Discovering The Netherlands

Housing Home Finding

The residential areas in The Netherlands are either in one of the major cities or in a small town outside of the city. There are no suburbs, as such, in the Netherlands, as each small town is considered autonomous and not part of a larger urban center. Each small town has its own administrative center which makes obtaining permits and registrations much easier. Both apartments and houses, often rowhouses, are available in the major cities and towns, although the market may at times be limited. The Netherlands is a densely populated country, and living space is tight. Rooms tend to be smaller than those found in some other countries, although many have high ceilings. In two-store dwellings, stairs are often narrow and steep. Houses typically do not have basements. As kitchens tend to be compact, many feature a combination appliance that is a small refrigerator – with no freezer – and a microwave on top.

Apartments may be in large old homes that have been converted or in newer construction, frequently on the garden-apartment pattern. More modern buildings tend to be farther from the city center. Prime real estate in the center of major cities like Amsterdam is limited and expensive. The market is sensitive to economic fluctuations, and the current scarcity may slightly affect demand. There is more selection and lower prices in the outlying towns and villages. Commuting is rarely a problem, due to the excellent public transportation system.

Areas in Amsterdam-Rotterdam-The Hague that are moderately priced include Amsterdam West, Amsterdam New South, Amsterdam East, parts of Amstelveen and Harlem, Buitenveldert. Areas that command higher rents include the Museum Quarter of Amsterdam South, Canal in Amsterdam center, the outskirts of Haarlem and Hilversum, and Wassenaar. It is not legally necessary to use a real estate agent, “ makelaar” , when renting or purchasing a house or apartment; however, most expatriates prefer to use their services as they can make the process less complicated and frustrating. The Dutch have an equivalent of a "multiple listing service," but only within real estate organizations. You may want to retain the services of agents in different real estate organizations to see a full range of properties. Amsterdam has a free market, which means that you should determine whether a rental agent is licensed by the municipality.

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Discovering The Netherlands