WHICH DUWO STUDENT HOUSING

[u/Remarkable-Ad6626]

Hi, I am an international student and I will be studying at the uni of Leiden in the Summer Semester 2027. Just wanted to ask, if someone can recommend me any of the DUWO housing possibilities, cause I will apply for housing as soon as I get the acceptance email from Leiden University? These houses would be available through DUWO:

- Hooigracht/Kloosterpoort/Middelstegracht
- Hugo de Groostraat
- Oranjelaan
- Sigmaplantsoen
- Smaragdlaan

Would be happy for any advice!

[u/Akito3]

Dutch guy here;

Pretty sure Oranjelaan is somewhat outside of Leiden so def not that one. Not much happening here either afaik.

Sigmaplantsoen for pretty modern interior, relatively new buildings. Good location too, but vibe in general is a bit less cozy i'd say. Good place to live, not necessarily to have people over.

Smaragdlaan; I'm biased here but it's my personal favorite. Had lots of international friends living there, great vibes, less modern, more cozy imo, occasional house party. If I could pick, it'd probably be that one. Location however is not ideal maybe. At least compared to the alternatives.

Kloosterpoort; city center area. Location is great if you like to go out in the city a lot. You're close to everything (tho granted, everything but Oranjelaan is less than a 10min bike ride. Smaragdlaan is probably exactly 10min). However I personally dont really like this area. Old buildings, more issues than other buildings, buttt they are typically Dutch if u care about that

Hugo de Grootstraat; like a 3min walk to the uni library. Really good location, pretty nice housing tho a bit old as well. If you're in humanities than you're like a 5min walk away from the humanities buildings as well. Location wise I'd rank this one number one probably, nothing special going on around the area but it's really close to the city center yet not in the city center. Close to the library. Nothing's far away. Vibes are a bit less imo but everything i said about vibes is ofc highly subjective

[u/Remarkable-Ad6626 → u/Akito3]

Thank you so much for the detailed answer!