Rental homes in Felix Meritisbuurt, Amsterdam
View the current rental property supply in Felix Meritisbuurt, Amsterdam. Compare prices, surface area and see what residents think of this canal belt neighbourhood.
Rental prices and market figures for Felix Meritisbuurt, Amsterdam
Felix Meritisbuurt is a neighbourhood where renting is the norm: 60% of the 1,482 homes are rental properties, compared to 39% owner-occupied. Notably, only 8% are owned by housing associations, meaning social housing is very scarce here. The vast majority of rental supply (52%) falls under private landlords and the free sector. In the free sector, the average rent over the past twelve months was €3,065 per month, with a range of €2,280 to €6,500 per month (excluding social housing). With an average floor area of 94 m², this works out to around €32.60 per square metre. The WOZ value in the neighbourhood is €908,000, slightly below the average for the district of Grachtengordel-West (€948,000), but well above the Amsterdam average of €517,000. Rental prices in Felix Meritisbuurt are therefore in line with the rest of the canal belt and well above the city average. At the top of this page, you can see the current supply and daily prices for available rental homes in Felix Meritisbuurt.
Living in Felix Meritisbuurt, Amsterdam
Felix Meritisbuurt is located in the heart of Amsterdam's canal belt, roughly between the Herengracht and the Keizersgracht, at the level of Koningsplein and Vijzelstraat. The neighbourhood is named after the historic Felix Meritis building on the Keizersgracht, which has been a cultural hub since 1788. The homes largely consist of monumental canal houses from the 17th and 18th centuries, divided into apartments. Expect high ceilings, steep stairs and narrow hallways. New-build is virtually absent here; the charm lies in the historic character.
Facilities around the Keizersgracht and Vijzelstraat
For daily groceries, you can go to the Albert Heijn on Vijzelstraat or Koningsplein. On the Utrechtsestraat, a few minutes' walk away, you will find specialist shops, restaurants and small stores. The Negen Straatjes are directly north of the neighbourhood with boutiques and eateries. For larger purchases, Leidseplein or Kalverstraat are within walking distance. Schools in the immediate vicinity are limited. The Eerste Openluchtschool on Cliostraat (Oud-Zuid) and primary school De Kleine Nicolaas in the Jordaan are the nearest options. For sports, you can go to Vondelgym on Overtoom or swimming pool Het Zuiderbad near Museumplein. Amstelveld with its small playground and the canal banks are the main spots for a walk, but real green space is scarce.
Accessibility from the canal belt
Accessibility is excellent. Vijzelgracht metro station (North/South line) is on the edge of the neighbourhood and takes you to Amsterdam-Zuid or Central Station in ten minutes. Trams 1, 2, 5 and 7 stop at Leidseplein and Koningsplein. By bike, you can reach Museumplein or Central Station within five minutes. Driving a car is impractical here: the streets are narrow, parking requires a permit and the rates are among the highest in the Netherlands. The municipality of Amsterdam actively pursues policies to reduce car traffic in the city centre.
The neighbourhood mainly attracts young professionals and expats. With 825 residents between the ages of 25 and 45, they form by far the largest group among the 2,120 inhabitants. Single-person households dominate (895 of the total) and only 24% are married. The education level is high: 78% of residents are highly educated, and the average income of €76,800 is well above the Amsterdam average of €44,276. It is a neighbourhood of people who consciously choose the city centre and are willing to pay a premium for it.
Residents appreciate the central location and the atmosphere of the canals, but also mention drawbacks. "Nice to live, but you notice the hustle and bustle of tourists on the Keizersgracht and Leidseplein every day," writes one resident in a review. Noise pollution from hospitality venues and nightlife is a recurring issue. Read more experiences on the neighbourhood page of Felix Meritisbuurt where residents leave their scores and reviews.
Compared to the neighbouring Leliegracht and surroundings, Felix Meritisbuurt is slightly busier and more focused on nightlife and culture. Leidsegracht-Noord is closer to Leidseplein and has even more influence from hospitality. If you are looking for something quieter within the same district, Langestraat and surroundings is worth considering.
