Rental homes in Pesthuiswijk, Leiden

Rental prices and market figures Pesthuiswijk, Leiden

Pesthuiswijk is pre-eminently a tenant neighbourhood: as many as 91% of the 1,372 homes are rental properties, compared to just 9% owner-occupied. Of the total housing stock, 37% is owned by housing associations (social rent), while 54% is owned by other landlords, such as private investors and institutional parties. This makes the free rental sector dominant here.

In the free sector (excluding social rent and room rentals), the average rent over the past twelve months was €1,373 per month, with a range from €948 to €2,400. With an average floor area of 75 m², this amounts to approximately €18.30 per square metre. 66 homes were rented out in that period. Note: social housing from housing associations falls outside this and is considerably cheaper.

The WOZ value in Pesthuiswijk is €297,000, well below the average for the Boerhaavedistrict district (€461,000) and also lower than the Leiden average of €390,000. This translates into relatively affordable rents by Leiden standards. Want to see the current daily prices and available rental properties in Pesthuiswijk? Check the overview at the top of this page.

Living in Pesthuiswijk, Leiden

Pesthuiswijk is nestled between the Leiden Bio Science Park and the LUMC, on the southwest side of Leiden. It is a compact, predominantly post-war neighbourhood with a mix of porch flats from the 1960s and 1970s, supplemented by newer student complexes and apartments built over the past decades. The atmosphere is functional and urban, without the cosiness of a Leiden canal belt but with its own down-to-earth character. Many residents are students or young professionals, noticeable in the daytime liveliness and relative quiet during holiday months.

With 1,215 residents aged 25-45 and 795 residents aged 15-25, this is one of the youngest neighbourhoods in Leiden. Only 65 children under 15 and 50 over-65s live here. Of the households, 1,400 are single-person, and only 9% are married. That says a lot about the type of resident: single students, PhD candidates and starters on the job market.

Facilities in Pesthuiswijk

Pesthuiswijk itself has limited daily facilities. For groceries, you head towards Wassenaarseweg or cycle in five minutes to the Albert Heijn at the Bio Science Park or the Dirk van den Broek on Willem de Zwijgerlaan. Hospitality and shops are mainly found in Binnenstad-Zuid, about ten minutes by bike. For primary education, there is the Lorentzschool in the nearby Houtkwartier. Sports facilities are available via Sportpark De Vliet and the University Sports Centre, both within cycling distance. Leidse Hout, a large city park, almost borders the neighbourhood and offers space for running, walking or picnicking.

Accessibility from Pesthuiswijk

Accessibility is a strong point. Leiden Central Station can be reached in ten minutes by bike. Bus lines towards the centre, Leiderdorp and Katwijk stop at Wassenaarseweg. By car, you are quickly on the A44 towards The Hague or Amsterdam via the A4. Cycling is by far the most popular mode of transport: the centre of Leiden is reachable within ten minutes. Parking is on permit in parts of the neighbourhood, which is a point of attention for car owners. Keep in mind that finding a parking spot can be difficult in the evening, especially around the larger residential blocks.

What residents say

Residents appreciate the proximity to the LUMC and the university, but are more critical of the neighbourhood's appearance. "It's not a neighbourhood you move to for the atmosphere, but it's practical and affordable for Leiden," sums up a resident. The average income (€37,100) is below the Leiden average of €38,300, which fits the young, often still studying resident profile. View all reviews and neighbourhood data for Pesthuiswijk for a complete picture.

Compared to the Raadsherenbuurt, Pesthuiswijk is less family-friendly but cheaper. Leeuwenhoek is similar in resident profile, but has more new-build and higher rents due to its direct location near the station.

Is Pesthuiswijk right for you as a tenant?

Are you a student, PhD candidate or starter looking for a rental home near the LUMC or Bio Science Park? Then Pesthuiswijk is a logical choice. The neighbourhood is less suitable for families with children due to the limited availability of play space and schools in the immediate vicinity. If you want to rent an apartment in Pesthuiswijk, prepare your documents (employer's statement, payslips, ID) in advance: homes here go quickly. For social rent, you can register via Woonzicht, but expect waiting lists of several years. As an alternative, you can also look at homes for sale in Pesthuiswijk, although the supply is limited with only 9% owner-occupied homes. Be honest with yourself: the neighbourhood scores on functionality, not on charm.

What residents say about Pesthuiswijk

On the neighbourhood page of Pesthuiswijk, residents share their experiences. The neighbourhood generally scores well on accessibility and proximity to work or study, but lower on atmosphere and green space. "You don't live here for the cosiness, but for the location. Within five minutes I'm at my work in the LUMC," writes a recent resident. View all reviews and sub-scores on the neighbourhood page to see if Pesthuiswijk matches your wishes.

Compare rental properties around Pesthuiswijk

In terms of rental prices, Pesthuiswijk is one of the more affordable options within the Boerhaavedistrict. The Vogelwijk offers more family homes but is more expensive, while the Stationsdistrict is a more urban alternative with higher rents. If you want to search more broadly, you can also view the supply for rent in all of Leiden. On Buurtje.nl, you compare neighbourhoods based on resident scores, rental prices and neighbourhood data from more than 1,500 sources, so you can make an informed choice as a tenant. More information about living in the city can also be found on the website of the municipality of Leiden.