Day-to-day atmosphere
IJburg lives to the rhythm of the water: sailing boats, paddleboarding in summer, quayside walks all year round. The contemporary architecture varies from island to island — low-rise buildings, individual houses designed by their owners on Steigereiland, the floating district of the Waterbuurt. Families are everywhere: schools, nurseries and sports clubs were built along with the district.
The trade-off: IJburg remains a young district where urban life (cafés, restaurants, independent shops) is still developing, mainly along the IJburglaan. You choose IJburg for space, light and water — not for the cultural density of the centre.
IJburg rents in 2026
| Property type | Indicative monthly rent |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | €2,100 – 2,600 |
| 2 bedrooms | €2,500 – 3,300 |
| 3 bedrooms and more | €3,500 – 4,200 |
| Family house | €3,200 – 4,200 |
The trump card: recent, well-insulated homes (energy labels A/B), meaning far lower heating bills than in the old buildings of the centre — an often underestimated cost I detail in my article on the cost of housing. Floor areas are also more generous: 80–100 m² homes are common.
Where to look: the islands
- Haveneiland: the main island, around the IJburglaan and the harbour — shops and tram on foot.
- Steigereiland: original individual architecture, floating houses of the Waterbuurt.
- Rieteilanden: small, very calm residential islands, houses with waterside gardens.
- Centrumeiland (new): recent developments being delivered, opportunities to seize off-plan.
Transport and access
Tram 26 runs on its own track from IJburg to Central Station in about twenty minutes. By bike, count 20–25 minutes to the centre via the Enneüs Heerma bridge. By car, the A10 is directly accessible — convenient for Schiphol or the rest of the country, and parking remains simple compared with the centre.
Who is IJburg for?
Ideal for: families who want new-build and space, remote workers in love with the water, sports lovers (sailing, paddleboarding, running on the dikes), those fleeing steep Dutch staircases.
Less suited to: lovers of old stones and dense neighbourhood life — historic Amsterdam's charm is 20 minutes away, not downstairs. For a compromise, look at Oost, on the way to the centre.
Pros: new, well-insulated homes, generous floor areas, beaches and water sports, recent schools, direct tram.
Cons: off-centre (20–25 min), urban life still under construction, little supply at the lowest budgets.