Exploring the Best Cities in The Netherlands: Where You Should Settle In?

When thinking about going abroad to work, most of us are guilty of only thinking about the new country they want to move to, often neglecting the specifics. Should it be a bustling city or a smaller town? If you’ve been thinking about moving to the Netherlands you might have considered Amsterdam or Rotterdam as viable options. However, there are much more great cities in the Netherlands than the two largest.

In this article, we talk about the best cities to live in the Netherlands considering different factors, such as safety, cost of living, housing market, and job opportunities.

The Netherlands at a Glance: Brief Overview

The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy, a system that has historically fostered a multi-party political landscape. The country is known for its tolerance and consensus-based “polder model” of governance. With a population of over 18 million people, it is one of the most densely populated countries in Europe. Despite its modest size, the Dutch economy is highly developed, with a strong focus on trade and an impressive GDP per capita.

Despite the fact that the biggest cities in the Netherlands tend to be the most popular expat destinations, there are also a myriad of other smaller towns that are worth taking a look at, especially if you want to keep living expenses at bay. Even then, you won’t be cut off from the rest of the country, as the Netherlands has outstanding transportation and road infrastructure, so daily commutes or weekend trips should be easy to organise.

Biggest Cities in The Netherlands

First of all, which are the largest cities in the Netherlands by population? It shouldn;t come as a surprise that the country’s capital, Amsterdam is the largest city, with nearly one million inhabitants. Second in line is the great port city of Rotterdam, with around 660 thousand people. The third largest city would be the Hague, the global center for international peace and justice, with over a half a million people. 

Most Popular Cities in The Netherlands

Amsterdam

When thinking about the best cities in the Netherlands, most people automatically think of the capital, Amsterdam, as the best destination in the country. It’s a vibrant expat and business hub, and its picturesque landscape, canals, and dynamic community, it’s easy to see why its huge popularity. Being the capital, there’s always something going on, whether you are into leisure, culture, or anything in between. From world-class museums to great pubs, fun is always within arm’s reach.

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With a population of around 918,117, it’s not exactly a megacity, but it’s just enough to get lost in the crowd if that’s what you are looking for. There are also dozens of parks in the city, with seven districts. 

The downside of living in the capital? The cost of living can be a major concern, especially if you want to dig deeper into the housing market. Amsterdam was regarded as the most expensive city in the Netherlands (and on the entire continent) regarding housing. 

Rotterdam

No matter where you end up living, Rotterdam is among the best cities to visit in the Netherlands, or even to live in. Being the second-largest city, it sports modern landscapes, giving the otherwise traditional country a bold modern look.

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Just like the capital, Rotterdam is also a multicultural metropolis with a vibrant cultural life and outstanding urban architecture. The city is also home to Europe’s largest port, the Europoort harbor, which might not only be a great tourist destination, but may also hold potential job opportunities. 

The urban environment means that the housing market is also slightly expensive, but the abundance of business hubs and blue-collar job opportunities can make the city a coveted destination for anyone who wants to start a new life in the Netherlands.

Utrecht

Utrecht is one of the prettiest cities in the Netherlands, mainly due to the fact that this old city is also often referred to as little Amsterdam. The historic center is also full with charming canals and shares a similar architecture. It’s also well connected with larger cities, such as the Capital, the Hague, and Rotterdam.

Utrecht is among the most popular cities to live in the Netherlands, but it also tends to be on the more expensive side, especially if you are looking for housing options in the very center. The suburbs are much less expensive, and if you don’t mind commuting from the province, you can opt for a smaller town, such as Amersfoort, which is also an expat-favourite.

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If you value great views and stunning architecture, then Utrecht, one of the most beautiful cities in the Netherlands will surely make a nice new home.

Eindhoven

Eindhoven is the home of electronics conglomerate, Phillips, and also boasts other high-tech companies as well, such as Siemens, Microsoft, and more. For instance, the High-Tech Campus is home to more than 300 companies alone. This vibrant tech hub is often called the Dutch Silicon Valley.

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If you love nature, then you’ll love the fact that Eindhoven is among the greenest cities in the country, with over 28% of the city center being green space. There’s a lot of housing opportunities in the urban center, but prices tend to be high. A more sensible idea for expats (especially if you’re relocating with your entire family) would be finding something in the city outskirts, such as Karpen or Wonesel-West with more spacious options, that also be less expensive.

Groningen

The largest city of the north, Groningen is a quieter city, with just enough life not to feel bored. With the city having around 230 000 inhabitants, the centre is vibrant enough with a lively culture and arts scene.

Even if you won’t be living here, Groningen is among the best cities to visit in the Netherlands as it constantly ranks among the happiest places in Europe. According to reports from the European Commission, the city ranks high in a handful of important factors, such as the quality of healthcare, education, and everyday living.

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If you opt for Groningen, you should be happy to know that it’s not among the most expensive cities in the Netherlands. Because it’s outside the Randstad region, the cost of living is significantly lower than other bustling cities, with rent prices being around 53% lower on average than in the capital. Groningen has several expat-favourite neighborhoods, such as Rivierenbuurt, Zeeheldenbuurt, Schilderswijk, or Oosterpoort.

Maastricht

Lastly, here’s a historical city from the south, which is the capital of Limburg province. The city is located on the banks of the Meuse river, boasting breathtaking views of the river, mediaeval architecture, and cobblestone streets. And the city isn’t all about historical landmarks, it also has a distinct cosmopolitan atmosphere, thanks to the proximity of the German and Belgian borders.

