Rental homes in Hemelrijk, Amsterdam

Rental prices and market figures Hemelrijk, Amsterdam

Hemelrijk is predominantly a rental neighbourhood: 72% of the housing stock consists of rental properties, compared to 27% owner-occupied homes. Of those rental properties, only 3% are owned by a housing association. The remaining 69% falls under private or commercial landlords, meaning that the supply here is almost entirely in the free sector. Social housing is therefore scarce in Hemelrijk.

In the free sector (excluding social housing and rooms), an average rent of €2,547 per month was recorded over the past twelve months, with a range of €1,303 to €3,500 per month. The average rented apartment or home had an area of 97 m², which works out to a price of approximately €26 per m². These are hefty rates, even by Amsterdam standards.

For comparison: the average WOZ value in Hemelrijk is €496,000, slightly below the district average of Burgwallen-Nieuwe Zijde (€535,000) and also below the municipal average of Amsterdam (€517,000). Hemelrijk is therefore relatively affordable compared to the immediate surroundings, although absolute rents in the free sector are high. For current available rental properties and the most recent average rent and time on market, see the overview at the top of this page.

Living in Hemelrijk, Amsterdam

Hemelrijk is a small, compact neighbourhood tucked away in the heart of Amsterdam's city centre, as part of the Burgwallen-Nieuwe Zijde district. With 555 residents on a relatively small area, it is not a neighbourhood that stands out by size, but rather by location. Living here means literally living in the centre of Amsterdam, within walking distance of Dam Square, the Rokin and the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal. That is both the biggest advantage and the biggest disadvantage of Hemelrijk.

The buildings largely consist of historic canal houses and smaller urban residential blocks, with apartments that are often high in price but also have character. There is hardly any new construction; those renting an apartment here typically live in an older building with all the charm and sometimes all the limitations that come with it, such as narrow staircases and limited outdoor space. The neighbourhood has 413 homes, a large proportion of which are owned by private landlords.

The population is young and highly educated: the largest group of residents is between 25 and 45 years old (275 of the 555 residents), 44% have a high level of education and 68% are active in the labour market. The average income of €43,400 is slightly below the Amsterdam average. Single-person households dominate with 270 of the total estimated households; only 12% are married. In short, Hemelrijk is a neighbourhood of young, independent city dwellers.

Facilities in Hemelrijk

Those looking for a rental home in Hemelrijk need not worry about groceries. The Albert Heijn on the Rokin and several supermarkets in the immediate vicinity are within walking distance. For daily shopping, the Kalverstraat is also nearby, although it is more of a shopping street than a neighbourhood supermarket. There is an abundance of hospitality venues: from brown cafes on the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal to coffee shops and restaurants towards the Spui. Families with children will find primary schools in the immediate vicinity, although the supply is limited for such a small neighbourhood. For sports and recreation, Vondelpark and Amsterdamse Bos are accessible by bike; green space is scarce in the neighbourhood itself. Those who want parks and playgrounds within walking distance would be better off looking at neighbourhoods such as the Jordaan or the Haarlemmerbuurt.

Accessibility

The accessibility of Hemelrijk is excellent for those who live without a car. Amsterdam Central Station is about a five-minute walk away, offering direct connections to the rest of the Netherlands and international destinations. Several tram lines run along the Rokin and the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal. By bike, you can reach Leidseplein, the Jordaan or the Pijp in minutes. For motorists, the situation is less rosy: parking in and around Hemelrijk is expensive and difficult. A parking permit is required and waiting times are long. Those who commute by car daily would be wise to take this into account.

Residents appreciate the central location, but also point out the downside. On the Hemelrijk neighbourhood page, a resident writes: "You live in the most beautiful place in Amsterdam, but you have to like the hustle and bustle. On Friday and Saturday evenings, it is a completely different world here." That is an honest picture: tourism and nightlife are a constant factor in this part of the city. Compare that with the slightly quieter Begijnhofbuurt or Spuistraat-Zuid, which have a similar historic character but are slightly less exposed to tourist crowds.

Is a rental home in Hemelrijk right for you?

Hemelrijk is most suitable for singles and couples without children who consciously choose to live in the centre of Amsterdam. Expats and young professionals who want to live close to work and nightlife will find what they are looking for here, provided the budget is sufficient. Families with children will experience the limited space and lack of greenery as a disadvantage. The supply of rentals in Hemelrijk is small: only 14 free-sector homes were rented out in the past twelve months. Respond quickly when something becomes available, as the time on market is short. Prepare your documents, including proof of income of at least three times the monthly rent. Social housing is virtually unavailable here; those who want to qualify for it should register with the municipality of Amsterdam for the waiting list. As an alternative, it is also worth looking at owner-occupied homes in Hemelrijk, although these are equally scarce and pricey.

What residents say about Hemelrijk

Residents of Hemelrijk are generally positive about the location and the liveliness of the neighbourhood, but critical about tourism, parking and weekend night noise. On the neighbourhood page, Hemelrijk scores well on accessibility and facilities, but less on peace and quiet and green space. One resident describes it as follows: "Everything is close by, but you should not expect silence. This is Amsterdam at its most Amsterdam." See all reviews and the full neighbourhood data on the resident reviews of Hemelrijk. These provide a realistic picture of what living in Hemelrijk means in practice, something no other housing site offers at this level of detail.

Comparing rental properties in and around Hemelrijk

Those considering renting an apartment in Hemelrijk but also want to compare other options can look at neighbouring neighbourhoods within the same district. Nieuwendijk-Noord and Nieuwe Kerk en omgeving offer a similar historic city centre character. For a slightly quieter alternative with more greenery, it is worth looking at Grachtengordel-West or Burgwallen-Oude Zijde. Those who want to search more broadly will find a complete overview of available rental properties in Amsterdam on the page rental properties in Amsterdam. Buurtje.nl combines current housing supply from multiple sources with resident reviews and neighbourhood data, so you not only find a home but also know whether the neighbourhood suits you. Also check the broader supply of rental properties in Burgwallen-Nieuwe Zijde for a more complete picture of what is available for rent in this district.