Alkmaar, Netherlands 🇳🇱
#969
52.631259, 4.750379
Nomad Score:
68%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Alkmaar is a charming city located in North Holland, known for its historic cheese market and picturesque canals. |
| 👥 Population | About 93,000 inhabitants. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 100 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD, widely accepted credit and debit cards. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and of high quality. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, ⚡ Type C/E sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include KPN, Vodafone, and T-Mobile, offering competitive prepaid and postpaid plans. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Major banks include ING, Rabobank; online banking options like Revolut are also popular. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from long-term rentals, Airbnb, to local property management agencies. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are accepted widely across the city. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local property management services like HousingAnywhere offer short-term options. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Budget hostels like Hostel Alkmaar provide affordable lodging. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | CoWorking Alkmaar is a popular spot among remote workers. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe de Paddestoel offers a cozy environment with good coffee and Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Alkmaar Startup Meetups offer excellent networking opportunities. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expat community gatherings can often be found on platforms like Meetup and Facebook groups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber operates in Alkmaar, but local taxis are also available. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Fietsverhuur Alkmaar offers bicycle rentals for exploring the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Egmond aan Zee beach is just 15 km away, easily accessible by bike or public transport. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Arriva provides reliable regional bus services. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Schiphol Airport is the nearest major international airport, about 40 km away. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access to A9 and A22 highways is convenient for road travel. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Alkmaar train station connects to major cities like Amsterdam and Haarlem. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | OV-chipkaart allows for convenient travel on trains, buses, and trams. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains (NS) operate frequently towards Amsterdam, Haarlem, and Hoorn. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Medisch Centrum Alkmaar provides comprehensive healthcare services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Studio Alkmaar offers a variety of classes for all levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit is a popular gym chain with affordable memberships. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromat de Wasplaats offers self-service laundry options. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Thuisbezorgd.nl is a popular choice for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try the famous Alkmaar cheese, particularly the traditional Edam. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restaurants like Restaurant Verde offer plant-based dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Patisserie van der Mark is famous for its delicious cakes and pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Weekly markets held on Thursdays at the Waagplein for fresh produce and local goods. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Bol.com and Coolblue provide a wide range of products online. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Albert Heijn offers grocery delivery services for online orders. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The city center around the Stadhuis has various bars and pubs. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brouwerij Ciderboys produces local artisanal ciders. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wijnhuis Alkmaar offers a great selection of local and international wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Visit the street food market in the city center on weekends for diverse options. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Ristorante Pizzicato serve excellent Italian cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Alkmaar Cheese Market and the National Beer Museum are must-sees. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar showcases local art and history. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Grote Sint-Laurenskerk is a stunning example of Gothic architecture. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Huis van de Pelgrims offers a look into local spiritual practices and community. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Cheese Market in summer is a weekly event attracting many visitors. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The old town area is full of historic buildings and lively cafés. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Kijkduin Theater hosts a variety of performances and community events. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Alkmaar's weekly market is held every Saturday and is perfect for local produce and crafts. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Jazz in the Park events are common in summer at various city parks. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The city features various murals and public art installations, especially in the city center. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Alkmaar Cooking School offers courses in traditional Dutch cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Gallery de Waag showcases contemporary artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Waag (Weigh House) is a fine example of historical architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The city celebrates its cheese-making traditions with various events throughout the year. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Alkmaar countryside offers beautiful cycling paths through fields and wetlands. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Hollands Duin National Park is a short drive away for hiking and nature watching. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Scenic routes along canals offer great cycling and walking experiences. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The view from the Sint-Laurenskerk tower provides a panoramic outlook of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The areas surrounding the canals are great for birdwatching, especially during migration seasons. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Certain areas around the city's parks allow for designated bonfires with permits. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and PostNL provide reliable parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local stores like BCC offer various gadget repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Community centers often host table tennis clubs and competitions. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language schools like Taalschool offer Dutch language courses for expats. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | De Bibliotheek Alkmaar features study spaces and resources for residents. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Spaces like Meertenshuis host cultural activities and community events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | The Game Room offers a variety of video games and community gaming events. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Holland Casino in Amsterdam is the nearest major gaming venue. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €120,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €88,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €192,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €156,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,100 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €248,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,400 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €192,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 49.5% |
| 🧾 VAT | 21% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict regulations apply. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on cadastral income. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 2% standard rate for residential property. |