20 rental homes in neighbourhood Centrum, Hilversum

Rental prices and market figures Centrum, Hilversum

Centrum in Hilversum is pre-eminently a tenant neighbourhood: 64% of the nearly 2,000 homes are rental properties, of which 18% are owned by a housing association and as much as 46% by other landlords (private and commercial). This makes the free sector dominant here. In the past twelve months, 64 homes were rented out in the free sector, at an average rent of €1,643 per month. The range runs from €695 to €2,800 per month, with an average floor area of 84 m². That works out to about €19.50 per square metre. By comparison, the average WOZ value in this neighbourhood is €367,000, higher than the district average of €343,000 but well below the Hilversum municipal average of €451,000. The average income of €46,200 is slightly above the municipal average of €44,400. Anyone looking for a rental home in the social sector must reckon with long waiting lists; only 18% of the housing stock is owned by housing associations. At the top of this page, check the current daily prices and available rental properties in Centrum for the most recent updates.

Living in Centrum, Hilversum

Centrum in Hilversum revolves around the Kerkstraat, the Groest and the Marktplein. Here, shopping streets merge into side streets with small eateries, vintage shops and barbers. The buildings are a mix of pre-war properties above shops, post-war apartment blocks and the occasional new-build project. Many rental apartments are located above shops on the Kerkstraat or Laarderweg, or in the larger complexes around the Schapenkamp. It is not a quiet villa neighbourhood, but a lively urban area where you still encounter people on the street in the evening.

Facilities within walking distance

You do your grocery shopping at Albert Heijn on the Groest or Jumbo on the Laarderweg, both a few minutes' walk away. There is a market on the Marktplein every Saturday. For daily groceries, there is also a Lidl on the edge of the centre. Schools in the immediate vicinity include the Vitusschool (primary education) and the Alberdingk Thijm College within cycling distance. Sports facilities are just outside the centre: De Lieberg swimming pool is a ten-minute bike ride away, and Hilversum-Zuid sports park is easily accessible. In the centre itself, there are yoga studios and gyms. For healthcare, the Centrum GP practice is on the Vaartweg, and Tergooi MC can be reached by bus in a quarter of an hour.

Accessibility and parking

Hilversum station lies on the southern edge of the centre, a five to ten-minute walk from most rental homes. Intercity trains take you to Amsterdam Centraal in 25 minutes and to Utrecht in 35 minutes. Several bus lines (Connexxion) stop at the station and on the Schapenkamp. By car, via the A27 you are quickly on the Utrecht ring road, and the A1 towards Amsterdam can be reached in a quarter of an hour. A major drawback: parking in the centre is paid and permit-only. Residents pay for a parking permit, and free spaces are scarce, especially in the evening. This is something many residents complain about.

Atmosphere and residents

The neighbourhood mainly attracts young workers and starters. The largest age group is 25 to 45 years (1,635 of the 3,755 residents), and 66% of households are single-person. Only 25% are married. You notice this in the atmosphere: many one-person apartments, an active nightlife around the Groest and the Naarderstraat, and a high level of education (48% highly educated). Residents appreciate the central location and liveliness, but are more critical about noise pollution and the parking situation. One resident wrote: "Everything is close by, from shops to the station, but the night-time noise at weekends never gets old." See more experiences on the Centrum neighbourhood page with all reviews and neighbourhood data.

Compared to adjacent neighbourhoods such as Havenstraatbuurt and Sint Vitusbuurt, Centrum is more expensive and busier, but you also have most facilities right on your doorstep. The Langgewenstbuurt offers a bit more peace for a similar price.

Is a rental home in Centrum right for you?

Renting an apartment in Centrum is especially interesting for starters, young professionals and expats who value walking distance to shops, eateries and the station. Families with children will find less space and greenery here than in neighbourhoods like Zuidwest or Zuid. Keep in mind that renting a home in Centrum goes quickly: respond to a listing on the same day and make sure you have your income statement, ID and employer's declaration ready. For social housing, you can register with housing association Dudok Wonen, but expect years of waiting time. If you prefer to buy, you can check the supply of homes for sale in Centrum as an alternative.

What residents say about Centrum

Residents of Centrum give the neighbourhood an average good score for facilities and accessibility, but are less satisfied with parking and noise pollution. A common sentiment: "You live right in the middle of it all, but that also means noise on Friday nights." For most residents, the combination of short distances and a wide range of shops and eateries outweighs the drawbacks. Read all ratings and scores per category on the Centrum review page.

Renting in Centrum compared to surrounding neighbourhoods

Want to compare rental prices in Centrum with the rest of Hilversum? The Havenstraatbuurt and Sint Vitusbuurt are nearby and sometimes offer slightly lower rents with a similar walking distance to the station. In the Noordwest district, you will find more single-family homes for rent at generally lower square metre prices. Check the full overview of rental properties in Hilversum or read more about the entire Centrum district. On Buurtje.nl, you combine neighbourhood scores, resident reviews and current listings from more than 1,500 sources, so you choose not just a home but also the neighbourhood that truly suits you. More about Hilversum as a municipality can also be found on the website of the municipality of Hilversum.