Housing in Maastricht
Til Kleinertz — April, 2023
Are you a student planning to move to Maastricht and searching for accommodation? If so, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to start. But don’t worry, with a little guidance, you can find a suitable place to live that meets your budget and location preferences. In this blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about getting a room in Maastricht, from tips on locations and Facebook groups to organizations and rental subsidies.
First and foremost, it’s crucial to start your search early. The housing market in Dutch cities, especially those popular among students like Maastricht, is highly competitive and congested. Therefore, starting your search at least a few months before your arrival date is highly recommended. This will allow you to get acquainted with the system and explore your options without added stress.
Once you start your search, it’s important to know your budget. Accommodations in Maastricht can range from €350 for a room in student housing to €900+ for an independent studio per month. The rental cost will depend on several factors, such as the location, number of roommates, and room size. It’s best to weigh your options and be skeptical of landlords charging high costs for ordinary accommodations.
Knowing your preferred area is also essential. While Maastricht is not a very large city, there are undoubtedly some places that students prefer over others. For example, residing in the city’s center places you close to both the SBE faculty and the hub of activity. On the other hand, neighborhoods like Emmaplein, Brusselsepoort, and Mariaberg provide more affordable options that are a bit further from the SBE, while still being walkable or bikeable and populated with a lot of students. If you don’t mind a longer bike ride and plan to spend a lot of time at the gym, accommodations on the East bank of the Maas, particularly in the areas near Wyck and Randwyck, should be taken into consideration. These areas also have a lot of nice stores and bars.
When searching for accommodation, Facebook groups can be a popular way to discover options. We recommend following the following Facebook groups: “rooms/ kamer/ zimmer in Maastricht,” “Kamers, studio’s en appartementen huren in Maastricht,” “apartments and rooms Maastricht,” or “Flat hunting Maastricht.” Both students and landlords frequently publish new offers and housing opportunities. If you cannot locate something right away, don’t worry. Instead, keep an eye out for fresh posts and try to reply as soon as you can. In the Netherlands, it’s common to see the room when others respond to you. The majority of student housing facilities have adopted this idea, where selecting possible roommates might seem a lot like an interview. If you’re not in the country, you can always request an online viewing, which is usually possible.
It’s essential to beware of scammers when searching for accommodation on Facebook groups. Unfortunately, there are a lot of scammers on these groups. A scammer will typically request an upfront payment and your phone number rather than continuing the conversation on Facebook. To avoid these scams, always be alert and carefully review the profile of everybody posting, keeping an eye out for any that seem questionable based on how many friends and posts they have.
Another popular way of finding housing in Maastricht is through agencies. One thing to keep in mind is that agencies tend to request a small fee, and there may be a waitlist. Therefore, we suggest that you subscribe as soon as you can. One of the more reliable agencies is Maastricht Housing, the official housing agency for Maastricht University. Other well-known agencies are online housing platforms such as Kamernet, Pararius, and HousingAnywhere. These platforms allow you to search for rooms or apartments that fit your budget and location preferences. Be aware that some of these platforms may require you to pay a fee to contact landlords or access more detailed information about available properties.
Overall, finding housing in Maastricht as a student can be challenging, but with some research and patience, you can find a comfortable and affordable place to call home during your studies.
