Why is a home in Amsterdam-North so attractive?
For decades, Amsterdam North was quite isolated from the rest of the city. This was once the gallows field, later North became the beating heart of shipbuilding and industry. In recent decades, this activity has slowly disappeared and more and more people live there: in 2020, the milestone of 100,000 residents was reached. By 2050, there will be an estimated 150,000, according to the municipality of Amsterdam. What makes North such an attractive place to live?
Accessibility, availability and affordability play a major role in this. In the past you could only cross the IJ by ferry. Later the Schellingwoudebrug, the IJ tunnel and the Coen tunnel were added. The North/South line has been in operation since 2018, which further accelerated urban development. Nowhere in Amsterdam is there as much construction going on as in North; the population has been growing rapidly in recent years. House prices are also rising, but they are generally lower than in other neighborhoods within the city ring.
In addition, the special character and beauty of the district should not be underestimated. North has a rich history, lots of space and greenery, and a raw edge. The district also has very diverse neighborhoods, so there is something for everyone. It is therefore not surprising that 80 percent of the people who buy a home in North come from Amsterdam itself. Have you ever thought about moving to North? We will explain the different neighborhoods and their own character in more detail below to make the choice easier.
Dike streets
In the nineteenth century, there were only houses along the various dikes in the polder area, including the Nieuwendammerdijk, the Buiksloterdijk and the Landsmeerderdijk. These beautiful streets with characteristic houses are still standing, while plenty of construction has taken place around them. They are a kind of Dutch ribbon villages in the middle of the city. These homes are very rare and therefore extremely popular and pricey.
Working-class neighborhoods and garden villages
The real urban development of North started in 1918/1919 with the districts of Vogeldorp, Disteldorp, (parts of) Van der Pek and Vogelbuurt South. These were mainly working-class neighborhoods that were built to quickly cope with the enormous housing shortage. In the 1920s and 1930s, the district was expanded with several garden villages, with plenty of room for greenery: Oostzaan, Nieuwendam, Buiksloot, Bloemenbuurt and Floradorp. That green character is still clearly visible here.
Tuttifrutti village
After this, the growth of Amsterdam North came to a standstill for a long time, until the Tuttifrutti village was built in 1951/1952. This name arose colloquially because of the ‘fruity’ street names. Due to scarcity of money and materials, experiments were carried out in this post-war period with industrial methods for social housing, such as concrete prefab elements. Although intended temporarily, many homes from this period are still standing.
Post-war expansion districts
The real big growth spurt came in the 1960s, when the post-war expansion districts of Nieuwendam-North (now Waterlandplein neighborhood), Buikslotermeer-Noord (now Buikslotermeer), Banne Buiksloot and Molenwijk were built. These neighborhoods are mainly characterized by (medium) high-rise buildings and lots of greenery. In the rest of the century, the neighborhoods of Loenermark, Banne Noord and Noordertrok Oost (1970s), Buikslotermeerplein, Circus/Kermisbuurt, Nintemanterrein (1980s) and Twiske Oost, Buiksloterbreek and Elzenhagen Noord (1990s) followed, spread across the North. ).
Newly built homes
The next major construction leap only came after the turn of the century. Since 2004/2005, construction has been in full swing on the NDSM site. This mainly concerns medium-rise residential complexes with apartments. Since 2010, many homes have also been added to Overhoeks, a new neighborhood on the former Shell Research site on the IJ bank, and Elzenhagen Zuid, mainly consisting of single-family homes and mid-rise buildings.
Construction is currently underway in the Amsterdam North Center Area, the area around the North metro station. This will be a new urban center with approximately 7,000 homes. The Hamerkwartier (where 123ERAmakelaar is situated) is on the program as the next major project. Over the next 20 years, the municipality wants to transform this industrial estate on the eastern bank of the IJ into a mixed urban district with approximately 6,500 homes.
Why choose Amsterdam North?
Amsterdam North offers a perfect balance between urban vibrancy and tranquility. Compared to other parts of Amsterdam, such as the busy Center or the expensive South, North has a number of attractive advantages:
- Space and greenery: Amsterdam North offers spacious homes and lots of greenery, ideal for families and anyone who needs a little more space.
- Affordability: Living in Amsterdam North is often more affordable than in other popular neighborhoods, without sacrificing amenities or atmosphere.
- Development and innovation: North is continuously developing; there are more and more hip restaurants and cultural hotspots.
- Excellent accessibility: With the arrival of the North/South line you will be in the heart of the city in no time, while you can still benefit from the tranquility of North.
In short, a home in Amsterdam North is always a good choice. At 123ERAmakelaar we know exactly what makes this part of the city, and every neighborhood within it, so special and how you can get the most out of your move. Whether you are looking for a spacious apartment with a view of the IJ, a family home in a quiet neighborhood, or a modern loft in a trendy environment, we are happy to help you find your new home in Amsterdam North. Of course we can also help you sell your home.
Interested or questions? Feel free to contact us.
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