Renting a Home in Vruchtenbuurt, The Hague

Vruchtenbuurt was built between 1928 and 1940, on land that was formerly horticultural area. The street names commemorate this origin: Appelstraat (Apple Street), Druivenstraat (Grape Street), Aardbeienstraat (Strawberry Street), Meloenenstraat (Melon Street), Tomatenstraat (Tomato Street). With approximately 9,900 residents (2023) and 4,589 homes, it is a medium-sized neighborhood in the Segbroek district. The average WOZ (real estate) value has doubled in ten years to 421,000 euros (2023), a sign of an increasingly popular neighborhood. Those who rent a home in Vruchtenbuurt choose a green, quiet neighborhood with 1930s character, within cycling distance of the city center and the coast.

Appelstraat and Vlierboomstraat: Two Shopping Streets

Appelstraat is the main shopping street in Vruchtenbuurt. A baker, a greengrocer, a few eateries. It's small-scale and local: the kind of street where the shopkeeper remembers your name. Vlierboomstraat adds a second shopping street, with a similar offering.

On De Savornin Lohmanplein, within walking distance, there is a shopping center with a broader mix. But most residents stay in the neighborhood. Vruchtenbuurt is a neighborhood where you don't have to go far for daily groceries and where you won't leave quickly.

1930s Architecture with Green Courtyards

The architecture of Vruchtenbuurt is uniform and recognizable. 1930s construction: multi-occupancy dwellings and single-family homes with red-brown brick facades, sloping roofs, and green front gardens. The streets are quiet and wide enough for trees. Courtyards offer sheltered inner spaces.

The street pattern is straightforward but not boring. The tree-lined avenues give the neighborhood a green character that you won't find in the city center or the Zeeheldenkwartier. It feels like a garden city within the city. The homes average 93 square meters, larger than in most central districts.

Family Neighborhood with an Active Community Life

Vruchtenbuurt is a family neighborhood; 39% of residents have children. That's high for The Hague. The streets are quiet enough for children to play. Primary schools are in the neighborhood. The Bosjes van Pex, with sports fields for football, hockey, and tennis, borders the area. The Waterthor swimming pool on Thorbeckelaan offers even more sports opportunities.

Het wijkberaad (the neighborhood council) is active and publishes annual plans focused on liveability and social cohesion. It's a neighborhood where residents feel involved. Community gardens with seasonal allotments show that the horticultural past has not completely disappeared.

Multi-occupancy Dwellings and Single-family Homes

The housing supply consists of two main types: multi-occupancy dwellings (apartments) and single-family homes. Most have three or four rooms. Eighty percent are owner-occupied. The rental portion, about 20%, is limited but present. The homes are larger than in Valkenboskwartier or Zeeheldenkwartier, and rental prices are lower than in Statenkwartier.

For starters, Vruchtenbuurt is interesting as an intermediate step: more affordable than the most popular neighborhoods, but with more space and greenery. For families wanting to rent a single-family home, it is one of the few affordable options within The Hague.

Cycle to the City Center and Coast

Vruchtenbuurt is not centrally located but is well-connected. Tram and bus lines serve the neighborhood towards the city center and Hollands Spoor. The city center can be reached by bike in fifteen minutes. Kijkduin beach is a similar distance to the west. Scheveningen is a bit further.

Parking is less problematic than in the city center. The streets are wide, and some homes have their own parking space. It's a neighborhood where a car is not a burden but a logical possession.

Vruchtenbuurt is not a neighborhood that stands out for architectural icons or trendy shopping streets. It's a neighborhood that thrives on peace, space, and a strong sense of community. WOZ values are rising, interest is growing, but the atmosphere remains the same for now: a green 1930s neighborhood where people tend to stay for a long time.