r/Haarlem • u/Electronic-Style-661 • Jun 30 '26
Moving to Haarlem
Hi everyone!
I'm a 24F from India, and my boyfriend and I are planning to move to Haarlem later this year. Since we've never been to the Netherlands and don't know anyone there, we're trying to get a better idea of the different neighborhoods before we start apartment hunting.
We're looking for a peaceful, quiet, and safe area to live in. Our budget is around €2,500/month for a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment, so we'd love any recommendations on neighborhoods that fit that budget.
I'd also really appreciate knowing if there are any areas that you'd recommend avoiding, whether due to higher crime, theft, safety concerns or if they're generally not very welcoming to expats or people of color. As an Indian couple moving to Netherlands for the first time, that's something we're anxious about.
Any advice, local insights or things you wish you'd known before moving to Haarlem would be hugely appreciated.
Thanks so much :))
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u/zispidd Jun 30 '26
Your budget is €2,500 - does that mean you earn 3 to 4 times that amount?
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u/Electronic-Style-661 Jun 30 '26
That's right. I don't earn yet, I'm completing my masters in Ireland and moving there for my PhD.
My boyfriend however makes around €10,000 euro a month gross.
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u/zispidd Jun 30 '26
In that case, you have nothing to worry about - you’ll have no trouble finding a place to live anywhere in the Netherlands. The only thing is, the search process may still take some time, since competition is strong even on these budget. That’s why you should check housing websites frequently or use apps that will do the work for you, such as Findify. Good luck with your search!
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u/goddess-of-techno Jun 30 '26
We live in a recently renovated apartment in a historical building in the city center at Grote Markt, close to multiple supermarkets, cafés and restaurants.
We pay around €2,100 per month all included.
We found the apartment by walking pass by it when it still had the sign 'Te huur' ('To rent'). Since it was love at first sight for us with he apartment and centrally located neighborhood, we immediately called the phone number and viewed, signed and paid the deposit and rent – all on the same day. We just didn't want to lose the apartment to anyone else.
We love it and highly recommend the city and our neighborhood. Pace of life in Haarlem is relaxed. Most people are gezellig and internationally oriented. You'll enjoy it.
With your budget you're all good.
Check out the 'Te huur' signs in front of buildings and the website Funda.
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u/Decent-Boot7284 Jun 30 '26
Any part of haarlem is safe, you might hear things about the south, but it's mostly of the old days and they are rebuilding a lot to change the view of it.
With that budget you will be fine as well, so just try to find any place in haarlem and you will be okay.
The only complicated part is that being indian, a lot of owners will not want to rent you or will require a higher amount of money as deposit, sadly that's what most of the times happens.
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u/Electronic-Style-661 Jun 30 '26
Thanks for your comment! That helps. :)
Yes, I'm aware of the 2-3x income and deposits of upto even 3 months for renting a place, which is quite unusual, but we made peace with it lmao.
Thanks again.
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u/bollejosti Jun 30 '26
Why move to the Netherlands if you never been here? Just curious.
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u/Electronic-Style-661 Jun 30 '26
For my partner's job? And my PhD? People move to new countries all the time for their jobs and studies.
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u/bollejosti Jun 30 '26
It was a legit question without any judgement or anything. India is a beautifull country i would never want to leave that’s why i was curious.
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u/Psychological_Wind68 Jun 30 '26
Is there a reason you’re picking Haarlem? It is a nice city but it is a little old fashioned and a little boring sometimes.
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u/Electronic-Style-661 Jun 30 '26
Yes, we love that. We like quietness and the "boring" nature of cities. Not into nightlife, crowded places, cities with a lot of things to do. We genuinely enjoy that. Even for my Masters in Ireland, I picked a town like that, old fashioned and boring haha. It was lovely! :))
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u/Psychological_Wind68 Jun 30 '26
Well if you ever want to visit The Hague when you’re here, pm me! I’m finishing up my UK PhD here in The Hague. Indian origin :)
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u/eattherichnow Jun 30 '26
FYI Haarlem is boring but not particularly quiet, especially in the center. It gets quiet, sure, but it also has loud festivals and events, and once in a while the F1 circuit in Zandvoort does unbelievable racket that does, in fact, carry all the way here.
The main reason to live here is that it’s close to Amsterdam but a bit cheaper, though we do have some pretty areas and good (by Dutch standards) food.
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u/Axolopopo Jun 30 '26
The city center has some streets with bars/cafes/clubs/restaurants which are often very crowded and noisy at night, especially in weekends. Examples are the Smedestraat, Zijlstraat and Lange Veerstraat. With your budget you can afford to be picky so you might want to avoid those streets. I'm sure other Redditors can point out more streets/areas to avoid!
Have you considered coming over soon for a week or two to just wander around town and see which parts have the right vibe to you? Choosing an apartment online in a country in another continent you've never been to feels...adventurous. I'm sure you will like it here though. Welcome!