District of Escamp · The Hague
Bouwlust
Spacious, green post-war district with affordable homes.
- Green
- Spaciously laid out
- Affordable
- Diverse
Bouwlust is a spaciously laid-out post-war district in the Escamp borough, with plenty of greenery, broad streets and mostly affordable homes. A family-friendly, diverse district with a high share of social housing, within cycling distance of the Zuiderpark and the edge of the city.
The character of Bouwlust
Bouwlust is green, spacious and affordable. As a typical post-war district it was laid out in the 1950s and ’60s according to the neighbourhood concept: homes in rows and blocks of flats, generously embedded in public greenery, with amenities at neighbourhood level. The result is a well-ordered, family-friendly district with plenty of air and space, on the south-western edge of The Hague.
It is a diverse working-class district with a strong share of social housing, where investment in renewal and liveability has been made in recent decades.
Location and surroundings
Bouwlust lies in the Escamp borough, up against Morgenstond, Vrederust and the Wateringse Veld. The Zuiderpark is within cycling distance and the shopping centre on the Leyweg covers the daily shop. Via the ring roads you are quickly out of the city.
Living and the property market
The housing stock consists mostly of post-war walk-up and gallery flats and family homes with a garden, with new-build from urban renewal in between. The share of social housing is high, which makes Bouwlust one of the most affordable districts of The Hague — popular with families and first-time buyers on an entry-level budget.
The market figures in this guide are indicative. A specific home’s value depends on type, location and condition. Curious what your home in Bouwlust is worth? Request a no-obligation valuation.
Who is Bouwlust right for?
Bouwlust suits anyone seeking space, greenery and affordability: families on a mid-range budget, first-time buyers, movers and seniors who prefer single-level living. Anyone after a stately pre-war home or a lively city centre will look sooner to another district — but for quiet, green and inexpensive living, Bouwlust has plenty to offer.
Facts & figures
Bouwlust in figures
Objective key figures for Bouwlust, straight from the open data of Statistics Netherlands (CBS). A quick snapshot of the population, housing and amenities.
Age distribution
50% single-person households · 34% with children
Housing & market
- Average property value (WOZ)
- € 275,000
- Housing stock
- 12,877
- Owner-occupied
- 26%
- Rental homes
- 74%
- Flats/apartments
- 82%
- Single-family homes
- 18%
Nearby amenities
Average distance to the nearest…
- Large supermarket
- 0.6 km
- GP practice
- 0.8 km
- School
- 0.6 km
- Day care
- 0.5 km
Safety
Registered crimes in this neighbourhood
- Total crimes (2025)
- 1,783
- Per 1,000 residents
- 60.5
- Home burglaries
- 30
- Bicycle theft
- 130
- Vandalism
- 158
Sources: CBS (Statistics Netherlands), Key figures for districts and neighbourhoods 2025 (CBS district WK051833), retrieved on 1 July 2026. Safety figures: Dutch Police, registered crimes (annual figures 2025), retrieved on1 July 2026. Registered crimes at CBS-district level. Not every crime is reported; the figures indicate registered crime only. Figures at CBS-district level. CBS groups some districts together; grouped districts share the same figures.
Amenities in Bouwlust
Shopping
- Bouwlust/Leyweg shopping centre
- Local supermarkets
- Haagse Markt at a distance
Green & recreation
- Zuiderpark within cycling distance
- Plenty of local greenery and small parks
- Sports facilities
Daily
- Primary schools and childcare
- Health centres and GPs
Frequently asked questions about Bouwlust
What characterises Bouwlust?
A spaciously laid-out post-war district with plenty of greenery and affordable homes, mostly social housing. It is a diverse, family-friendly district on the green south-western edge of The Hague.
Is Bouwlust an affordable district?
Yes, the average home value is among the lowest in the city and the share of social housing is high. For buyers there are mainly family homes with gardens and apartments at a sharp price.
Is Vrederust part of Bouwlust?
The adjoining Vrederust quarter is counted by CBS under the same district (Bouwlust). In everyday speech people often refer to “Bouwlust and Vrederust” as one whole.
About this guide
This neighbourhood guide is a real-world example by siteboosting.nl: carefully researched, honest content that genuinely helps people and ranks well. Curious what that could do for your website?