Living in Noord
Used to be nobody lived here. Now it's one of the most talked-about parts of the city. We love the ferry, NDSM, and the fact that rooms here are often still a bit more affordable.
What it's like
Until about 2010 moving to Noord was something you didn't casually mention. Now it's where the city's new creative heart sits. NDSM-werf with festivals and street art, EYE Filmmuseum on the IJ side, A'DAM Toren with Shelter underneath, and the ferry that runs 24/7 and is free.
The ferry is the ritual. Morning to work, evening home with the bike. In summer it's a mini cruise with a beer, in winter you duck inside to escape the rain. We who live here know the captains by face, and that the NDSM ferry is busier than the Buiksloterweg ferry on Saturday nights. For festivals on NDSM the boat itself becomes part of the experience.
The Van der Pekbuurt directly north of the Buiksloterweg ferry is our favorite sub-neighborhood. Compact, monumental 1930s architecture, own market, and the ferry 5 minutes walking. Saturday morning means Van der Pekmarkt for groceries and coffee. Café De Buurvrouw is our bar.
Beyond the Van der Pekbuurt, Noord has very different pockets. Overhoeks and the Hamerkwartier are new-build areas around the A'DAM Toren and EYE: the most city-like part of Noord, and pricier than the rest. Buikslotermeer is the largest residential area, with lots of social housing and the Boven 't IJ shopping center, while Tuindorp Oostzaan is green and village-like with low-rise houses and gardens, but furthest from Centrum. Supply is small, so also check Noord-specific Facebook groups and local WhatsApp groups.
Pllek on NDSM with shipping containers and a sandy beach. Café Modern is the local pick. THT in Hangar 1 on the werf, Tolhuistuin as cultural center plus restaurant. De Buurvrouw on Van der Pekbuurt for café. Van der Pekmarkt every Saturday for groceries. IJ-Hallen on the last weekend of every month: largest flea market in Europe.
Creatives, 20s-30s with €700-950 budget. People who like new construction or old warehouses. NDSM festival fans. UvA and HvA students, the Noord-Zuidlijn metro puts you at Roeterseiland or Centraal in 6 minutes. Less suited for: anyone explicitly anti-hipster, or who finds the ferry/metro tiresome.
Practical: groceries, transport, schools
Car: shortest waitlist in Amsterdam (1-2 years). Plenty of parking. AH on Van der Pekstraat, Buiksloterweg, and Buikslotermeerplein. Lidl at Buikslotermeerplein. Markets: Van der Pekmarkt Saturdays. Schools: Het 8e Montessori, IB-Hyperion Noord (gymnasium). Sportcentrum Noord.
Streets to know
Locals will mention these streets in conversation. Memorise them and you'll know what people are talking about within a week:
Getting around
Pont (gratis, dag en nacht) vanaf Buiksloterweg naar Centraal in een paar minuten. Metro 52 (Noord-Zuidlijn) van Noorderpark, Noord en Buikslotermeerplein direct naar centrum.
Common questions
What does a room in Noord cost in 2026?
Around €800/month on average for a regular room. Smaller or shared rooms run lower, larger rooms with a balcony or canal view run €100-300 above the average. The number is verified against current Huismaatje listings and updated weekly.
Is Noord a good fit for me?
Creatives, 20s-30s with €700-950 budget. People who like new construction or old warehouses. NDSM festival fans. UvA and HvA students, the Noord-Zuidlijn metro puts you at Roeterseiland or Centraal in 6 minutes. Less suited for: anyone explicitly anti-hipster, or who finds the ferry/metro tiresome.
How do I get around from Noord?
Pont (gratis, dag en nacht) vanaf Buiksloterweg naar Centraal in een paar minuten. Metro 52 (Noord-Zuidlijn) van Noorderpark, Noord en Buikslotermeerplein direct naar centrum.
Can I park a car in Noord?
Car: shortest waitlist in Amsterdam (1-2 years).
What's the most useful tip for moving to Noord?
Beyond the Van der Pekbuurt, Noord has very different pockets. Overhoeks and the Hamerkwartier are new-build areas around the A'DAM Toren and EYE: the most city-like part of Noord, and pricier than the rest. Buikslotermeer is the largest residential area, with lots of social housing and the Boven 't IJ shopping center, while Tuindorp Oostzaan is green and village-like with low-rise houses and gardens, but furthest from Centrum. Supply is small, so also check Noord-specific Facebook groups and local WhatsApp groups.
Looking for a room in Noord?
No live rooms in Noord right now. New listings appear daily, or check live availability across Amsterdam on the map.
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