Is Oostrewolde really cheaper than Alkmaar?

Based on typical 1-bedroom rent, Oostrewolde is approximately 15% cheaper than Alkmaar. Overall cost of living including rent follows a similar pattern.

What is the average rent in Oostrewolde vs Alkmaar?

In Oostrewolde, a 1-bedroom in the city centre costs around $835. In Alkmaar, the same costs around $958.

What is the FIRE Score for Oostrewolde?

Rewire Abroad gives Oostrewolde a FIRE Score of N/A/100, meaning it has a balanced cost of living.

Is Oostrewolde good for digital nomads?

Rewire Abroad gives Oostrewolde a Nomad Score of N/A/100. Internet speeds average 85Mbps.

Is Alkmaar or Oostrewolde safer?

Based on the Safety Index, Oostrewolde scores higher at 85 vs Alkmaar's 67.7.

Can I retire in Netherlands as a foreigner?

Many foreigners retire in Netherlands. We recommend checking visa options and consulting an expat tax specialist.

Compare Cities

Alkmaar vs Oostrewolde

Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo

OostrewoldeOverall winner

Oostrewolde is approximately 15% less expensive than Alkmaar based on cost of living including rent. This makes Oostrewolde a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.

Oostrewolde has a FIRE Score of N/A/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 85, which is relatively safe.

Recommended profile: Oostrewolde is well-suited for retirees seeking a balanced lifestyle.

Side by side

Best in row

Netherlands

Alkmaar

Increased Caution

Nomad68

Netherlands

Oostrewolde

Increased Caution

Nomad64

Cost

Cost of living index

73.1

One person, excluding rent

$1,133/mo

$1,550/mo

Family of four, excluding rent

$4,094/mo

$5,600/mo

Total monthly, rent included

$2,112/mo

$1,726/mo

Monthly savings

$888/mo

$1,274/mo

Housing

1BR, city centre

$958

$835

1BR, outside centre

$1,002

$678

3BR, city centre

$2,799

3BR, outside centre

$1,769

Scores

FIRE score

66/100

62/100

Nomad score

46/100

48/100

Retiree score

60/100

59/100

Overall score

68/100

64/100

Safety & infrastructure

Safety index

67.7

Internet speed

85 Mbps

Walkability score

Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.

About these cities

About Oostrewolde

Treat Oostrewolde as a one-year test rather than a three-month base. A retiree score of 83 against a digital nomad 66 signals the value sits in healthcare and safety, not remote-work social infrastructure. At $1,133/mo budget or $1,642 mid-range, savings compound fast. The very few expats are what will end most stays early.

About Netherlands

Best for digital nomads with high income: the Netherlands offers a self-employment residency visa with a posted income floor of $1,713/month, but check the latest application details. Safety is top-tier with a 73.1 Safety Index and a US Travel Advisory Level 2, comparable to safe US metros. The trade-off: a progressive income tax up to 49.5% on local earnings, which can erode remote-work arbitrage gains.

Oostrewolde ranks meaningfully higher on safety. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.

Household

Lifestyle

Monthly income (USD)

Schooling

Oostrewolde is approximately 15% less expensive than Alkmaar based on cost of living including rent. This makes Oostrewolde a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.

Oostrewolde has a FIRE Score of N/A/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 85, which is relatively safe.

Recommended profile: Oostrewolde is well-suited for retirees seeking a balanced lifestyle.

Alkmaar

Netherlands

Increased Caution

Nomad68

About Alkmaar

Alkmaar is a small, safe Dutch city that rewards expats who want calm over buzz, with a safety index of 79/100 and a cost of living index of 73/100 against NYC. The rent data is genuinely strange: a one-bedroom outside the center runs $1,002/mo while one in the center is $784/mo, so do your homework before signing anything. With a local net salary averaging $3,308/mo and English widely spoken, it is a practical base for remote workers and retirees, though the small expat community and 110 thousand population mean you will feel the quiet. Budget roughly $1,227/mo as a single adult if you keep things lean, and accept that Amsterdam's airport is only 13 km away when you need a bigger city.

About Netherlands

MONTHLY SAVINGS

$888/mo

Nomad Viability

Moderate Suitability

Cost of Living (Without Rent)

Single Person$1,133/mo

Family of Four$4,094/mo

Rent Per Month

1 Bedroom (City Centre)

$958

1 Bedroom (Outside Centre)

$1,002

3 Bedroom (City Centre)

$2,799

3 Bedroom (Outside Centre)

$1,769

Attractiveness

FIRE Score

66/100

Retiree Score

60/100

Nomad Score

46/100

City Details

Overall Winner

Oostrewolde

Netherlands

Increased Caution

Nomad64

About Oostrewolde

About Netherlands

MONTHLY SAVINGS

$1,274/mo

Nomad Viability

Moderate Suitability

Cost of Living (Without Rent)

Single Person$1,550/mo

Family of Four$5,600/mo

Rent Per Month

1 Bedroom (City Centre)

$835

1 Bedroom (Outside Centre)

$678

3 Bedroom (City Centre)

N/A

3 Bedroom (Outside Centre)

N/A

Attractiveness

FIRE Score

62/100

Retiree Score

59/100

Nomad Score

48/100

City Details

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Battle of Lifestyles

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Metric	Alkmaar	Oostrewolde
1BR Apartment (Center)	$958.14	$834.63
1BR Apartment (Outside)	$1002.16	$678.14
3BR Apartment (Center)	$2799.34	N/A
3BR Apartment (Outside)	$1768.87	N/A
Safety Index	67.7	85
Internet Speed	85Mbps	85Mbps
Walkability Score	N/A	N/A

Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices

Category	Alkmaar	Oostrewolde
Total (rent included)	N/A	$1,724/mo
Excluding rent	N/A	$1,046/mo
Rent	N/A	$678/mo
Groceries	N/A	$249/mo
Dining out	N/A	$168/mo
Entertainment & lifestyle	N/A	$115/mo
Utilities & connectivity	N/A	$474/mo
Transport	N/A	$40.00/mo

Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.

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