Who is a rental home in Felix Meritisbuurt suitable for?
A rental home in Felix Meritisbuurt is best suited for single professionals, couples without children and expats who want to live centrally and have a high budget. For families, the neighbourhood is less suitable: few schools in the immediate vicinity, limited play space and high rental prices. Students rarely find affordable rooms here. Anyone wanting to rent a home in Felix Meritisbuurt must respond quickly. Prepare your documents (employer's statement, payslip, ID) and respond on the same day. Social housing is hardly available with 8% housing association ownership; the waiting time via WoningNet runs to more than ten years. Considering buying an apartment? Also check the supply of homes for sale in Felix Meritisbuurt.
What residents say about Felix Meritisbuurt
Residents generally give Felix Meritisbuurt good scores for location and facilities, but lower marks for peace and quiet and parking. "You have everything within walking distance, but you pay the price in hustle and bustle and noise," sums up one resident. The honest reviews and partial scores per category can be found on the review page of Felix Meritisbuurt. Those resident experiences give you a more realistic picture than any property website.
Compare rental homes in Felix Meritisbuurt with surrounding neighbourhoods
Unsure whether Felix Meritisbuurt is the right place to rent a home? Compare it with the surrounding neighbourhoods. Leliegracht offers a similar canal setting but is slightly quieter. In the broader district of Grachtengordel-West you will find more choice. If you are looking for a different character, you can look at the Jordaan (more village-like, slightly lower rental prices) or the Haarlemmerbuurt (lively shopping street, more families). On Buurtje.nl, you combine neighbourhood scores, resident reviews and current housing supply from more than 1,500 sources, so you not only find a home but also the neighbourhood that truly suits you. Also check the full overview of rental homes in Amsterdam if you want to search more broadly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Felix Meritisbuurt, Amsterdam?
The average rent in the free sector is €3,065 per month, with an average floor area of 94 m² (approximately €32.60 per m²). The range runs from €2,280 to €6,500 per month. Social housing is significantly cheaper, but with only 8% housing association ownership, it is hardly available in this neighbourhood.
Are there social housing units in Felix Meritisbuurt?
Only 8% of homes in Felix Meritisbuurt are owned by a housing association. Social housing is therefore very scarce here. You can register via WoningNet, but waiting times in Amsterdam city centre can exceed ten years. The vast majority of rental properties (52%) are let by private landlords in the free sector.
What is it like to live in Felix Meritisbuurt?
Living in Felix Meritisbuurt means residing in monumental canal houses right in the centre of Amsterdam. Residents appreciate the central location, cultural amenities and the atmosphere of the canals. Drawbacks often mentioned are tourist crowds, noise from hospitality venues and limited parking options. The neighbourhood has a high education level (78%) and mainly attracts young professionals.
Is Felix Meritisbuurt suitable for young professionals and expats?
Yes, the neighbourhood is particularly popular among young professionals and expats. The largest age group is 25-45 years (825 out of 2,120 residents) and most households are single-person. The average income of €76,800 and the high education level reflect the profile of the residents. Families with children find fewer amenities such as schools and play space here.
How accessible is Felix Meritisbuurt?
Accessibility is excellent. Vijzelgracht metro station (North/South line) is within walking distance and takes you quickly to Zuid or Central Station. Trams 1, 2, 5 and 7 stop nearby. By bike you are at Central Station in five minutes. Parking is expensive and only with a permit; driving in the centre is actively discouraged.
What amenities are there in and around Felix Meritisbuurt?
There is an Albert Heijn on Vijzelstraat and Koningsplein for daily groceries. The Utrechtsestraat and the Negen Straatjes offer restaurants, speciality shops and boutiques. Leidseplein and Kalverstraat are within walking distance. Green space is limited, but Amstelveld and the canal banks provide some room. Het Zuiderbad swimming pool is a bike ride away.
How quickly are rental properties let in Felix Meritisbuurt?
Rental properties in Felix Meritisbuurt go off the market quickly. Due to high demand and limited supply in the canal belt, quick response is essential. Make sure you have documents such as employer's statement and salary slips ready immediately. At the top of this page you can see the current average time to let in days.
