Renting a Home in Schuytgraaf and Southern Arnhem

The south of Arnhem was built in three waves. Elderveld came first, starting in 1970. Winding roads, residential areas (woonerven), green corridors between building blocks. Rijkerswoerd followed in 1989, lighter and more modern, with recreational lakes and a shopping center as its hub. Schuytgraaf is the youngest: a VINEX location where the first homes were completed in 2002, and where the last of the planned 6,750 homes are to be finished by 2028.

Together, these districts form the residential area south of Malburgen. Those considering renting a home in Arnhem-South will find themselves here. These are family-friendly neighborhoods. The average household size in Schuytgraaf is 2.7 people. In Elderveld, it's 2.0. The population is younger than average in Schuytgraaf, older in Elderveld. Rijkerswoerd is in between.

Schuytgraaf: A Patchwork of VINEX

Schuytgraaf has 16,335 inhabitants and 6,117 homes (2025). The district is divided into 26 sub-areas, each with its own architectural theme. The Singelkwartier is densely built with narrow front gardens. The Tuinstad (Garden City) refers to the garden village concept. Other neighborhoods reference the Amsterdam School, the 1930s, or a fortified city. The result is what the Arnhem Association for Architecture called a 'patchwork of VINEX architecture'.

59% of the homes are owner-occupied, 41% are rented. The average WOZ value (property value for tax purposes) is the highest of the three districts. The population is young: 25% are under fifteen, only 6.8% are 65-plus. This is the district where Arnhem houses its families.

Schuytgraaf Shopping Center has over twenty shops: baker, butcher, specialty stores, supermarket. Five primary schools and one secondary school are located in the district. The district heating infrastructure makes the new builds more energy-efficient than the older neighborhoods just around the corner.

Elderveld: The Seventies

Elderveld is the opposite of Schuytgraaf. Built from 1970 to the mid-1980s, with the 'woonerf' (residential area with shared public space) concept as its guiding principle. Cul-de-sacs, narrow street profiles, unclear road hierarchy. It was the urban planning principle of that era.

The district has 8,720 inhabitants (2025), a 6% decrease compared to 2013. The population is aging: 29% are 65-plus, only 13% are under fifteen. The housing stock consists of 4,307 homes, of which 51% are owner-occupied and 49% are rented. Terraced houses dominate (46%), followed by apartments (31%).

The green corridors from the edges to the central park around De Stoeterij give Elderveld more greenery than you might expect based on the building density. It is quieter than Schuytgraaf, older, less dynamic. For renters seeking peace and an accessible entry point, Elderveld is the most approachable part of Arnhem-South.

Rijkerswoerd: Lakes and Patio Homes

Rijkerswoerd was built between 1989 and 2001. The last complex, Het Bastion, completed the district. The architecture is lighter than Elderveld: light facades, modern design, more variation in housing types. The district has 12,275 inhabitants and 5,296 homes (2025). 62% are owner-occupied, 38% are rented. Predominantly terraced houses (55%) and apartments (19%).

The strongest feature is the Rijkerswoerdse Plassen: a recreational area on the edge of the district, open from six in the morning until ten in the evening. Sportpark Rijkerswoerd (sports park) and city farm De Korenmaat complete the picture. Along the Mooieweg is a wetland for birdwatchers.

Rijkerswoerd Shopping Center, in the middle of the district, serves daily needs. Three primary schools are spread across the three sub-areas: Rijkerswoerd-East, -Middle, and -West.

Accessibility

Arnhem-South Station is on average 1.8 kilometers from Schuytgraaf. Elderveld has an average distance of 1.6 kilometers to a train station. The A50 and A325 motorways provide direct access. Trolleybuses and regular bus lines connect all three districts with Arnhem Central Station.

The distance to the city center is greater than from Malburgen or Presikhaaf. Expect a fifteen to twenty-minute bike ride to the city center. For commuters who work by car, the motorway location is an advantage. For those who need to go to the center daily, travel time is a factor to consider.

Renting a home in Arnhem-South varies greatly by district. Schuytgraaf has the most new construction and the highest prices. Rijkerswoerd is in the mid-range segment. Elderveld offers the lowest entry point but also the oldest housing stock. In all three districts: the free sector (non-social housing) is a smaller share than owner-occupied. The supply is more limited than in the city center, but the homes are larger. Families with children looking for space will find what the city center lacks here.