well as shops and cafes.
Best Places To Live In The Netherlands for the Weather
The weather in the Netherlands is known as temperature – winters tend to be very mild and summers can be warm to hot, depending on the exact location.
Maastricht is a university city on the southern tip of the Netherlands. During the summer Maastricht tends to be warm though sometimes cloudy. Though the summer will be lovely, the winters tend to be long, grey and cold.
Wind can be intense during winter, too, picking up between November and March. The warmer months tend to run from May to August, with temperate to very sunny days.
Eindhoven is another good city of choice when it comes to warm weather – the temperature is mostly moderate, with warm summers and mild winters. It’s located in the south Netherlands and is known for being a technology hub – it’s the birthplace of Philips Electronics.
Best Places To Live In The Netherlands Near Beaches
The Netherlands has some stunning beaches, and most of them aren’t too far away from some of the major cities. In particular, Amsterdam is only 30 miles from some of the most famous beaches in the Netherlands.
In particular, the beach of Zandvoort attracts many tourists each year. The beach is open all year round, with different activities held during each season.
As well as the spectacular sandy beach, the village of Zandvoort is great for a day’s worth of exploring.
The village of Egmond aan Zee, located on the North coast of the Netherlands is another great option. The beach has sandy beaches and clean water, as well as lots of fishing opportunities.
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