Maastricht should be among your go-to list among the cities to visit in the Netherlands, especially if you are a fan of history. Maastricht has the second highest number of heritage national sights in the country, only second to the capital. The city is home to one of the country’s oldest churches, the Sint-Servaasbasiliek, and the country’s oldest bridge, the Sint Servaasbrug bridge. Maastricht is also the Dutch city of carnivals, hosting one of the continent’s largest carnivals yearly.

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A large number of expats choose to settle in Wyck and Céramique, both situated on the eastern side of the Meuse and within walking distance of the city center. Other attractive districts include Boschstraatkwartier, Bosscherveld, and Lanakerveld, all found to the northwest of Maastricht. To the south, Sint Pieter is known as a leafy residential neighborhood, offering quick access to some of the area’s most remarkable landmarks, such as the Zonneberg caves, the Hoeve Lichtenberg castle ruins, and Mount Saint Peter (Sint Pietersberg).

Cities in The Netherlands: Considerations You Should Know

Naturally, there are also other places in the country that are worth checking out, such as Tilburg, Nijmegen, Almere, and Breda, to name a few. How many cities are there in the Netherlands? Depending on your definition of “city,” there are roughly over 300, so going over each and every city would take forever, that’s why we only cherry-picked some of the most popular destinations that are often on the map both for white- and blue-collar workers. 

Below, we’ll try to answer frequently raised concerns and questions about Dutch cities, regarding safety, quality of life, and job opportunities.

The Best Cities to Live in The Netherlands for Families

Generally speaking, the entirety of the country is safe and very family-friendly. Education and healthcare are both at a very high level, with an outstanding academic system. The Netherlands is also among the best places around the globe to raise children, according to UNICEF. 

If you’re worried about the language barrier for your kids, you can find several international schools in The Hague and Amsterdam. However, the most popular places for families are usually Amstelveen, Leidsche Rijn, the Amsterdam suburbs, and Haarlem, primarily because they tend to be more affordable for couples with children. This is especially important if you are considering purchasing a home in the Netherlands.

The Best Cities in The Netherlands for Singles

If you are on your own, chances are, you might want to be in a city that is more vibrant, giving you more opportunities to meet new people and socialise in general. If that’s what you’re after (apart from work, naturally), then your two best bets are the largest cities in the Netherlands, Amsterdam and Rotterdam. These two cities have good nightlife, with a lot of chances to mingle and socialise. These two places also host several art art music festivals, along with other interesting events ensuring that you always have where to go.

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That’s not to say that other places don’t have their own things going for them. You can find a variety of events in smaller cities, and if nothing else, you can also travel from one point to another with ease, thanks to the Dutch transportation system.

Best Cities on a Budget

We already stated that the most expensive cities in the Netherlands tend to be the capital and other large hubs, such as Rotterdam, especially in terms of housing. If you want to save on your living expenses but still want to be close to Amsterdam, you can always look for a place in Zaandam, Hilversum, or Amstelveen. If you want to live near Rotterdam or The Hague, Gouda or Delft may be great options.

Still, if you want to get the most out of your budget, especially regarding housing, you should consider living outside the Randstad. That said, you can find cheap housing options in provinces such as Zeeland, Groningen, and Limburg.

Best Cities in The Netherlands for Work Opportunities

The country being a global business hub, basically, you can find great opportunities in the entire country. The Netherlands is home to the headquarters of several international or European companies, offering a range of job opportunities for every professional. 

If you’re discouraged because of the language barrier, you should know nearly everyone in the Netherlands can hold a conversation in English, meaning that you can apply for jobs and work even if you don’t speak the language.

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Naturally, the larger cities such as Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, and The Hague will host the most job opportunities, but you can find plenty of other vacancies (especially in the blue-collar sector) across the entire country, in roles such as logistics, production, and farming.

Are There Cities in The Netherlands You Should Avoid?

The Netherlands is considered a safe country, with crime rates subsiding in all provinces (according to data from the CBS, or the Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek) this includes everything from pick-pollecting to shoplifting, and domestic burglary. Typically, violent crimes are uncommon in the country.

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Still, you should know that major cities like Rotterdam, Amsterdam and The Hague tend to have higher crime rates than smaller cities, but they still rank as extremely safe. This might rank them as the most dangerous cities in the Netherlands, but compared to other metropolitan areas around the globe, they are still very safe.

 For example, Amsterdam ranks as the sixth city out of 60 on the Economist Intelligence Units Safe Cities Index 2021 list.

Lastly, it’s also worth mentioning that certain low-income areas in cities may tend to have more crime. The Netherlands also has organised crime, such as drug exports and human trafficking, but they aren’t a direct threat to the public.

All in all, the safest cities in the Netherlands tend to be the smaller towns.

Explore Your Options

In a nutshell, almost all cities in the Netherlands are great for settling down, family life, and great work-life balance. When it comes to quality of life, usually housing plays the most important role, as it drives expenses up. Finding a job outside the Randstad can help you save on rent, while still giving you the opportunity to explore Dutch culture.

That said, if your major concern is housing, let Robin help you find a job with guaranteed accommodation, that’s usually below typical rent prices. Check out our latest Dutch job listings here.