Rental homes in Marewijk, Leiden
Looking for a rental property in Marewijk? Check the current listings on this page and discover what living in this vibrant inner-city neighbourhood of Leiden entails.
Rental prices and market figures for Marewijk, Leiden
Marewijk is predominantly a rental neighbourhood: 83% of the housing stock consists of rental properties, compared to just 16% owner-occupied homes. Of all homes, 28% are owned by a housing association (social rent), while 55% fall under other landlords. This latter segment largely determines the free-sector market.
In the free sector (excluding social rent and rooms), an average rent of €1,617 per month was recorded over the past year, based on 63 rented homes. The range runs from €500 to €2,975 per month, with an average living area of 111 m². This works out to approximately €14.60 per m² per month. The average WOZ value in Marewijk is €367,000, slightly lower than the district average of Binnenstad-Noord (€380,000) and the Leiden average of €390,000. Marewijk is thus relatively affordable within the city centre, although free-sector rents remain substantial. Check the top of this page for current rental prices and available rental properties in Marewijk for the most up-to-date information.
Living in Marewijk, Leiden
Marewijk is located in the northern part of Leiden's city centre, nestled between the Maresingel and the historic canal belt. The neighbourhood has a compact, urban character with a mix of pre-war buildings, porch flats and smaller apartments above shops and catering establishments. It is not a quiet residential neighbourhood in the classic sense: the Haarlemmerstraat and the Nieuwe Rijn provide liveliness well into the evening, making the area attractive for those who enjoy urban dynamics, but less suitable for those seeking peace and quiet.
Facilities in Marewijk
The central location means that almost everything is within walking distance. Daily shopping can be done at the Albert Heijn on Haarlemmerstraat or at one of the smaller local supermarkets in the area. For a larger range of shops, you can walk to the main shopping area around Breestraat and Stadhuisplein in just a few minutes. Restaurants, cafés and eateries are abundant, particularly along the Nieuwe Rijn and in the side streets towards the centre. As for schools: primary schools are available in the immediate vicinity of the city centre, and Leiden University and the Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC) are easily accessible, making the neighbourhood popular among students and academics. Sports facilities are slightly less directly available in the neighbourhood itself; for a gym or swimming pool, you will need to rely on facilities elsewhere in Leiden. Green space is scarce: resident Loes describes the neighbourhood as "functional and everything is close by except nature" and rightly notes that there is little more than the occasional tree. The Groenoordhallen and Huygenspark are within cycling distance, but those wanting daily greenery will have to look outside Marewijk.
Accessibility
Accessibility is one of Marewijk's strongest assets. Residents give this aspect a 9.0 out of 10, and that is understandable. Leiden Central is about a ten-minute walk away, making The Hague reachable in 20 minutes and Amsterdam in 35 minutes. Several bus routes run through or past the neighbourhood, and cycling is the primary mode of transport in Leiden anyway. The centre is literally around the corner. For motorists, the A4 and A44 are a short drive away, but parking in and around Marewijk requires a permit and can be difficult. Those who drive daily should be prepared for limited parking options and associated costs.
Residents rate Marewijk an average of 6.9 out of 10. Olivia, who moved to the neighbourhood two months ago, writes: "I am within a few minutes' walk of the beautiful centre of Leiden. The station is also nearby and everything can even be visited by bus. I don't feel unsafe when I come home late at night, as the neighbourhood is lively." More experiences and all sub-scores can be found on the Marewijk neighbourhood page.
Compared to neighbouring areas such as Pancras-West and Pancras-Oost, Marewijk has a similar urban character but slightly lower WOZ values. D'Oude Morsch is quieter and greener in character, while Noordvest lies more on the edge of the city centre with a slightly different housing mix. If you find Marewijk's liveliness too busy, you can also look at the offerings in Binnenstad-Noord as a whole.
Is a rental property in Marewijk right for you?
Marewijk mainly attracts students, young professionals and singles. This is also reflected in the figures: the largest age group is 15 to 25 years (nearly 1,200 of the 3,000 residents), and 59% of households consist of a single person. For families, the neighbourhood is less obvious due to limited green space, busy streets and the relatively small supply of family-sized homes. If you are considering renting a house or apartment in Marewijk in the free sector, it is wise to respond quickly to new listings: the neighbourhood is popular and properties are usually rented out quickly. Make sure you have your income statements, employer's declaration and identity document ready. For social rent, registration with a housing association is necessary; expect significant waiting times. If you prefer buying over renting, you can view the supply of homes for sale in Marewijk as an alternative.
