Congratulations, you are about to live your dream of studying urban management and development in the city that is at the cutting-edge of urban design – and named by Vogue as “the Dutch Brooklyn”. While you bring your feet back down to earth, there are a couple of practical matters to deal with before you can head off skipping into the Rotterdam skyline, namely finding somewhere to live. With many unique areas, each with their own individual personality we are going to give you the inside scoop on some of the best neighbourhoods to live in Rotterdam.
Kralingen
15 minutes by bike to the city centre and less than 10 minutes from the Erasmus University, this leafy area is well known among students. The neighbourhood is home to the Kralingse Bos Park and Lake which is a popular hang-out for joggers, skaters and sailors. Having largely survived the 1940 bombings this area has kept its traditional buildings and cobbled streets. In terms of location it can’t get much better, but with this convenience comes competition as accommodation here is in high demand.
Rotterdam City Centre
For those that want to be right in the heart of the action then the city centre is the place to set up home. From the infamous Markthal to the Witte de Withstraat, a street buzzing with bars, pubs, restaurants, galleries and boutiques, there is plenty to keep you occupied. With an excellent public transport network students who live in the city centre can hop on the tram or metro directly to campus, however, the quickest option is usually via bike.
Blijdorp
Home to the famous Rotterdam Zoo, Blijdorp is located in the north-west of the city and is a 20-minute cycle ride from the university campus. The main benefits of this area are its close proximity to the energetic city centre and its recreational areas such as the Roel Langerakpark and Vroesenpark.
Rotterdam Zuid
The south of Rotterdam doesn’t traditionally have the best reputation, but it still has hidden gems you can explore and it is a more affordable place to live. Besides this, it is just a 20-minute bike ride to the Woudestein campus and 15 minutes from the city centre.
Delfshaven
For those that are looking for traditional Dutch architectural style then head over to historic Delfshaven. One of the only neighbourhoods to survive the WWII bombings, Delfshaven oozes old-world charm. With an urban oasis in the form of The Dakpark, a market with 180 different stalls, canals and an inner-city harbour there is plenty of reasons to make this area your base.
While you are hunting for your dream digs, bear in mind that the cost to rent a room in a shared student house or apartment will be in the region of 450 to 650 euros. This will, of course, depend on the area and size of the room.
- More information
For more information about looking for accommodation in Rotterdam you may find our housing for international students and frequently asked questions pages useful.
If you haven’t secured your place on our master’s programme yet, please see our course information page to find out more and for details on how to apply.
Photo credit: Ossip Van Duivenbode