Rent an Apartment in De Baarsjes, Amsterdam

De Baarsjes was built as part of Plan West, the urban development plan that expanded Amsterdam westward in the 1920s and 1930s. The architecture is Amsterdam School: expressive brickwork, closed building blocks, socialist ideals translated into housing. Mercatorplein, designed by Berlage and named after the cartographer Gerardus Mercator, is the heart of the district. Five neighborhoods surround it: Mercatorbuurt, Chassébuurt, Postjesbuurt, Trompbuurt, and Jan Evertsenbuurt. Those looking for an apartment in De Baarsjes choose a district that approaches the quality of Oud-West at a lower rental price.

De Baarsjes has about 34,000 residents (2023) in a small area. It is one of Amsterdam's most densely populated districts. Traditionally a working-class neighborhood, it is now a district where young highly educated people, starters, and expats settle who cannot or do not want to pay the prices of the Jordaan and Oud-West. The district borders Oud-West directly to the east and Bos en Lommer to the north. The difference in character with Oud-West is smaller than the price difference suggests.

Mercatorplein and the Mercatorbuurt

Mercatorplein was designed by H.P. Berlage as the central square of Plan West. After years of neglect, it underwent extensive renovation in the 2000s: new paving, catering establishments, and a square profile that invites lingering. It is the square where the neighborhood meets. On summer days, the terraces are full. Mercatorstraat, which opens onto the square, is the local shopping street with local eateries and specialty shops.

The Mercatorbuurt, also known as Admiralenbuurt, surrounds the square and forms the heart of De Baarsjes. The homes are gallery apartments from the 1920s and 1930s with Amsterdam School facades: brick patterns, decorative details, and balconies at the rear. Two to three rooms are standard. The neighborhood is the most sought-after and rapidly gentrifying.

The Chassébuurt and the Postjesbuurt

The Chassébuurt, south of Mercatorplein, borders Rembrandtpark. It is a neighborhood with wide streets, closed building blocks, and a greener character than the rest of De Baarsjes. Chasséplein is the local square with a supermarket and catering. The homes are similar to the Mercatorbuurt but the atmosphere is quieter. The proximity to Rembrandtpark makes the Chassébuurt popular with families.

The Postjesbuurt, also known as Westindische buurt, is located west of Postjesweg. It is a neighborhood that remained under the radar for a long time but has been increasingly attracting starters and young professionals in recent years. Postjesweg itself is the border between De Baarsjes and Rembrandtpark. The homes are compact gallery apartments, sometimes slightly more modest than the Amsterdam School blocks around Mercatorplein.

The Trompbuurt and the Jan Evertsenbuurt

The Trompbuurt, on the north side, borders Admiraal de Ruijterweg. It is a neighborhood with a mix of pre-war homes and post-war construction. Admiraal de Ruijterweg connects De Baarsjes with Bos en Lommer and the city center. The Jan Evertsenbuurt, around Jan Evertsenstraat, is the busiest part of De Baarsjes: a constant flow of cyclists, trams, and buses. It is a street that functions as a traffic artery but does not invite walking. The upper floors on Jan Evertsenstraat are slightly more affordable due to the traffic noise.

Baarsjesweg runs as a north-south axis through the district, with local shops and catering. It is the street that connects all neighborhoods and represents the daily life of De Baarsjes: multicultural shops, a bakery, a hairdresser, and eateries.

Compact Homes, Growing Demand

The housing stock predominantly consists of gallery apartments and multi-story homes from the 1920s and 1930s, complemented by post-war construction and renovation projects. The apartments are compact but functional: two to three rooms, a shared entrance, and balconies at the rear. The Amsterdam School blocks have the most beautiful facades, with brick patterns and decorative details that make the streetscape rhythmic. Newer blocks are more modest but often better insulated.

Those looking for an affordable upper-floor apartment in Amsterdam-West will find the most offerings in De Baarsjes. Studios are available, especially around Jan Evertsenstraat and Baarsjesweg. Three-room apartments exist, particularly in Chassébuurt and Mercatorbuurt. Those renting a room in De Baarsjes typically share a gallery apartment with one or two housemates.

Two Parks and Good Connections

Rembrandtpark borders the southwest side of De Baarsjes and offers playgrounds, lawns, and a pond. Erasmuspark borders the northwest side, shared with Bos en Lommer. Two parks for a district of this size is a luxury. Vondelpark is a ten-minute bike ride away.

Multiple tram lines serve De Baarsjes via Jan Evertsenstraat and Admiraal de Ruijterweg, with direct connections to Dam Square and the city center. Lelylaan Station and Sloterdijk Station are a short bike ride away for train travelers. By bike, the city center is ten to fifteen minutes away. The A10 ring road is close by for motorists. Parking is paid throughout the district.

Groceries can be bought at Mercatorplein, on Baarsjesweg, or at the supermarkets scattered throughout the district. The hospitality industry has grown in recent years: coffee shops, lunchrooms, restaurants. Jan Pieter Heijestraat in the adjacent Oud-West is a five-minute bike ride away. Kinkerstraat is also nearby. De Baarsjes benefits from its proximity to Oud-West without paying the rental prices of Oud-West.

The rental market in De Baarsjes is competitive and getting tighter. Respond the same day with a complete dossier. Also look at Postjesbuurt and Trompbuurt if you are automatically drawn to Mercatorplein. The homes there are similar, the rents lower, and the neighborhood is quieter.