Rental homes in Bilgaard, Leeuwarden
Looking for a rental property in Bilgaard? Check the current listings on this page and discover what the neighbourhood has to offer.
Rental prices and market figures Bilgaard, Leeuwarden
Bilgaard is a pronounced rental neighbourhood: 78% of the more than 3,300 homes are rental properties, the vast majority (71%) of which are owned by a housing association. This makes social housing the dominant form of housing here. The private sector is relatively small: only 7% of the housing stock falls under other landlords. In the past twelve months, 9 private-sector homes have been rented out in Bilgaard, with an average rent of €1,163 per month (excluding social housing). The range ran from €850 to €1,300 per month, with an average floor area of 73 m². That works out to around €16 per m². The average WOZ value in Bilgaard is €178,000, which is clearly lower than the district average of €187,000 for Bilgaard & Havankpark and surroundings and well below the municipal average of €234,000 for Leeuwarden as a whole. Bilgaard is thus one of the cheaper neighbourhoods in the city, although this applies mainly to the social sector. For current rental prices and available rental properties in Bilgaard, see the overview at the top of this page.
Living in Bilgaard, Leeuwarden
Bilgaard is a post-war residential area on the north side of Leeuwarden, largely built in the 1960s and 1970s. The neighbourhood consists largely of porch flats and gallery flats, supplemented by terraced houses. These are compact, functional homes that have been maintained to varying degrees over the years. Resident Niobe writes honestly: "Insulation against cold and noise could be much better, quickly mould in the bathroom because they are old houses." That is something to keep in mind if you are looking for a rental home in Bilgaard, especially in the older housing association flats.
Yet the neighbourhood also has clear advantages. The Leeuwarderbos forest lies directly behind the neighbourhood and is one of the biggest plus points for many residents. Resident Wenny describes it as follows: "Lots of nature (Leeuwarderbos) right behind the neighbourhood, nice to walk into. Lovely neighbourhood to find your peace and quiet." The combination of greenery and relative tranquillity makes Bilgaard attractive for those who do not necessarily need to live in the city centre.
Facilities in Bilgaard
In the heart of the neighbourhood lies a small shopping centre with a supermarket and a number of shops for daily groceries. Several residents explicitly mention this shopping centre as a plus point. For a larger range of shops, you will need to go to the city centre of Leeuwarden, which is about four kilometres away. In terms of education, the neighbourhood scores a 7.8 in the resident rating, which indicates a reasonable supply of primary schools in the immediate vicinity. The Leeuwarderbos offers extensive walking and cycling opportunities and is a serious asset for recreation. Sports facilities and healthcare facilities are spread across the neighbourhood and adjacent areas. For more information on municipal facilities, visit the website of the municipality of Leeuwarden.
Accessibility
Accessibility is Bilgaard's strongest asset: residents give it an 8.2. Leeuwarden Central can be reached by bicycle in about ten to fifteen minutes, and the bus connection is also good. From the station, you can take the train to Groningen in about 45 minutes and to Zwolle in about an hour. By car, Bilgaard connects reasonably quickly to the N31 and A31 towards Harlingen and the A7 towards Groningen. Parking is free in most streets, which is a clear advantage compared to the city centre. Cyclists have direct connections to the centre via several routes.
Atmosphere and community
The neighbourhood has a mixed population: the largest age group is 65-plus (over 1,500 residents), but there are also families and young people. The proportion of single-person households is high (nearly 2,000 of the households). The community score of 5.8 is the lowest sub-score, which matches what resident Anneke writes: "I regret that people no longer help each other, they used to." Bilgaard is not a neighbourhood where you quickly get to know your neighbours, but neither is it a neighbourhood where nuisance dominates. It is quiet, reasonably clean and functional. View all experiences on the neighbourhood page of Bilgaard, where you will also find the full resident scores per category. Those who want to compare the atmosphere with the adjacent neighbourhood can also look at the supply in Havankpark, which has a slightly greener and quieter appearance.
Does a rental property in Bilgaard suit you?
Bilgaard best suits tenants who are not dependent on a large and diverse housing supply in the private sector. The vast majority of homes are social housing, so anyone who wants to rent a home in Bilgaard through a housing association would do well to register in time. For the private sector, the supply is limited: it concerns an average of a few homes per year, with rents between €850 and €1,300 per month. Seniors and single-person households generally feel at home here, as do people who value peace and greenery over urban liveliness. Starters who want to quickly rent an apartment in Bilgaard must take into account waiting lists in the social sector and a scarce private-sector supply. Respond quickly if something becomes available for rent: the rental period in popular Leeuwarden neighbourhoods is short. Those who prefer to buy can also view the supply of homes for sale in Bilgaard, although the owner-occupied segment here is small (22% of the housing stock).
