Where to live: Amsterdam or Utrecht?
Aug 20th 2008, 10:37 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1
Where to live: Amsterdam or Utrecht?
Dear All,
I have just accepted a job in Bilthoven and will be moving within the next month - I need to start house hunting! I am torn between living in Utrecht, much closer to work, and Amsterdam, probably at least an hour commute to work.
I am thinking it may make more sense to be based in Utrecht but I am in my mid-twenties and have no idea what the city has to offer. Any advice would be much appreciated!
Katie
I have just accepted a job in Bilthoven and will be moving within the next month - I need to start house hunting! I am torn between living in Utrecht, much closer to work, and Amsterdam, probably at least an hour commute to work.
I am thinking it may make more sense to be based in Utrecht but I am in my mid-twenties and have no idea what the city has to offer. Any advice would be much appreciated!
Katie
Aug 21st 2008, 6:33 am
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 77
Re: Where to live: Amsterdam or Utrecht?
Although I have never been to Utrecht, I've just checked on the train site and it is between 27 - 30 minutes depending which train you jump on. (this is based on travelling from A'dam Centraal to Utrecht Centraal) Not sure about car driving.. maybe it is an hour with traffic? Though I don't know why people drive over there.. transport system is fantastic. there is no need.
I would guess that Utrecht is slightly cheaper. I know A'dam accommodation prices are sky high. But others will be able to advise I am sure. Good luck
Mish
I would guess that Utrecht is slightly cheaper. I know A'dam accommodation prices are sky high. But others will be able to advise I am sure. Good luck
Mish
Aug 21st 2008, 8:02 am
#3
Joined: May 2006
Location: Galicia
Posts: 3,140
Re: Where to live: Amsterdam or Utrecht?
The two cities are very different and it does really depend on your preferences.
If you only have less then a month then you had better get going as you will have to find a place sign documents etc etc.
If you only have less then a month then you had better get going as you will have to find a place sign documents etc etc.
Aug 21st 2008, 12:06 pm
#4
It's what the eye see's..
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 839
Re: Where to live: Amsterdam or Utrecht?
Dear All,
I have just accepted a job in Bilthoven and will be moving within the next month - I need to start house hunting! I am torn between living in Utrecht, much closer to work, and Amsterdam, probably at least an hour commute to work.
I am thinking it may make more sense to be based in Utrecht but I am in my mid-twenties and have no idea what the city has to offer. Any advice would be much appreciated!
Katie
I have just accepted a job in Bilthoven and will be moving within the next month - I need to start house hunting! I am torn between living in Utrecht, much closer to work, and Amsterdam, probably at least an hour commute to work.
I am thinking it may make more sense to be based in Utrecht but I am in my mid-twenties and have no idea what the city has to offer. Any advice would be much appreciated!
Katie
Hmmm... mid-twenties? And you don't mind the traveling time to and from work? I'd go for Amsterdam. By far the better choice the Utrecht.
Dutchie
Aug 24th 2008, 7:06 pm
#5
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1
Re: Where to live: Amsterdam or Utrecht?
I don't agree with Dutchie. Utrecht is the perfect city to live in. First of all, it is one of the biggest cities of The Netherlands, with quiet area's and very urbanized area's. Because it is in the centre of The Netherlands it is a real student city with tons of young people. There are a lot of cultural activities and everything you need is in the neighborhood, because the city centre of Utrecht is comparatively small. And if you want to have fun in Amsterdam it just takes 30 minutes by train.
Oct 3rd 2008, 8:46 pm
#6
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: Live in Utrecht work in Ede
Posts: 9
Re: Where to live: Amsterdam or Utrecht?
Hi Katie,
I've just moved from London to Utrecht.... i was told its one of the best places to live. cheaper than amsterdam, abit less in your face and just as exciting. But amsterdam is only 30mins away on the train so nights out there partying are still very much an option.
I'm 24 and probably have similar kind of wants from a city. I'm pretty sure you'll find everything you need in utrecht. very friendly place.
I've just moved from London to Utrecht.... i was told its one of the best places to live. cheaper than amsterdam, abit less in your face and just as exciting. But amsterdam is only 30mins away on the train so nights out there partying are still very much an option.
I'm 24 and probably have similar kind of wants from a city. I'm pretty sure you'll find everything you need in utrecht. very friendly place.
Oct 10th 2008, 7:19 am
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 34
Re: Where to live: Amsterdam or Utrecht?
