Rental homes in Meerwijk, Haarlem

What does a rental home cost in Meerwijk? Affordable for Haarlem, but appearances can be deceiving

Meerwijk is one of the most pronounced rental neighbourhoods in Haarlem: no less than 80% of the approximately 3,956 homes are rental properties. Of these, 72% are owned by housing associations, meaning the vast majority of the supply is social housing. Only 8% falls under other landlords, and the private sector is therefore relatively small. In the private sector, 66 homes were rented out last year, with an average rent of €1,531 per month for an average of 82 m². The range varied from €750 to €2,690 per month. That may sound reasonable, but bear in mind that the average WOZ value here is €306,000, well below the Haarlem average of €480,000. The average income of €28,800 is also considerably lower than the €42,900 in the rest of the municipality. For the current daily price and the number of available homes, you can consult the overview at the top of this page.

Living in Meerwijk: multicultural, green, but with rough edges

Residents of Meerwijk rate their neighbourhood a 6.9 out of 10 on Buurtje.nl, based on six reviews. That score actually tells the story of this neighbourhood perfectly: there is a lot that works well, but there are also frustrations you need to be aware of as a tenant. Accessibility scores a 7.7, above average. Bus routes towards Haarlem Central and the nearby Schalkwijk shopping centre mean you are quickly at amenities. Education (7.7) and facilities (7.7) are also appreciated. The green environment scores a 7.5, and rightly so: around the Meerwijkplas and along the waterways, it is pleasant for walking. Resident Mohammed describes it as a "nice neighbourhood with friendly neighbours and lots of greenery and water".

Yet there are clear pain points. The score for housing is notably low at 5.5. Resident P.R. speaks of "deterioration" and writes: "Neighbourhood is going downhill. Little maintenance of the old houses and surrounding area." The social fabric is also thin. Fatma Gülten describes neighbours who "never say anything to others" and an atmosphere where it seems "as if no one is happy". The community score of 6.3 confirms that picture. At the same time, Gabriel calls the neighbourhood "diverse in culture" and appreciates the mix of houses and apartments on the same ground, plus the good street lighting in the evenings. You can read more resident experiences on the Meerwijk neighbourhood page.

The neighbourhood consists of several sub-areas, each with its own character. In the Nobelprijsbuurt and the Erasmusbuurt, you will mainly find porch flats from the 1960s and 1970s, while Poelpolder-zuid is laid out more spaciously. Safety scores a 6.7, and P.R. reports that the police "drive by every now and then". It is not an unsafe neighbourhood, but you notice that attention is needed. The municipality of Haarlem is investing in the renewal of Schalkwijk, of which Meerwijk is a part, but residents still see little of this in their immediate street in practice.

Renting in Meerwijk: for whom and for whom not?

With a large share of housing association homes, Meerwijk is mainly interesting for tenants who qualify for social housing and are willing to be on a waiting list. If you rely on the private sector, the supply is limited: on average about five to six homes per month. Single people form the largest group (1,795 one-person households), and renting an apartment in Meerwijk is therefore the most common option. For families with higher incomes looking for space, the neighbourhood is less obvious. The labour participation rate of 54% and the low average income paint a picture of a neighbourhood with socioeconomic challenges. Would you rather consider buying? Then check out the supply of homes for sale in Meerwijk, although only 20% of the stock is owner-occupied.

Searching for a rental home in Meerwijk or the surrounding area

On Buurtje.nl you will find the current rental supply in Meerwijk, combined with resident reviews and neighbourhood data so you know what to expect. Want to search more broadly? Then also check out the rental supply in all of Haarlem. Also popular among tenants are the Houtvaartkwartier and the Zijlwegkwartier, where prices are higher but the level of amenities and WOZ values paint a different picture.