Renting a Home in Kralingen-Crooswijk, Rotterdam

Kralingen-Crooswijk is the borough east of the city center, with approximately 56,000 residents (2025). It stretches from the Goudsesingel to the Kralingse Bos, from the Nieuwe Maas to the Boezemweg. Kralingen, the green and affluent part, has its own page. This page focuses on the other side: Crooswijk, Rubroek, Struisenburg, and De Esch. Neighborhoods that are more raw, more affordable, and more diverse. Those who rent an apartment in this part of the borough live close to the center, in a neighborhood that has undergone significant changes in the last ten years. 74% of the homes are rental properties.

Oud-Crooswijk: Working-Class Neighborhood by the Canal

Oud-Crooswijk is one of the most authentic Rotterdam neighborhoods. The Crooswijksesingel on the west side has monumental quays and pre-war mansions. Behind them are the narrow streets of the original working-class neighborhood. Here, in the nineteenth century, stood the houses of the laborers who worked at Heineken, Jamin, and the slaughterhouse. The neighborhood has approximately 8,000 residents, and over 90% of the homes are rental properties.

The character is unadulterated Rotterdam. Residents know each other, community ties are strong, the Folk Neighborhood Museum documents the social history of the district. Along the canal, gentrification is becoming visible: young professionals and creative entrepreneurs are settling in the upper floors. Rental prices are lower than in Kralingen or the city center. WOZ values have risen by 140% since 2013, but Oud-Crooswijk remains one of the more affordable neighborhoods within the borough.

Nieuw-Crooswijk: Demolished and Rebuilt

Nieuw-Crooswijk has undergone one of the most extensive urban renewals in the Netherlands. The neighborhood, originally built in the 1920s, was largely demolished starting in 2005. 85% of the housing stock has been replaced by new construction. New streets, new blocks, a mix of owner-occupied and rental homes. The average WOZ value has risen to €403,000 (2025), more than three times higher than in 2013.

The neighborhood is situated between two cemeteries and borders the Kralingse Bos. It is greener and more spacious than Oud-Crooswijk. The wide streets and new construction give it a different feel: more modern, quieter, less rough. For renters looking for new construction in a borough that is otherwise primarily pre-war, Nieuw-Crooswijk is one of the few options.

Rubroek: The City Center Around the Corner

Rubroek is located right next to the city center. The Goudsesingel forms the border with the Stadsdriehoek. Jonker Fransstraat is the shopping street: daily groceries, greengrocers, small shops. The neighborhood has approximately 8,400 residents, 59% of whom live alone. It is dense, urban, and multicultural.

The homes are almost exclusively apartments. Porch flats from the 1940s and 1950s, built after war damage. No elevators, narrow stairwells, compact floor plans. The average WOZ value is €316,000 (2025). For the rental market, this means: relatively affordable apartments within walking distance of Blaak, the Markthal, and the city center. Rubroek attracts students, young single residents, and starters who value the central location more than square meters.

Struisenburg: Student Neighborhood at Oostplein

Struisenburg is the neighborhood where 43% of residents are between 18 and 26 years old. It is located behind Oostplein, sandwiched between the Oostzeedijk and the water of the Boerengat. On the west side, around Oostplein, there are cafes, restaurants, and terraces. The rest is quieter: residential blocks, converted office buildings, porch flats.

The location is strong. Metro station Oostplein (lines A, B, and C) is in the neighborhood, and tram lines run along the Oostzeedijk. The city center is a five-minute bike ride away. The homes are small and affordable, the catering options are good, and the atmosphere is young. For students and starters who want to live close to Erasmus University and the city center, Struisenburg is a logical choice.

De Esch: New Construction on the Nieuwe Maas

De Esch is located on the southeastern side of the borough, on the Nieuwe Maas. The area was built on the former site of the Rotterdam drinking water supply. The historic water tower from 1875 still stands there. The De Esch nature park offers greenery along the water.

The homes are predominantly post-war and partly renovated. 90% are apartments. WOZ values are around €337,000 (2025), higher than in Crooswijk or Rubroek. An additional 1,000 to 1,850 new homes will be added. De Esch is the quietest and greenest part of the borough after Kralingen. Trams 21 and 24 connect the neighborhood to the rest of the city. For renters who want a view over the Maas without the prices of Kop van Zuid, De Esch is the alternative.

From Goudsesingel to Kralingse Bos

Accessibility varies by neighborhood. Rubroek and Struisenburg are within walking and cycling distance of the city center. Oud-Crooswijk is a five to ten-minute bike ride from Blaak. Nieuw-Crooswijk borders the Kralingse Bos. Metro Oostplein serves Struisenburg. Bus 38 and tram 7 run through Crooswijk. Trams 21 and 24 serve De Esch.

Parking is paid on weekdays. On weekends, it is free in parts of Crooswijk. Parking pressure is highest in Rubroek, lowest in De Esch and Nieuw-Crooswijk. The A16 is accessible via the eastern side of the borough.

The rental market in this part of Kralingen-Crooswijk is varied. Rubroek and Struisenburg offer compact, affordable apartments close to the center. Oud-Crooswijk has character and low rental prices. Nieuw-Crooswijk offers new construction. De Esch combines water and greenery. Look carefully at which neighborhood suits you best: the differences between them are significant.