Buying a new property in the Netherlands requires quite a thought especially nowadays where the average price of a square meter there is among the most expensive in Europe. The median price of an apartment for sale is €9,000 per square meter. And for the houses, the median price is €5,815 per square meter. So it might be a good idea to look for cheaper prices in terms of the average price of a square meter in particular cities.

However, if you use any map available for that, you'll conclude that urban areas are usually more expensive while rural ones are cheaper. So you might look for alternative criteria. Thankfully, the Dutch government created a livability map that isn't based on the prices but on the number of schools, parks, crime level, etc. In this article, we'll explore the most interesting hidden gems of the Netherlands to look for a property.

Veere

The southwestern region of the Netherlands is a small population municipality that translates "ferry" from Dutch. Its population is only 22,000 but what the area lacks in terms of people it regains from being a "best kept secret" part of the Netherlands. It has an excellent score of livability with one of the lowest levels of criminality as well as beautiful landscapes. Service is said to be subpar but the kindergarten, schools, and other places create one of the greatest environments there is. Tourists love the area for its 34 kilometres of coastline, and it has some beautiful places to visit: from the Harbour of Veere to the Domburg castle. The average price per square meter is €3,923.

Bergen

From the Dutch southwest to the North — Bergen (not to be confused with Bergen in Norway) municipality represents the beautiful environment in the Netherlands. North Sea beaches and forests are tourist sightseeings but historically it has been a place for creative people, hence multiple painters and architects come from the so-called Bergen school. One of the most notable and noble Dutch families, Egmond, gave the name to one of the biggest cities in the area. Compared to Veere, Bergen is more dispersed in terms of environment, criminality, and social gatherings, and it shows in the average price per square meter here — €6,181.

Laren

Laren town and municipality is another gem at the heart of the North region of the Netherlands. It's also the east metropolitan area of Amsterdam, so the commute to the capital is pretty quick. Being close to central Amsterdam also gives a perk of an abundance of services available for such a small area (only 12,41 kilometers squared). Of course, it reflects on the price, €5,950 per square meter. However, compared to €9k+ prices in Amsterdam, this might be a good place to buy property.

Another area close by to consider is Blaricum, however, at one point, surprisingly, it was the most expensive place in the Netherlands, home to celebrities like Denis Bergkamp or Rene Froger.

Rozendaal

Hidden between bigger names like Arnhem and Velp, known by its castles and water fountain follies, Rozendaal is one of the most unpopulated but rich towns in the Netherlands. It is by far the best town in overall score in LeefBarometer and the only thing that might concern a future property owner is a possible lack of services, such as grocery delivery or takeaways. Different data give different average prices per square meter, from €2,900 to €3,100, which is still a great number for a property purchase.

Bloemendaal

One of the wealthiest places in the Netherlands is located just west of Haarlem. Bloemendaal is a small town but offers an exceptional quality of life. Known for its beautiful coastal dunes, forests, and upscale neighborhoods, it ranks high in livability scores. The area is surrounded with excellent schools, has low crime rates, and plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities. Despite its proximity to Amsterdam (about 30 minutes by train), Bloemendaal maintains a tranquil, village-like atmosphere. However, this high quality of life comes at a price. Bloemendaal is one of the most expensive municipalities in the Netherlands, with an average property price per square meter of around €6,500 to €7,000. This is significantly higher than the national average but still more affordable than central Amsterdam.