Houten

Houten is located to the south east of Utrecht (between the A12 and A27 motorways and the Lek river) and includes the villages Houten, 't Goy, Schalkwijk and Tull en 't Waal. In the early 1970s, Houten was still a small town with 4,000 people. Today, it has more than 48,000 inhabitants. It may have expanded, but it has not lost touch with its history, much of which is still visible: archaeological excavations, the old village centre (the 'Old Village') and historically interesting buildings, which exist alongside modern structures.

Houten has three shopping centres with retail outlets and entertainment venues and also has its own train station, a library, a cinema and a cultural centre. In addition, cycling is very much encouraged thanks to the many wide cycle paths. Moreover, a maximum speed of 30 km per hour often exists in residential areas to ensure a quiet and safe environment.

There are many educational facilities for all ages and levels, including higher education. Of course, Houten also has numerous high-quality indoor and outdoor sports amenities.