Where to live in Eindhoven

You may know Eindhoven for being the birthplace of Philips, but this vibrant and lively city has so much more to offer. Besides being a technology hub for businesses, it’s home to top design, a vibrant cultural scene, and a large student population.

Therefore, it’s no surprise that this city is a popular choice for expats. Whether you are working at one of its numerous tech companies or studying, Eindhoven has something for everyone. Find out about where to live when moving to Eindhoven in the following sections:

An overview of Eindhoven

Eindhoven, the Netherlands’ fifth-largest city, is located in North Brabant in the south of the Netherlands. Despite its southerly location, it’s well-connected by public transport and is home to Eindhoven Airport, the country’s second-largest airport.

This city is ideal if you’re keen to live somewhere that blends modernity with a small-town feel. It’s home to many tech companies and startups ,which contrast with the charming architecture of the historic city center, such as Markt Square and Sint-Catharinkerk (St. Catherine’s Church).

With a population of almost 250,000 and seven main districts, many expats also reside here. It has plenty of international companies and two universities: the Design Academy Eindhoven and Eindhoven University of Technology (TU Eindhoven).

The city is also famous for hosting the annual Dutch Design Week, one of the largest events of its kind in Europe.

How to find housing in Eindhoven

If you have decided to move to Eindhoven, there are many different ways to find housing. You can independently search for accommodation or go through a real estate agent.

Students can browse the Eindhoven University of Technology’s guide for internationals looking for housing. You can also join groups on social media where users share rooms and apartments to rent in the city.

Many online platforms list rental properties in Eindhoven. These include:

• Funda
• Homelike
• HousingAnywhere
• Huurwoningen
• Kamernet
• Pararius

Typical accommodation in Eindhoven

As Eindhoven continues to expand its housing developments, many residents live in fairly new buildings. The city offers both apartments, especially towards Centrum (the city center), but also independent houses.

Students usually rent a room in an apartment or stay in university residences on campus. The housing market is competitive, so make sure you give yourself at least a few months for your accommodation search, whether renting or buying.

Renting in Eindhoven

Renting in Eindhoven is similar to renting in other Dutch cities. Apartments and single-family homes are the most common type of property to rent, and prices depend on the property’s size, location, and condition. A standalone house in Elzent, just south of the city center, will fetch more than the more affordable Eikenburg, for example.

When finding a property to rent, you first arrange to view the property, then express your interest and, if chosen, sign the contract. You must also typically pay a two-month deposit.

Buying in Eindhoven

If you plan to stay in the Netherlands long-term, you may consider buying. When purchasing a home in Eindhoven, the easiest way is to hire a real estate agent (makelaar). They can assist you when looking for a property and guide you through the entire buying process.

To get an idea of what types of properties are available to buy, check out sites like Funda. Several local companies also specialize in helping expats with the intricacies of Dutch mortgages. These include:

• Expat Mortgages
• Independent Expat Finance

Neighborhoods in Eindhoven

Within the seven districts in Eindhoven, there are even more smaller neighborhoods. Fortunately, most areas are well connected by public transportation or are a short bike ride away from each other. This means that you don’t necessarily have to live close to your work or school, but you can choose based on cost, amenities, and safety.

Centrum

As its name suggests, Centrum is the heart and center of Eindhoven. The railway station is located here, and the lively and busy streets are full of shops and restaurants.

Within the central area of the city are smaller localities, such as Bergen. This is one of the town’s oldest neighborhoods. Its historic charm, trendy bars, and boutiques make it a sought-after location. Students often reside here thanks to its proximity to TU Eindhoven and the Design Academy.

There is always something to do in the city center, like visit a contemporary art exhibition at The Van Abbemuseum or stroll through the old town streets.

Public transportation and cycle paths run throughout Centrum, but there is less in the way of healthcare centers, primary schools, and playgrounds. Therefore, families with children usually reside in other districts. Furthermore, the central neighborhoods are some of the most expensive places to buy or rent property.

Overall, this is the place to be for a young professional or student who wants to be at the center of the hustle and bustle. It’s also a good option if you regularly commute to other cities, as it’s within easy reach of transport links.

Strijp

Located in the west of Eindhoven, Strijp is one of the city’s most unique and creative neighborhoods. It’s also a popular choice for expat families, as it’s home to the International School of Eindhoven and multiple vast green spaces like the Philips de Jongh Park and Philips van Lenneppark.

You’ll also find all your daily necessities in easy reach thanks to the neighborhood’s proximity to the city center and its facilities, including supermarkets, doctors, and pharmacies.

This neighborhood consists of smaller areas, such as Strijp-S, a more central location. In the early 20th century, this was Philips’ industrial complex and manufacturing hub. These same buildings have been transformed into apartments, businesses, and a creative space. The district also has multiple art galleries, design studios, and startups. Each year, Dutch Design Week offers a rich cultural scene in the neighborhood, filling it with cinema, theater, and art installations.

Meanwhile, quieter, greener locations in this neighborhood include Merhooven. As it’s a convenient and interesting place to live in Eindhoven, prices can be high, but more affordable than in Centrum.

