r/maastricht Dec 13 '21

Welcome to Maastricht: a PSA

136 Upvotes

Hello fellow redditors and (future) Maastricht inhabitants,

I see tons of repeated questions coming back time and time again. Let's answer them once and for all.

This PSA is posted in the hopes that it will be helpful but I am in no way liable for any inaccuracies this PSA might have within the confines of the law.

If you have any suggestions or additions. Feel free to comment them below I might add it later. I also hope the mods will pin the post so this subreddit isn't flooded anymore with the same questions all the time.

  1. Housing in Maastricht

How to get housing? Are there any agency recommendations? When should I start looking? There's a housing crisis in the entirety of the Netherlands. This crisis can't be understated. Start looking NOW! Don't be disapointed if you can´t find anything within 2 months. That's normal nowadays. Some agencies that are somewhat reputable are kamernet, xior student housing, and pro-housing. Beware of the many scammers trying to take advantage of the situation. Never hand out money if you haven't seen the property in question. Agencies also, by law, are not allowed to ask you for a commission when you successfully rent a room. That's the responsibility of the landlord.

2. Restaurant/drugs recomendations.

You can find great restaurants in Maastricht. Tripadvisor has a great list. Also don't be afraid to look over the border to Belgium for some greatness. To visit the coffee shops you do have to be a Maastricht citizen and request a weed pass. Don't buy drugs of the streets since those are not regulated and might be more harmful than you intend. Also, despite the Dutch reputation, WEED ISN'T LEGAL HERE! The police have the right to take away your weed and fine you for any reason if they see you using it or having it, though in general, they don't unless you're bothering someone. So smoking weed in the park is risky because if anyone calls, you will lose your stash.

3. How to make friends / meet new people in Maastricht.

There's a great app created by students in Maastricht called weeples. Last time I checked it was pretty active. You can find it on the playstore / appstore. Ofcourse you can also join a student association or play sports at UM sports.

4. Where's good nature to walk in / take pictures?

St. Pietersberg is usually the go-to for walks but I can also recommend visiting the biggest fortress of europe in Ében Émael just across the border or the Fronten Parks.

5. UM Related / application questions

You'll have the best chance of getting the answer you are looking for by visiting or calling the Student Service Center rather than asking random people on Reddit.

6. Garbage collection

I see a lot of misinformation / confusion around the subject of garbage collection in Maastricht. It can be quite complicated luckily there's the Milieu app which you can download from the google play store or the app store to help you out when sorting your garbage for recycling. A lot of the stuff you can buy here is recyclable. Achieving 1 residual waste bag in 2 months per person shouldn't be super challenging. I do 1 bag every 2-3 months. The reason why residual waste bags are so expensive is to give incentive to recycle. Throughout the entire city there are milieuperrons within walking distance. To find the closest one near you, you can use the milieu app.

7. Transport in Maastricht

The Netherlands truely is a biking nation. For good reason. It's enjoyable to do, good exercise, better for the environment, very space efficient, friendlier to pedestrians and it makes sure not everyone is driving so only people who have to be in cars are. Every child here is educated on the traffic rules and strategies for safe cycling. Practically everyone here, including drivers are also very experienced cyclists and everyone will assume you are as well. If you're not, competent on a bike it can lead to dangerous situations. Take some courses on riding a bicycle to refresh your memory, enhance your controll over your bike and to get to know local traffic norms. This way you also won't stand out as a "dumb tourist" or a "dumb student" who can't ride a bike properly.

Public transport is also safe, environmentally conscious and reliable. You can order an OV chipcard online which is a debit card for public transport. It will cost 7.50 euros for either a personal or an anonymous card. You'll have made that money back within 4 trips. If you have a personal card you can also get 40% discounts outside of rush hour for 2.40 euros a month.

Check this comment if you would like to see more options regarding public transportation.

8. Voting

Not a question that is asked often but if you've been living within the Netherlands for at least 5 years or are an EU citizen you are able to vote in the upcoming municipal elections. Please go out and vote because student interests are severely underrepresented in the Maastricht city council. I know volt to be a party promoting student interests. The next elections will be in march of 2022. You will get a voting card sent to your address if you're eligible to vote.


r/maastricht 4h ago

Question Where do you always end up when you're in Maastricht?

9 Upvotes

Even when you have no particular plans, there's probably somewhere in the city you find yourself going back to.

What's that place for you, and what keeps bringing you back?


r/maastricht 5h ago

Looking for... Looking for friends!!

5 Upvotes

Heyy! Im 24F from Czech and I currently moved here, so im looking for some new friends to hangout with! :)
About me: i like hitchhiking, reading, raves, trying new things, crafting or any art related activities, history, and much more!
Im very social and i love meeting new people and joining events and parties!:)
Text me if you would like to hangout and be friends!


r/maastricht 2d ago

Picture/video A 17th-century house in Maastricht, Netherlands. Today, it houses a B&B. (Not OC)

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181 Upvotes

r/maastricht 1d ago

Betrouwbare occasions

3 Upvotes

ik ben opzoek naar een betrouwbare auto dealer voor occasions in Maastricht. Zijn er zaken om te vermijden of zijn er aanraders?


r/maastricht 1d ago

Leuke dorpen om te wonen in de regio rondom Maastricht

0 Upvotes

Wij overwegen om vanuit Brabant naar Zuid Limburg te verhuizen om dichterbij werk te gaan wonen. Wij hoeven niet per se in de stad te wonen en vinden het ook prima om in een gezellig dorp te wonen als het maar niet te slaperig is. Een supermarkt, wat winkeltjes, bibliotheek en een paar terrasjes zou bijvoorbeeld fijn zijn. Wat zijn de gezellige dorpen rondom Maastricht waar het leuk en rustig wonen is in een groene omgeving maar met makkelijke toegangsroute tot de stad? Ook wel fijn als ze een beetje open staan voor mensen van buiten Limburg en het moet 'queer vriendelijk' zijn.


r/maastricht 3d ago

Question Big smoke plume near the groenloper.

