Haarlem, Netherlands 🇳🇱
#962
52.383705, 4.643559
Nomad Score:
69%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Haarlem is a historic city located just west of Amsterdam, known for its beautiful architecture, vibrant culture, and proximity to the North Sea. |
| 👥 Population | 162,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed is about 100 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.08 USD; Major banks include ABN AMRO, ING, and Rabobank. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable; tap water is safe to consume. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, ⚡ Type C/F sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include KPN, Vodafone, and T-Mobile. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular options include Revolut and Bunq. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local landlords, and Spotahome. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are accepted widely. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Choice of Airbnb and Vrbo for short-term stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel in Haarlem and HI Hostel Haarlem. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | ZaanWorkspace is one of the best coworking spaces. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe Stoop is popular among remote workers. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups often held at De Hallen or other local cafes. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Meetup groups found on Facebook, search for ‘Expats in Haarlem’. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber is available in Haarlem. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Rent a bike from Fietspunt or Donkey Republic. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Zandvoort Beach, about 15 minutes away by train. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Transavia is the main regional carrier. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | KLM and EasyJet operate flights from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Direct access to A200 and A9 highways. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Haarlem Central Station connects to Amsterdam and other cities. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | OV-chipkaart for trains, buses, and trams. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains to Amsterdam, Zandvoort, and Leidse. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Haarlem Medical Center (HMC). |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Studio Haarlem offers various classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit Haarlem and Fitland. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Wasmachine offers laundromat services in the city. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Thuisbezorgd.nl is the most popular delivery service. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try the local specialty, ‘Haarlemse Jopenbier’. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | De Groene Kikker and Vegan Junk Food Bar. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Stoep Cafe and Juffrouw Wout offering various pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Haarlem Market on Saturdays and the Supermarket chain Albert Heijn. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Bol.com is a popular e-commerce platform. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Albert Heijn and Picnic for online grocery delivery. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The city center, especially around the Grote Markt. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Jopen Brewery offers local beer tours. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wijnbar de Molen is popular among locals. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Food stalls at Haarlem's weekend markets. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Sushi Plaza and Mozaik (Mediterranean cuisine). |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Grote Kerk and the Frans Hals Museum. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Frans Hals Museum is a must-visit. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The 16th-century St. Bavo Cathedral. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Cathedral of St. Bavo is noteworthy. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Haarlem Jazz & More Festival in September. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The historic city center filled with shops and cafes. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Toneelschuur for local performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Haarlem's weekly market in the city center on Saturdays. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Local venues host regular concerts, especially in the summer. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Graffiti at various locations around the city center. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Culinary workshops at De Keuken van de Yser. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Various galleries in the city center showcasing local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Teylers Museum, the oldest museum in the Netherlands. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The city hosts various events celebrating its rich merchant history. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Haarlemmerhout park, a historic wooded area. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Kennemerland National Park is a short ride away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The North Sea Path connects Haarlem to the coast. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The viewpoints along the Spaarne River. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The wetlands around the Spaarne River. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Certain areas in the surrounding national parks allow bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL, PostNL, and local courier services available. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Smartphone repair shops around the city center. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local community centers sometimes have ping pong tables. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Dutch language classes available at various institutions. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Haarlem Library offers study spaces and resources. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Wijkcentrum De Witte Hart is a local cultural center. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | There are cafes with gaming options but no specialized lounges. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Holland Casino at nearby Zandvoort. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €4,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €160,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €120,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €210,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €168,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €256,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €200,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% |
| 🏦 Tax System | The Netherlands operates a progressive tax system. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 49.5% |
| 🧾 VAT | 21% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules apply. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Based on a percentage of the property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 2% standard rate for residential properties. |