Areas and suburbs in Utrecht

The best places to live in Utrecht

While Utrecht is smaller than Amsterdam or Rotterdam, it holds its own in terms of the neighbourhoods on offer. Owing to the presence of big academic and research institutions such as Utrecht University, the city has earned its place as a university town. Still, it is also home to many expat families and working professionals.

Rental prices, an expat’s budget and lifestyle preferences are often the biggest determining factors when looking for housing. We also recommend expats consider living in a suburb close to work, schools and transport links.

Here is a list of some of the most popular areas and suburbs in Utrecht.

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City centre in Utrecht

Living in Utrecht’s historic city centre will be poetic with its narrow streets, beautiful townhouses, markets, canals and quaint cafés. Expats living in the centre of town will have their pick of restaurants, bars and quirky fashion boutiques.

As the city centre is a touristy area with high housing demand, accommodation here tends to be pricier and less spacious compared to homes in the suburbs.

A major advantage of living centrally is the accessibility of public transport networks that connect the city centre to surrounding areas. Those who regularly need to travel further afield for business will be close to Utrecht Central railway station and can easily catch a train to Rotterdam, The Hague or Amsterdam within an hour.

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Areas for students and young professionals in Utrecht

Oost

Utrecht sees an influx of young students from all over the world annually, which accounts for much of the liveliness in the city and surrounding areas.

Oost, which translates to 'east', is home to the university and Utrecht Science Park, so students typically look for housing here. Given the high demand and central location, accommodation in Oost can be expensive.

Zuid

More affordable accommodation for students and young working professionals is available in Zuid, south of the city centre. Expats students and young families often secure a budget-friendly rental property in a neighbourhood such as Hoograven or Tolsteeg.

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Family-friendly areas in Utrecht

Nieuwegein

Established in the 1970s, Nieuwegein is a relatively new town that was developed to cater to Utrecht’s expanding population. It lies around 6 miles (10km) south of Utrecht’s city centre and is connected to the city by three main nearby motorways as well as the sneltram (light-rail and tram) network.

There is a variety of housing options available in Nieuwegein, including classic Dutch brick homes and modern high-rise apartment complexes. Many homes are located close to green spaces, parks and lakes, so this is a fantastic suburb for expats moving to Utrecht with children.

De Vechtstreek

This is a picturesque suburb located to the northwest of Utrecht and close to Loodsrechtse Plassen lakes. Local rail and bus services connect the area to the centre of Utrecht. Properties tend to be spacious, with most being located in new housing estates. The area is popular with young families and is home to several good schools.

Leidsche Rijn

Leidsche Rijn is considered to be one of the largest new developments in the Netherlands. It consists of a smaller area of the same name (Leidsche Rijn) and Vleuten-De Meern, which covers two urbanised neighbourhoods.

This up-and-coming area has seen population growth and, along with it, homes and a business space have been constructed – appealing to families and expats working in Utrecht. Accommodation in Leidsche Rij is modern, with much of the design and build being environmentally friendly. There are also plans for the establishment of a new hospital, shopping facilities, a train station and a bus system.