Rental homes in Pieterswijk, Leiden

Rental prices and market figures for Pieterswijk, Leiden

Pieterswijk is pre-eminently a tenant neighbourhood: as many as 79% of the 1,339 homes are rental properties. Only 14% are owned by a housing association, while 65% are in the hands of other landlords, such as private investors and property companies. This means that the free-market rental sector is dominant here and social housing is scarce.

The average rent in the free-market sector over the past year was €1,803 per month, with a range of €735 to €4,500. With an average floor area of 93 m², this works out at around €19.40 per square metre. That is steep, but fitting for a city-centre location. The WOZ value in Pieterswijk is €450,000, higher than the average for the Binnenstad-Zuid district (€435,000) and well above the Leiden average of €390,000. Rental prices in Pieterswijk are therefore at the upper end of what you can expect in Leiden as a whole. At the top of this page you will find the current daily prices and the current rental supply in Pieterswijk.

Living in Pieterswijk, Leiden

Pieterswijk is nestled between the Oude Rijn, the Nieuwe Rijn and the Rapenburg, right in the historic heart of Leiden. It is a neighbourhood of narrow streets, canal houses and subdivided upper floors. Many homes date from the 17th to 19th centuries and have been split over time into smaller apartments and rooms. That immediately explains why so many single-person households live here: of the approximately 2,975 residents, 1,345 are between 15 and 25 years old, and as many as 1,920 households consist of a single person. The neighbourhood breathes student life.

Resident Cecilia summed it up aptly in her review: "It's right in the centre of Leiden, between the three associations. There's not only daytime bustle from tourists, but also in the evening from all the students walking through the neighbourhood. Personally, I find it only very cosy." That typifies Pieterswijk well: it is lively, sometimes noisy, but never boring. You can read more experiences on the neighbourhood page for Pieterswijk, where residents share their scores and stories.

Facilities within walking distance

You can do your daily shopping at Albert Heijn on Breestraat or Dirk van den Broek on Levendaal, both a few minutes' walk away. Haarlemmerstraat and Breestraat offer a mix of chains and local shops. There is an abundance of hospitality venues: from eateries on Pieterskerkplein to restaurants along Kloksteeg and Rapenburg. The Pieterskerk itself is a cultural hub with regular events. In terms of education, residents give a score of 8.0: Leiden University has several faculty buildings in the neighbourhood, and primary schools such as De Singel are within cycling distance. Facilities even receive a 10 out of 10 from residents.

Accessibility from Pieterswijk

Leiden Central station is about a 12-minute walk to the northwest. From there, you can be in The Hague in a quarter of an hour or in Amsterdam in half an hour. Several bus routes stop along Breestraat and Stationsplein. By bike, you can get anywhere in Leiden within ten minutes. Parking is another story: the neighbourhood falls under paid parking and a permit is hard to obtain due to limited space in the historic streets. Residents give accessibility a 6.0, which is likely related to the parking problem. The score for green space is 5.0, the second lowest, logical given the stone-built city centre. If you are looking for more space and greenery, you could consider Levendaal-Oost or the Roodenburgerdistrict.

Compared to neighbouring neighbourhoods such as Academiewijk and Levendaal-West, Pieterswijk is the most urban and touristy. Academiewijk shares the university character but is slightly quieter; Levendaal-West has more diversity in housing types. In terms of rental prices, these neighbourhoods are in the same price range, although it can vary considerably per street.

Is Pieterswijk right for you as a tenant?

A rental home in Pieterswijk is particularly interesting for students, young professionals and expats who do not mind paying a bit more for a top location. With an average income of €30,500, well below the Leiden average of €38,300, and a labour participation rate of 64%, this is clearly a neighbourhood where many people are still studying or just starting work. Families with children are hardly found here: only 70 residents are under 15 years old.

If you want to rent an apartment in Pieterswijk, prepare for quick response times. Demand is high and supply is limited. Make sure you have your proof of income, employer's statement and ID ready. For social housing, you can register via Woonzicht, but expect long waiting lists. Would you rather consider buying? Then check the supply of homes for sale in Pieterswijk.

What residents say about Pieterswijk

Pieterswijk receives a 6.9 out of 10 from residents, based on 1 review. The highest sub-score is Facilities with a 10, the lowest is Housing with a 4.0. The latter says something about the condition or size of the homes, a common point in historic city centres where buildings have been subdivided. Cecilia writes: "Busy but cosy" and indicates that there are "enough nice small restaurants" in the neighbourhood. Safety scores a strong 9.0. On the review page for Pieterswijk you can view all ratings and share your own experience.

Compare rental homes in Pieterswijk with surrounding neighbourhoods

Are you unsure whether Pieterswijk is the right neighbourhood to rent a home? Then compare it with the surrounding neighbourhoods. In Binnenstad-Noord you will find a similar atmosphere but slightly more space, while Stationsdistrict is convenient if you travel by train daily. Also check the broader overview of rental homes in Binnenstad-Zuid. On Buurtje.nl, we combine available rental homes with neighbourhood scores, resident reviews and data from more than 1,500 sources, so you not only find a home but also the neighbourhood that suits you. More information about the municipality can be found on the municipality page for Leiden and on the website of the municipality of Leiden.