LIVING IN OR OUTSIDE ROTTERDAM
Rotterdam is a true metropolis: groovy, dynamic, spacious and modern. Rotterdam is voted the Best City in The Netherlands 2015 - 2017 and Best in Travel 2016 by Lonely Planet. Typically, the tall buildings like Maastoren by Dam & Partners, New Orleans by Alvaro Siza, Montevideo by Mecanoo and off course De Rotterdam by OMA & Rem Koolhaas define the view of de Kop van Zuid. The harbor, trendy restaurants and food markets, museums and great festivals make Rotterdam a city where everybody finds his place. Rotterdam gives many people a sense of freedom, this is also noted at the housing market. The city is known for its diverse properties and reasonable housing prices.
Are you looking for a penthouse or a studio for yourself? Or maybe you prefer a thirties home with garden and a child friendly neighborhood. Whatever home it is, chances are that I will find it for you.
Even if you already know exactly what kind of house you want, there's a lot to think about since Rotterdam is rich in contrasts. Each district has its own character. From the vibrant center till Hoek van Holland, where you practically live at the North Sea. Multicultural neighborhoods, such as Oude Noorden and Rotterdam Zuid, Katendrecht near ‘de Maas’. What suits you and your lifestyle best? What about schools, shops and accessibility? And is there enough space around for sports and recreation? In short, Rotterdam has much to offer.
Do you rather live in a residential area ? The surrounding municipalities each have their own character and are perfectly connected with Rotterdam.
I know Rotterdam and the housing market thoroughly and have, for example lived in the City-Center, Kralingen, Prins Alexander, Dirksland, Middelharnis, ‘s Gravendeel and Capelle aan den IJssel. Therefore I can tell you more about the neighborhoods in Rotterdam and surrounding municipalities.
Living in Rotterdam
Centrum
The most cosmopolitan place to live in Rotterdam is of course the center. Here life goes on 24/7. A studio or apartment overlooking distinctive architecture, or on the Maas, is a delight. The city center and Kralingen is a popular area for students, expats and young people . Everything is within reach: bars, restaurants, terraces, shops, theaters, museums and cinemas.
Kop van Zuid
‘Kop van Zuid’ is located opposite of the center of Rotterdam. The district is connected by the Erasmus Bridge, the underground subway connection and ‘the Willemsbrug’. The connections is an important link between 'North' and 'South'. Income and education tend to be relatively high. People with many different cultural backgrounds live in this area. The neighborhood is characterized by a lot of new buildings, including high-rise towers. There are also several historic buildings, like the building where Hotel New York is currently situated, which is more than a century old.
Kralingen
Kralingen is a typical district with a historic ambiance and a quiet urban and green living environment. In general the people who live in Kralingen are live-educated, self-reliant, high-earning people who enjoy life. The presence of educational institutions makes for a sizable student population in the district. The average income is high. ‘Het Kralingse Bos’ is the largest park of Rotterdam. In 2007 the area was named Best Public Space of the Netherlands.
Blijdorp
Stately canals and quiet streets. It’s for a good reason the Blijdorp district is nominated for conservation area. In recent years, the population in this district rejuvenated. Blijdorp has attracted people between 25 and 45 years. It has good recreation like the Roel Langerakpark, Vroesenpark and Blijdorp Zoo. With the light rail the center of Rotterdam and The Hague are quickly accessible.
Oude Noorden
Het Oude Noorden has plazas, boulevards and cozy streets. The old neighborhood is full of diversity and contrasts. Young, old, rich, poor, student, actors, artists, entrepreneurs and shopkeepers live and work alongside and with each other. There are relatively many single households and single-parent families. The district has several allied community groups where people share gardens, playgrounds and courtyard.
Hillegersberg-Schiebroek
The atmospheric Hillegersberg-Schiebroek area is a neighborhood with a village character. Iconic are recreation areas ‘De Bergse Plassen’ and the north-east part of the river Rotte. You will find beautiful historic buildings, historic mansions and villas, but also low buildings, mixed with single-family homes and new construction. There is plenty of space for water and greenery. Sailing is a popular activity and besides villas there are many summer houses at the back of the Lake. Light rail brings both Rotterdam and The Hague together.
