Gé and I both lived in the Vogelenbuurt. Before that, we had both lived in the city centre. I also worked in the city centre and in Utrecht Oost. Most of our friends actually still live in Oost too. Those were really the places where everyone wanted to live. I wrote earlier that I used to not even dare wait for the bus on the Amsterdamsestraatweg. I found it busy, chaotic and a bit scary.
Contents
- So why the Daalsebuurt after all?
- A hip, mixed neighbourhood
- It's not the Nachtegaalstraat yet
- Bars and restaurants
- Greenery and hidden playgrounds
- Demkapunt
- Cartesiusdriehoek
- The Daalsebuurt is fun and up-and-coming
So why the Daalsebuurt after all?
I worked in Utrecht Oost. An office that also sold commercial property and where we also dealt with investors. There I sold a home for someone who worked for the WOM. We recently sold another home for him too. He talked enthusiastically about all the plans. Improving this street, the arrival of the new-build neighbourhoods and all the municipality's efforts for this neighbourhood. I found it incredibly exciting. That was already 4 or 5 years ago now. I started looking more and more into the neighbourhood and the developments. We advised more and more first-time buyers and investors to buy a home here. Those buyers still often and happily tell us how glad they were of that advice. I left that office and started out on my own. For me, the choice was quickly made. I would set up my office on the Amsterdamsestraatweg. And so, 3 years ago, we too bought a home here, on the Bremstraat. The plan at the time was to live there for a few years and then go back to Utrecht Oost. We saw it as a good investment. We moved in and then…
A hip, mixed neighbourhood
We discovered how great this neighbourhood already is. We ended up living around the corner from The Food Club and Familie van Rijk. A fantastic restaurant and a fantastic delicatessen. The Hema around the corner and the Amazing Oriental made me happy. I also noticed how friendly our little street was. Nice young people mixed with students and real old Utrechters. Our street now has a real neighbourhood mum. She knows everything about everyone, waters plants, brings plates of food round to everyone, and it really feels like her street. We made sure we were, and still are, present at meetings about the neighbourhood, and we came to the conclusion that this neighbourhood was fantastic. We looked at each other and said: this neighbourhood is great, but we'd love a house with a big garden. You can guess what happened. That house came up a day later, and that's where we live now.
It's not the Nachtegaalstraat yet
The Amsterdamsestraatweg is not yet a Nachtegaalstraat or Burgemeester Reigerstraat, and that isn't the ambition either. The neighbourhood wants to keep a bit of an edgy streak. It's no coincidence that the new-build development Wisselspoor calls itself a tough little piece of Utrecht. It's not just chic shops, bakers and delis. But the 100 kebab shops, phone shops and hair salons are slowly disappearing. In their place come nice shops such as Super Bra, Winkel vol Winkeltjes, Deugniet, SOW, &Meer and a cool guitar shop. And do you know Rose & Vanila and Rigiakis yet? Lovely little shops, run by entrepreneurs who really want to make something great of the neighbourhood and the street.
Bars and restaurants
It's not just shady places. Soon, for example, Eet & Drinklokaal de Straatweg will open, and above the Albert Heijn a nice lunchroom is coming that serves dishes made with products that have reached their best-before date. A nice little place is also coming on the corner, but that's still a bit of a secret. And of course we have GYS around the corner, Brandstof, Satriales, Bagels & Beans, ’t Dikkertje, The Sandwichcompany and our all-time favourite, The Food Club.
Greenery and hidden playgrounds
There are lots of well-hidden playgrounds, little parks and squares. Have you discovered them yet? I was recently at Speeltuin de Duizendpoot behind our house with a friend, and before that with our nephew. A huge playground, with really lovely people who keep an eye on things and help out. The Julianapark is of course also a fantastic base. Great for sport and relaxation. The petting zoo is a real favourite, especially with the little ones. At the moment there is also a lovely pocket park, the Daalsepark. There are plans for new-build homes there. And the spot by the water at Roost aan de Singel is hugely popular.
Demkapunt
We are looking for more and more greenery. Right now there is plenty of greenery along the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal. But there are few recreational options. The Demkapunt has been lying abandoned for years. They want to do something about that. The area is a triangle between the Amsterdamsestraatweg, the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal and the Demkaweg. Rijkswaterstaat (the national public works agency), together with the municipality, has drawn up a plan to make the Demkapunt better, more attractive and more accessible.
What is going to happen?
- Removing the quay harbour (a harbour along the bank) that is there now. This section will become part of the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal. Relocating the radar post.
- Cleaning up the soil. The soil is contaminated by the former activities of the Demka steelworks and other companies in the distant past.
- Building a new recreational cycle path along the canal.
- Redesigning the greenery along the canal.
- Redesigning the cycle path.
- Designing the triangle along the Amsterdamsestraatweg next to the businesses in consultation with the neighbourhood.
- Replanting trees on the other side of the canal.
There is already a really nice city beach. How cool is that? Have you seen it yet, and have you been there?
Cartesiusdriehoek
Over the coming years, the Cartesiusdriehoek will be built. It is set to become a healthy city neighbourhood that is friendly to public transport and cyclists. The Cartesiusdriehoek is the area around the CAB building, between the Cartesiusweg and the railway lines to Amsterdam and The Hague/Rotterdam. The new residential neighbourhood of Cartesius will be finished in 2028. There is a lot of attention for health, exercise, food, innovative energy solutions and sustainable (shared) mobility.
The Daalsebuurt is fun and up-and-coming
Now do you understand why we love living and working here? The neighbourhood is fun and varied. New neighbourhoods are coming, and more and more great concepts. Every now and then you still see a messy bit, ugly front doors, lots of bikes. But that is changing. You can slowly see people really making an effort to turn them into beautiful streets. This neighbourhood still has an upswing ahead of it. It's very smart to buy in this lovely neighbourhood. The neighbourhood is getting nicer and even better, and prices will rise even faster.
