Rental homes in Meerburg, Leiden
Looking for a rental property in Meerburg? Check the current listings on this page and find out if this quiet Leiden neighbourhood suits you.
Rental prices and market figures Meerburg, Leiden
Meerburg is predominantly a rental neighbourhood: 61% of the housing stock consists of rental properties, compared to 38% owner-occupied homes. Of those rental properties, a large portion is owned by housing associations (39% of the total stock), while 21% is held by other landlords. This means the private sector here is smaller than you might think at first glance.
In the private sector (excluding social housing), 16 homes were rented out in Meerburg over the past twelve months, with an average rent of €1,452 per month. The range ran from €1,200 to €1,950 per month, with an average floor area of 82 m². That works out to around €17.70 per m². By comparison, the WOZ value in Meerburg is €356,000, significantly lower than the district average of the Roodenburgerdistrict (€434,000) and also below the Leiden average of €390,000. Meerburg is therefore a relatively affordable neighbourhood within the municipality, although private-sector rents are comparable to what you pay elsewhere in Leiden. Check the current rental prices and available rental properties at the top of this page, which are updated daily.
Living in Meerburg, Leiden
Meerburg is a quiet, green residential neighbourhood on the southeast side of Leiden, built in the 1980s and 1990s as part of a planned urban expansion. The neighbourhood borders the Meerburgerpolder area and has a recognisable character: wide streets, plenty of greenery between the houses, terraced houses and porch flats interspersed with detached houses and semi-detached homes. It is not a neighbourhood with a bustling shopping street or a historic centre, but rather a place where it is quiet to live, with a strong sense of community among long-term residents.
Facilities in Meerburg
You can do your daily shopping at the nearby Cronestein shopping centre or at the supermarkets along Churchilllaan, within cycling distance of the neighbourhood. For a larger range of shops, Leiden city centre is easily accessible. Primary schools are available in and around the neighbourhood, including schools in the adjacent districts of the Roodenburgerdistrict. For secondary education, pupils rely on schools elsewhere in Leiden. In terms of sports and recreation, the nearby Meerburgerpolder offers walking and cycling opportunities in an open polder area. Sports clubs for football, tennis and other sports are accessible in the surrounding districts. A swimming pool or large sports complex is not directly in the neighbourhood, but Leiden's De Vliet swimming pool is a short bike ride away.
Accessibility of Meerburg
By bike, you can reach Leiden city centre in about twenty minutes, via well-maintained cycle paths along Churchilllaan and through the Professorenwijk. By bus, there are routes connecting Meerburg to Leiden Central Station, from where you can quickly continue by train towards Amsterdam, The Hague or Utrecht. By car, you connect via Churchilllaan to the A4 motorway and the N11, making Meerburg accessible for commuters. Parking is without a permit on most streets, which is convenient for residents with a car. The neighbourhood is therefore well-suited for people who appreciate both the tranquillity of a residential area and the accessibility of a larger city.
Residents of Meerburg appreciate the peace and space the neighbourhood offers. On the neighbourhood page, residents give the neighbourhood a good average score for liveability and green spaces. One resident writes: "Meerburg is wonderfully quiet, you hardly notice the hustle and bustle of the city, but you're there in no time if you want to." There is also criticism: some residents find the range of hospitality and shops in the neighbourhood itself limited, and the neighbourhood has a somewhat anonymous character compared to older Leiden districts.
Compared to sister neighbourhoods in the Roodenburgerdistrict, Meerburg has a somewhat more modern and spacious character than Professorenwijk-Oost, which is closer to the centre and has a more urban feel. The Burgemeesterswijk is greener and quieter, while Cronestein has slightly more facilities directly in the neighbourhood. If you are looking for a rental home in a quiet, well-connected residential area without the hustle and bustle of the centre, Meerburg is the place for you.
Does a rental home in Meerburg suit you?
Meerburg mainly attracts families and people between the ages of 25 and 45, which is also the largest age group in the neighbourhood. The spacious homes and green character make the neighbourhood attractive for families with children. There are also relatively many seniors living there (425 residents aged 65+), indicating a stable, long-term inhabited neighbourhood. Students and starters are less likely to choose Meerburg because of the distance to the centre and the limited supply of small apartments.
