Finding a place to call “home” in Amsterdam can feel like an impossible task for newcomers. With a severe housing shortage, especially in the city center, the odds can feel like they are stacked against you.
Finding a place to call “home” in Amsterdam can feel like an impossible task for newcomers. With a severe housing shortage, especially in the city center, the odds can feel like they are stacked against you.
But there’s no need to despair, with modern and affordable apartments available for those who dare to venture beyond the city’s historic core.
Before renting an apartment in Amsterdam, it’s important to understand the housing market and vocabulary in the Netherlands. While there is social housing available (with a maximum rent of around €750), it’s only for qualifying low-income residents approved through a government application process.
Expats will need to look for rentals through the private sector, with the option for either a house (woonhuis) or a flat/apartment (appartement). It’s also possible to find rentals on an iconic canal houseboat (woonboot) or an individual room (kamer) within an owner-occupied residence.
When looking for an apartment in Amsterdam, you can opt for furnished (gemeubileerd), partly furnished (gestoffeerd), or unfurnished (kaal). Generally speaking, prices decrease the less furnishings/appliances provided. An "unfurnished" place means no appliances or furniture and sometimes even no floor coverings. It's a blank canvas, which can be great if you're on a tight budget.
"Semi-furnished" usually means just the bare minimum - maybe a fridge and floor coverings but little else. In both situations, it may be possible to negotiate a price with the previous tenant to buy some of their old appliances or flooring so you don’t have to find your own. Otherwise, secondhand shops like Marktplaats and local thrift stores (kringloop) are great places to look
"Furnished" apartments are rare and expensive in Amsterdam. It’s also important to remember that the furniture and appliances need to be left in the condition you found them or you may be liable to pay damages.
If you’re thinking about moving to Amsterdam, be aware that rental prices aren’t cheap. Housing in the city is in short supply, which has allowed private rental prices to soar. For example, a room in a share-house can be anywhere from 600-1200 euros per month while a studio apartment is likely to be between 900 and 1,600 euros.
For a one-bedroom apartment, budget between 1,200 and 2,000 euros, and up to 2,500 euros for a two-bedroom place. A three-bedroom apartment in a sought-after neighborhood can be anywhere from 2,000 to 5,000 per month. If finances are limited, your best option is to seek out a room in a sharehouse with like-minded individuals.
Location is everything and different Amsterdam neighborhoods offer a different living experience. While the quaint canal houses in the city center might be appealing, they come with a huge price tag. Consider spreading your wings into Amsterdam's inner ring of neighborhoods - Jordaan, the culturally rich Museum Quarter, and De Pijp. All of these districts offer plenty of charm with more affordable rental prices.
If you venture east, you’ll discover the artsy, multicultural vibe of Amsterdam Oost. Massive redevelopment around the IJ waterfront has led to an abundance of modern apartments.
Amsterdam's outer suburbs provide cheaper options in tranquil, green settings or you might even consider commuting from neighboring towns like Haarlem and Amstelveen.
The best place to start your search is an online rental platform like Rentola. This user-friendly site offers hundreds of apartments for rent in Amsterdam in all the most popular neighborhoods. Prospective renters can search based on location, price, and number of bedrooms, as well as the type of property they prefer.
One of the great things about Rentola is you can view property images from the search results page itself and don’t have to open up new tabs to learn more about each property. Once registered as a user, you can contact landlords to discuss inspection times and ask any questions you might have.
Before signing a contract, ensure you get all of your questions answered about the apartment you’re interested in. Understand if the bills are all-inclusive and if any security deposit needs to be paid, as well as who is responsible for maintenance issues.
Ask if you need to register with a utility company upon moving in and if there is an internet connection. Most importantly, check how long the rental contract is for and how much notice you need to give if you want to vacate.
Once you’ve secured a rental and settled in, it’s time to start enjoying life in this fascinating city. With an abundance of buzzing street markets, world-class museums, and family-friendly attractions, there really is something for everyone in Amsterdam.