Renting an Apartment in Amersfoort: The Complete Neighborhood Guide
From medieval canal houses to Vathorst new builds — find the neighborhood that suits you.
Amersfoort is a city where the medieval and modern coexist just a few hundred meters apart. Within the Stadsring (city ring road), you live among the Koppelpoort, the Muurhuizen (Wall Houses), and the Sint-Joriskerk (St. George's Church). Five kilometers to the north, you'll find Vathorst, one of the largest new-build developments in the Netherlands, featuring energy label-A homes and views over the Arkemheen polder. With 164,000 inhabitants, Amersfoort is the second-largest city in the province of Utrecht, and its location at the intersection of the A1, A28, and multiple train lines makes it one of the most accessible cities in the Netherlands. More than half of its population is under forty — it's a city that attracts, especially starters, young professionals, and families moving from the Randstad looking for more space.
Apartments in Amersfoort
The Apartment Offering: Two Worlds
In Amersfoort, you can broadly find two types of apartments, and they come from two completely different worlds.
In the city center and the surrounding neighborhoods (Bergkwartier, Soesterkwartier, Leusderkwartier), you'll live in renovated buildings — sometimes seventeenth-century, sometimes 1930s. Wooden beamed ceilings, steep stairs, narrow facades. Characterful but sometimes cramped, and without an elevator or parking space.
In the newer neighborhoods (Vathorst, Nieuwland, Kattenbroek, Zielhorst), you'll live in modern complexes with an elevator, balcony, storage, and often a private parking spot. More spacious, better insulated, but without the character of the city center.
Historic Center
Upper-floor apartments and flats in monumental buildings around the Hof, the Muurhuizen, and the Havik. Unique, but compact and without an elevator.
1930s Outer Ring
Characteristic multi-story homes in Bergkwartier, Soesterkwartier, and Leusderkwartier. High ceilings, ornate facades, green streets.
New Construction
Modern complexes in Vathorst, Nieuwland, and Kattenbroek. Elevator, balcony, energy label A, parking — fully equipped.
€628 / month
€1,425 / month
€1,450 / month
€1,310 / month
€1,490 / month
€1,825 / month
The Neighborhoods: Where Do You Look?
Amersfoort has 33 official neighborhoods. For apartment seekers, there are seven key areas — each with its own atmosphere, price level, and type of offering.
Binnenstad (City Center) — Living in the Medieval Heart
The city core within the Stadsring. The Hof, the Havik, the Muurhuizen, the Koppelpoort — you pass them every day. The apartment offering consists of upper-floor apartments and flats in historic buildings, sometimes with original details you won't find anywhere else. The atmosphere is lively: shops, hospitality, three cinemas, the theater, and the market on Fridays and Saturdays. Amersfoort Centraal Station is a five-minute walk away. Disadvantage: parking is expensive and difficult, the homes are older and more compact, and the square meter prices are the highest in the city. Ideal if you love city life and don't need a car.
Bergkwartier — The Stately Hillside Neighborhood
Southwest of the center, built on a hill (yes, you'll notice it on your bike). Wide avenues, large trees, stately mansions and villas — this is Amersfoort's most prosperous neighborhood. The apartment offering is limited: mainly flats in divided mansions along the Utrechtseweg. DierenPark Amersfoort (Amersfoort Zoo) and the Forest Area border the neighborhood. Premium segment, but you get character, tranquility, and greenery in return that you won't find in the city center. Residents rate De Berg-Zuid with an 8.6.
Soesterkwartier — The Neighborhood with Two Faces
West of the railway, split by the Noordewierweg. The southern part has a working-class character with 1930s homes, while the northern part is more affluent. The neighborhood is known for its strong social cohesion — residents feel connected to their community. Here you'll find a mix of multi-story homes, post-war apartments, and some newer complexes. Music venue Fluor, Bosbad Amersfoort (Forest Pool), and the Zoo are within cycling distance. The annual Into The Woods festival takes place in the forests directly next to the neighborhood. More atmospheric and affordable than Bergkwartier, but with more character than the new-build neighborhoods.
Kattenbroek — Architecture as Identity
Built between 1990 and 1995, designed by urban planner Ashok Bhalotra. Kattenbroek is an architectural neighborhood: each district has its own style, from the mysterious "Gesloten Stad" (Closed City) (houses on stilts among overhanging trees) to postmodern blocks around water features. Population density is high (almost 7,000 inhabitants per km²), but it doesn't feel that way due to the well-thought-out design with squares, parks, and the pond at shopping center Emiclaer. Residents are steadfast — not much becomes available. What is available goes fast. Score: 7.9.
