How to survive the Dutch housing market as an international student

So, you’re thinking of moving to the Netherlands to pursue higher education – Lekker! You’ve been doing tons of research on study programmes, transportation, the weather, and the quirky Dutch culture.

"Finding a place to live doesn't have to be a nightmare. Nyenrode Business University provides the perfect combination of business studies and housing.

However, the most important thing to consider when moving to the Netherlands is housing. Searching for a place to live that is available, well-located, and within your budget is tricky enough as it is.

Combine that with the fact that the Netherlands has been going through a housing shortage for a number of years now and it’s only getting worse.

The housing shortage

In 2021, the number of needed homes increased by around 20 percent. In short: there simply isn’t enough space for the number of people living in the tiny country.

The news is even worse for internationals as the Netherlands has decided to attract fewer foreign students to the country because of the crisis. But finding housing as an international student is not impossible. With careful planning, execution, and some luck, you’re well on your way to finding your new Dutch home!

Housing websites

The most popular way to search for housing in the Netherlands is through housing websites and search engines. Some higher educational institutions have deals with rental agencies to offer accommodation to internationals.

This option is usually available only for first-year students, but it is a great option since the university takes care of finding the room for you. This is especially helpful if you have never lived in the Netherlands before.

Even if you would have to move out in a year, it would give you time to become familiar with the Dutch housing market and search for a new home. You can also make friends, who can help you look or even offer their own place to stay at temporarily.

It’s also possible to look for accommodation through specific Facebook groups. You can normally find these by typing the name of your city and housing into the search bar.

Consider a programme with housing included

Okay, so maybe you’re already feeling overwhelmed about searching for a home from reading this. If you haven’t decided what you would like to study yet, it’s perhaps a good idea to consider a programme where the university can provide housing options as part of the educational experience. This means that you pay for your study but also can arrange your housing at the same time, so you don’t have to worry about searching for rooms on your own.

Discover an immersive programme at Nyenrode Business University

Luckily, Nyenrode Business University offers high-quality bachelor’s, master’s, and MBA programmes in business and management with several housing options to choose from. 

Study and live in the heart of Amsterdam

At Nyenrode, you have the option of studying at their Amsterdam campus, located in the heart of the Dutch capital. This vibrant, international campus is close to several startup companies and multinational corporations, keeping you always connected to the business world. 

Nyenrode's Amsterdam campus also has a Business Lounge where you can network with other business professionals over food and drink. Another benefit of studying at the Amsterdam campus is the access to many corporate events throughout the year. 

Address: Keizersgracht 285, 1016 ED Amsterdam, Netherlands

Guaranteed housing in Amsterdam Diemen-Zuid

Nyenrode also offers accommodation to students through a cooperation with OurDomain in Diemen-Zuid. The housing facility is located 15 minutes from their Amsterdam university building and Amsterdam Central station and boasts a relaxing garden, sports court, and even a rooftop terrace.

But the best part about the Diemen campus is their community of international, young professionals and students. This makes it easy to work and play from the comfort of your own home!

Address: Dalsteindreef 6002, 1112XJ Diemen, Netherlands

Live and work in a historic location

On the other hand, if you prefer to have a classic college-style experience, Nyenrode's Breukelen campus is a historic estate which also happens contain a 13th-century castle. This campus offers conveniently located rooms and apartments with lots of amenities including a library, sports facilities, student bars, and even a self-service restaurant with a terrace.

This campus is the perfect spot if you wish to live and work closely together with other like-minded business students and professionals. 

This location is close to the village of Breukelen, where you can find small shops, restaurants, supermarkets, and a pharmacy. The campus is also 30-minutes away by public transport, and 39-minutes by bike, from Utrecht's ancient city centre. 

Address: Straatweg 25, 3621 BG Breukelen, Netherlands

Avoiding rental scams

Did you manage to find a place on your own and you’re thinking of signing the rental contract? Before you do that, make sure that you’ve read the full agreement and to ask your landlord if you have any questions or concerns. If you notice any of the following things from a rental property listing or "landlord", it's probably a scam:

• The property looks too good to be true.
• They ask for a security deposit or first month’s rent before you sign a contract.
• They don't want to meet you in person.
• They claim to be abroad to avoid giving a tour.
• The post is published by an anonymous source.
• They want you to move in right away.

If you decide to find housing on your own, it's important to be cautious of anything that seems suspicious or out of the ordinary. There are a lot of scammers out there who specifically target internationals, especially students.

Luckily, Nyenrode Business University provides a well-rounded university experience by providing its students with safe accommodations close to their faculties. 

Contact Nyenrode

If you want to know more about studying and living at Nyenrode Business University in Amsterdam or in Breukelen, you can reach them at +31 (0)346 291 211 or [email protected].