In this article
Cents: the residential plateau
Cents occupies the eastern plateau above the Alzette valley. Its streets are lined with family houses and three- or four-storey residential buildings, with schools nearby and wooded slopes at the edges. Most of the homes were built after the war, and new apartment projects continue to be added.
For families, Cents offers something the central quarters rarely do: family-sized homes with outdoor space, and schools nearby. For professionals at Kirchberg, the plateau is close geographically, connected by bus. For our overview, see our Cents page.
Hamm: village, forest and history
Hamm lies further east, towards the airport. It has kept the feel of a village, with a residential core and woodland close by. It is also home to the Luxembourg American Cemetery, where General George S. Patton is buried among thousands of American soldiers who died in the region during the Second World War. It is a place of real calm and significance, visited throughout the year.
Housing in Hamm leans towards houses and larger apartments, often with gardens. It suits people who want green surroundings and space without leaving the city. For our overview, see our Hamm page.
Pulvermühl: the small valley quarter
Pulvermühl is a very small quarter, tucked into the Alzette valley downstream of Clausen. Its name recalls the powder mills that once stood there, and its landmark is the railway viaduct that crosses the valley. Roads, the railway and former industrial sites shape it more than housing does, and few people live there, and green riverside paths that are popular with walkers, runners and cyclists.
Homes in Pulvermühl come up rarely, and when they do they are a specific opportunity rather than a typical choice. For our overview, see our Pulvermühl page.
Getting around
The eastern quarters are served by the AVL bus network, with connections to the centre, the station and Kirchberg. The tram does not run through them, but reaches Kirchberg and the airport to the north. All public transport is free.
The honest point is that these quarters work best for households organised around a car or a reliable bus route. Anyone arriving without a car and working in the south of the city, at Cloche d'Or for example, should map the journey carefully before signing.
For people who fly often, the airport side of the city is an advantage: Hamm and Cents are among the closest residential quarters to Findel.
Daily life
Daily life here is quiet. Local shops cover the basics, and larger shopping means a short drive or bus ride. Evening life is limited, which is precisely what many residents want. Woodland walks, sports clubs and schools shape weekends more than restaurants do.
Housing and prices
Compared with the central plateau quarters, the eastern quarters offer:
- more houses, often semi-detached or detached, with gardens;
- larger apartments and fewer studios or rooms;
- prices per square metre generally below the most central quarters, for a comparable amount of space.
For buyers, a house with a garden inside the city boundary is a rare thing in Luxembourg, and the eastern quarters are one of the few places to find it. Check the energy certificate carefully, because many houses date from decades when insulation standards were lower, and renovation works may be needed. Our guide to the energy passport explains what it tells you.
For renters, supply is weighted towards family homes. Rooms and studios are scarce.
Who they suit
- Families who want a house or a large flat with outdoor space within the city.
- Professionals at Kirchberg or near the airport.
- Frequent flyers.
- People who prefer woods and calm to cafés and bars.
Who they suit less well
- Newcomers without a car working far from the eastern side of the city.
- Singles looking for evening life close to home.
- Anyone looking for a room or a studio, which are rare here.
Questions we are often asked
Is there aircraft noise?
The eastern side of the city is the closest to the airport, and some streets are more exposed to flight paths than others. It varies by location and wind direction. If noise matters to you, visit at different times of day and ask neighbours.
Can I get to the centre without a car?
Yes, by bus, and the journey is reasonable from most streets. The question is less the centre than your specific workplace: map the journey at rush hour before you sign.
Are there schools nearby?
Cents and Hamm have local primary schools, which is one reason families choose them. Secondary schools and international schools are elsewhere in the city; check the journey if that applies to you, using our guide to schools in Luxembourg.
Why are there so few rooms for rent?
Because the housing is mostly family houses and larger apartments. Rooms and studios are concentrated in the central quarters, and in Limpertsberg, Bonnevoie and Rollingergrund.
Our take
The eastern quarters are the part of Luxembourg City most people discover after their first year, when they know the city well enough to value space and quiet over proximity to everything. Cents and Hamm are good places to raise a family inside the capital; Pulvermühl is a rare valley address for those who find one.
Compare with the other quiet quarters in our guides to Merl and Cessange and the northern valley quarters, or see our current listings and properties for sale.