What residents say about Bilgaard
Bilgaard receives an average score of 7.2 from residents based on 6 reviews on Buurtje.nl. The highest sub-scores are for greenery (8.7) and accessibility (8.2), which ties in well with the location next to the Leeuwarderbos and the good public transport connections. The lowest score is for community (5.8). Resident N describes the neighbourhood succinctly: "Lots of houses and mostly flats for the elderly, there's a mall with some stores which is good but my favorite part is the woods which is great to take a nice stroll through on sunny days." Read all reviews and view the full neighbourhood data on the overview page of Bilgaard.
Renting in Bilgaard compared to surrounding neighbourhoods
Bilgaard is part of the broader district Bilgaard & Havankpark and surroundings, where the average income and WOZ value are slightly higher than in Bilgaard itself. Those looking for more variety in supply can also look at Vierhuisterweg and surroundings or further afield to districts such as Oud-Oost and Sonnenborgh and surroundings, which have a different character and price level. For a complete overview of available rental properties in the city, see all rental properties in Leeuwarden. Buurtje.nl combines current housing supply from more than 1,500 sources with resident reviews and neighbourhood data, so you not only find a home but also know what to expect from the neighbourhood.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Bilgaard, Leeuwarden?
In the free sector (excluding social housing), the average rent in Bilgaard over the past year was €1,163 per month, with an average floor area of 73 m². The range was from €850 to €1,300 per month, which equates to approximately €16 per m². Social housing through a housing association is usually significantly cheaper, but waiting lists apply.
Are there social housing properties in Bilgaard?
Yes, social housing is the dominant form of housing in Bilgaard: 71% of the housing stock is owned by a housing association. To qualify for a social housing property, you must register with a housing association active in Leeuwarden, such as WoonFriesland or Elkien. Be prepared for waiting lists, as demand for social housing in the city is high.
What is it like to live in Bilgaard?
Bilgaard is a quiet, post-war residential area with many porch flats and terraced houses. The neighbourhood scores 7.2 on resident reviews. Residents particularly appreciate the Leeuwarderbos forest directly behind the neighbourhood (green space scores 8.7) and good accessibility (8.2). Less positive are the scores for community (5.8) and housing (6.0), with older properties sometimes suffering from noise nuisance and damp problems.
Is Bilgaard suitable for seniors and single-person households?
Bilgaard is certainly suitable for seniors: the largest age group is 65-plus (over 1,500 of the 6,300 residents) and nearly 2,000 households are single-person households. The neighbourhood is quiet, well served by public transport, and has daily amenities within walking distance. It is also a logical choice for people who value peace and green space over urban vibrancy.
How accessible is Bilgaard?
Residents give accessibility a score of 8.2, the second highest sub-score. Leeuwarden Central can be reached by bicycle in about ten to fifteen minutes. Bus connections provide good access to the city centre. By car, the neighbourhood connects to the N31 and the A7 towards Groningen. Parking is free on most streets, which is an advantage compared to the centre.
What amenities are there in Bilgaard?
At the heart of Bilgaard is a small shopping centre with a supermarket and a few shops for daily groceries, which several residents mention as a plus point. For a larger range of shops or dining, you need to go to Leeuwarden city centre, about four kilometres away. Primary education is available in the area (resident score 7.8 for education). The Leeuwarderbos forest offers extensive recreational opportunities directly behind the neighbourhood.
Is Bilgaard a safe neighbourhood in Leeuwarden?
Residents give safety a score of 6.7 out of 10, which is lower than the overall average of 7.2. This is not alarming, but it does indicate room for improvement. Most residents describe the neighbourhood as quiet and not unsafe. It is advisable to also visit at different times of day during a viewing to form your own impression.
Each on their own
Auto-translated to English by AILots of houses and mostly flats for the elderly, there's a mall with some stores which is good but my favourite part is the woods which is great to take a nice stroll through on sunny days
Auto-translated to English by AII think it's a shame that people no longer help each other, they used to, but what can I do about it, I always help everyone and I will continue to do so
Auto-translated to English by AINormal neighbourhood, nothing special, nothing to complain about. Insulation against cold and noise could be a lot better, mould quickly appears in the bathroom because they're old houses. A few years ago there was a renovation that made some rooms smaller, but no rent reduction.
Auto-translated to English by AIFairly quiet, here and there some events from the neighbourhood panel. Small shopping centre in the middle of Bilgaard very nice. Lots of nature (Leeuwarderbos) just behind the neighbourhood, nice for a walk. Pleasant neighbourhood to find peace and quiet. Regularly cleaned so everything is nice and clean. Only little sociability if you don't fit the picture the neighbourhood paints.
Auto-translated to English by AII think my neighbourhood is extremely cosy and people are quick to help each other. However, there is room for improvement in terms of hygiene. I often see piles of furniture left outside in places where it's clearly not allowed. As soon as people see illegal dumping in one spot, it happens everywhere else. Then suddenly the whole Bilgaard is full of rubbish. Also, the bins are often overflowing.
Auto-translated to English by AI
