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These tried-and-tested strategies can help you save big, whether you are buying or renting:
01
Why Smaller is Smarter
02
Location Affects Price
03
Creative Ways to Save
04
Recurring Payments Add Up
Downsizing – Why Smaller is Smarter
Many people dream of owning a large home, but in the Netherlands, larger homes come at a significantly higher price. Choosing a smaller property can lead to huge long-term savings.
Example Scenario:
Kevin and Laura are looking for a 3-bedroom apartment in Utrecht and are considering three options:
- Small apartment (65m²) – €400 000
- Medium apartment (97m²) – €700 000
- Large apartment (220m²) – €2000 000
How much could they save over 30 years?
Choosing the small over the medium-sized apartment could save roughly €660 000 over 30 years—enough to buy a second small property!
Opting for the small instead of the large apartment could save roughly €3.5 million.
Estimated costs include mortgage and other household costs. Do you want to know more about our sources or analyses?
Big Savings on Smaller Properties come from lower:
- Mortgage payments & interest
- Maintenance costs
- Energy costs
- Property taxes
- Transfer fees
Smaller properties also save on insurance, cleaning and water levies and are more likely to qualify for a mortgage backed by the National Mortgage Guarantee (NHG).
Take Home Message: A smaller property can save you a significant amount in the long run!
Want to know how to pay for a small home while getting a larger one? Contact me to find out
Moving Further Away – Location Matters
Housing in major cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, and The Hague is significantly more expensive than in surrounding areas.
You can save money by:
- Moving further from major cities
- Considering rural areas
- Even living outside the Netherlands (if remote work allows)
How to check price differences? Increase the search radius on Funda.nl or use the CBS housing cost maps to compare prices across municipalities.
But watch out! Increased commuting costs could offset your savings—factor in travel expenses before making a move.
Alternative Housing Solutions – Creative Ways to Save
Looking for cheaper ways to own a home? Consider these alternative housing options:
Tiny Homes
What It Is: Very small, efficient homes, often under 37m2 (400 ft2).
Savings: Lower initial costs, minimal utility expenses, and reduced maintenance.
Considerations: Requires downsizing and potentially purchasing land.
Look for “Tiny Homes” or smaller holiday homes in the selection
Motorhome Living
What It Is: Living in a campervan or motorhome.
Savings: Eliminates rent/mortgage, and you can park in low-cost or free areas.
Considerations: Requires mobility, adaptability, and potential vehicle maintenance.
Boat Living
What It Is: Living on a houseboat.
Savings: Lower purchase costs compared to homes.
Considerations: Parking permits, maintenance, and limited space.
Recreational Homes
What It Is: A holiday home, usually in a holiday park or campsite
Savings: Lower purchase price
Considerations: Permanent living is usually not allowed, although there are exceptions. Read more about this option here.
Prefabricated Housing
What It Is: Houses are manufactured off-site and assembled on-site
Savings: Lower construction costs and higher energy efficiency
Considerations: Purchasing land, zoning permits, mortgage and financing.
House-Hacking
What It Is: Renting out part of your home (like a room, basement, or converted garage) to reduce your own housing costs.
Savings: Can cover part—or even all—of your mortgage or rent.
Considerations: Zoning rules, privacy concerns, and the need for a good tenant setup.
Live-Work Spaces
What It Is: Combining home and workspace in one location.
Savings: Reduces commuting costs and rent for a separate office.
Considerations: Zoning laws and balancing work-life boundaries.
Live-in Caretaking or House-Sitting
What It Is: Living in someone else’s home to care for the property, pets, or occupants (e.g., elderly individuals).
Savings: Free or low-cost housing in exchange for caretaking duties.
Considerations: Often short-term and may require specific responsibilities.
Off-Grid Living
What It Is: Living in remote areas with sustainable systems (e.g., solar power, water collection).
Savings: Avoids utility bills and urban housing costs.
Considerations: Requires self-sufficiency and upfront investment in sustainable systems.
Intentional Communities
What It Is: Joining eco-villages or cooperative housing communities.
Savings: Shared resources and lower living expenses.
Considerations: Adapting to communal living.
Cut Your Monthly Expenses
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SuperSpaar.nl and GooDiverse are not registered financial, investment, mortgage, legal or tax advisors. Superspaar.nl provides general savings advice and personal budgeting tips. We do not offer individual financial product recommendations, investment advice, or mortgage advice. For specific financial products or regulated financial services, please consult a licenced financial advisor. All opinions expressed on this site are from personal research and the owner’s experience and are intended as educational material. Although best efforts are made to ensure that all information is accurate and up to date, occasional unintended errors and misprints may occur.