Living in Burgemeesterswijk
Burgemeesterswijk is city living in its most compact form, and most of its 772 homes are houses rather than apartments — front doors, gardens, street parking.
At 6,910 residents per km² the buurt is busy without being packed.
Leiden's market is squeezed between a historic center, a major university and bio-science employment at the Bio Science Park — small homes, high demand, and canal-side charm at Randstad prices. Student rental demand keeps investors circling the same stock buyers want.
The housing market in Burgemeesterswijk
At €761,000 average WOZ value, Burgemeesterswijk ranks 2 out of 53 Leiden neighborhoods on price — 77% pricier than most of the city. You pay for the location here. For scale: Leiden's cheapest buurt averages €126,000 and its priciest €768,000, so Burgemeesterswijk sits among the city's pricier neighbourhoods.
Average WOZ value per year (CBS). The reference date lags the current market by ±1 year.
2015: €428,000 · 2016: €430,000 · 2017: €449,000 · 2018: €485,000 · 2019: €524,000 · 2020: €568,000 · 2021: €610,000 · 2022: €647,000 · 2023: €744,000 · 2024: €743,000 · 2025: €761,000
The direction of the market: between 2015 and 2025 the average WOZ value here rose from €428,000 to €761,000, up 78% — slower than the city as a whole (+115%). WOZ values lag the market by about a year, but the trend itself is reliable.
With 86% of homes owner-occupied, this is a settled buyers' neighborhood — homes change hands regularly, and you can usually find recent comparable sales on the same street to anchor your bid. Settled also means slower: owners here tend to stay, so the best houses may only list once a decade.
Who lives here
Demographically, Burgemeesterswijk is dominated by established households in the 45-to-65 bracket (30% of its 1,930 residents), followed by over-65s at 24%. Households split into 26% singles and 38% families with children — a real mix rather than one lifestyle. The average household counts 2.4 people.
As for who your neighbors would be: 51% of households are among the country's highest earners — which helps explain both the café density and the bidding behavior.
Daily errands, coffee and dinner
Day to day: the nearest large supermarket is about 11 minutes' walk; there are about 13 cafés and restaurants within walking distance — enough choice without the crowds.
The practical checklist most buyers forget to make: pharmacy 4 min walk · GP 2 min · hospital 3.6 km · library 1.3 km · 3 cinemas within 5 km. None of these will decide a purchase on their own, but a GP taking new patients nearby is the kind of thing you only miss after moving.
Families and schools
For families: 3 primary schools within a kilometer means real choice — and short bike rides; daycare is well covered (7 locations nearby) — though Dutch waiting lists mean you register the week you know you're expecting, not the week you need it; secondary school is a 2-minute bike ride, which Dutch teenagers do in all weather.
Getting around
Getting around: the train station is 11 minutes on foot — commuting without a car is the natural choice; a highway on-ramp 1.5 km away makes car trips easy — check whether through-traffic noise reaches the street you're considering; car ownership is moderate (0.9 per household).
Energy and running costs
99% of homes were built before 2000. Two identical-looking houses on the same street can differ by hundreds of euros a month once heating is counted — the energy label tells you which one you're looking at, and lenders increasingly price it into your mortgage too.
Before you bid in Burgemeesterswijk
Before you bid in Burgemeesterswijk: the national soil map leaves built-up areas unclassified, and city centres like this one often sit on peat, and pre-1970 homes may stand on wooden piles — since the 2026 appraisal rules, a foundation risk class (A–E) appears in every valuation, so check it before you bid, not after the deal is already emotional. Also, in a premium buurt the risk isn't buying a bad home, it's overpaying for a good one — anchor your bid on recent sales of comparable homes, not on the asking price.
None of these averages can tell you whether the specific house you found is fairly priced — that depends on its size, energy label, state of maintenance and the recent sales around it. That is exactly what a free HomeReview report checks, in about 10 seconds, for any Dutch address.
Frequently asked questions
Is Burgemeesterswijk a good neighborhood to live in?
That depends on what you're looking for. Burgemeesterswijk suits families with children best; it's a weaker match for first-time buyers and buyers after peace and space. The average home value is €761,000 (77% pricier than most of Leiden) and the neighborhood has 1,930 residents. Ultimately the specific street and home matter more than the neighborhood average.
What is the average home value in Burgemeesterswijk?
The average home value (WOZ waarde) in Burgemeesterswijk, Leiden is €761,000, based on the official CBS neighborhood statistics.
Is Burgemeesterswijk mostly owner-occupied or rental?
86% of homes in Burgemeesterswijk are owner-occupied and 14% are rentals.
Are house prices in Burgemeesterswijk rising?
Between 2015 and 2025 the average WOZ value in Burgemeesterswijk rose from €428,000 to €761,000 (+78%); Leiden as a whole moved up 115% over the same period. WOZ values lag the current market by about a year.
How old are the homes in Burgemeesterswijk?
99% of homes in Burgemeesterswijk were built before 2000 and 1% after. Older buildings can mean higher maintenance and energy costs — check the energy label before bidding.
How far is the nearest train station from Burgemeesterswijk?
The average distance to a train station from Burgemeesterswijk is 0.9 km; a large supermarket is 0.9 km away on average.
Is Burgemeesterswijk an expensive part of Leiden?
Yes — homes in Burgemeesterswijk cost about 77% more than in most of Leiden, so budget for competition and possible overbidding.
Is Burgemeesterswijk good for families with children?
The nearest primary school is 0.5 km away and there are 7 daycare locations within a kilometer. 38% of households here have children at home.
Is there foundation risk in Burgemeesterswijk?
Burgemeesterswijk stands out for foundation risk — in built-up areas the national soil map doesn't classify the ground, and city centres often sit on peat. Around 86% of homes here predate 1970, the era when wooden or shallow foundations were common. According to the Klimaateffectatlas, the risk of pile rot in this neighbourhood is very low. This says nothing about any individual property: only a physical foundation inspection can establish its condition. Ask for the foundation risk class (A–E) in the valuation report.
Similar neighborhoods in Leiden
Closest in price — worth a look if Burgemeesterswijk is out of reach or you want alternatives.
Source: CBS Kerncijfers wijken en buurten — latest complete release (buurt BU05460403) · Updated 2026-08-09. WOZ values are neighborhood averages; individual homes vary.