Indische Buurt NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE

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Indische Buurt might be the most culturally diverse neighborhood of Amsterdam. 50% of the people living here are of foreign decent and it’s estimated that more than 100 languages are spoken in the streets.

This diversity is reflected in the shops here, with many exotic and Northern African food markets; there's also an abundance of telecom shops, often found in immigrant areas. But Indische Buurt is also home to many students, singles, and young couples that like the more affordable homes. And some of Amsterdam’s nicest restaurants and bars are to be found here.

But pretty it is not. A few early 20th Century streets aside, most streets are lined with dull 1980s social housing blocks. The older buildings were torn down in an attempt to get rid of the squatters who moved in after the original tenants, mostly made up of dockworkers, moved away when the work dried up.

Javastraat is one of the older streets still intact and now functions as the main high street with plenty of nice restaurants, bars, and shops. The Javaplein square was recently revamped. A new but retro designed apartment building was built on one of its corners, and the old bathhouse was remodeled into a bar-restaurant. Many other restaurants followed suit and opened in the surrounding streets.

Running parallel to Javastraat, Insulindeweg is a broad thoroughfare and functions as the neighborhood's main artery, with cars, bikes, buses and trams making their way to and from other parts of town. The tall and mature trees lining the street almost give it the feel of a metropolitan boulevard. "Almost", as there is very little else that makes this an appealing street.

South of this are the streets that are considered the least appealing and it should be noted that some streets and areas here are considered a bit rough. There aren't serious crimes, but there are a slightly above average petty crime rate and number of car break-ins here.

At the far eastern tip of Indische Buurt, bordering the estuary of the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal, the more than pleasant and lush Flevopark is a great spot for a stroll, swim or run.

It’s hard to describe the appeal, but there’s something about Indische Buurt. The cheaper homes maybe? The great offering of bars and restaurants? The park and the easy access to town and transportation links? Whatever the reason, many calling Indische Buurt home love it here. Housing prices are on the rise too, but renters and buyers alike will find the prices lower than other parts of central Amsterdam.

There are not a lot of big homes, though, aside from some newer developments and combined apartments.

Indische Buurt is bordered on the north by the Eastern Docklands, on the east by Nieuwe Diep, on the south by Watergraafsmeer, and on the west by Oost.