In the past, I'd often hear from buying clients which neighbourhoods they liked. No Kanaleneiland, no Overvecht, and Leidsche Rijn at a push. But more and more often now I hear: 'We fully realise that if we want a nice big, well-insulated home in a child-friendly neighbourhood, we'll have to move out to Leidsche Rijn. And you know what, that new centre is actually quite nice. We went there for a drink recently and were pleasantly surprised. And you can still cycle into the centre in no time. Just 15 minutes by bike and you're at Centraal Station'. All the perks, none of the drawbacks…. Lots of people have said it: 'We'll never live in Leidsche Rijn'. Yet many of those people are now living in Leidsche Rijn.
And you know what, living in Leidsche Rijn is actually really nice!
Leidsche Rijn Centrum
A new city heart: Leidsche Rijn Centrum. Leidsche Rijn is the largest new-build development in the Netherlands. Leidsche Rijn Centrum opened on 16 May 2018. With the arrival of Leidsche Rijn Centrum, Leidsche Rijn is no longer just that residential area on the other side of the canal. It's now a fully fledged, lively district. Nice little restaurants, wine bars, shops… Everything you look for in a town centre. There's even a Leidsche Rijn song.
Leidsche Rijn isn't Utrecht. Leidsche Rijn has no atmosphere… But is Leidsche Rijn really still so lacking in atmosphere?
Culture, food & drink and shops
As well as homes, Leidsche Rijn Centrum has plenty of culture, places to eat and drink, and shops. The centre has a classic street pattern with varied blocks of homes and shops. The buildings have 5 to 8 storeys, interspersed with taller accents. The blocks have quiet inner courtyards and are surrounded by canals and parks.
There are also cultural facilities, good schools, a library, a very large cinema, and a hotel is on its way. Leidsche Rijn Centrum Oost & Leeuwensteyn will be completed shortly.
Bilingual primary education
On top of that, the primary school with bilingual education makes Leidsche Rijn Centrum particularly attractive. Children can only be enrolled if you live in the immediate vicinity of this school. A school that turns your child into a citizen of the world: isn't that fantastic?
Nature
Leidsche Rijn has an enormous amount of public green space. Everywhere you'll find little squares, patches of grass and play areas. But the jewel of Leidsche Rijn is surely the Maximapark. A fantastically beautiful, green park. Wide cycle paths, benches and a butterfly garden. When the weather's nice you can swim at the Haarijnseplassen or go to Het Strijviertel. There's plenty of nature to be found in Leidsche Rijn. How nice is that?
For a good time out, you're just a bridge too far….
Entertainment
With the arrival of the Dafne Schippersbrug, you can get from Leidsche Rijn to the centre in no time via a fantastic route past Park Oog in Al & the Leidsekade. You can also easily cycle into town via the Gele brug (Yellow Bridge) by the DE factory. But since recently, you'll also find a good time out right in Leidsche Rijn. Wijnbar Most, a little sister of VinVin in the city centre, is located in the Centrum; 30 ML, Buurten in de Bieb & the Pizzabakkers can all be found in the Centrum. You'll also find a nice brewery in Leidsche Rijn: Brouwerij Maximus. Next to the brewery you can go to Castellum Hoge Woerd: theatre, food, discovering, looking around, heading out into nature. You can do it all here. Meet your neighbours at the neighbourhood restaurant Venster. This is also where you'll find Raum. A place where people get to know each other. Where they think about being together, but above all where great activities are organised.
What do all the developments in Leidsche Rijn Centrum mean?
These developments in Leidsche Rijn are making the district ever more lively. On top of that, the connection to Amsterdam is particularly good. With the pressure on the Amsterdam and Utrecht housing markets, prices in Leidsche Rijn are likely to keep rising. All amenities can be found in Leidsche Rijn, but with 15 minutes by bike and a few minutes by train you're in the old city centre. This makes the location more and more attractive.
Would you like to live within walking distance of Leidsche Rijn Centrum, without looking straight into your neighbours' windows, and with 2 bathrooms at your disposal? Then take a look at Monarchvlinderlaan 176 in Utrecht.
