Public Relations
2 days ago
5 min read

Planning to move to Den Haag for your studies? Great Idea!

Here is our guide to help you choose the right neighbourhood to live in while studying in Den Haag.

View of Mauritshuis Museum with the city skyscrapers behind. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/the-netherlands/the-randstad/den-haag

The Hague is one of the most international cities in the Netherlands. There is a population of around 30,000 students and the number is rapidly growing, this is due to the presence of universities such as The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS), Leiden University’s The Hague campus, Leiden University and TU Delft which are both very close cities to Den Haag. The city’s high education, international community and a beach just a short bike ride away makes Den Haag an amazing and popular place to study.

However, because of the growing population of students living in the city, finding affordable student housing has become increasingly challenging. Choosing the right neighbourhood can make a big difference in your budget, commute, and lifestyle.

Why does your neighbourhood matter?

It is important to feel safe and comfortable in your home. And your discomfort or inconvenience can have a large impact on your day to day life, such as long commutes to your University, unsafe environments or lack of efficiency regarding shops. That’s why we believe it is important to take all of this into consideration.

To help you get started, we’ve selected the Top 5 Most Affordable Student Neighbourhoods in Den Haag. We have researched areas that balance price, safety, convenience, access to affordable supermarkets, student bars, libraries, gyms, your proximity to the city center and student-friendly perks.

Top 5 Affordable Neighbourhoods:

1. Laak

Student Hub, Budget-Friendly & Close to THUAS.

Laak Municipal District Office, https://www.thehagueinternationalcentre.nl/living-in-laak

Laak is the top pick for students attending The Hague University of Applied Sciences, because the campus is right next door. It offers a large amount of student housing, shared apartments, and budget-friendly studio options.

Average rent: For a room or shared apartment the rent is typically between €550–€950 per month. When it comes to studio’d the price would range between €800–€1,100 per month.
Transport: 5–10 minutes by bike to THUAS and a 5-7 minutes walk and bike to Den Haag HS (Hollands Spoor) Station.
Local perks: Student bars, canteens, supermarkets, parks such as Paleistuin, and fast connections to the city center through trams and buses. Laak is one of the most diverse neighbourhoods in Den Haag and perfect for meeting other local and international students.

Why it’s affordable: The area has a lot of housing that was built for students as well as a large amount of older residential buildings, which keeps rent more affordable than central districts. Laak is definitely an area to look into when finding an affordable and efficient place to live.

2. Schilderswijk

Affordable, Lively & Culturally Diverse

Image of a small street in Schilderswijk. https://denhaag.com/nl/schilderswijk

Schilderswijk is a neighbourhood that offers some of the lowest rental prices in the city. It’s efficient because of its central location, multicultural, and is packed with affordable supermarkets and eateries.

Average rent: A room costs between €400–€700 per month and for a studio apartment it would be a little higher at €750–€1,000 per month.
Transport: 5 minute bike ride to Holland’s Spoor Station and 10–15 minutes by bike to the city center and most campuses.
Local perks: International food markets such as Haagse Markt The Hague, shops, cafés, and easy connections to public transport.

Why it’s affordable: Even though it is located rather in the center of Den Haag, the neighborhood is less touristy and has a large supply of older buildings making rents lower than surrounding neighbourhoods. Students enjoy this neighborhood because of the convenience and community atmosphere.

3. Moerwijk

Quiet, Spacious & Great for Budget Conscious Students

1994 heeswijkplein, Moerwijk. Photo The Hague Municipal Archives. https://indebuurt.nl/denhaag/toen-in/uit-het-archief-21-oude-fotos-van-moerwijk~218367/#slide-4

Moerwijk is a calm residential area in the south of Den Haag with some of the best-value student housing options in the city, it is where many students look into when searching for student housing.

Average rent: For rooms the average cost of rent is between: €600–€850 per month, while small apartments would be more expensive ranging between: €800–€1,000 per month.
Transport: 10–12 minutes by bike to The Hague University of Applied Science and 5 minute bike to Den Haag Moerwijk Station.
Local perks: Parks such as Buurttuin Moerwijk, gyms like Forza Fit Health Center or Max Health Club, budget supermarkets, and peaceful streets which are perfect if you prefer a quieter lifestyle.

Why it’s affordable: Moerwijk sits outside the busy center and offers larger housing for lower rent. It’s particularly popular among students who want more peace and more space or live with multiple roommates.

4. Transvaal

Central, Affordable & Full of Local Markets

The Hague Paul Krugerlaan in the Transvaal district https://www.flickr.com/photos/roel1943/33874596780

Transvaal is known for its multicultural atmosphere, vibrant markets, and excellent value housing. It’s perfect for students who want to live close to the city without paying top-center prices. When looking in this neighborhood it helps to search for someone to share a room or apartment with to make it even cheaper.

Average rent: For a shared room the average rent is typically between: €450–€700 per month. If you would like a private studio that would cost between €750–€1,200 per month.
Transport: 10 minutes by bike to the city center and fantastic tram and bus connections.
Local perks: The famous Hague Market, cozy cafés, gyms, and endless grocery options, many cheaper than in the center.

Why it’s affordable: Transvaal is a dense residential area with many rental properties, which helps keep prices low. The central location combined with affordability makes it one of Den Haag’s hidden gems for students.

5. Spoorwijk

Underrated, Very Affordable & Very Student-Friendly

Image of a long street surrounded by old brick houses in Spoorwijk https://www.fundainbusiness.nl/kantoor/den-haag/spoorwijk/+50km/

Spoorwijk is another student friendly neighbourhood to take into consideration. It is very affordable, offers a diverse and lovely energy and has a relatively young population. If you are a student looking for exactly that it is a great idea to look into Spoorwijk as an option.

Average rent: For a room the average rent is between €400- €800 per month (if you look hard enough you may be able to find a smaller room for around €300 per month however that can be hard).
Transport: Very well connected, tram lines nearby, bus stops, and reasonably close to train stations. Easy 20 minute bike ride into central Den Haag and 10 minute bike ride to university campuses.
Perks: Very diverse neighbourhood with local shops, cafés, and markets. Some green spots and parks for relaxing or studying outside. Relatively young and mobile population, making it a good fit for students. Modern parts of the area are also being developed, giving more options for shared housing or studios.

Why it’s affordable: Spoorwijk offers a high share of social housing and rental supply. Because parts of this neighbourhood are older residential areas and undergoing development, there are still many budget-friendly rentals available. The demographic and economic state of the area presents more affordable housing for students.

Final Thoughts:

Make Your Move with RentSwap

Den Haag offers something for every student, from lively multicultural districts to peaceful green neighbourhoods. Whether you prefer being close to campus, near the beach, or in a quiet residential area, the right neighbourhood can help you balance your budget, lifestyle, and studies.

With RentSwap, you can find verified student housing across the Netherlands, without scams, fake listings, or endless application stress.

Are you moving out? Help another student take over your room and earn €200!

RentSwap. Making student housing swaps easy.