Every major city has its signature affluent neighborhood. There's the Upper East Side in New York City, Belgravia in London, the Champs-Élysées district in Paris, and of course, Oud-Zid in
Amsterdam. The latter might be a lot less famous compared to the other, world-renowned neighborhoods, but there's no doubt that it's just as refined. With its pre-war townhouses, luxurious shopping streets, and even the famed Museumkwartier nearby, it's no wonder the city's rich and famous prefer to live here. This is the type of place where you'll want to settle down in Amsterdam if you have all the money in the world!
Where is Oud-Zuid in Amsterdam?
Oud-Zuid directly translates to “Old South” in English, so you already know where it's located! The area is south of the city center, making it one of the main
central neighborhoods in Amsterdam. Its proximity to the city center and other equally popular districts makes it one of the best places to stay in the city. Oud-Zuid itself is surrounded by some of Amsterdam's best-known areas, including Oud West, Museumsquartier, De Pijp, and Rivierenbuurt, to name a few. To stay near any or all of these places is the ultimate convenience in the city.
Is Oud-Zuid in Amsterdam Safe?
There's no doubt that Oud-Zuid is one of the safest parts of Amsterdam. Let's start with the fact that
Amsterdam's crime rates are already low to begin with. With a general crime rate of less than 30%, practically all of the city is generally safe. Oud-Zuid is especially safe because it's also one of the more affluent areas in Amsterdam. Home to the rich and famous, the people and establishments here can afford high-quality security systems. The neighborhood is also relatively exclusive, so it's not exactly the type of place where you'll find sketchy people loitering about.
What's The Vibe in Oud-Zuid, Amsterdam?
Amsterdam's Oud-Zuid neighborhood is the most affluent in the entire city. It's a sophisticated and elegant district where the elites live, shop, eat out, and luxuriate to their hearts' content. Though it's very close to the city center, the exclusivity that comes with such a place makes it one of the more peaceful neighborhoods in Amsterdam-Centrum. It's not exactly as quiet as a suburb here, but compared to the equally popular areas nearby, Oud-Zuid is undoubtedly much more tranquil. Anyone
moving to Amsterdam with all the money in the world will want to settle down here!
Is it Expensive in Oud-Zuid, Amsterdam?
To even say that Oud-Zuid is expensive is already an understatement. This is the wealthiest neighborhood in the city, specifically near the city center.
Amsterdam's living costs are already high, but they're practically through the roof in Oud-Zuid. Rent here is usually sky high, while the luxury shopping streets offer up a high-end retail scene filled with famous designers and prestigious labels. Eating out in Oud-Zuid is also much more expensive compared to the rest of the city. The average price for a meal here ranges from €20.00 to €50.00 per person in the mid-range restaurants. Imagine how high those prices go up for fine dining spots!
What to See in Oud-Zuid, Amsterdam
Oud-Zuid isn't exactly a touristy place, but that doesn't mean there are no sights to see in the area. For one thing, Amsterdam's famous Museumkwartier is here, a well-known museum complex made up of the city's most prominent galleries. They include the iconic Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum, Moco Museum, and Diamond Museum, among many others. As you'd expect of any city's most affluent area, Oud-Zuid also boasts a few fashionable shopping streets. Hotspots like PC Hooftstraat, Van Baerlestraat, and Beethovenstraat are a shopaholic's dream! They're filled to the brim with designer stores, high-street brands, and local luxury boutiques.
What to Do in Oud-Zuid, Amsterdam
Luxuriate! If you can afford it, Oud-Zuid is the best place to luxuriate in Amsterdam. Go shopping in the luxury retail streets that offer designer shops and high-end boutiques. These and other areas nearby are also lined with some of the city's chicest and most upscale restaurants, serving haute cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. To pamper its elite residents, Oud-Zuid also boasts a few five-star spas with the most spectacular amenities. Living in such a big city almost always calls for a spa day, and the ones here are the best that money can buy!
Oud-Zuid's Best Restaurants in Amsterdam
If you're the type to indulge in haute cuisine for every meal of the day, you'll want to eat out in Oud-Zuid. It's ot an exaggeration to say that the neighborhood boasts the most upscale, high-quality culinary scene in the city. Though not all of them are
Amsterdam's best Michelin-starred restaurants, many would argue that every single spot deserves at least one star. Bakers & Roasters on Eerste Jacob van Campenstraat, for example, is for ladies who brunch, especially with its Kiwi-enthused pastries and fruity salad bowls. There's also The Seafood Bar on Van Baerlestraat, arguably the most popular seafood restaurant in all of Amsterdam.
Check out some of the best places to eat in Oud-Zuid listed below:
- Bakers & Roasters on Eerste Jacob van Campenstraat
- Brasserie van Baerle on Van Baerlestraat
- Café Loetje on Johannes Vermeerstraat
- Cannibale Royale Ruysdael on Ruysdaelkade
- De Royal Chop House on Amstelveenseweg
- Dignita Vondelpark on Koninginneweg
- Lillie on Van Breestraat
- Restaurant Oud-Zuid on Johannes Verhulststraat
- The Happy Bull on Hoofddorpweg
- The Seafood Bar on Van Baerlestraat
What to Know About Renting in Oud-Zuid, Amsterdam
After everything that has been said, you should already know that renting in Oud-Zuid, Amsterdam, will be extremely expensive. Practically all of Amsterdam-Centrum is pretty pricey, but it's especially pricey in this neighborhood. The average rent in Oud-Zuid is about €1,200.00 to €3,363.00 per month, and these are mostly for the smaller studios, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom properties. If you want to get some of the bigger
luxury apartments to rent in Amsterdam, expect to pay a lot more! It also doesn't help that most of the rental prices here commonly lean more toward the latter than the former.
Oud-Zuid is the most affluent neighborhood in Amsterdam. From its high-class homes and luxury shopping districts to Michelin-starred restaurants and five-star spas, this is where the elites live and luxuriate in the beautiful Dutch capital.
