Renting a Room in Watergraafsmeer: Quiet and Well-Connected

To many Amsterdammers, Watergraafsmeer is a name they barely recognise, and that is exactly what residents like about it. The neighbourhood sits in the east of the city, south of the Indische Buurt and north of the Amstel river. It is an area of wide avenues, generous greenery, and a calm, almost village-like character.

You will not find Watergraafsmeer on lists of trendy cafes or hipster hotspots. But for anyone looking for a pleasant place to live with good transport and relatively affordable rents, the neighbourhood is a serious option, especially for University of Amsterdam students, who live right next to the Amsterdam Science Park campus.

What is Watergraafsmeer like?

Watergraafsmeer is made up of several sub-areas. Betondorp (officially: Tuindorp Watergraafsmeer) is a national heritage site dating from the 1920s, a unique garden-village neighbourhood with small, characterful houses and a strong sense of community. Many families and older residents live here.

The Science Park area is the other side of the coin: modern, international, and busy thanks to the UvA campus. Around Science Park you will also find privately operated student housing. The Amstelkade and Frankendael Park are popular places to walk, run, or exercise.

Shops and cafes are not abundant in Watergraafsmeer, Middenweg is the main shopping street, with supermarkets and some smaller businesses. For more urban life, you will need to cycle towards the Indische Buurt or the city centre.

What does a room in Watergraafsmeer cost?

In terms of rent, Watergraafsmeer sits in a similar range to the Indische Buurt. Rooms in shared houses cost on average €750 to €1,000 per month. Studios and smaller apartments start from around €1,000 to €1,200.

The supply is smaller than in busy student neighbourhoods, but competition is also less intense. Anyone searching with focus can find decent listings here through Huismaatje or Kamernet.

For a complete picture, see our room prices in Amsterdam by neighbourhood for an up-to-date overview.

How easy is it to get around from Watergraafsmeer?

For UvA students, Watergraafsmeer is ideal: Amsterdam Science Park sits right next to the neighbourhood, easily reachable by bike or by tram 19 (Science Park stop). For the rest of the city: metro 53 stops at Amstel station, from where you can quickly reach the centre. By bike, you are at Roeterseiland in about 20 minutes.

You do not need a car in Amsterdam, but Watergraafsmeer does have good links to the A10 ring road for people who work outside the city. The A10 is reachable via the Gooiseweg.

What are the pros and cons of Watergraafsmeer?

Pros:

• Quiet and green living environment
• Relatively affordable rents
• Close to UvA Science Park
• Less competition than in popular hipster neighbourhoods
• Good connections by public transport and bike

Cons:

• Limited nightlife and dining within the neighbourhood itself
• Less urban feel than areas like Oud-West or De Pijp
• Limited shopping (Middenweg is small)
• Less well-known, which makes it harder to find neighbours through social channels

For students who want a calm home base near campus, Watergraafsmeer is an underrated choice. Also read our complete room search guide for Amsterdam if you want to explore every channel available to you.

How do you find a room in Watergraafsmeer?

Supply is more limited than in other neighbourhoods, but with focused searching, it is doable. Huismaatje and Kamernet are the main platforms. UvA students can sometimes find rooms in and around Science Park through the university website.

Facebook groups for Watergraafsmeer are active and sometimes feature offerings that never reach the bigger platforms. Have a look at Betondorp too: residents are proud of their community and there is an active local network that occasionally shares room tips.

Frequently asked questions

Is Watergraafsmeer suitable for students?

Definitely, especially for UvA students at Science Park. The neighbourhood is quiet, affordable, and close to campus. For students who want an active social life right on their doorstep, other neighbourhoods may feel livelier.

How far is Watergraafsmeer from the city centre?

Around 20 to 25 minutes by bike. By metro or tram, you reach Amsterdam Centraal in about 15 minutes.

Is Betondorp expensive to live in?

Betondorp has heritage status, which means many homes are allocated through housing corporations. Through Woningnet, these can be attractive options, but waiting times are long. On the open market, prices are comparable to the rest of Watergraafsmeer.

Are there sports facilities in Watergraafsmeer?

Yes. Frankendael Park has running routes and outdoor sports areas. There are also gyms and fitness centres nearby. The UvA campus has sports facilities that are sometimes accessible to local residents too.

What is the difference between Watergraafsmeer and the Indische Buurt?

Watergraafsmeer is greener and quieter; the Indische Buurt is livelier and more multicultural. Rent levels are comparable. Choose Watergraafsmeer if you prioritise calm, the Indische Buurt if you want active street life.

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