Housing Utrecht, property in Utrecht - Expat.com (2024)

FAQs

Is it hard to find housing in Utrecht? ›

Finding (student) housing in popular Dutch cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht is especially difficult because housing there is in high demand. If you plan to study at Utrecht University, you should start your search for housing several months before your arrival (even before you are formally admitted).

Finding Accommodation in Utrecht

Ijsselstei, Leidsche Rij, Nieuwegein and De Vechtstreek are popular neighborhoods for expats to live in with their proximity to the city center and transport connections. Properties in these areas range from traditional Dutch brick dwellings to ultramodern brand new builds.

Housing market in Utrecht (September 2024)

The average list price this quarter was 464,405 euros, compared to 470,308 euros last quarter. The average WOZ value in 2023 was 426,775 euros, compared to 373,455 euros in 2022.

Summary of cost of living in Utrecht, Netherlands: A family of four estimated monthly costs are 3,701.0$ (3,348.2€) without rent. A single person estimated monthly costs are 1,070.9$ (968.8€) without rent. Utrecht is 35.3% less expensive than New York (without rent).

The shortage of student homes in Utrecht is increasing, and the council fears it's only going to get worse. Utrecht is already one of the most expensive cities for students, but it's taking more than just their money. It's taking months to find somewhere to live.

So, to buy or not to buy a house in the Netherlands? If you want to purchase a property and you can afford it, you should. House prices move up and down, and the value of your house will probably increase slightly or stay the same in the near future. In the long term the value of your property will rise for sure.

Utrecht: the city center is compact, housing is a bit less expensive than Amsterdam, decent night life, fewer drug gang shootings. Not friendly to car owners. Center of national road and rail grid. Most people commute elsewhere to work.

You would need around 6,605.2€ in Amsterdam to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with 5,300.0€ in Utrecht (assuming you rent in both cities). This calculation uses our Cost of Living Plus Rent Index to compare the cost of living and assume net earnings (after income tax).

Is Utrecht worth living? ›

Utrecht is one of the most attractive places to live in the Netherlands, offering big-city amenities, a medieval center, and proximity to the Dutch countryside.

Including accommodation you're looking at a monthly cost of living in Utrecht between €1,700 (renting a private room) and €2,605 (renting an apartment). Let's dive into the average rental prices and the categories that are going to make up those living expenses.

The cost of living in the Netherlands for a single person = ~ €1,782 per month and ~ €21,384 per year. Average cost of living in the Netherlands for a student = ~ €1,250 per month and ~ €15,000 per year. Cost of living in the Netherlands for a family = ~ € 4,102 per month and ~ €49,224 per year.

According to WHO data (2018), the average life expectancy of residents in the Province of Utrecht is 82.6 years, compared to 80.6 years for those in the city of Utrecht.

Finding a home in the Netherlands is a difficult process, especially for expats who are not as familiar with the local housing market.

The Netherlands currently has a housing shortage of around 401,000 homes, compared to 390,000 in 2023, according to research agency ABF. The number of households is growing faster than new homes are being built. The ABF calculates the housing shortage for the central government every year.

There are long waiting lists for social housing in the Netherlands; currently this is around 15 years, but there are steps you can take to secure social housing faster. The social housing system works with a point system, the more points you have, the higher your chances are of getting social housing.