The artful city of Breda

Do you like a relaxed city vibe that doesn't exactly hustle? A place artistic streetscapes, and an easygoing feel? If you hop on an NS train from Rotterdam Centraal, you can be wandering over the bridge onto the narrow cobblestone streets of Breda centrum within 25 minutes. The 10th largest city in the Netherlands is home multiple agri-food companies, a giant old church-now-art-and-culture-space towering over the city, and an applied science and design college known for educating the next generation of video game designers.

While centrum is cozy and densely packed, rarely allowing cars and bikes to pass through, 60% of Breda is greenspace and there are four National parks nearby at the edges of the city. The neighborhoods surrounding centrum have green space for kids, dogs, walking, and art. A solid group of international residents creates a hub for newcomers, including programming a regular international film night. The city's home to a large opera/performance center, and a regular summer schedule of live music performances in Valkenberg park.

Population: ~188,800k

Similar population to US cities like: Providence, Rhode Island or Akron, Ohio

But with the spaciousness-feeling of US cities like: Arlington, VA; Portland, OR.

Main industries: Logistics and distribution; creative and digital game production; engineering and maintenance; business services and healthcare; education including the Royal Military Academy and Breda University of Applied Sciences.

Rented home price range: 2 br unfurnished: €1,093-2,600

Price range to purchase a (not luxury) 2+ br home: €260,000-500,000 in 2025

Good to know:

There's one Dutch international school for all grade levels (4-yrs to pre-university levels) at the International School of Breda.

The City, like most cities in the South, has historical Catholic roots and, as such, in the last weeks of winter it changes its name for a day and closes the schools as local groups collaborate on fun and creative floats and parties to celebrate Carnival.

It's a 30 minute train ride to Antwerp, Belgium and a 20 minute bus ride to the small rural border towns where many people camp and recreate on breaks.

Eye candy of note:

The city is home to the Blind Walls Gallery, featuring murals throughout the city.

Mural by Maikki Rantala.

Other eye candy of note:

The former summer home of the royal family left behind some floating castles like this one below.

Fun Fact:

The city is home to a Begijnhof: a walled community of "single" women who devoted their lives to acts of service to the community and worship, but did not take monastic vows like Nuns. They were a social formation that took root in what's now the Southern Netherlands and Belgium in the mid 1100's and was one of the few ways for women to live independently of men without joining the church. The last Beguine lived in Breda's Bigijnhof until the 1990's and the women who still live in these homes agree to silence in the courtyard, so when you visit, there's signs inviting you to join them in creating a peaceful space.

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