Renting a Home in Oud-Woensel and the Schrijversbuurt, Eindhoven

Oud-Woensel and the Schrijversbuurt are located in different districts but share an era. Oud-Woensel, in the Woensel-Zuid district, is the historic village center around the Woenselse Markt and the Kruisstraat. The Schrijversbuurt, in the Gestel district, is a 1920s neighborhood with streets named after writers and poets. Those considering renting a home in either neighborhood choose pre-war buildings a short distance from the city center.

Medieval Village Core and Poets' Avenues

Oud-Woensel is older than Eindhoven itself. In the Middle Ages, Woensel was a prominent place with its own church and market square. The triangular Woenselse Markt still serves as a reminder of this. The Kruisstraat, the multicultural shopping street that runs through the neighborhood, largely follows the old village ribbon. Annexation by Eindhoven only followed in 1920.

The development is compact and intimate. Small pre-war workers' houses, renovated and divided into apartments. The building blocks are clustered, giving the streets a distinct, enclosed atmosphere. With roughly 7,000 residential units and the Woenselse Markt as its focal point, this is one of the most densely built parts of Eindhoven.

The Schrijversbuurt was constructed between 1925 and 1935, a few kilometers to the south. The streets are named Guido Gezellestraat, Nic. Beetsstraat, Helmerslaan, Willem Klooslaan, and Busken Huetstraat. The architecture is striking: residential blocks designed by architects Hanrath, Van den Elshout, and Grijpma, partly designated as municipal monuments. The neighborhood has approximately 3,610 residents (2023) and an average WOZ value of 478,000 euros.

Apartments in Oud-Woensel, Character Properties in the Schrijversbuurt

In Oud-Woensel, 67% of the housing stock consists of apartments. These are largely divided pre-war properties. Rental prices are lower than in the city center: the neighborhood is lively but not exclusive. The supply is large enough to have a choice.

The Schrijversbuurt is different. Here you'll find single-family homes and larger interbellum apartments, with higher property values. The neighborhood is quieter and more residential. The supply of rental homes is more limited than in Oud-Woensel but the homes are more spacious.

Both neighborhoods offer something that new builds cannot: character, details, and a neighborhood that has grown over a century rather than being built from scratch in a few years.

Market Around the Corner, City Center by Bike

Oud-Woensel borders the city center. The Kruisstraat leads directly to it. Eindhoven Central Station can be reached in five to ten minutes by bike. Bus lines stop at the Woenselse Markt and the Gildelaan. Parking is limited: the streets are narrow and not designed for modern cars.

The Schrijversbuurt is located in Gestel, about two and a half kilometers from the station. The A2 motorway is accessible within five minutes by car. By bike, you can be in the center in fifteen minutes. The neighborhood is quiet and easily accessible on foot or by bicycle.

Saturday Market, Writers' Monuments, and Neighborhood Life

Every Saturday, the Woenselse Markt transforms into an international market with fresh produce, street food, and clothing. During the week, the Kruisstraat offers a diverse range of shops. It is lively, busy, and colorful. Schools and healthcare facilities are in the immediate vicinity.

The Schrijversbuurt is quieter. Facilities are more limited: small shops and cafes in the immediate vicinity, with the city center within cycling distance. The neighborhood has 4 national monuments and 37 municipal monuments. The residential blocks on Helmerslaan are considered remarkable architectural heritage.

What to Look Out For

Oud-Woensel is lively but not quiet. The Kruisstraat is busy on weekdays, and the market on Saturday is even busier. The neighborhood faces social challenges: incomes are mixed, and not all streets are equally tidy. Walk through the neighborhood at different times before you decide.

The Schrijversbuurt is quieter but more expensive. The supply of rental homes is more limited. The monumental status of many properties means that you cannot simply renovate them. The homes are older and not always optimally insulated.

In both neighborhoods: respond quickly to listings and ensure your documents are complete. In Oud-Woensel there is more choice, in the Schrijversbuurt more competition per dwelling.