Experience in Utrecht, Netherlands by Cathy

What is it like to live in Utrecht? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Living in Utrecht was an amazing experience and I would highly recommend it! The city isn't as big as Amsterdam, but it's much less chaotic and I found the people to be more friendly here. Utrecht's canals and parks are beautiful and provide perfect spots to hang out on sunny days or enjoy picnics. Since Amsterdam is only 30 minutes away by train, Utrecht's location makes it easy to travel there as well as to other places across Europe.

What is the student lifestyle like in Utrecht?

The student lifestyle in Utrecht is probably the best I have ever experienced. It's very much a university-city, so there are plenty of opportunities to go out and meet other students and make new friends.

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How much does it cost to live in Utrecht?

I didn't find living in Utrecht to be that expensive, but it depends on what kind of spending you're used to. There are plenty of ways to spend less money, like grocery shopping in the ethnic neighbourhood called Lombok and choosing to live off-campus. I generally spent about € 30 per week on groceries, and rent can start as low as about € 300 per month.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Utrecht? Is there any advice you can give?

The best advice I can give is to look for accommodation early, don't leave it for the last minute. I lived in a student residence at Utrecht University and found accommodation through their short stay housing service. Kamernet is a great website to use if looking for off-campus housing.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

The food in Utrecht was great. The typical Dutch dish consists of french fries in a paper cornet with sauce. I would highly recommend visiting the markets in the main square over the weekend to try the amazing varieties of cheese and other foods such as fresh stroopwafels (thin waffle with caramel syrup in the middle). Utrecht also has a fairly vibrant Turkish ethnic community so the city is home to a bunch of "döner" fast food-type shops that sell kebabs, falafel and shawarmas.

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What places would you recommend visiting in Utrecht?

One of my absolute favourite cafes/bars in Utrecht was Cafe Olivier, which was converted from an old church to a cafe/bar. They've got a fantastic variety of Belgian beers to try and a friendly cat that visits customers.

Is it good to eat out in Utrecht? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

One of my favourite restaurants was an all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant called Sushi Today, located closer to campus than the city-center. Loads of other fantastic restaurants are located along the city's main canal on the street called Oude Gracht.

Is the nightlife good in Utrecht? Where is good to go?

Nightlife is amazing for students in Utrecht. The busiest nights to go out are Tuesdays and Thursdays since many of the Dutch students return home to their families over the weekend. However, many international students enjoy nights out on weekends as well. Tuesday nights are Erasmus nights at a club called Poema. Thursday nights most students go to a bar/club called Tivoli, which plays more indie music and is a lot of fun. Other popular spots include a club called Ekko, and an amazing live-music bar called Oude Pothuys.

What advice would you give future students heading to Utrecht?

Have an amazing time and take every opportunity to explore the city!

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