Published November 10, 2024
Rotterdam, heart of the industry and proud to have one of the biggest harbours of Europe! Even though largely destroyed during the Second World War, Rotterdam has managed to become an international city at the forefront of architectural design. With around 660,000 residents (2023), Rotterdam is one of the biggest cities of the Netherlands. We have listed the districts that could be characterised as most ideal for expats.
Rotterdam's city centre contains historic buildings combined with extensive post-war development. Recent constructions have been both commercial and residential.
The city centre is quite busy and finding a parking spot is difficult. All facilities are present: cinemas, restaurants, sports, etc. The atmosphere in the city is multicultural, so a great spot to explore as an expat.
You will mainly find apartments, mostly upto 2 bedrooms. Many have been recently built and there are some prestigious developments along the Maas Boulevard affording lovely views of the Maas river. There are now more luxurious apartments available than previously.
Public Transport connections are excellent and include a very efficient and extensive underground system.
Rental prices range in the City Centre of Rotterdam for expat housing: €1,600 to over €5,000.
General average price per square meter per month: €23.24 (2024)
With areas such as Nieuwe Westen, Tussendijken and Spangen, Rotterdam West contains everything from old windmills and historic houseboats to townhouses and apartments. The area offers art galleries, restaurants and waterfront for leisurely walks. The Euromast with its green park are close by.
You will mainly find apartments, mostly up to 2 bedrooms, and loft-type properties in both historic as well as modern buildings.
Public Transport connections are excellent including metro, tram and bus.
Rental prices in Rotterdam West range for expat housing: €1,400 to over €4,000.
General average price per square meter per month: €19.63 (2024)
Rotterdam Noord
Edged between Crooswijk and Blijdorp, this is an up- and-coming area with trendy restaurants and cafes. There are some streets in Rotterdam Noord that are more residential than others. The former prison complex Noordsingel has been transformed into 57 homes and now boasts a public neighbourhood garden.
Rental prices in Rotterdam Noord range for expat housing: €1,400 to over €2,500.
General average price per square meter per month: €19.95 (2024)
Blijdorp
Blijdorp is a residential area in the surroundings of Blijdorp Zoo. It is close to the city center, only 10 minutes by bike or just a couple of minutes by tram. The Rotterdam International School (RISS) and Harbour International Primary school are both in the area, if you are looking for a school for expats. The area is therefore popular among young families.
Rental prices in Rotterdam Blijdorp range from €1,650 to over €2,500. (2024)
Hillegersberg
Hillegersberg, probably the most residential area of Rotterdam, is located 3km north of the city centre, on the river Rotte and by the Bergse Plassen. Green, suburban and housing both the Nord Anglia International School and the Japanese School as well as a golf club, the area is very popular with families with children. Moreover, there is easy access to highway as well as to the city centre.
Hillegersberg offers an array of a family homes. As is to be expected from a more exclusive location, house prices reflect the neighbourhood’s desirability.
Rental prices in Rotterdam Hillegersberg range for expat housing: €1,500 to over €4,000.
General average price per square meter per month: €19.53 (2024)
Schiebroek
Schiebroek is located near the Bergse Plassen and other recreational areas, such as the Schiebroekse Park, Melanchtonpark, Wilgenplaspark, Park Plaswijck, the children's farm De Wilgenhof and the Bergse Achterplas. With more greenery within Schiebroek itself, it has a lot of potential as an attractive residential area for expats.
The Peppelweg shopping center offers a wide range of shops and a market on Fridays.
Public Transport is good with access to Rotterdam city centre by bus and tram. RandstadRail connects Schiebroek to both Rotterdam and The Hague.
Rental prices in Rotterdam Schiebroek range for expat housing: €1,500 to over €3,000.
General average price per square meter per month: €19.53 (2024)
Overschie
Originally a separate village, the centre of Overschie has remained intact fairly well with historic houses, the city hall and a church. With only 17,000 inhabitants, it is relatively thinly populated. The post-war areas have a spacious setup with lots of greenery.
Rental in Rotterdam Overschie prices range from €2,000 to over €3,500. (2024)
Kralingen
In Kralingen, students and millionaires live side by side. Housing ranges from apartment buildings to impressive villas with private gardens. This neighbourhood is also known for the Avenue Concordia, a wide road surrounded by trees, the lake Kralingse Plas and the Kralingse Wood, offering a range of recreational possibilities.
Crooswijk
Crooswijk is more modest than Kralingen, as it is originally one of Rotterdam’s working-class neighbourhoods. Although it is much more international now, the area is still connected with ‘original’ Rotterdammers and the Rotterdam dialect. The area contains both older and newer properties.
Public Transport provides good access to Rotterdam city centre by underground, bus and tram connections.
Rental prices In Rotterdam Crooswijk range from €1,500 to over €3,000. (2024)
Prins Alexander
Boasting affordable houses and Rotterdam’s largest shopping area, the Alexandrium Shopping Centre, Prins Alexander is becoming increasingly more popular among expats.
Ommoord
Ommoord, the largest district of Prince Alexander, is a quiet residential area with lots of greenery consisting of more than 12,000 homes and housing more than 25,500 inhabitants. Its centre mainly consists of high-rise buildings and its population is relatively old; about half of its inhabitants is older than 55 years.
Nesselande
Nesselande has a large selection of spacious houses with a garden and apartments with a view of the Zevenhuizerplas. The housing supply also includes senior housing, relatively cheap rental housing and plots where people can build themselves.
Prinsenland
Prinsenland is wide, green and friendly. The district consists of more than 8,000 homes with over 19,000 inhabitants. Every neighborhood in Prinsenland has its own character. One neighborhood has a lot of low-rise and single-family homes, the other more high-rise buildings and apartments.
Public Transport is good with its own train station as well as access to Rotterdam city centre by metro, bus and tram connections.
Rental prices range in Rotterdam Prinsenland for expat housing: €€1,500 to over €3,500.
General average price per square meter per month: €15.54 (2024)
Kop van Zuid
Kop van Zuid, considered as the second centre of Rotterdam, is a modern, international and trendy area well positioned along the southern bank of the Nieuwe Maas. It boasts renovated warehouses and modern apartment blocks at upmarket prices.
Public Transport is good, with access to Rotterdam city centre by underground, bus and tram connections.
Find rental homes in Rotterdam South.
Rental prices in Rotterdam Kop van Zuid range from €2,000 to over €3,800. (2024)
Daniëlle is Country Director Netherlands at Eres Relocation, offering full relocation and immigration services as well as some tax services in 6 countries. With over 17 years’ experience in relocation and having lived abroad herself, Daniëlle and her team support transferees and their families with an empathetic, service-minded and results-driven approach. She is dedicated to ensuring they will have a smooth landing and feel welcome in their new country, wherever that may be. The group’s focus on quality is reflected in the fact that it is a longstanding holder of the EuRA Global Seal and the ISO 9001 : 2015 Standard.
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