Areas and Suburbs in Amsterdam

Many an expat of past has been pulled in and swept under by Amsterdam's balance of old world charm and cutting-edge modernity. It's no wonder that every year, the ’Venice of the North’ attracts thousands of foreigners who ultimately choose to settle here. As a true melting pot of culture, there are a plenty of areas and suburbs in Amsterdam that make for prime expat-friendly accommodation. Each has something unique to offer, depending on your particular taste and preferences.

Centrum – The Heart of Amsterdam

The Centrum is the heart of Amsterdam, and a metropolis favourite. Despite it being the most populated area of the city, many locals and expats prefer to live in the small, pricey 1-2 bedroom housing found here due to the easy proximity to fantastic sights, great restaurants and cafés and world-renowned attractions.

One of the most loved destinations is the Grachtengordel, or the Canal Belt. Here, expats will find the famous tree lined canals associated with Amsterdam. The Singel canal is widely visited because of the Anne Frank House and canal-house museums. Perhaps equally famous, but for very different reasons, is the De Wallen or the Red Light District.

Expats excited to live in the Centrum and play on the pulse of the city should also be prepared to pay. Living in a highly cosmopolitan area not only comes with a price tag, but parking too is difficult to find.

Oud West – Where City Meets Nature

Oud West is another highly sought after area for expat housing. It claims all the fantastic leisure based perks of the city centre and combines them with a touch of nature. Cafés, restaurants, museums and shopping streets - like Ferdinand Bolstraat and P.C Hooftstraat - are plentiful; and the famous Vondelpark is a well-loved hang out for thousands of locals and tourists.

The residents are mainly students, educated Dutch and expats. Houses in this area are larger and more expensive than in the Centrum, and you shouldn't be surprised to find some lush gardens hidden away here and there.

Oud Zuid – Amsterdam’s Posh Residential Area

This area is recognised as the up market side of Amsterdam. With great infrastructure and the British International school and Vondelpark nearby, it is a popular choice among western expats. Furthermore, with plenty of playgrounds and parks, Oud Zuid is a prime location for families and is certainly child-friendly. The neighbourhood is fairly peaceful and multicultural.

In terms of leisure and recreation, Oud Zuid has much to offer. Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art are located here, and so are top shopping destinations like PC Hooftstraat, Jacob Obrechtstraat, Cornelis Schuytstraat and Beethovenstraat.

De Baarsjes – The Up and Coming Neighbourhood

This area is located within the city’s centre ring, which makes all the modern conveniences of the Centrum easily accessible void the hefty price tag.

Known for its good location and low crime rate, De Baarsjes is perfect for those expats that prefer a quieter lifestyle. In fact, roughly half of its population is made up of foreign nationals.

The Rembrandtpark is a popular place in De Baarsjes for jogging and dog walking.

Oost Watergraafsmeer – Lush Green Living

Oost Watergraafsmeer is the greenest residential area of Amsterdam. Whether expats prefer spending time outdoors in personal gardens, public parks or sports fields, there's plenty of space devoted to each.

This neighbourhood is a relatively quiet area of town with a fairly large population of mixed cultures. The majority are working class residents who are not too focused on the night life, yet there are several good restaurants and bars in the vicinity. Oost Watergraafsmeer also
has the biggest skating rink, the Jaap Edenbaan.

Westerpark – Family Oriented Neighbourhood

Westerpark is a fairly quiet neighbourhood with a large number of expat residents. This area is especially recommended for expats with young families. There are several good schools in the area as well as a few choice attractions; including the famous Culture Park Westergasfabriek, an art house cinema called the Het Ketelhuis, cafés, many fashion designer shops and a pool for kids.

Zeeburg – Rapidly Growing Area of Amsterdam

Zeeburg is a newly developed area in Amsterdam where the majority of residents are in the younger age bracket. There is a large number of western and non-western expats in this part of the city. Houses in this district are reasonably price and very spacious.

There is little greenery in this area though, so expats who value outdoor living space should look elsewhere.