Renting in Schiedam and around Rotterdam as an expat

Many internationals start their search with one word: Rotterdam. That is understandable, but it often means competing for the same apartments as everyone else. Widen the circle by a few kilometres and the picture changes: more square metres, a garden or balcony, and a commute that is often shorter than you would expect.

Schiedam: historic centre, ten minutes from Rotterdam

Schiedam borders Rotterdam directly to the west, and in daily life the two cities blend into each other. What makes Schiedam special is its old centre: canals, historic warehouses and the tallest traditional windmills in the world, a legacy of the city’s jenever distilling history. Around that centre you find a mix of characterful older houses and newer family homes.

Practically, Schiedam is very well connected. The metro takes you to central Rotterdam in about ten minutes, there is a train station with direct services to Rotterdam, The Hague and beyond, and the motorway is around the corner. For tenants who want space and character without giving up the city, it is one of the first places we suggest.

Vlaardingen: riverside and relaxed

A little further west lies Vlaardingen, a former fishing town on the Nieuwe Maas with a compact centre, a marina and plenty of green. It is quieter than Schiedam and popular with families and anyone who likes to be near the water. Trains and the metro connect Vlaardingen to Rotterdam in roughly fifteen to twenty minutes.

Capelle aan den IJssel: family living on the metro line

East of Rotterdam, Capelle aan den IJssel is a spacious suburb with modern family homes, parks and good schools. The metro runs straight into the city, which makes it a practical choice for families where one or both partners work in Rotterdam.

Barendrecht and Rhoon: green and south of the river

South of Rotterdam, Barendrecht and neighbouring Rhoon offer detached and semi-detached homes, gardens and a village atmosphere. Both have train or metro connections to the city and are close to the motorways, which makes them popular with families and with tenants who commute by car.

Delft: a historic city in its own right

Delft is a destination rather than a suburb: a beautifully preserved historic city, home to the technical university (TU Delft) and a large international community. Rotterdam Central is about fifteen minutes away by train, and The Hague is even closer. If your work is between the two cities, Delft is worth a serious look.

What is different about renting outside the city?

• More home for your budget. The same monthly rent typically buys noticeably more space, and a house with a garden becomes realistic.
• The same rules apply. Documents, deposits, contracts and registration work exactly as in Rotterdam. Our guide on how renting works covers all of it.
• Think about your daily route. Check the commute to your office and to schools before you decide, including the walk or bike ride to the station. We are happy to advise: we know these towns from the inside.
• Registration is local. You register at the municipality of the town where you live, not in Rotterdam.

How we help

Expat Quality Housing works across the Rotterdam region, not just within the city. We regularly have quality homes in Schiedam and the surrounding towns, and we know which streets and neighbourhoods suit which tenant. Tell us how you live and where you work, and we will suggest homes that fit, honestly. See our available homes or read about how we work with tenants.