The private-sector supply in Meerburg is limited: only 16 homes were rented out in the past twelve months. Respond quickly if you see something, because homes here do not stay on the rental market for long. Prepare your documents (income statement, employer's statement) so you can respond immediately. For social housing, you can register with housing association Portaal or Ons Doel, but be prepared for waiting lists. If renting does not work out, also check the supply of homes for sale in Meerburg, because 38% of the homes are owner-occupied and the WOZ values are below the Leiden average.
What residents say about living in Meerburg
Residents rate Meerburg positively for peace, greenery and safety. The scores for accessibility and facilities are slightly lower, which fits the picture of a quiet residential area a bit further from the centre. One resident describes the neighbourhood as: "A nice place to grow up or to unwind, not the most exciting neighbourhood in Leiden, but a pleasant one." Read all experiences and reviews on the Meerburg neighbourhood page, where you can also find the scores per category.
Compare rental homes in and around Meerburg
Are you looking for a home to rent in Meerburg but also want to consider other options? The Rijndijkbuurt is close to the water and has its own character, while the Tuinstadwijk is known for its green layout. Those who want to rent closer to the centre can look in the Stationsdistrict or Binnenstad-Noord, although rental prices there are generally higher. For a complete overview of all rental homes in Leiden or the broader supply in the Roodenburgerdistrict, you can also search at district level. Buurtje.nl combines current housing supply with resident reviews and neighbourhood data, so you not only find a home but also know 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 Meerburg, Leiden?
In the free sector (excluding social housing), the average rent in Meerburg over the past twelve months was €1,452 per month, with an average area of 82 m². The range was from €1,200 to €1,950 per month, which equates to approximately €17.70 per m². Social housing through a housing association is cheaper, but waiting lists and income requirements apply.
Are there social housing properties in Meerburg?
Yes, a significant portion of the housing stock in Meerburg consists of social housing: 39% of all homes are owned by housing associations. In Leiden, Portaal and Ons Doel are the main associations where you can register. Be aware of waiting lists, which in Leiden can extend to several years depending on the type of property and location.
What is it like to live in Meerburg?
Meerburg is a quiet, green residential neighbourhood on the southeast side of Leiden, built in the 1980s and 1990s. Residents appreciate the peace, space, and safety of the area. The range of shops and dining options directly in the neighbourhood is limited, but Leiden city centre is easily accessible by bike or bus. The neighbourhood has a stable, family-friendly character.
Is Meerburg suitable for families with children?
Meerburg is certainly suitable for families. The largest age group in the neighbourhood is 25 to 45 years (650 residents), and there are relatively many children (290 residents aged 0 to 15). The spacious homes, greenery, and quiet streets make the area attractive for families. Primary schools are available in and around the neighbourhood, and the polder landscapes in the surrounding area offer plenty of outdoor space.
How accessible is Meerburg?
Meerburg is easily accessible by bike, bus, and car. By bike, you can reach Leiden city centre in about twenty minutes. Bus lines connect the neighbourhood to Leiden Central Station, from where trains run to Amsterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht. By car, you can quickly connect to the A4 and N11. Parking is free and without a permit on most streets.
What facilities are there in Meerburg?
For daily groceries, you rely on the nearby Cronestein shopping centre and supermarkets along Churchilllaan. Primary schools are located in and directly around the neighbourhood. Sports clubs and the Meerburgerpolder recreation area are a short distance away. For a larger range of shops, dining, and cultural facilities, Leiden city centre is the place to go, reachable by bike.
How quickly are rental properties rented out in Meerburg?
The free-sector supply in Meerburg is limited: only 16 homes were rented out in the past twelve months. This means there are few properties available for rent and they are usually snapped up quickly. Make sure you have documents such as an income statement and employer's declaration ready so you can respond immediately when a property becomes available. See at the top of this page how many properties are currently for rent in Meerburg.
