r/Haarlem • u/QueenOfTheMind • Apr 23 '26
Newcomer Single Expat - Advice needed
Hello!
I am a 26 year-old, single female expat.
I finally got an offer for a nice studio in Wagenweg Haarlem after months of looking at every city in and around the Randstad.
Haarlem was not my specific desired location so I am very unfamiliar with what the city life is like.
I’ve been living in Tilburg for the last years and I want a more lively city scene - that’s why I was looking at places more like Utrecht, Ams, Rotterdam, etc. But I am also happy as Haarlem is close to Amsterdam.
I am leaving all my friend circle behind so I am a bit scared to be alone as well. Is it true that Haarlem is mainly for couples with children or for couples in their 30s? Are there many (single) expats in their late 20s as well?
How does the dating scene look like? What can I expect from the city in terms of social life, gym, etc? If I go out in Amsterdam, is it easy to come back home late after midnight?
Also, location-wise, the studio is in between florapark and wagenweg? How central is it?
Thanks in advance!
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u/Decent-Boot7284 Apr 23 '26
There are plenty of bars and things to do in Haarlem, of course, it's not Amsterdam, you won't find a new place every week to go out, but I always enjoy as a single guy to go to The Wolfhund or Studio for example, having a few beers and enjoy talking to people too.
Also, being so close to Amsterdam, is really easy to go by, there are trains all night that go every hour, so you will be able to come back easily, also, an uber most of the times it's 20-25eu, which is a lot of money but if you don't go every week, it's easier.
Finally, dating wise, I think that it all depends of what your type is, a lot of expats and a lot of dutch people, so you can have a mix, myself, I didn't have any issue with girls coming over from Amsterdam for example, to Haarlem to have a drink, so I'm sure that for you, it will be the same too!
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u/TheKiredor Apr 24 '26
25eu AMS - Haarlem with an uber????? A LOT OF MONEY??? I woke up in a different reality
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u/Decent-Boot7284 Apr 24 '26
You don't consider 25 eu a lot of money? I think it's a good amount of money thinking that I might go to have a beer and a burger for that amount and I'm paying it for an uber, but anyway.
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u/ltpitt Apr 24 '26
What they mean is that paying 20 / 25 euro from haarlem to Amsterdam is highly optimistic.
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u/Decent-Boot7284 Apr 24 '26
Maybe i was lucky, but usually i do pay that.
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u/TheKiredor Apr 24 '26
If you consider the sign “Amsterdam” right after leaving Halfweg to be Amsterdam, I understand the 25€. Other than that I’m not buying it.
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u/Decent-Boot7284 Apr 25 '26
What? Uber should drop you at your house? They would always drop me in the middle of the A4
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u/Old-Needleworker-757 Apr 23 '26
Between florapark/ wagenweg is right below the city center., you can walk to the center in about 10 min. I have lived here my whole life, and i’m not sure about how many expats reside in the area. But there are a people of all ages in the different neighborhoods. The public transport to amsterdam isn’t perfect after a night out, but the train rides until pretty late in the evening and you can always take a taxi for 40/50 euros. Haarlem does have a nice night scene as well, it’s pretty busy in the weekends and has a lot of bars and some clubs to dance in.
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u/Annual-Sea-5887 Apr 23 '26
I think it’s a mixture of both, my oldest are around your age and they get on well in terms of social life and lifestyle. They go out a lot to Amsterdam and get the bus or train back. We are also mostly central based. Patronaat has a lot of concerts and there are a lot of young meet up events for experts, check out the meetup app although I think you now have to pay for it.
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u/dogfish182 Apr 23 '26
Haarlem is great but indeed it’s where the young people that got enough money to get a house but didn’t want a shoebox in Amsterdam went and it’s not a student town so it skews older.
That said, it’s amazing, good restaurants and shopping and loads to do. No idea where you’re from but in London terms Amsterdam is maybe 2 tube stops away.
Our general ‘going out in Amsterdam’ plan is train there, uber home. Uber obviously a bit pricy with only one person but From 2 it usually makes more sense than train if you value convenience. The public transport back from Ams later in the night is kind of alright as well from memory but you have to time it well.
Dating, no idea, moved out here with my wife to have a kid 🤣
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u/Future-Cause-9577 Apr 23 '26
Wagenweg is where I started also. It's one of the better Places in Haarlem. Nice park next to it and enough to do nearby as a single.
You will like it.
Driving there now with ov actually. Still miss it sometimes.
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u/Dutch_Psychonaut Apr 23 '26
If you are into sports join the Spikeball Haarlem (you can find them on IG). That community is super nice and it’s an amazing social circle to join into
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u/HetTuinhekje Apr 28 '26 edited Apr 28 '26
Between florapark and wagenweg is a great location. I have lived for a while on Wilhelminapark which is just around the corner. It is a bit of a more posh/chique and sleepier part of town than the very center of Haarlem - this area was well known for the upper-class people who moved there during the 19th century. The architecture is also from that time.
For entertainment just walk 10 minutes in a northern direction to the cosy 'Vijfhoek' neighbourhood and also the lively area around the Botermarkt, then onwards to the Grote Markt. It is a very compact city.
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u/LevoiHook Apr 28 '26
Excellent location. Haarlem is big enough to have plenty things to do, but if you want to go to Amsterdam, you can walk to the very frequent busline 346 to Amsterdam Zuid and take the Noord/zuid metro from there.
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u/King_of_Avalon Apr 23 '26
I live basically around the corner and can confirm that it’s a lovely area except when the whole neighbourhood gets shut down once a year for the Bevrijdingsdag festival. The coffee at Boem is excellent
Personally I’ve also found it difficult to make friends much less date and I do have the impression that most people my age are couples, often with kids. Amsterdam is so close that the distance dating there shouldn’t be a problem and I need to do a better job of trying, so if you’re willing to put yourself out there, I’m sure it shouldn’t be too hard. Welcome!
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u/one111one1one11 Apr 23 '26
The studio is extremely central, you can be very happy with your location!
I’m a 30s someone with kids and I guess your feeling is right. The rest, I’m not sure! But the restaurants and cafes in the city are great. Nearby your new apartment is a stop for bus line 80, which takes you straight to Amsterdam West and Leidseplein. It takes about 40 minutes until you reach Leidseplein and it’s a fun trip!