money & finance - RotterdamStyle.com

How many millionaires live in Rotterdam?

Bryan van Putten money & finance 16 August 2023

Unveil the opulence of Rotterdam! Dive into the city's most affluent neighbourhoods, discover where the top-tier reside, and see how Rotterdam's luxury compares to other Dutch cities.

The rise of millionaire homes

The trend of homes valued over a million euros isn't just a Rotterdam phenomenon; it's a national trend. The Netherlands, by the end of 2022, boasted approximately 195,000 homes with a value exceeding one million euros. This marked a 13% increase from the previous year. While the growth rate has slowed down compared to the whopping 80% surge in 2021, the absolute numbers are still impressive. In 2022 alone, the country saw an addition of over 23,000 millionaire homes.

Rotterdam's share

Rotterdam, renowned for its innovative architecture, vibrant port, and rich cultural tapestry, has also become a hub for the affluent. Over the years, the city has experienced a notable increase in properties valued at over a million euros, underscoring its escalating economic prosperity and allure as a prime residential location.

Rotterdam, as of 2022, is home to a substantial number of millionaire households. The city has 5,250 homes valued at one million euros or more, marking a significant increase of 15.6% compared to the previous year. This growth rate positions Rotterdam as one of the cities with the largest growth in million-euro homes. The city's most affluent areas include Kralingen, Hillegersberg, and along the Piet Smitkade. Vijverlaan remains the priciest street in Rotterdam, where the average home value stands at 1.74 million euros.

Moreover, by 2023, the Netherlands' priciest apartment was sold in Rotterdam. Dubbed 'The Box', this sprawling thousand-square-meter apartment, situated in Katendrecht, is set to redefine luxury. With a price bracket of €15 to €20 million, the prospective owners can enjoy three expansive floors, panoramic views of the Rijnhaven, and a staggering ceiling height of 12 meters.

National Perspective

On a national scale, the average millionaire in the Netherlands has a net worth of three million euros, which is 55 times the average non-millionaire. Most millionaires reside in Amsterdam, followed by The Hague, Rotterdam, and Utrecht. However, in terms of percentages, the wealthiest in the Netherlands don't predominantly live in major cities. For instance, in 2017, 11% of households in Laren were millionaires. Similar numbers were observed in smaller cities like Blaricum and Bloemendaal, with 10% of households falling into the millionaire category.

Rotterdam pass - how to have fun and save money in Rotterdam

Anne Soetens money & finance 08 August 2023

The 'Rotterdampas' is an all-access pass to the city. With it, you gain access to upwards of 600 special deals on movie theatres, day trips, workshops, museums, swimming pools and the Rotterdam Zoo.

If there is one thing that is an evergreen in the top three of favourite things for every Dutch person, it’s a bargain. If you are staying in Rotterdam for a weekend or a fortnight, go right ahead and skip this article. If you are here for a couple of weeks, months or years and are averagely active, do consider getting a Rotterdam pass, especially, if you have children!

I have been here for a while and I hadn’t got one until recently, the main reasons being:

1. Thinking it was a touristy thing to do,
2. Having to fill out a form online which includes uploading a photo,
3. It does cost €65* per person (kids pay €20)*.

*Note that there are various tariffs depending on whether you live in Rotterdam, have a low monthly income or are a student. The list of exceptions is quite long, so do check the rotterdampas.nl website (Dutch) for the latest up-to-date information.

The Rotterdam pass helps with saving money

However, you really get your money out of it. If you, let’s say, go to a few museums, a couple of movies, for a swim and a few ice creams. There are more things like discounts on eating out, special movies, beauty and relaxing therapies, indoor children’s playgrounds, sports clubs and tours. And there are lots of seasonal discounts as well.

Capri Ijssalon 📷 Anna Soetens

Children love the Rotterdam pass

For parents with children, there are more discounts in there, like good savings on a yearly zoo card or playgrounds aka theme parks like Plaswijk Park. But already the seasonal discounts, free nature playground, free ice creams, as well as the fact that all museums are free with the Rotterdam pass will provide a lot of entertainment.

Rotterdam Zoo 📷 Anna Soetens

Natuurspeeltuin de Speeldernis 📷 Anna Soetens

Validity

Before you sign up, check the date, though. It's valid from March to March. And consider if you will make use of it. Are there really a couple of deals you are sure to use? If some options are going to float your boat, you really can save some bucks.

Is this really a winner for me? Ask me next a year in March! For more information on the Rotterdam pas, check out the official Rotterdampas website.

Haggling for it

P.S. If you do not want to get a Rotterdam pas, but still want a bargain on long or short holidays, funfairs, eating out and theme parks, you can decide to haggle. Just go on the auction site (it's more like eBay than Sotheby’s obviously) Vakantieveilingen, see what you like and place your offer. You might get a fantastic discount for a couple of people. It's all mostly on short notice, but it’s a bit more straightforward than Marktplaats (the Dutch eBay).

The cheapest supermarkets in Rotterdam

Bryan van Putten money & finance 02 August 2023

Nobody likes to pay too much for groceries. The more you save on food, the more you can save or spend on other activities such as home improvement or travel. Find out where you can get more bang for your buck!

In a recent price survey by the Consumers' Association, the prices of basic groceries at various supermarkets in the Netherlands were examined. In this article, we focus on the results of this survey for the city of Rotterdam.

