Heimerstein 46

Nice neighbourhood but far too few parking spaces, otherwise we live very pleasantly. The only stumbling block is that far too little grass is mowed along the footpath at the bottom of the Wieldrechtse Zeedijk; if you want to cross the little bridge, you first have to pass tall stinging nettles, and once on the footpath, it gets narrower by the week, causing dogs to do their business on the asphalt.

the houses are well arranged in nice locations, there are many parks and other types of nature. The roads are nice and the trains are good! We just don't do much with the street (if you look at other streets that have a lot of parties, for example) and there is a lot of rubbish.

Overall it's a nice neighbourhood, but there are some residents who cause a bit of unrest. The Biesbosch is nearby, which is very nice, and shops and schools are within walking distance.

My experience in the neighbourhood is that everyone knows each other and that's what's so beautiful about our neighbourhood

Beautiful walking area along the river the Wantij on the Maasstraat. Supermarket and primary school within walking distance. The community centre with the adjacent playground looks shabby, especially because of the old pole with satellite dishes, and there is also a very outdated asphalt square next to the community centre, which gives a desolate impression when you first enter the neighbourhood. That is a shame and gives a wrong impression of the cosy and beautiful neighbourhood. The renovated houses in the adjacent Noorderkwartier are of a beautiful architectural style from the 1920s and 1930s. Most people still say hello to each other here, as if you live in a village, especially the older residents who like to chat create a cosy and friendly atmosphere.

Centre so very accessible for young and old

My neighbourhood is often dismissed by outsiders as a deprived area. That word alone conjures up images of problems, statistics and stigma. But those who actually live here know that the story is much more layered than that. The flats and terraced houses are not new, sometimes even a bit worn. Stairwells bear the marks of years of use and in some places maintenance leaves something to be desired. Yet people live here who do their best every day to make something of it. Families who have lived on the same street for generations, young people playing football on the square until it gets dark, and elderly people watching everything from their balcony, missing nothing. You hear multiple languages mixed together here. Not because people live alongside each other, but because the neighbourhood is a mix of cultures, backgrounds and stories. Sometimes it clashes, sometimes it rubs, but often a form of togetherness emerges that you see less in 'nicer' neighbourhoods. Everyone knows who lives on the street, who needs help and who you'd better avoid. There are problems too. That cannot be denied. Unemployment, money worries and occasional nuisance are part of daily life. Police and enforcement patrol the area more often than in other neighbourhoods. But that doesn't mean there are no norms or values here. Calling each other out on behaviour doesn't always happen by the book.

I don't know everyone in my neighbourhood but most are friendly. The neighbourhood is close to the central station and close to the city centre, there is also a park and a dog park nearby. There is a special primary school at the end of the street. They organise something fun every year for Halloween. It is safe, almost nothing ever happens.