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The best neighbourhoods in Amsterdam

There is no single "best neighbourhood" in Amsterdam. What counts as best depends on whether you want a garden or a tram stop, a primary school around the corner or a quiet night. So what follows is not one list but several — each on a single measurable criterion, with the figure that earned each place shown next to it. 111 neighbourhoods in Amsterdam are covered by this data.

The spread within a single city is usually wider than buyers expect. The most affordable neighbourhood in this list, Amstel III/Bullewijk, has an average WOZ value of €211,000. That is the figure that sets your search area — the question is rarely whether Amsterdam is affordable, but which part of it is affordable to you.

Noise is the figure most often skipped and most often regretted. A ten-decibel difference sounds small but is perceived as roughly halving the loudness — worth checking before a viewing rather than after.

Highest livability

The overall Leefbaarometer score — the model the Dutch government uses to rate livability in every neighbourhood in the country.

  1. 1Apollobuurt4.0/5
  2. 2Bellamybuurt4.0/5
  3. 3Burgwallen-Nieuwe Zijde4.0/5
  4. 4Burgwallen-Oude Zijde4.0/5
  5. 5Coenhaven/Minervahaven4.0/5
  6. 6Da Costabuurt4.0/5
  7. 7De Pijp4.0/5
  8. 8De Weteringschans4.0/5

A modelled score built from housing stock, amenities and nuisance data among others — not a judgement on whether you would feel at home there.

Most affordable

The lowest average WOZ value — the most useful public figure for seeing where your budget stretches furthest.

  1. 1Amstel III/Bullewijk€211,000
  2. 2Amsterdamse Poort e.o.€242,000
  3. 3H-buurt€263,000
  4. 4Bijlmermuseum€281,000
  5. 5Venserpolder€297,000
  6. 6Holendrecht€313,000
  7. 7Nellestein€318,000
  8. 8Sloterdijk Nieuw-West€319,000

WOZ is a tax valuation dated 1 January of the previous year; in a rising market, asking prices sit above it.

Best amenities

The Leefbaarometer amenities sub-score: shops, cafés, healthcare and schooling within reach.

  1. 1Apollobuurt5.0/5
  2. 2Bellamybuurt5.0/5
  3. 3Burgwallen-Nieuwe Zijde5.0/5
  4. 4Burgwallen-Oude Zijde5.0/5
  5. 5Centrale Markt5.0/5
  6. 6Chassébuurt5.0/5
  7. 7Da Costabuurt5.0/5
  8. 8Dapperbuurt5.0/5

Measures how much is nearby, not how good or how expensive it is.

Highest safety score

The Leefbaarometer safety sub-score, based on recorded nuisance and crime in the neighbourhood.

  1. 1Driemond3.5/5
  2. 2Waterland3.2/5
  3. 3Aetsveld/Oostelijke Vechtoever3.1/5
  4. 4Bloemendalerpolder3.1/5
  5. 5Apollobuurt3.0/5
  6. 6Buitenveldert-West3.0/5
  7. 7Omval/Overamstel3.0/5
  8. 8Oostzanerwerf3.0/5

Based on recorded reports. Neighbourhoods where people report more incidents can therefore score lower than they feel.

Quietest neighbourhoods

Average noise exposure from the RIVM noise map, in decibels — road, rail and air traffic combined.

  1. 1Waterland44 dB
  2. 2Gein46 dB
  3. 3Geuzenbuurt47 dB
  4. 4Weesperbuurt/Plantage47 dB
  5. 5IJburg-Oost48 dB
  6. 6Museumkwartier48 dB
  7. 7Erasmuspark49 dB
  8. 8IJburg-West49 dB

A modelled map based on traffic flows. Nightlife, construction and neighbours are not in it.

Closest to a train station

Straight-line distance to the nearest train station — often the deciding factor if you plan to live without a car.

  1. 1Dapperbuurt400 m
  2. 2Indische Buurt-West600 m
  3. 3Frankendael800 m
  4. 4H-buurt900 m
  5. 5Nieuwmarkt/Lastage900 m
  6. 6Transvaalbuurt1.0 km
  7. 7Zuidas1.0 km
  8. 8Burgwallen-Oude Zijde1.1 km

Measured straight-line from the neighbourhood centroid, not walking route. Tram and metro are not counted.

Closest to a primary school

Distance to the nearest primary school — usually where families with young children start.

  1. 1Buikslotermeer200 m
  2. 2Chassébuurt200 m
  3. 3Da Costabuurt200 m
  4. 4De Kolenkit200 m
  5. 5Slotermeer-Noordoost200 m
  6. 6Waterlandpleinbuurt200 m
  7. 7Banne Buiksloot300 m
  8. 8Dapperbuurt300 m

Distance says nothing about places being available or about teaching quality. International schools are counted separately.

Best air quality

Measured NO₂ concentration (RIVM). Nitrogen dioxide comes mainly from traffic and is the most useful urban indicator.

  1. 1Weesp Binnenstad/Zuid6.9 µg/m³
  2. 2Aetsveld/Oostelijke Vechtoever7.1 µg/m³
  3. 3Nellestein7.5 µg/m³
  4. 4Weesp-Noordwest7.7 µg/m³
  5. 5Bijlmermuseum7.9 µg/m³
  6. 6Buitenveldert-Oost7.9 µg/m³
  7. 7Geerdinkhof/Kantershof7.9 µg/m³
  8. 8Gein7.9 µg/m³

One pollutant out of a broader picture. Particulates and wood-burning can tell a different local story.

Choosing an area is step one. The address is step two.

These figures describe the neighbourhood. Foundation type, energy label, ground lease and flood risk vary by building — sometimes between two houses on the same street.

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