The VU offers student housing through the housing corporation duwo.nl. This company has a large complex of student rooms (called Uilenstede) located just three metro/tram stops away (20 minute walk or 10 minute bike ride) from the university campus and gives you the option of choosing how you’d like to live. There are apartments available ranging from shared two-bedroom self-enclosed apartments, to single rooms with a private bathroom but shared kitchen, to single rooms with shared bathrooms and kitchens. The price for monthly rent ranges based on the option you choose.
NOTE: You will be able to select your preferred room during the application process, but it is not guaranteed that this is the room you will receive. As rooms are limited and the demand is much larger than the supply, it is advised to accept any offer that is given to you as there is a high chance that you will not be able to find another room to stay in within short notice in Amsterdam.
Other options available to students are offered by Shortstay from dekey.nl. However, the location of De Key’s student rooms is more inconvenient for VU students are there is more travel time involved since most of the rooms are in the centre. You can also search from rooms through rental agencies or private owners, but this process is much more difficult and potentially much more expensive.
There are many benefits to living in Uilenstede. There are many opportunities for you to socialize as a new, foreign student with other foreign students and some Dutch students as well. There is a bar on the Uilenstede campus that organizes student events on a weekly basis, and ESNVUniverse also plans a number of events on the Uilenstede campus. The VU Sportcentrum is located on the campus as well, giving special offers to students on many fitness programs. The VU Cultuurcentrum Griffioen (link only available in Dutch) is another VU building that includes a theater and cinema where you can attend cultural plays and presentations as well as movies. A bike shop, Ziggo office (internet and cable provider), and small market are also located in Uilenstede, as well as the DUWO Amstelveen office. There are a number of supermarkets within walking/biking distance and the tram/metro stop is very close to the Uilenstede complex.
One of the disadvantages to living in Uilenstede is the distance to the centre and the isolation this presents. Although you have many of the necessary amenities very close by, it takes at least 20 minutes to reach the centre by metro/tram or bike, which some people may find an inconvenience, especially if going out into the centre at night.
There are also other accommodation options available.
These guides are never finished.
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