Rental homes in De Kooi, Leiden
Looking for a rental property in De Kooi? Check the current supply of rental properties in De Kooi below, including neighbourhood data and resident scores.
Rental prices and market figures for De Kooi, Leiden
De Kooi is a pronounced rental neighbourhood: 78% of the more than 3,190 homes are rented, compared to just 21% owner-occupied homes. This makes renting in De Kooi the norm, not the exception. A large proportion of these rental homes fall under the social sector: 64% are owned by housing associations, while 15% are with other (private) landlords. The free sector is therefore relatively small, but it does exist.
In the free sector (excluding social housing), the average rental price over the past year was €1,445 per month, based on 34 rented homes with an average floor area of 89 m². That works out at about €16.20 per m². The range runs from €605 to €2,495 per month, indicating that supply varies widely. For current daily prices and available rental homes, I refer you to the overview at the top of this page.
The WOZ value in De Kooi averages €307,000, clearly below the district average for Leiden-Noord (€348,000) and well below the Leiden average of €390,000. This reflects the character of the neighbourhood: relatively affordable, with a large social housing stock. Those considering buying can also view homes for sale in De Kooi, although supply there is more limited.
Living in De Kooi, Leiden
De Kooi is located in the northwest of Leiden, as part of the district Leiden-Noord. The neighbourhood has a distinct post-war character: porch flats and gallery flats from the 1960s and 1970s define the streetscape, supplemented by terraced houses. It is not a neighbourhood that impresses with architecture or historical allure, but it does offer space, greenery and a certain down-to-earthness that some tenants appreciate.
The population is young to middle-aged: the largest group is 25 to 45 years old (over 2,300 people), but young people aged 15 to 25 are also well represented. The average income is €30,700, below the Leiden average of €38,300. Single-person households are the largest category (1,775 out of approximately 3,000 households). De Kooi is therefore a neighbourhood of starters, singles and people who want to live practically without too high costs.
Facilities in De Kooi
For daily shopping, you hardly need to leave the neighbourhood. There are supermarkets within walking distance, and the Winkelhof shopping centre on Lammenschansweg is accessible via Churchilllaan. For more extensive shopping, the centre of Leiden can be reached by bike in no time. Primary schools are available in the neighbourhood itself and in the immediate vicinity of Leiden-Noord. Residents rate facilities at 7.5 and education at 7.5, indicating that the basic level is in order. Green spaces even score an 8.0: the Oostvlietpolder area and the Leidse Hout are within cycling distance, and there are also small parks and green strips within the neighbourhood. Sports and recreation opportunities are available through clubs in Leiden-Noord.
Accessibility
De Kooi is well accessible by public transport. Several bus lines connect the neighbourhood with Leiden Central, with a travel time of about ten minutes. From the station, you can reach The Hague or Amsterdam in about 35 minutes. By car, De Kooi connects to the N11 and the A4, making the region easily accessible. By bike, the city centre of Leiden can be reached in ten to fifteen minutes via well-developed cycle paths. Residents rate accessibility at 8.0, one of the highest sub-scores. Parking is possible in large parts of the neighbourhood with a permit.
Atmosphere and safety: an honest picture
De Kooi has a mixed reputation. Residents give the neighbourhood an average of 6.6 based on the available reviews on the neighbourhood page of De Kooi. Green spaces and accessibility score well, but safety (5.0) and beauty (4.0) pull the score down. Resident W. Sanders writes: "Too little police control is causing the neighbourhood to deteriorate quickly, drug dealers under the bridge, drug users around and even in the flat in bad weather." That is a signal that should not be ignored. Another resident, Yassine, adds nuance: "It's actually a normal neighbourhood like you usually know. You do have a lot of drunk people sometimes in the park at the weekend, but otherwise it's a cosy neighbourhood." The reality lies somewhere in the middle: De Kooi is not a problem neighbourhood, but neither is it a quiet villa neighbourhood. If you are sensitive to nuisance, it is a good idea to explore the neighbourhood at different times of the day.
Sister neighbourhoods in Leiden-Noord offer a point of comparison. Groenoord has a slightly greener appearance with more 1970s single-family homes, while the Noorderkwartier is somewhat more mixed in composition. If you are looking for a more urban alternative, you could also look at the Stationsdistrict or Binnenstad-Noord, although rental prices there are generally higher.
Does renting in De Kooi suit you as a tenant?
De Kooi is most suitable for starters and singles who want to live affordably in Leiden without being far from the centre. The large housing association stock (64%) makes social housing more realistic here than in many other Leiden neighbourhoods, although waiting lists also apply here. For the free sector, the average rental price is €1,445 per month, which is on the steeper side for Leiden. Respond quickly to available rental homes in De Kooi: supply changes rapidly. Make sure you have your income statement, employer's statement and ID ready. For social housing, register with Sleutel, the housing association active in Leiden. If you are considering buying: supply is limited, but also check homes for sale in De Kooi as an alternative. Families with children will find what they need in terms of schools and green spaces, but should not ignore the lower safety score. More about living in the wider region can be found on the page rental homes in Leiden. The municipality of Leiden also publishes up-to-date information about living and facilities on leiden.nl.