Prins Alexander
Prins Alexander is a large residential area at the eastside of the city of Rotterdam. The neighborhoods in this district all have their own characteristics.
For example ‘Het lage land’ is a post war district, more than half of the residents are single and over a fifth are families with children.
Kralingseveer is the smallest and oldest district of Prins Alexander, with many old buildings spread over a prewar and postwar section. In addition, there are also new built homes and 70% of the houses are privately owned.
Nesselande is the newest district located in the northeast with a wide range of spacious houses with gardens and apartments overlooking the Zevenhuizerplas. The Zevenhuizerplas is becoming more and more a recreational attraction, with skateparks, beach volleyball and also some nice restaurants.
Ommoord is a quiet residential area with lots of green. In the central area are high-rise and low-rise apartment buildings.
Oosterflank was built in the eighties and consists of family houses and (mostly low) buildings.
In Prinsenland and 's-Gravenland each area has its own character. One area has many low-rise and single-family homes, the other more high-rise buildings and apartments.
Zevenkamp is located on the northeastern outskirts of Rotterdam, between the areas Ommoord and Nesselande. Zevenkamp is a neighborhood with excellent facilities, varied housing and recreation in a green environment. Also the small river Rotte and Rottemeren (Rotte-‘lakes’) are very close on the North side offering recreational possibilities.
Katendrecht
Katendrecht is a peninsula on the south of Rotterdam, surrounded by Maashaven, Nieuwe Maas and ‘de Rijnhaven’. Katendrecht is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Rotterdam and has gone through a huge metamorphosis the last few years. A notorious problem area where most people would rather not come is now one of the most popular, fashionable and safe neighborhoods of Rotterdam. It has a unique mix of historic buildings and trendy new buildings. The demographics of Katendrecht is unique. There are many 'Kapenezen ‘ from the beginning. Alternatively, the district attracted hundreds of new inhabitants in the past years, including many double income households and families with children.
Living outside Rotterdam
At ‘de Hollandse IJssel’
Situated at the east of Rotterdam are three medium-sized municipalities: Capelle aan den IJssel, Krimpen aan den Ijssel and Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel. Included a lot of facilities: schools, sports facilities, shopping centers, medical facilities and leisure activities. With perfect public transport links to the center of Rotterdam. The unique feature of these communities, they are next to the river IJssel.
At ‘IJsselmonde’
At the southwest of Rotterdam, on the island of IJsselmonde, small municipalities are situated such as Rhoon, Poortugaal, Hoogvliet and Barendrecht. Typical of these municipalities is the authentic, medieval village and commuters with the port of Rotterdam. Thanks to the excellent subway connection the center of Rotterdam is in reach within 20 minutes.
Near ‘De nieuwe Waterweg’
North of the ‘Nieuwe Maas’ are old municipalities lie Schiedam, Vlaardingen, Maassluis and Hoek van Holland, each with its own history. Vlaardingen is known as the herring capital of the Netherlands. Gin City Schiedam is a tourist attraction with its historic center, conservation area, the windmills and old crafts. Maassluis is much smaller and has a conservation area with many monuments and landmarks. Hoek van Holland is the coastal town where the Rotterdammers go to the beach. The location is unique, on the north bank of the New Waterway where it reaches the North Sea.
At ‘De Hoeksche Waard’
Located at the South of Rotterdam is the Hoeksche waard. It is an agricultural are with many small towns. Are you looking for tranquility then living here in one of the five small municipalities is a good choice: Binnenmaas, Cromstrijen, Korendijk, Oud Bijerland or Strijen. The Hoekschewaard consists of 60 polders and has the status of National Heritage.
In the Rottemeren area
Fifteen minutes north of Rotterdam, it is pleasant to live in the green villages Berkel en Rodenrijs, Bergschenhoek and Bleiswijk. Together they form the municipality Lansingerland. All three villages lie along the river Rotte, a natural and leisure area with lakes, beaches and breeding grounds for birds. Also in the Bergse Forest there is fully recreational area and you find outdoor activities. This area is a stone's throw from Rotterdam Airport and the city of den Haag.
