Rent a Home in Old-North, Tilburg

Old-North (Oud-Noord) is the district directly north of the city center, on the other side of the railway. Approximately 33,600 residents (2023) live in about ten neighborhoods: from the quiet Theresia to the multicultural Hasselt, from historic Loven to Noordhoek towards the Spoorzone. Those considering renting a home in Oud-Noord choose a neighborhood that is more affordable than the center and has more character than the post-war expansion areas.

Theresia, Besterd, Hasselt: Three Neighborhoods, Three Worlds

Theresia is the neighborhood where students and starters end up first. Small terraced houses, upper floors, and rooms in divided properties. The streets are narrow, the homes compact, and the atmosphere young. The city center is a five-minute bike ride away. Tilburg University can be reached in fifteen minutes. Rooms here go quickly. Those who find something don't hesitate long.

Besterd has a different rhythm. Here, families, older residents, and newcomers live side by side. The Besterdring is the shopping heart: a supermarket, bakery, hairdresser, and a handful of eateries. The homes are pre-war workers' terraces with small front gardens. Not large, but solidly built. The neighborhood has something of a village within the city.

Hasselt and the Bouwmeesterbuurt are further north and are rougher. The municipality has designated these neighborhoods as priority areas. Investments are being made in livability and safety through the National Program. To be honest, this is necessary: the problems are visible. But rental prices are correspondingly lower, and the location is good.

Factory Homes and Upper Floors

The housing supply in Oud-Noord largely consists of pre-war terraced houses. Built for textile workers, compact in design, with brick facades and small gardens. In Loven, you'll find the oldest: homes around Rozenplein from around 1920, originally built for railway personnel.

Additionally, there are upper floors and divided homes, especially in Theresia. This type of rental property is sought after by students and starters: two or three rooms, a small kitchen, a shared hallway. Studios are found in the larger buildings along the main routes. Rental prices are below the Tilburg average. Spacious family homes are fewer. Those looking for more than three bedrooms should look in Reeshof or Berkel-Enschot.

Rentig a home in Oud-Noord is a choice for character over comfort. The homes are old and not always well-insulated. On the other hand, you live in a neighborhood closer to the center than almost any other district, for a lower price.

Museum De Pont and the Textielmuseum

Two museums of international stature are located in Oud-Noord. Museum De Pont, housed in a former wool spinning mill on the Wilhelminapark side, exhibits contemporary art in a space that is worth a visit in itself. The TextielMuseum (Textile Museum) on Goirkestraat combines historical looms with a TextielLab where designers and artists work. Both museums attract visitors from outside the city.

This cultural weight adds something to the neighborhood. The streets around De Pont are quieter and greener than the rest of Oud-Noord. Wilhelminapark borders the neighborhood. There you'll find the outdoor space that the small gardens don't provide.

Cycling to Everything

Tilburg Central Station is a ten-minute bike ride from most neighborhoods in Oud-Noord. From Theresia and Noordhoek, it's shorter: five to seven minutes. City lines run via the Besterdring towards the station and university.

The neighborhood is flat and compact. Daily groceries can be done on the Besterdring or at the small shopping center on Bart van Pelt-plein. The city center with Heuvelstraat and Pieter Vreedeplein is within walking distance.

Parking in Oud-Noord is easier than in the city center. In parts of the district, paid parking applies with a resident's permit. The rates are lower than in the city center. In the outer neighborhoods, street parking is still free.

An Honest Look at the Neighborhood

Oud-Noord is not a polished neighborhood. The differences between neighborhoods are significant. Theresia is popular and safe. Hasselt and Loven-Besterd face problems that the municipality is actively working on. Walk through the neighborhood before signing a rental contract, preferably at different times of the day.

Homes are old. When viewing, ask about the energy label and insulation. Heating costs can increase significantly in a poorly insulated pre-war home. Some landlords have invested in sustainability, others have not.

The supply in Theresia goes the fastest. Rooms, studios, and small apartments are popular with students and starters. Respond immediately when something appears online and ensure you have proof of income and identification ready. In other neighborhoods, competition is less fierce, but the supply is also smaller.