This is OurDomain Review: Student and Expat Housing in the Netherlands

If you’re a student or young professional trying to rent in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht or Diemen, you’ve probably come across OurDomain. With sleek websites, Instagrammable apartments, and promises of hassle-free living, OurDomain is making waves in the Dutch rental market. But is it really as good as it looks?

In this full OurDomain review, we dive into what it’s like to live in an OurDomain apartment, what kinds of residents they cater to, how the application process works, and whether you actually get value for money. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about the rent,  it’s about community, comfort, and convenience.

Let’s explore the OurDomain universe, from Rotterdam Blaak to Amsterdam Southeast, and everything in between.

🎓 What is OurDomain?

OurDomain isn’t your average student housing. It’s more like a modern mix between a furnished apartment, a hotel, and a small community, built with students, young professionals, and expats in mind. You get your own space (yep, no weird roommates unless you choose one), plus access to extras like a gym, shared lounges, co-working spots, and even a private cinema in some locations.

Instead of the usual student room with a shared bathroom down the hall, OurDomain gives you stylish studios, one-bedroom apartments, or shared units, all move-in ready and in some of the best-connected neighborhoods in the Netherlands. Current campuses include:

• OurDomain Rotterdam Blaak
• OurDomain Amsterdam Southeast (also referred to as OurDomain South East or OurDomain SE)
• OurDomain Amsterdam Diemen
• OurDomain North House (Amsterdam)

Whether you’re looking for a move-in-ready apartment or a sense of community, OurDomain claims to offer both.

📚 Who is it for?

OurDomain is ideal for:

• International students
• Dutch university students
• Young professionals working in the city
• Expats in need of short- or long-term housing

They cater to individuals aged roughly 18 to 35 who want more than just a basic room. The emphasis is on convenience, design, and modern living with like-minded neighbors.

In most OurDomain locations, you’ll find a good mix of:

• University students
• Internationals working in tech or finance
• Remote workers
• Erasmus exchange students
• Recent graduates

The vibe? Young, ambitious, and community-driven.

🏠 Types of apartments available

OurDomain offers different apartment types to match various lifestyles and budgets:

1. Studios

Perfect for solo living. Includes your own kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area. Fully furnished and around 20–30 m².

2. One-bedroom apartments

For couples or those who want more space. Bedroom separated from the living area. Often around 30–45 m².

3. Shared apartments

You get your own room but share kitchen and bathroom with others. A more affordable option with a social touch.

All apartments are:

• Fully furnished
• Move-in ready
• Modern design
• Equipped with Wi-Fi, kitchenware, and bathroom basics

💸 Monthly rent and what’s included

Rent prices vary by location and apartment type. Here are some average ranges (2025):

Location	Studio	1-Bedroom	Shared Room
OurDomain Rotterdam Blaak	€950–€1,200	€1,300+	€750–€850
OurDomain AMS Diemen	€900–€1,150	€1,250+	€700–€850
OurDomain South East	€950–€1,250	€1,300+	€750–€900
OurDomain North House	€1,000+	€1,400+	Not available

Most rents include:

• Utilities (gas, water, electricity)
• Wi-Fi
• Access to all shared facilities
• Furniture and appliances

💡Note: You may still need to pay local taxes separately (e.g., waste collection).

🏢 Facilities and amenities

This is where OurDomain really shines. You’re not just renting a room,  you’re joining a mini-community. Common amenities include:

• Gym
• Study rooms / Co-working spaces
• Cinema room
• Shared kitchens / lounges
• High-speed internet
• Parking (paid)
• Cafés or vending machines
• Cleaning services (optional)

Each campus may have slightly different facilities. For example:

• OurDomain Rotterdam Blaak is known for its central location and student-friendly vibe.
• OurDomain Amsterdam Southeast is one of the larger campuses, with over 1,500 apartments.
• OurDomain Diemen is quieter and more residential, ideal for focused study or remote work.

🤝 Community living

OurDomain puts a big focus on community. That means:

• Social events
• Networking meetups
• Game nights and movie screenings
• Language exchanges
• Fitness classes

You don’t have to participate, but the option is there,  especially helpful for internationals looking to build a social circle fast.

💡Plus, most buildings have on-site staff, maintenance teams, and a helpful front desk.