Cheapest Supermarkets

According to the Consumers' Association's price survey, the cheapest supermarkets in Rotterdam are Dirk and Hoogvliet, which are 11% and 8% cheaper than the national average, respectively. Other affordable options are Aldi, which is 1% cheaper than the average, and the large chains Albert Heijn, Jumbo, and Plus, which are at the average price level.

Average-Priced Supermarkets

Albert Heijn, Jumbo, and Plus, three of the largest supermarket chains in the Netherlands, have prices that are equal to the national average. These supermarkets have a strong presence in Rotterdam and offer a wide range of products.

More Expensive Supermarkets:

According to the survey, Coop is 3% more expensive than the national average, Picnic is 5% more expensive, and Spar is 20% more expensive, making them pricier options for consumers in Rotterdam.

Conclusion

While price is a significant factor in choosing a supermarket, it's also important to consider other factors such as location, product quality, customer service, and product range. Consumers are encouraged to compare the prices of their frequently purchased products at different supermarkets to find the best value for their money.

Meet the International Women's Networking Group in Rotterdam

Bryan van Putten money & finance 08 March 2022

Anybody who has done it before can tell you, and if you're reading this, you probably agree: moving to a new country is as exciting as it is challenging. In all cases, the adventure is made better by finding a community of individuals with whom you share the same passions or experiences.

In this article, we interview Yustine Alvares. Yustine is one of the founding members of the International Women's Networking Group (IWNG). In her day-to-day role, Yustine is in charge of sponsorships and partnerships for IWNG. She also helps with events and with the setting up of dedicated member groups.

For Yustine Alvares, the pleasures and pitfalls of living abroad are things she has experienced first-hand. After spending a decade abroad, she came back to the Netherlands and tried to seek out an international community in Rotterdam. "When you move to a new country, the first thing you do is go on Facebook and search for what is available. That's what I did abroad and that's what I tried to do here as well."

This is actually how the IWNG was founded. From humble beginnings as an informal Facebook group, the women have now built a real, increasingly influential organization run by and for women.

What is the International Women's Networking Group?

IWNG can best be described as a networking community of entrepreneurial women. Entrepreneurship, however, can mean different things to different people. For some members, it's a side hustle, while others have gone in all the way. For the women of IWNG, networking is not just about exchanging business cards. "We want to see women supporting each other rather than competing. When women support women, incredible things happen."

IWNG monthly networking lunch

How does the IWNG support women?

"At first, we started with small-scale events and meetings. In January 2019, after two years of only existing as online group, the IWNG organized its first major in-person event. Ever since, the organization has grown quite a lot. The Facebook group now has over 700 members and the events have become more frequent. We now do monthly social events, lunches and dinners. These are great moments to meet up with other members, promote a new business or find partners to spar with."

"With our professional events, we focus on the growth of these women, whether it's career-wise or in personal development. We do so by offering them workshops on a wide range of business-related topics, from business presentations to social media and storytelling."

For a taste of the depth and breadth of IWNG's dedication to issues faced by women, one need only take a glance at the IWNG blog. The articles cover insightful topics like women's healthcare and intersectional feminism as well as practical skills like how to write a business plan and SEO copywriting.

Social Media Madness event March 2019

What kind of businesses do they start?

"What they have in common is that they are flexible entrepreneurs. This shows in the wide range of projects they come up with. It varies from sustainability initiatives to yoga, mindfulness and professional coaching. Some have taken up cooking as a means to teach or sell meals that are unique to their culture and hard to find in the Netherlands. Our members also organize and participate in a lot of workshops."

Why is entrepreneurship popular among female expats?

"Most women come to the Netherlands as a trailing spouse or because they joined their Dutch partner and have high hopes for the future. However, after spending a lot of time looking for a job and failing to find something suitable, they eventually start their own business. Whether it's out of frustration, necessity or boredom, what all these women have in common is that they want something to do and aren't going to let language or any other barrier stand in their way."

How would you describe the typical IWNG member?

"Many women are looking for a connection with others; new friends, like-minded women they can spar with. The IWNG's members are highly diverse. Though most of the women are expats who have started a new life in the Netherlands, quite a few members are Dutch. Also, while most members are based in the Rotterdam area, many women who attend our meetings come from other cities. Some of our members are students. Being a member provides them with the opportunity to network while working towards their masters or PhD degrees. Others are still living abroad and planning a move to the Netherlands."

(left to right) IWNG co-founders Sterling Schuyler, Kristina Kay and Yustine Alvares

The "spouse initiative"

The IWNG is one of the organizations behind the Rotterdam Spouse Initiative, a monthly event that takes place as part of the Venture Café programme. At these events, spouses who have come to Rotterdam with their partner can join others who have also come to the country for similar reasons and exchange ideas on how to reinvent themselves and discover new talents.

While Venture Café is held weekly, on Thursdays, at the monumental Groothandelsgebouw near Central Station, the Spouse Initiative is included in the programme once a month. Be sure to check out the Venture Café website for more information. The Rotterdam Spouse Initiative is organized by Rotterdam Expat Centre, Venture Café, Madam Rotterdam, IWNG and Leiden-Delft-Erasmus.

How can somebody join IWNG?

"Our Facebook group is open to any and all women who would like to join a wider community of ambitious women. For those who would like to take their professional development a step further, we've recently also started with memberships. We've made available three membership tiers; for students, internationals and professionals. All the benefits and prices can be found on the IWNG website."