Nieuwland — Sustainable Avant la Lettre
Built between 1995 and 2002, with the ambition to become the most sustainable 'vinex' (compact urban expansion) neighborhood in the Netherlands. Green roofs, charging stations, and a wind farm on the edge. Modern apartments in a spacious layout, with good facilities. Like Kattenbroek, a high population density, but due to the "urban living" concept, it feels open and bright. Residents are — as in Kattenbroek — not quick to move.
Vathorst — The Largest New-Build Neighborhood
In the far northeast, with its own train station (Amersfoort Vathorst). A complete city in itself: shopping center, schools, healthcare center, a lake in the center of the neighborhood, and views over the Natura 2000 area Arkemheen on the edge. The homes are diverse and modern; the apartment offering is the largest of all neighborhoods outside the center. Energy label A is standard here. Vathorst attracts families and Randstad residents who want more home for their budget. A bit further from the city center, but well-connected by its own station.
Randenbroek and Vermeerkwartier — The Quiet Middle Class
Two adjacent neighborhoods south of the center, with Park Randenbroek as a green lung. Spacious streets, well-maintained homes, surprisingly large gardens for an urban environment. The apartment offering is modest but high quality. Quiet living within walking distance of the center without paying city center prices. Randenbroek is one of those neighborhoods that many seekers overlook.
What Does It Cost to Rent an Apartment?
Prices in Amersfoort are below the level of Utrecht and Amsterdam but above the national average. Within the city, the differences are significant.
Apartments Price Breakdown in Amersfoort
| Bedrooms | Average | Median | Price Range | Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | €1,321 | €1,403 | €850 - €1,600 | 0 / 10 |
2 | €1,519 | €1,490 | €1,076 - €2,395 | 5 |
3 | €1,574 | €1,625 | €1,225 - €1,820 | 1 |
4+ | €2,000 | €2,000 | €2,000 - €2,000 | 0 / 1 |
The city center and Bergkwartier are the most expensive per square meter. Vathorst and Kattenbroek offer the best value for money for modern apartments. Pay attention to the difference between basic rent and total monthly costs — for older apartments in Soesterkwartier or the city center, energy costs can quickly add up. New construction in Vathorst and Nieuwland scores significantly better here.
Free Sector: How It Works
The apartments on our platform fall within the free sector. No waiting list, respond directly. Landlords set income requirements — typically a minimum of three times the basic rent gross. For dual-income households, the combined income counts.
Since the Affordable Rent Act (2024), homes with 144 to 186 points fall under regulated mid-range rent, with a legal maximum. In Amersfoort, this can mean that some of the offerings — particularly in Kattenbroek, Nieuwland, and older complexes — fall into this regulated segment.
A deposit of one to two months' basic rent is standard. Read the contract for the minimum rental period, notice period, and handover conditions.
Accessibility: The Big Selling Point
Amersfoort is located at the crossroads of the Netherlands. Amersfoort Centraal Station offers intercity trains to Utrecht (15 min), Amsterdam (35 min), Zwolle, Deventer, and Hilversum. Vathorst Station serves the northern neighborhoods. The A1 (Amsterdam–Eastern Netherlands), A28 (Utrecht–Zwolle), and A2 (via junction) are directly accessible. Within the city, you can cycle everywhere in ten to fifteen minutes.
For apartment seekers who work in Utrecht, Amsterdam, or the Gooi but don't want to pay the rental prices there, Amersfoort is one of the most logical alternatives — with a city center that offers more atmosphere than most new-build cities.
Furnished Rentals
The offering is limited but present, particularly in the center and Vathorst. Relevant for expats or temporary workers. The monthly price is higher than unfurnished. Filter by 'furnished' in your search.
How to Quickly Find an Apartment
Amersfoort is popular — more than half of its residents are under forty, and the influx from the Randstad continues. A good apartment in the city center or Kattenbroek can be gone within days.
Set up a notification. Set your filters for neighborhood, number of rooms, and maximum rent. You'll receive an immediate alert when something new comes in.
Have your documents ready. Copy of ID, recent salary slips, and employment contract. The first to respond completely will be invited first.
Look wider. Randenbroek, Vermeerkwartier, and Schothorst are neighborhoods that many seekers overlook but score excellently in terms of price and location. Distances in Amersfoort are small — everything is accessible by bike.
Respond personally. A short introduction about who you are and why you want to live in Amersfoort makes a difference.
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