Woensel

Woensel, located north of the city center, is Eindhoven’s largest district. Housing in this residential area typically consists of apartments and single-family homes, which are usually more affordable compared to the rest of the city.

An international student population resides in Woensel-Zuyd, as it’s close to the city center and universities. Woensel-Noord, on the other hand, is a better fit for families looking for roomy homes with green spaces. Another area, Blixembosch, offers more affordable homes and a vast choice of independent housing.

Overall, Woensel is ideal for students, families, and young professionals. It provides plenty of parks, sports centers, and primary and secondary schools. The variety of amenities and lower rental costs make this a popular choice for internationals moving to Eindhoven.

Stratum

Stratum is a charming neighborhood and popular residential area in southern Eindhoven. There is a variety of accommodation in the area, including older villas and more modern buildings. Parts of this neighborhood, such as Den Elzent, Tuindorp, Roosten, and Riel, provide single-family homes with abundant green spaces and parking.

These aspects of Stratum make it perfect for families, as well as its parks, supermarkets, and amenities. It’s also home to a range of community events – spend an afternoon strolling through Stadswandelpark or catch a live theater performance at Parktheater Eindhoven. If you’re into sports, don’t miss the National Swimming Center of Tongelreep and the neighborhood’s multiple sports parks.

Overall, costs throughout the district vary. The closer you are to the city center, the higher the prices. Because the whole city of Eindhoven is so well connected by bus, it is often more convenient to spend less on rent and live further away from Centrum. Stratum is a perfect area for families looking for a residential district that’s not too far from the heart of the city.

Gestel

Looking for a quiet residential neighborhood? Gestel, in southern Eindhoven, might be for you. Many people working at the High Tech Campus Eindhoven settle here to be close to work and to enjoy the other perks of the area. Within the district are micro-neighborhoods such as the popular Hanevoet and Bennekel.

Not only is Gestel quiet, safe, and peaceful, but it’s also easy to reach the city center – just under 15 minutes by bus. Local families and nature lovers adore the greenery of locations such as Recreatieplas Hanevoet, a lovely spot to take a walk in.

All the necessary amenities, like doctors, schools, and pharmacies, are available in the district. Furthermore, it’s more affordable to rent or buy property here than in central Eindhoven.

Tongelre

East of the city center is the large district of Tonglere. This area is popular among expats and study-abroad students – it’s a short bike ride away from TU Eindhoven and home to Karpendonske Plas, where a local Parkrun takes place every Saturday morning.

This part of the city is well-connected to Centrum by bus, and it’s only a short bike ride to the main station, so it’s great for commuters. Its large quantity of boutiques, international restaurants, and museums make it a fun and vibrant part of Eindhoven to live in.

Two neighborhoods within Tonglere that are popular among students, young professionals, and expats, are Villapark and Karpen. However, property prices can be high in these areas.

Geldrop

While technically not in Eindhoven, the small town of Geldrop is a popular choice for people looking to save money on rent but keep easy access to the city.

The municipality east of Eindhoven offers all necessary amenities, including its own hospital, schools, shops, and more. The entire town is surrounded by greenery, and it is famous for having streets named after characters and places from The Lord of the Rings.

With just over 40,000 residents, this is an ideal space for a small-town feel with easy access to city life. It is only a seven-minute bus ride or a 20-minute bike trip from Geldrop to the central station in Eindhoven.

If you live here, you can take daily walks in the nature preserve of Dommel or stroll by the Kasteel Geldrop, the local castle. Overall, this town has a residential, quaint, and peaceful atmosphere perfect for families. Few expats settle down here, so Geldrop is also ideal if you want to be immersed in the local culture.

Neighborhoods to avoid in Eindhoven

Overall, Eindhoven is a safe place to live, scoring 19.64 (very low) on Numbeo’s crowd-sourced crime perceptions survey.

That being said, residents tend to avoid some parts of the city. For example, it is best to avoid spending time in the central train station at night. In addition, some areas, such as Vaartbroek, Kruisstraat, and Oud-Woensel, have a less favorable reputation among locals. It’s always good to be careful and aware of your surroundings in any city, but you’re unlikely to encounter much danger in Eindhoven.

Tips on choosing a neighborhood in Eindhoven

Since Eindhoven has so many neighborhoods, choosing where to live may feel overwhelming. Each district has varying facilities, price points, and appeal. These tips can help you to make your choice easier:

• Join expat groups on social media to ask for advice about living in Eindhoven.
• Understand what your priorities are. If you are looking to stay near one of the universities, you might want a neighborhood nearby. If you are a family with children, you may consider a quieter neighborhood like Eikenbur or Elzent. Daycare centers like Partou also have locations in Eindhoven.
• Remember that Eindhoven has excellent public transportation and is a bikeable city. Therefore, no matter where you choose to buy or rent, you will be able to reach where you need to go easily.
• Try visiting Eindhoven to get a feel for the city before officially deciding on a neighborhood.

Useful resources

• Public transportation in Eindhoven – guide to getting around
• Eindhoven municipal website – information on living in Eindhoven
• University websites:
  • Eindhoven University of Technology
  • Design Academy Eindhoven