My answer from the Commuting post:
I lived in Amsterdam for 3 months but I much prefer Utrecht. I pay slightly less than Amsterdam prices for my apartment in centrum but to me, there's no contest. And if I want bright light city I can get there and back any time day or night.
During the daytime, there's trains to Amsterdam every 15mins and if you're coming out of a club at the crack of dawn, at least every hour. Ideal
Not sure what kind of a party animal you are but for me it was important to live in a city where the transport connections were great. Utrecht never really sleeps and it's practically in the middle of the country. I can trek it to a party in the middle of nowhere and still get home on a Sunday..
Hope this helps
During the daytime, there's trains to Amsterdam every 15mins and if you're coming out of a club at the crack of dawn, at least every hour. Ideal
Not sure what kind of a party animal you are but for me it was important to live in a city where the transport connections were great. Utrecht never really sleeps and it's practically in the middle of the country. I can trek it to a party in the middle of nowhere and still get home on a Sunday..
Hope this helps
Oct 20th 2008, 12:31 pm
#8
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1
Re: Where to live: Amsterdam or Utrecht?
If you want to rent a house in Holland, Utrecht is a lot cheaper. The average prices in Utrecht are around 900 and 1300 euro a month. In Amsterdam it’s around 1400 a 2000 euro a month (if you're lucky
). The price is based on an apartment of 100 m2.
You could check these links: Utrecht & Amsterdam for rental properties in Holland. (website is in English)
I live in Amstelveen, it’s a city near Amsterdam. It’s a lot cheaper to live and I’m within 25 minutes in Amsterdam.
). The price is based on an apartment of 100 m2. You could check these links: Utrecht & Amsterdam for rental properties in Holland. (website is in English)
I live in Amstelveen, it’s a city near Amsterdam. It’s a lot cheaper to live and I’m within 25 minutes in Amsterdam.
Oct 24th 2008, 3:48 pm
#9
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Living and working in RAK and wondering where all the nice single men are!
Posts: 23
Re: Where to live: Amsterdam or Utrecht?
Katie,
I've recently moved to Amsterdam, its a great city but renting alone is very difficult.... I've only in the last month decided to look for a flat mate. I have a 2 bed appartment in Amsterdam just round the corner from Vondelpark. If your intersted in possibly sharing with me, email me: <<snip>>
I'm 27 and a secondary teacher at the British School.
Hope to hear from you soon
Melissa
I've recently moved to Amsterdam, its a great city but renting alone is very difficult.... I've only in the last month decided to look for a flat mate. I have a 2 bed appartment in Amsterdam just round the corner from Vondelpark. If your intersted in possibly sharing with me, email me: <<snip>>
I'm 27 and a secondary teacher at the British School.
Hope to hear from you soon
Melissa
Last edited by Sue; Oct 24th 2008 at 4:48 pm. Reason: email address removed for privacy, best to share private info via the private message system
Oct 25th 2008, 4:06 pm
#10
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 168
Re: Where to live: Amsterdam or Utrecht?
I would choose Utrecht, it is not far from most places in southern Holland. Amsterdam is an amazing town but I wouldnt want to live there.
Nov 2nd 2008, 10:23 pm
#11
Just Joined
Joined: May 2007
Location: Utrecht, The Netherlands
Posts: 17
Re: Where to live: Amsterdam or Utrecht?
Utrecht, of course Nah just kidding. I really enjoy Utrecht, and commuting to Amsterdam is easy. I used to work at the Rembrandtplein and live in Utrecht and it was about 50 minutes door to door. Not too bad It depends what you like, Amsterdam is more busy, Utrecht has the charms of an old city and is very lively as well due to the fact the country's largest University is in Utrecht. The canals have 'werfkelders' which are unique in Holland; basements at the water level in which many restaurants are housed. I tend to say that Utrecht is a smaller and less busy version of Amsterdam. And if you want to go out in Amsterdam, a night train service always gets you back to Utrecht again
Am I biased? Probably
Nah just kidding. I really enjoy Utrecht, and commuting to Amsterdam is easy. I used to work at the Rembrandtplein and live in Utrecht and it was about 50 minutes door to door. Not too bad It depends what you like, Amsterdam is more busy, Utrecht has the charms of an old city and is very lively as well due to the fact the country's largest University is in Utrecht. The canals have 'werfkelders' which are unique in Holland; basements at the water level in which many restaurants are housed. I tend to say that Utrecht is a smaller and less busy version of Amsterdam. And if you want to go out in Amsterdam, a night train service always gets you back to Utrecht again Am I biased? Probably
