Amsterdam vs Rotterdam: Which city is best to live in?
Nestpick is a Berlin-based online housing platform founded in Rotterdam in 2014 that deals with mid- to long-term rental housing from more traditional landlords rather than short-term holiday rentals. Joe Lofts gives a detailed overview of the rental market in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
The famous rivalry between the two great Dutch cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam takes on many guises, and even stretches back to the 13th century when both cities were first granted city status.
Whilst there’s always been a competitive nature between the inhabitants of these two very different cities, nowadays it mostly takes on the form of light-hearted banter. In fact, many residents freely move between the two. There’s even a name for these people: "Amrodammers".
However, various outdated clichés about both cities continue to persist, including which parts of each city are the best / worst, which are most affordable and what the residents of each city are like.
This comparative guide will dismantle such stereotypes and give you all the necessary information to help you decide whether Amsterdam’s historic apartments or Rotterdam’s modern living spaces best suit your needs.
A tale of two cities: A brief overview
Amsterdam is the Dutch capital, and has the bigger international reputation of the two. Famous for its pretty belt of canals, beautiful centuries-old architecture, coffee-shops and liberal attitude to life, Amsterdam is wildly popular with tourists and home to a large international expat community. With a population of 851.373, it’s also the largest city in the Netherlands.
Rotterdam is known as the gateway to Europe, and the city’s bustling seaport at the mouth of the River Maas is the largest on the continent. Whilst many local jobs in this traditionally working-class, multicultural city are connected to the port, the last couple of decades have seen the economy diversify.
This has triggered an architecturally modern skyline, the growth of a sizeable expat community and an excellent nightlife scene. With a population of 633.741, Rotterdam is the second most populous city in the Netherlands.
Average prices for furnished apartments: Amsterdam vs. Rotterdam
Rotterdam was almost entirely flattened by bombing during World War II, and large swathes of the city had to be rebuilt from scratch.
Many of the buildings here are more modern than their Amsterdam counterparts and tend to be more spacious too. The age and compact nature of buildings in Amsterdam (especially in central areas), as well as much higher demand for places, also ensures they are pricier.
Average rent prices for furnished apartments are 42,41 percent lower in Rotterdam than they are in Amsterdam, although this figure can be higher or lower depending on factors such as apartment size, age, style and location.
To take an example, the average monthly price for an 85 square-metre furnished apartment (or a reasonably sized 2-bed) in a normal area of Rotterdam is 1.031 euros.
In a normal area of Amsterdam, the figure stands at 1.464 euros - 30 percent more expensive than Rotterdam. Similarly, prices for household utilities are on average around 43 percent lower in Rotterdam than in Amsterdam.
The verdict
When it comes to choosing between Amsterdam and Rotterdam, both are fantastic cities for millennials, offering a plethora of opportunities for housing, work and leisure pursuits.
Amsterdam may be quite a bit more expensive to live in than Rotterdam, but it’s also an incredibly unique city that more than makes up for hefty rental costs with vibrancy and culture.
Likewise, Rotterdam may not be as popular or as busy as Amsterdam, but its futuristic architecture and forward-thinking attitude make it a great choice for expats.
Ultimately, the decision depends on your lifestyle, tastes and budget.
Back to overview
Amsterdam vs Rotterdam: Which city is best to live in?
Nestpick is a Berlin-based online housing platform founded in Rotterdam in 2014 that deals with mid- to long-term rental housing from more traditional landlords rather than short-term holiday rentals. Joe Lofts gives a detailed overview of the rental market in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
The famous rivalry between the two great Dutch cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam takes on many guises, and even stretches back to the 13th century when both cities were first granted city status.
Whilst there’s always been a competitive nature between the inhabitants of these two very different cities, nowadays it mostly takes on the form of light-hearted banter. In fact, many residents freely move between the two. There’s even a name for these people: "Amrodammers".
However, various outdated clichés about both cities continue to persist, including which parts of each city are the best / worst, which are most affordable and what the residents of each city are like.
This comparative guide will dismantle such stereotypes and give you all the necessary information to help you decide whether Amsterdam’s historic apartments or Rotterdam’s modern living spaces best suit your needs.
A tale of two cities: A brief overview
Amsterdam is the Dutch capital, and has the bigger international reputation of the two. Famous for its pretty belt of canals, beautiful centuries-old architecture, coffee-shops and liberal attitude to life, Amsterdam is wildly popular with tourists and home to a large international expat community. With a population of 851.373, it’s also the largest city in the Netherlands.
Rotterdam is known as the gateway to Europe, and the city’s bustling seaport at the mouth of the River Maas is the largest on the continent. Whilst many local jobs in this traditionally working-class, multicultural city are connected to the port, the last couple of decades have seen the economy diversify.
This has triggered an architecturally modern skyline, the growth of a sizeable expat community and an excellent nightlife scene. With a population of 633.741, Rotterdam is the second most populous city in the Netherlands.
Average prices for furnished apartments: Amsterdam vs. Rotterdam
Rotterdam was almost entirely flattened by bombing during World War II, and large swathes of the city had to be rebuilt from scratch.
Many of the buildings here are more modern than their Amsterdam counterparts and tend to be more spacious too. The age and compact nature of buildings in Amsterdam (especially in central areas), as well as much higher demand for places, also ensures they are pricier.
Average rent prices for furnished apartments are 42,41 percent lower in Rotterdam than they are in Amsterdam, although this figure can be higher or lower depending on factors such as apartment size, age, style and location.
To take an example, the average monthly price for an 85 square-metre furnished apartment (or a reasonably sized 2-bed) in a normal area of Rotterdam is 1.031 euros.
In a normal area of Amsterdam, the figure stands at 1.464 euros - 30 percent more expensive than Rotterdam. Similarly, prices for household utilities are on average around 43 percent lower in Rotterdam than in Amsterdam.
The verdict
When it comes to choosing between Amsterdam and Rotterdam, both are fantastic cities for millennials, offering a plethora of opportunities for housing, work and leisure pursuits.
Amsterdam may be quite a bit more expensive to live in than Rotterdam, but it’s also an incredibly unique city that more than makes up for hefty rental costs with vibrancy and culture.
Likewise, Rotterdam may not be as popular or as busy as Amsterdam, but its futuristic architecture and forward-thinking attitude make it a great choice for expats.
Ultimately, the decision depends on your lifestyle, tastes and budget.
Back to overview
