Expat housing Netherlands, MyDutchCastle

Almere is situated in the so-called Flevopolder, newly created land which was reclaimed from the IJsselmeer in the 1950s and 1960s. The first houses in what is now known as Almere were built in 1976, but the city only started expand rapidly in the late 1980s.
Because of its short history, Almere is a fresh and modern city, described by the Dutch weekly magazine Elsevier as the “Best Dutch municipality to live in”.

The city has always been a place for modern architect to experiment with radical ideas. Unique is the fact that Almere also harbours more parks than any other city in the Netherlands. This surprising combination of futuristic architecture and green areas, make Almere an attractive place to live in.

The shopping centre, which is one of the largest in the Netherlands, is particularly well known. Shops are allowed to be open on Sunday, a regulation which shopkeeper increasingly use.

Almere is connected to major roads such as the A6, A1 and the A27, leading to Amsterdam en Utrecht. The city also houses a train station, with trains going to Utrecht, Amsterdam and Schiphol.

Bussum, Huizen, Naarden and Weesp are situated near Almere. You can find houses in these cities on our website.

For more information about Almere, please visit:
http://english.almere.nl/ (Municipality of Almere)
http://www.flevoland.nl/english/ (Providence of Flevoland)
http://www.vvv-almere.nl/welcome.asp?lang=0 (Tourist information centre VVV Almere)

Amstelveen is a fast growing city, located between Amsterdam and Schiphol airport, with almost 79,000 inhabitants. Because of its location it is a very popular city for expats to settle down. Other aspects which make Amstelveen a popular city for expats are the international school and the presence of all the facilities an expat might need.
Houses available on the market vary from simple apartments to luxurious villas near the park. Amstelveen has great recreational possibilities like the Amsterdamse Bos, the gardens for indigenous flowers, moorlands and fens.

Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands is with approximatly 736,000 inhabitants the largest city of the Netherlands. In 2007 Amsterdam was the number 1 multi cultural city in the world. On January 1st of this year 177 different nationalities lived in the city. This makes Amsterdam a very popular city for expats to settle down.

Centrum.
With almost 82,000 inhabitants in approximately 47,000 houses, the city centre is one of the largest districts in Amsterdam. Walking and cycling are the best ways of transportation in this part of the city and can easily be done, as supermarkets, shops, e.g. are at walking distance. Prices of the properties in this district are the second highest in Amsterdam. Yet this is compensated for as all the facilities are nearby.
One of the areas in the centre is the Jordaan. It has all the aspects of urban life, yet everything goes at a slightly lower pace. As dwellings in the Jordaan are very popular, prices have exploded over the last few years.

Oud Zuid.
This district, with approximately 83,000 inhabitants, is situated just south of the city centre. The prices of the properties in this district are the highest in the area. Therefore it is also known as the posh district. Oud Zuid is one of the greenest districts of Amsterdam, as the Vondel Park is located here. The Vondel Park is a nice place to get some peace and relaxation. As well as in the city centre, walking and cycling are the best ways of transportation. Public transportation is a good way to get around as well.
One of the most popular areas in Oud Zuid is the Pijp. This area is named after its narrow, straight and long streets, which run parallel to each other. It is an area with lots of different ethnic diversity and is popular with both students and expats.

Assen is the capital of the municipality Drenthe and is known as the fastest growing city of the northern Netherlands. It currently has a population of 65,144 inhabitants but it’s expected to have more than 80,000 inhabitants by the year 2020.

Furthermore it’s the place to be in the Netherlands for the motorcycle sport due to the “Circuit van Drenthe” and the annual TT festival on the last Saturday of June that attracts racers from all over the world.

The youngest city in the Gooi and Vecht area is Bussum. Bussum has nearly 32,000 inhabitants and is located near Hilversum. The centre of Bussum is surrounded by residential areas with lots of intermittent green spaces and parks.

For more information about the Bussum area you can visit the following website:
www.vvvhollandsmidden.nl

Eindhoven is located in the south of the Netherlands and has approximately 210,000 inhabitants. Eindhoven also has a large community of expats thanks to several large multinationals in the city like Stork and Philips. The last one even has its own new campus at the edge of the city. The Eindhoven area is much quieter than the Randstad area. Yet all the facilities and Eindhoven Airport are nearby. The apartments in the centre of Eindhoven are fairly large but also quite expensive. Because Eindhoven is located between the Peel and the Kempen there are great ways to find some relaxation in the area if you need it.

For more information about Eindhoven you can visit the following website:
www.eindhoven.eu

Groningen is the capital of the province Groningen. With 165,000 inhabitants it is one of the 10 largest cities in the Netherlands. For expats working in the north of the Netherlands, this is a very attractive place to live. It is a city with all the facilities one might need. Property prices in the Groningen area are considerably lower than in the rest of the Netherlands.

For more information about Groningen you can visit the following website:
www.groningen.nl

Haarlem is the capital of North Holland and is situated 20 km west of Amsterdam. Haarlem has approximately 147,000 inhabitants. It is a popular city for expats to settle down. Properties in Haarlem are considerably cheaper than for instance in Amsterdam. Haarlem offers a great variety of properties available, yet in the city centre the properties are more costly than in the surrounding area. The more expensive and luxurious properties are to be found in Aerdenhout, Bloemendaal and Heemstede. From Haarlem cities like Amsterdam and other major cities can easily be reached by train or car.

