Rent a Home in Nijmegen Old-West and Central

Nijmegen Old-West and Central form a semi-ring around the city center, between the railway line and the arterial roads to the west. These are districts that rarely appear on lists of popular neighborhoods. No Bottendaal, no Waalsprong. But for renters, they are more interesting than their reputation suggests. Old-West has a rental housing share of approximately 65%. Central is at 58%. Together, the districts have about 36,000 residents (2025). Those considering renting a home in Nijmegen Old-West choose the most rental properties per square kilometer in the city.

Waterkwartier: The Neighborhood on the Waal

The Waterkwartier is nestled between the Arnhem-Nijmegen railway line, the Waal river, and the city center. Pre-war and immediate post-war homes line narrow streets. The neighborhood has something of a working-class charm that has never quite disappeared. Rents are low, homes are compact, and the distance to the city center is short.

The location is stronger than the streetscape suggests. The Waal flows along the northern edge of the neighborhood. The city center is a ten-minute walk. Nijmegen Station is fifteen minutes away. It's a neighborhood for renters who want to live centrally without paying city center prices.

Wolfskuil: Interbellum with Character

Wolfskuil is the neighborhood south of Waterkwartier. Built in the 1920s and 1930s as a planned expansion district along the access routes to the west. The streets are wider than in Waterkwartier, and the facades are more uniform. It's interbellum architecture: brick terraced houses with front gardens, a style found in many Dutch cities but well-preserved here.

The neighborhood has its own atmosphere. Quieter than Bottendaal, more urban than Hees. The shops along the arterial roads cover daily necessities. It's the kind of neighborhood where you live because it's practical and the rent is affordable.

Heseveld: Bossche School at Danielsplein

Heseveld has about 6,000 residents (2023) in a neighborhood built on a strict grid system. A mix of low-rise and multi-story buildings, partly designed in the Bossche School style. Danielsplein is the heart of the neighborhood, with a weekly market that attracts residents from all over the district.

The homes in Heseveld are functional. No mansions, no villas. Apartments and terraced houses from the post-war period, with some new construction integrated into the existing structure. Rents are below the city average. For renters looking for an upper floor or apartment without the waiting list of East, Heseveld is a serious option.

Hees: The Village Core in the City

Hees is the outlier. A former village with its own core, now enclosed by the city. Homes here are, on average, more expensive than in the rest of Old-West. 57% are owner-occupied. The streetscape is more varied: stately nineteenth-century buildings next to post-war construction.

For renters, Hees is a niche. The offering is smaller than in Heseveld or Waterkwartier. Those who find a rental property here get a neighborhood that feels more like a village than the surrounding city districts. The distance to the center is slightly greater, but still within ten minutes by bike.

Nijmegen-Central: Hazenkamp, Sint Anna, and Goffert

Central is the district that connects Old-West with South and East. Five neighborhoods: Nije Veld, Hazenkamp, Heyendaal, Sint Anna, and Goffert. It is a transitional area. No distinct identity like Bottendaal or Hatert, but a mix of construction periods and housing types that offers opportunities for renters.

26% of the homes in Central date from before 1945. These are the pre-war buildings along the arterial roads. The rest are post-war, with a growing share of new construction. The rental housing share of 58% is lower than in Old-West but higher than the city average. Apartments, upper floors, and rooms in a centrally located district without the competition of the city center.

What Renters Need to Know

Old-West and Central are not districts you choose for ambiance. They are districts you choose for the availability, location, and price. Restaurants and nightlife are in the city center, a ten-minute bike ride away. The amenities within the districts themselves are practical: supermarket, doctor, primary school, all within walking distance.

The housing quality varies significantly by block. Waterkwartier has pre-war homes that are not always renovated. Heseveld is post-war and functional. Hees is more expensive and better maintained. Always ask for the energy label.

Renting a home in Nijmegen Old-West or Central is faster than in East or the city center. The supply is larger, the competition lower. Set up notifications and respond the same day. Studios and rooms are available in Waterkwartier and along the arterial roads. Apartments and upper floors are available in all neighborhoods.