👨‍🚒 Application process

Getting an apartment at OurDomain is relatively straightforward but competitive, especially before the academic year starts.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to ourdomain.com and choose your city (e.g. OurDomain Rotterdam, OurDomain Diemen).
2. Filter available apartments by type, move-in date, and budget.
3. Create an account and upload your documents:
   • ID/passport
   • Proof of study or employment
   • Income info (or guarantor)
4. Pay the reservation fee and security deposit.
5. Sign the lease contract digitally.
6. Move in!

Most apartments are move-in ready within days.

Things to keep in mind

Let’s be honest, no place is perfect, and OurDomain has its downsides too.

• It’s definitely not the cheapest option out there. You’re paying for the convenience, the location, and all the extras.
• Units fill up fast, especially the popular ones. If you’re not quick, you might end up on a waiting list.
• Parking isn’t always included, and spots can be limited.
• There are some house rules: no smoking indoors, quiet hours in the evenings, and they’re pretty strict about it.

Still, when you compare it to a noisy student flat with paper-thin walls, a dodgy landlord, or a broken boiler that never gets fixed, OurDomain starts to look pretty appealing.

What’s the vibe in each location?

Thinking of moving into an OurDomain building? The location you choose makes a big difference. Each spot has its own character and crowd, from party-friendly city hubs to quiet, green suburbs.

OurDomain Rotterdam Blaak

Smack in the center of Rotterdam, this one’s perfect if you want to be close to everything, the food, the nightlife, the uni.

• A great pick for Erasmus University students
• Super close to metro, tram, and train lines
• Loads of bars, cafes, and restaurants around
• Right next to the Cube Houses and Blaak Market

OurDomain Amsterdam South East

Looking for something large-scale and dynamic? OurDomain Southeast (near Bijlmer Arena) is one of the biggest locations, ideal for students and young professionals who want everything nearby.

• A full-on campus-style living experience
• Diverse and international crowd
• Shopping centers and supermarkets within walking distance
• Bijlmer Arena station offers fast links to the city center

OurDomain AMS Diemen

Prefer something more chilled? Diemen is quieter, greener, and feels more like a suburban retreat while still being connected to the action.

• Surrounded by parks and bike paths
• Ideal for VU and HvA students
• Calmer, study-friendly atmosphere
• Quick bike or metro ride into Amsterdam

OurDomain North House

Located in up-and-coming North Amsterdam, North House has a trendy edge. It’s popular with creatives, freelancers, and international students.

• Sleek, modern architecture and interiors
• Close to the NDSM wharf, known for art, music, and events
• A youthful, artsy community feel
• Just a free ferry ride from Amsterdam Central Station

Is it worth the rent?

Let’s be real, OurDomain isn’t the cheapest option on the market. But when you look beyond the price tag, you’ll see what you’re actually paying for: convenience, quality, and peace of mind.

Here’s a little comparison:

Option	Monthly Rent	What’s Missing
Shared flat in Amsterdam	~€750	No furniture, no gym, shared kitchen/bathroom
Airbnb studio	€1,500+	No legal contract, no support, limited long-term stay
Traditional studio (unfurnished)	~€1,200	Takes weeks to furnish, no community, setup stress
OurDomain studio	€950–€1,300	Fully furnished, legal lease, community & amenities ✅

What you’re getting with OurDomain:

• Move-in ready apartments
• On-site gym, laundry rooms, study areas
• Built-in community for socializing and networking
• 24/7 maintenance and support
• Secure building with keycard access
• Proper lease contracts and registration options

Is it worth it?

If you just want to settle in quickly without dealing with dodgy Facebook listings, awkward flatmates, or trips to IKEA for a mattress, then yeah, OurDomain can really be worth it. It’s not the cheapest, but for what you get, a lot of people find it a fair deal.

✅ Final verdict: should you live at OurDomain?

Category	Rating (out of 5)
Legitimacy	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Design & Comfort	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Facilities	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Community	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Value for Money	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Support	⭐⭐⭐⭐

Verdict: If you want stress-free student or expat housing in the Netherlands, OurDomain is hard to beat. It’s safe, modern, and fully equipped, ideal for international renters looking for more than just four walls and a bed.