Heemstede is a city just south of Haarlem, with almost 26,000 inhabitants. Heemstede has attractive shopping facilities. Furthermore it offers several recreational, cultural and sporting facilities. Most of Heemstedes inhabitants work outside the city in Amsterdam and Haarlem.

To get more information about Heemstede you can visit the following website:
www.heemstede.nl

Hilversum is a town in North Holland with approximately 84,000 inhabitants. With its huge villas where a lot of Dutch celeberties have settled down, it is often calles the Dutch Beverly Hills. Hilversum is surrounded by the Gooisch National Park and is as such a very green area. Several villas are located at the border of this National Park. Hilversum is often called the multimedia capital, as it is the principal centre for radio and television in the Netherlands

To get more information about Hilversum you can visit the following website:
www.vvvhilversum.nl

Hoofddorp, with approximately 70,000 inhabitants, is located in the Randstad area. Although the name might make you expect differently it is no longer a small village but actually a real city. Over the last three decades Hoofddorp has grown very quickly. Because of its location near Schiphol Airport, the city can't expand towards the east. Therefore the old centre is located at the east border of the city. In the large business and office areas many multinationals are located.

To get more information about the Hoofddorp area you can visit the following website:
www.vvvhollandsmidden.nl

For information about international schools in the area see Amsterdam and Amstelveen.

Huizen is a vivid town build on the banks of the "Gooimeer". Huizen is one of the cities in the Gooi and Vecht area, just like Bussum and Hilversum. It has approximately 42,000 inhabitants. The name Huizen is said to be based on the belief that the first stone houses of the region appeared here.

To get more information about Huizen you can visit the following website:
www.vvvhollandsmidden.nl

Katwijk is a city with approximately 61,000 inhabitants. It is situated 20 km north of The Hague. Katwijk is a popular coastal resort and former fishing village with a beach that is nearly 5 km long.

Leiden is strategically located between Amsterdam and The Hague in the west of the Netherlands. It is a college town with over 118,000 inhabitants. Leiden is a city with a lot of picturesque houses and beautiful canals. Although Leiden is a very cultural and intellectual city, because of the University of Leiden (the oldest university of the Netherlands), the expat community in Leiden is rather small.
Prices of dwellings in the city centre are considerably high for the amount of space you'll get. Yet if you search just outside the centre borders you will find less expensive but more spacious family houses.

Maastricht is the capital of the province Limburg and with its approximately 118,000 inhabitants the biggest city of the province. The city is home to "Universiteit Maastricht". Maastricht is an international city, due to the fact that it is situated close to both the Belgian and the German border. Furthermore the city is of great cultural and historical value. It seems that in the centre practically each property has its own story to tell.

Jekerkwartier.
The southern part of the centre of Maastricht is characterised by the small river the "Jeker" which cuts straight through the streets and between the properties, providing a very picturesque feeling. A wide varietie of monumental properties are located here as well as a few of the universitie faculties.

Wyck.
Wyck is the oldest part of the city dating back to Roman times, many of these structures are still intact, for example the "Sint Servaasbrug". This district was partially surrounded by city walls in the Middle Ages. Monuments of these times can still be found in this historical part of Maastricht.

Villapark.
As the name indicates this is the wealthiest part of the city. It is famous for its green atmosphere, expensive properties, and prestigious shopping malls. The district is located just south of the centre of Maastricht so all desired facility are at walking distance.

Naarden, located in North Holland, has approximately 17,000 inhabitants. It used to be a star shaped fortress. Both the fortress wall as the moat are still completely intact and in very good shape. The Naardermeer, one of the Netherlands oldest places of natural beauty, is also to be found in Naarden.

Nijmegen has been crowned the oldest city of the Netherlands dating back to 19 BC. With its 161,135 inhabitants it is also the 10^th biggest city of the Netherlands. Even though it has been under fire in World War II several times a lot of the original structures are still intact and have now reached a monumental status.

The city is becoming more and more popular among expats due to it’s central location and increasing expat accommodations.

Situated between Amsterdam and The Hague, with approximately 25,000 inhabitants and a 13 km long sandy beach, lies Noordwijk. The city is surrounded by wild dunes and woods. As of its location in the heart of the bulb-growing area it is often referred to as the "Floral seaside resort of Europe". Noordwijk is home to the European Space and Research Technology Centre.

For more information about international schools in the area see Amsterdam and The Hague.

Oegstgeest has approximately 22,000 inhabitants and is located near Leiden. It is a nice and quiet town with beautiful old boroughs, build around the 1900's, combined with areas with newer properties. The Rijnland Lyceum, which offers bilingual education, is located in Oegstgeest

The Hague is the third-largest city in the Netherlands with approximately 475,000 inhabitants. Although it isn't the capital of the Netherlands, it is the actual seat of the government. The Queen of the Netherlands lives and works in The Hague. Furthermore The Hague resides all the foreign embassies and the government ministries. The Hague is also known as the "International City of Peace, Justice and Security."