What residents say about Marewijk
Based on 2 resident reviews, Marewijk scores a 6.9 out of 10. The highest sub-scores are for accessibility (9.0) and facilities (9.0), the lowest for green space (4.5) and housing (5.5). Loes describes the neighbourhood as "functional and everything is close by except nature" and indicates that more green initiatives would be a clear improvement. Both reviewers are generally satisfied with the central location but mention the shortage of affordable housing as a downside. Read all reviews and neighbourhood data on Marewijk on Buurtje.nl.
Renting in Marewijk compared to surrounding neighbourhoods
Marewijk is part of the district Binnenstad-Noord, where the average WOZ value is slightly higher than in Marewijk itself. If you are looking for more space or greenery at similar rental prices, you can also look at available rental properties in De Camp or the quieter Havenwijk-Noord. For a broader overview of the rental landscape in the city, including districts such as Stationsdistrict and Leiden-Noord, the overview of rental properties in Leiden provides a good starting point. Buurtje.nl combines current property listings from more than 1,500 sources with resident scores and neighbourhood data, so you not only find a home but also understand whether the neighbourhood suits you. More information about the municipality can be found on the website of the municipality of Leiden.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Marewijk, Leiden?
In the free sector (excluding social housing and rooms), the average rent in Marewijk over the past year was €1,617 per month, based on 63 rented homes. Rents ranged from €500 to €2,975 per month, with an average area of 111 m², which works out to about €14.60 per m². Social housing is typically much cheaper, but waiting lists apply.
Are there social housing properties in Marewijk?
Yes, approximately 28% of the housing stock in Marewijk is owned by a housing association and therefore falls under social housing. For a social housing property, you need to register with a housing association active in Leiden, such as Ons Doel or Portaal. Be prepared for long waiting times, especially in a popular inner-city neighbourhood like Marewijk.
What is it like to live in Marewijk?
Marewijk is a lively, urban neighbourhood in the heart of Leiden with many amenities within walking distance. Residents appreciate the central location and excellent accessibility, but note that green space is almost entirely absent and affordable homes are scarce. The average neighbourhood score is 6.9 out of 10, with high scores for accessibility (9.0) and amenities (9.0), and a low score for green space (4.5).
Is Marewijk suitable for students?
Marewijk is particularly popular among students: nearly 40% of residents are between 15 and 25 years old. The neighbourhood is within walking distance of Leiden University and Leiden Central Station, and has a lively character with many bars, restaurants and shops. However, the supply of affordable student housing is limited, and those looking to rent a home in Marewijk would do well to respond quickly to new listings.
How accessible is Marewijk?
The accessibility of Marewijk is excellent and is rated 9.0 out of 10 by residents. Leiden Central Station is about a ten-minute walk away, with direct train connections to The Hague (approx. 20 min.) and Amsterdam (approx. 35 min.). Several bus routes serve the neighbourhood and cycling is the most common mode of transport. Motorists have quick access to the region via the A4 and A44, but parking is permit-only and limited.
What amenities are there in Marewijk?
Marewijk scores a 9.0 for amenities. The Haarlemmerstraat and surrounding area offer supermarkets, specialist shops, restaurants and daily convenience stores. The larger shopping centre of Leiden is within walking distance. Primary and secondary schools are available in the wider city centre, and Leiden University is easily accessible. Sports facilities and green space are less abundant in the neighbourhood itself; for those, you need to look a bit further afield.
Is Marewijk a safe neighbourhood to live in?
Residents rate safety in Marewijk at 7.0 out of 10, which is considered reasonably positive for a busy inner-city neighbourhood. Resident Olivia says she does not feel unsafe coming home late at night, partly because the neighbourhood remains lively. As in many city centres, pickpocketing and bicycle theft can be issues, but residents do not report serious safety problems.
My neighbourhood is in the centre of Leiden, so everything is close by. I also think it's beautiful. Unfortunately, there is a lack of nature. You occasionally see a tree, but you can't really call it green. Some initiative in this regard would be a good improvement. I am satisfied with almost all other aspects. For example, the supermarket, pharmacy and GP are nearby, and the underground waste bins are very convenient. The only other downside is that there is often a lot of noise from students and partygoers, but nothing unexpected. It's also true that there isn't really a strong neighbourhood feel. There are a few neighbours with whom we occasionally have a drink, but I don't even speak to the majority. This can be attributed to the fact that many students live here and is therefore not a serious drawback for me.
Auto-translated to English by AII moved here two months ago and am very satisfied. I am within a few minutes' walk of the beautiful centre of Leiden. The station is also nearby and everything can be visited by bus. I don't feel unsafe when I come home late at night, as the neighbourhood is lively and so far there are no weird types around. In terms of nature, it could be better, but you can't expect that in the middle of a city. Fortunately, you only have to cycle or run a short distance to discover nature. It's a shame there is so little housing, while so many students are looking for a room, because I would definitely recommend the neighbourhood.
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