What residents say about De Kooi
Based on the available resident rating, De Kooi scores a 6.6 out of 10. The highest sub-scores are for accessibility (8.0) and green spaces (8.0). Safety (5.0) and beauty (4.0) are the weakest points. Yassine describes the neighbourhood as follows: "It's actually a normal neighbourhood like you usually know. Otherwise it's a cosy neighbourhood, but unfortunately we don't have such good contact with our neighbours as before." That typifies De Kooi well: functional, accessible, green, but socially somewhat more anonymous than before. Read all reviews and sub-scores on the neighbourhood page of De Kooi. This kind of resident reviews cannot be found anywhere else at neighbourhood level, and it is exactly the information you need before signing a rental contract.
Compare rental homes in and around De Kooi
Are you unsure whether De Kooi is the right choice? Then also compare the supply in the rest of Leiden-Noord, where neighbourhoods like Groenoord and Noorderkwartier have a slightly different character. For a more urban environment, Binnenstad-Zuid or the Roodenburgerdistrict are worth exploring, although rental prices there are often higher. Buurtje.nl combines current housing supply from more than 1,500 sources with district data, resident scores and rental market figures, so you not only find a home but also know what you are choosing. View the full overview of rental homes in Leiden if you want to orient yourself broadly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in De Kooi, Leiden?
In the free sector (excluding social housing), the average rent in De Kooi over the past year was €1,445 per month, based on 34 rented homes with an average area of 89 m². That works out to around €16.20 per m². The range runs from €605 to €2,495 per month. Social housing is generally significantly cheaper, but waiting lists via the housing association apply.
Are there social housing properties in De Kooi?
Yes, De Kooi has a large social housing stock: 64% of all homes are owned by housing associations, well above the Leiden average. The main association active in Leiden is Sleutel, where you can register via their website. Be prepared for waiting lists, which in Leiden can run to several years depending on property type and location. Other landlords (free sector) account for 15% of the housing stock.
What is it like to live in De Kooi?
De Kooi is a down-to-earth, post-war rental neighbourhood in Leiden-Noord with porch flats and terraced houses from the 1960s and 1970s. Residents give the neighbourhood a 6.6 out of 10. Accessibility and green spaces score highly (both 8.0), but safety (5.0) and attractiveness (4.0) are clear areas of concern. The neighbourhood is functional and affordable, but if you are looking for a quiet or charming living environment, it is advisable to visit the area at different times.
Is De Kooi suitable for starters and singles?
De Kooi is certainly interesting for starters and singles. The largest age group is 25 to 45 years old, and single-person households are the most common household type. The large housing association stock makes social housing more realistic here than in many other Leiden neighbourhoods. The average income in the neighbourhood is €30,700, indicating that the area is accessible for people at the start of their housing career. Families can also find what they are looking for in terms of schools and green spaces, but should weigh the lower safety score.
How is the accessibility of De Kooi?
Accessibility in De Kooi scores an 8.0 according to residents, one of the highest sub-scores. Several bus lines connect the neighbourhood to Leiden Central, with a travel time of about ten minutes. From the station, you can reach The Hague or Amsterdam in about 35 minutes. By car, the neighbourhood connects to the N11 and A4. By bike, you can reach Leiden city centre in ten to fifteen minutes via good cycle paths. Parking is possible with a permit.
What facilities are there in De Kooi?
For daily shopping, there are supermarkets within walking distance and the Winkelhof shopping centre is accessible via Churchilllaan. Primary schools are available in the neighbourhood and immediate vicinity. Residents rate both facilities and education at 7.5. Green spaces even score an 8.0: the Leidse Hout and Oostvlietpolder are within cycling distance. Sports clubs in Leiden-Noord offer recreational opportunities for different ages.
Is De Kooi a safe neighbourhood?
Safety is the weakest point of De Kooi: residents give this aspect a 5.0 out of 10. One resident reports nuisance from drug users and insufficient police presence in the area. Another resident qualifies that it is mostly a normal neighbourhood, but that there is sometimes nuisance in the park at weekends. De Kooi is not an exceptional problem area, but if you are sensitive to nuisance, it is wise to explore the neighbourhood at different times before signing a rental contract.
Too little police control is causing the neighbourhood to deteriorate rapidly, drug dealers under the bridge, drug users around and even in bad weather in the flat, the housing association doesn't want to understand! Also many foreign residents in the flat and in the neighbourhood. The mayor and aldermen do nothing about it either. Leiden Noord is in decline! Bins disappear and it's normal for people to throw everything on the ground. Cleaning up dog poop, forget it, you can hardly pick it up anymore because the grass is much too high, so-called care for insects, in my opinion just a cheap cutback. The flat is also getting dirtier. They keep raising the costs but the escape routes haven't been cleaned for almost 5 years. Positive is that there are shops at Kooiplein and in the building there is the library and schools, secondary education at Sumatrastraat. Too bad that not only the government sees the car as a cash cow but the municipality now too.
Auto-translated to English by AIWell, it's actually a normal neighbourhood like you usually know. However, you do have a lot of drunk people sometimes in the park at the weekend, and also children who get up to a lot of mischief. For the rest, it is a pleasant neighbourhood, but unfortunately we don't have as nice contact with our neighbours as before. My neighbourhood has changed a lot compared to my childhood since we had an old neighbour lady who was very close to us. Felt like family..
Auto-translated to English by AI