Archipel.
One of the most beautiful areas of The Hague. Close to parks, museums and the city centre. Because of the neo renaissance style of the houses and apartments, this area is full of character. Prices of dwellings are comparable to Amsterdam, above average. Unfortunately the parking problem is similar as well.

Scheveningen.
Scheveningen is one of the districts of The Hague, only 15 minutes from the city centre by tram. It is the most popular seaside resort of the Netherlands. Scheveningen has a long sandy beach, a pier, a lighthouse and an esplanade. Scheveningen is divided in several smaller areas. Amongst these areas are Statenkwartier and Duinoord.

Statenkwartier.
The Statenkwartier is known for its beautiful architecture from the early 20th century. It is an area with wide lanes and streets with beautiful manor houses. Large trees intensify the monumental charisma of this area. Property prices in this area are above average.

Duinoord.
Duinoord can be compared to the Statenkwartier if it comes to atmosphere and character. In Duinoord you will find many properties with bay windows, carved ceilings and leaded glass. Highlight of the area is the Sweelinckplein. Prices of the properties are around average.

Rijswijk is a medium-large village with 46,916 inhabitants. It’s very popular among expats due to the fact that it is situated close to The Hague and is a peace full, quiet city, especially compared to The Hague.

Many prominent companies have settled in Rijswijk such as: the Biomedical Primate Research Centre, the ANP (General Dutch Press Bureau), the Shell Exploration & Production International Centre and the European Patent agency.

For more information about about Eindhoven you can visit the following website:
www.hollandrijnland.nl

Rotterdam is the second largest city of the Netherlands with almost 589,000 inhabitants. It is a very modern city as much of the buildings have been built after the end of World War II. After the war the centre has become the site of ambitious new architecture. The port of Rotterdam is the second largest in the world. Rotterdam is divided in "Noord" and "Zuid" by the New Meuse. The two sections are linked through various bridges and tunnesl for every kind of transportation. The centre of Rotterdam is very accessible by public transportation as well as by car.

Hillegersberg.
Situated just 10 minutes north -east of the city centre is Hillegersberg. This area is located at the edge of the "Bergse Bos", an area of woodlands and waterways. As the wartime bombings did not affect this part of Rotterdam it has a nice old fashioned feel. The residential streets and old village centre are still in tact. Property prices in the area are relatively high. Yet due to the constant popularity of the area it is a rather save investment. Several International Schools are situated in Hillegersberg.

Kralingen.
Kralingen is a very popular location amongst expats. Located approximately 10 minutes east of the city centre. A characteristic of the area is that the largest multi -million-euro villas are build right next to the simple and modest student apartments. This contrast makes Kralingen an unique area. The lake and the woods are just a short drive away.

Kop van Zuid.
The Kop van Zuid is located on the southern bank of the New Meuse. It is a trendy new developed area which is very popular with the younger expats.

Utrecht is, with its 290,000 inhabitants, the fourth largest city of the Netherlands. Utrecht has one of the most beautiful centres due to its canals and beautiful canal houses. Utrecht is an important hub of road, water and rail ways. Because of its central location in the Netherlands it is a popular location for fairs and conferences.
Finding a property in Utrecht centre is rather difficult as the locals living at the canals are happy there and not willing to move. Therefore the offer in the centre is very low.

For more information about Utrecht you can visit the following website:
www.utrecht.nl

Voorburg is with its 39,000 inhabitants part of the municipality Leidschedam-Voorburg. As it is situated right next to The Hague it is often regarded as one of The Hagues suburbs. You have all the facilities you might need nearby, yet living is more easy than in The Hague. This makes Voorburg a nice place to live for families.

Voorhout, with almost 15,000 inhabitants, is located a few kilometers north of Leiden en Oegstgeest. As of January 1, 2006 it became part of the new municipality Teylingen.

Voorschoten is a small town in the Randstad with only 23,000 inhabitants. It is located between Leiden and The Hague. Like Voorburg it is more quieter than the larger surrounding cities.

Weesp, with its 17,500 inhabitants, is located on the border of the Randstad and the Gooi and Vecht area. Amsterdam is only a few kilometres away, but the two cities are geographically separated by the wide Amsterdam-Rhine Canal. Weesp is very easily accessible and surrounded by open grasslands.

To get more information about Weesp you can visit the following website:
www.vvvhollandsmidden.nl

A green city with 72,036 inhabitants, packed with monumental windmills and villas, located just a few kilometres north of Amsterdam.

The name Zaandam finds its origin in the river Zaan, which separates the north and south side of the city.

In the 17th century Zaandam was characterised by the thousands of windmills sawing the wood imported from Scandinavia, many of these windmills are still present and functional.

To get more information about Rotterdam you can visit the following website:
www.zaaninfo.com

Zandvoort is the no.1 beach resort city of the Netherlands and home to the country’s most important automobile racing circuit “Circuit Park Zandvoort”.

With 16,605 inhabitants it’s not a very large city, however, Zandvoort is located a few kilometres away from Haarlem.

To get more information about Rotterdam you can visit the following website:
www.vvvzk.nl