Rotterdam

Neighbourhoods

• Central: Centrum, Cool and the Oude Westen, close to shops and nightlife
• Popular with professionals: Kralingen, Kop van Zuid and Katendrecht
• Leafy and family-friendly: Hillegersberg and Kralingen near the lake
• Value: parts of Rotterdam Zuid, Schiedam and Capelle aan den IJssel

What to expect

A one-bedroom in the centre typically costs 1,400 to 1,800 euros a month. Many buildings are post-war or new, so insulation and lifts are more common than in older Dutch cities.

Searching

Use Pararius, Funda and local agents. Deposits are capped at two months of basic rent.

Monthly budget

A single person renting a one-bedroom alone typically needs 2,500 to 3,000 euros net a month.

• Rent: 1,400 to 1,800 euros for a one-bedroom in the centre
• Health insurance: about 155 euros a month
• Groceries: 330 to 420 euros per person
• Eating out: lunch 13 to 18 euros, dinner for two from 60 euros

Saving money

• The Saturday market at Binnenrotte is one of the biggest in the country
• The Markthal is fun for browsing but pricier for everyday shopping
• A bike covers most trips within the city

Childcare

Full-time daycare costs around 1,800 euros a month before the childcare allowance.

Main sectors

• Port and logistics: the Port of Rotterdam, shipping companies and freight forwarders
• Energy and chemicals: refining, hydrogen and energy transition projects in the port
• Engineering and construction: consultancies and contractors
• Healthcare and research: Erasmus MC, one of Europe's largest university medical centres
• Consumer goods: Unilever and others have major operations in the region

Salaries

Salaries are a little below Amsterdam but so is the cost of living. Engineers and logistics specialists are in steady demand.

Finding work

LinkedIn, company career pages and recruiters are the main channels. Some roles, especially in public services and healthcare, require Dutch.

Public transport

RET operates the metro, trams and buses. The metro connects the centre with The Hague, Schiedam and Spijkenisse, and trams cover the inner city.

• Pay with a contactless bank card via OVpay or an OV-chipkaart
• Monthly RET passes cost around 100 euros
• Rotterdam Centraal has fast trains to Amsterdam, Schiphol, Brussels and Paris

Water and bikes

• Water taxis cross the Maas, useful for Kop van Zuid and the Feyenoord stadium
• Cycling is fast and safe, with wide lanes and bike parking at stations

Driving

Driving is easier than in Amsterdam, but central parking is paid and the A13 and A20 ring roads get congested.

Everyday life

Rotterdam feels big-city and energetic. Weekends might mean brunch in Katendrecht, a walk along the Maas, or a football match at Feyenoord's De Kuip stadium.

Culture

• Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, the world's first publicly accessible art depot
• The Kunsthal, Het Nieuwe Instituut and a busy live music scene
• The North Sea Jazz Festival every July at Ahoy

Outdoors

The Kralingse Plas lake is great for running and swimming, and Hoek van Holland beach is reachable by metro.

Community

The international community is smaller than in Amsterdam, which many people like: it is easier to mix with locals, and Rotterdammers are known for being straightforward and welcoming.