Rental homes in Bakenes, Haarlem

Rental prices and market figures for Bakenes, Haarlem

Bakenes is a neighbourhood where renting is the norm: 60% of the 1,329 homes are rental properties. Notably, only 10% are owned by housing corporations, while as much as 50% is in the hands of other landlords (private investors, institutional parties). This means the free-market rental sector is dominant here and social housing is scarce.

In the free-market sector (excluding social housing), the average rent over the past twelve months was €2,148 per month, with a range of €1,200 to €3,950. With an average floor area of 79 m², this works out to around €27 per m². 58 homes were rented out in that period. The WOZ value in Bakenes is €533,000, higher than the district average of Oude Stad (€510,000) and well above the Haarlem average of €480,000. The rental prices reflect this: renting in Bakenes is more expensive than in many other Haarlem neighbourhoods. At the top of this page, you can see the current listings and daily prices for the most up-to-date situation.

Living in Bakenes, Haarlem

Bakenes is the part of Haarlem nestled between the Spaarne river and the Bakenessergracht, just north of the Grote Markt. It is one of the oldest parts of the city, with narrow streets, monumental façades and an intimate, almost village-like character in the heart of the centre. The buildings largely consist of historic canal houses and smaller apartments, often subdivided from larger homes. You will hardly find any new-build here; the charm lies precisely in the 17th- and 18th-century architecture. The Bakenesserkerk, a striking brick building from the 14th century, is the heart of the neighbourhood.

Anyone renting an apartment here lives literally within walking distance of everything. The Grote Houtstraat and the Barteljorisstraat (Haarlem's main shopping streets) are a two-minute walk away. Supermarkets such as Albert Heijn on the Verwulft and Dirk van den Broek on the Gedempte Oude Gracht are within five minutes' reach. Along the Spaarne, you will find a growing number of restaurants, coffee shops and galleries. For daily groceries, you hardly need to leave the neighbourhood.

Schools and facilities in the neighbourhood

For families with children: primary school De Kring on the Nassaulaan is within cycling distance, and the Stedelijk Gymnasium Haarlem is on the Prinsenhof, a few minutes' walk away. GP practices and a pharmacy can be found on the Gedempte Oude Gracht. There are no sports facilities directly in Bakenes itself (the neighbourhood is too compact for that), but the Kenaupark and the Bolwerken are a few minutes' cycle away. Swimming pool De Houtvaart is within ten minutes' reach.

Accessibility of Bakenes

Haarlem station is less than a ten-minute walk to the west. From there, you can be at Amsterdam Centraal in a quarter of an hour by intercity train. Bus routes stop at the Verwulft and at the station. By car, the A200 towards Amsterdam can be reached in five minutes, although driving in this neighbourhood is not necessarily convenient. Parking is a well-known pain point: you need a permit and spaces are scarce. Most residents cycle. The centre of Haarlem is your backyard, so a bicycle is really the only mode of transport you need. More information about parking permits can be found on the website of the municipality of Haarlem.

Compared to adjacent neighbourhoods such as de Vijfhoek and de Binnenstad, Bakenes is slightly quieter and more residential, while you are just as close to everything. De Vijfhoek has a similar atmosphere but is more compact; de Binnenstad is busier due to shoppers. If you are looking for more space at a possibly lower rent, you could also look at the listings in Burgwal or the Haarlemmerhoutkwartier. Read residents' experiences on the neighbourhood page of Bakenes for a complete picture.

Is a rental home in Bakenes right for you?

With 775 single-person households and a large group of 25- to 45-year-olds (760 residents), Bakenes is popular among working singles and couples without children. The high level of education (51% highly educated) and an average income of €46,500 fit the profile of young professionals. However, finding a rental home here is not easy: supply is limited and goes quickly. Prepare your documents (employer's statement, payslips, ID) in advance and respond on the same day. Social housing is hardly available with 10% corporation ownership; expect long waiting lists if you register with housing corporation Ymere. If you find the rental prices too high, also check the available homes for sale in Bakenes as an alternative, or compare with the broader supply in Haarlem.

What residents say about Bakenes

Residents particularly appreciate the central location and the historic atmosphere. "You step out your door and you are on the Grote Markt, but as soon as you come home it is quiet," writes a resident on the neighbourhood page. There is also criticism: the lack of parking and the sometimes high noise nuisance on summer evenings due to hospitality venues are frequently mentioned. See all reviews and ratings on the page of Bakenes to see how residents score on safety, facilities and atmosphere.

Renting in Bakenes compared to surrounding neighbourhoods

Bakenes is not the only interesting neighbourhood in Oude Stad. Heiliglanden offers a similar canal house atmosphere but is slightly further from the Grote Markt. The Stationsbuurt is convenient for commuters but lacks the historic character. If you also want to look outside the old city, you can check out the district overview of Oude Stad or districts such as the Zijlwegkwartier. On Buurtje.nl, you combine neighbourhood scores, resident reviews and current housing listings from more than 1,500 sources, so you not only find a home but also the neighbourhood that truly suits you.