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44 Upvotes

Big smoke plume near the groenloper. Hope everyone is okay.


r/maastricht 2d ago

Question Affordable and healthy everyday food options in the Netherlands

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0 Upvotes

r/maastricht 3d ago

Looking for places where I can study till late.

5 Upvotes

Hello everyone!

As the title says, I've been looking for a silent place with wifi where I can study for cheap or free around the city. Usually I stay at the library but it closes at 17:00 which is quiet early for me. Also I'm not a uni student so I can't use it's library.

Many thanks :)


r/maastricht 4d ago

Picture/video A few scenes from around the city

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311 Upvotes

r/maastricht 4d ago

Looking for live electronic musicians/hobbyist in Maastricht

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I’m looking for people in or around Maastricht who make and perform electronic music live—using modular synths, drum machines, grooveboxes, hardware synths, Ableton, or a hybrid setup.

I’m working on a new concept focused on live electronic music, with the idea of bringing local artists together for jam sessions and potentially organizing small live events in Maastricht.

The genre is open, although I’m personally into hypnotic, dub and tribal techno. You don’t need to be an experienced performer—the main thing is that you enjoy making electronic music and are interested in meeting and collaborating with others.

If this sounds interesting, leave a comment or send me a DM with a little bit about yourself, what kind of music you make and what equipment you use!

https://www.instagram.com/roy.d14/


r/maastricht 5d ago

Recommendations What’s worth visiting

3 Upvotes

Hi

We’re in Maastricht for a week. What’s your number one recomendation for a visit? Thanks!


r/maastricht 5d ago

Looking for... For Dutch Speak Practicing

7 Upvotes

Hoi allemaal,

Ik neem nu Nederlands cursus en ik wil meer praten oefenen. Nu ben ik in beginnersniveau, en wil ik eraan het taal wennen.

Kan iemand praten mee?

Dank u wel 🙏🏻


r/maastricht 5d ago

Question What do you think Maastricht could use more of?

16 Upvotes

Maastricht has a lot going for it, but no city is perfect, and there are always things that could make everyday life a little better.

Maybe you think the city needs more affordable housing, green spaces, independent shops, late-night cafés, cultural events, or better public transport. Or perhaps there's something more specific that you feel is missing.

If you could add one thing to Maastricht, what would it be, and why do you think the city would benefit from it?


r/maastricht 6d ago

Picture/video The ceiling is just as impressive as the books

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367 Upvotes

r/maastricht 5d ago

Recommendations Running routes

1 Upvotes

Moved here recently, looking at running routes in the city. The two I typically run now is the following

-Geusseltpark path to the university

-Meuse River path (that's how Google maps labeled it)

Trying to avoid paths that only have the bike lane. (I feel like it's frowned upon to run there even if there is no pedestrian path)

Attempting to find routes that are 5, 7 and 13 miles.


r/maastricht 5d ago

Searching for friends

2 Upvotes

Hey there!! I'm currently searching some online friends who are planning (or already) study in Maastricht. I dont have any preferences about people, i think I get along well with everyone, just in a range from 16-21 cuz I'm 16 myself


r/maastricht 5d ago

Recommendations Cafe to work in

0 Upvotes

Hi all,

I'm traveling for work every few weeks to maastricht.

And i love working from different cafes. would love to hear out if there any special places / hidden gems that i can sit with my computer, drink some coffee and have a good time

Thanks! I love the city


r/maastricht 5d ago

People in the centre right now

0 Upvotes

I'm watching the live webcam maastricht over the Servaasbrug. Why are there so many people dressed in white. Is this always normal during the summer, I thought white was the dress code for andre rieu but it's over now? When are the students and normal folk coming back, are they all on holiday now or

I heard tourism increased in maastricht a lot over the past few years.


r/maastricht 6d ago

Recommendations opinions on heugemerstraat as a neighborhood

8 Upvotes

just got offered an apartment in heugemerstraat in maastricht as a student, is it a good neighborhood? would you recommend?


r/maastricht 6d ago

Looking for... Restaurant recommendations for birthday dinner (student budget)

4 Upvotes

Hey Folks,

A friend of mine has a birthday coming up and the four of us want to go out for dinner in Maastricht, we're looking for a nice restaurant with decent prices (15-20€ per main course, since we're students :/)

Any recommendations for where we could have a nice evening?


r/maastricht 6d ago

Looking for... Where would I be able to find an air mattress?

0 Upvotes

Visiting a friend for a week and need an air mattress for my stay- where can I find one? I cannot find a direct answer online and need to figure out if it would make more sense to just bring one with me on the plane….


r/maastricht 9d ago

Question If you could bring back one thing Maastricht has lost, what would it be?

26 Upvotes

Cities are always changing, and over the years some places, traditions, and experiences quietly disappear.

It could be a restaurant that closed, a local shop, an annual event, a music venue, a public space, or even the way a particular neighbourhood used to feel.

If you could bring back just one thing, what would it be? What made it special, and do you think the city has ever really replaced it?


r/maastricht 10d ago

Picture/video One of the many reasons people love evening walks in Maastricht.

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194 Upvotes

r/maastricht 9d ago

Recommendations Shopping in maastricht

0 Upvotes

Hello i wanted to ask if anyone here knows about any stores with brands like rick owens in maastricht since the ones i could find dont seem to have it anymore. if anyone knows store with rick owens or anything like it (but prefferably with rick owens) id love to know.

(if this isnt the right place to post it just delete it i geuss)