{"id":174695,"date":"2025-01-13T12:58:57","date_gmt":"2025-01-13T11:58:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=174695"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:27:39","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:27:39","slug":"capelle-might-seem-dull-but-living-there-wont-make-you-an-outcast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2025\/01\/13\/capelle-might-seem-dull-but-living-there-wont-make-you-an-outcast\/","title":{"rendered":"Capelle might seem dull, but living there \u2018won\u2019t make you an outcast\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Capelle aan den IJssel is not usually the first choice students of Erasmus may have in mind when looking for housing. However, given the housing crisis in the Netherlands, students are increasingly moving to locations at the outskirts of Rotterdam. Such as Capelle, even though it is very \u2018village-like\u2019.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Alexander is one of the students living in Capelle.<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPien D\u00fcthmann<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Capelle aan den IJssel is a large town on the eastern edge of Rotterdam, bordering Erasmus University. It is known for being primarily inhabited by families with young children and elderly couples. Many new students have never even heard of the town, and those who have may refer to it as dull or dead.<\/p>\n

While it may appear to some as a last resort option, experiences from students who live in Capelle and the plans for future housing might make it more appealing. Is the reputation shifting from an undesirable, plan C housing option to an increasingly popular location?<\/p>\n

Change of environment<\/h2>
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>

Maia moved to Capelle in August. <\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPien D\u00fcthmann<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Students who live in Capelle see a lot of surprising advantages. One of these students is Maia, a second-year student who moved to Capelle in August. Although she admitted Capelle was \u2018absolutely not her first choice\u2019, she doesn\u2019t regret moving there because of the peaceful atmosphere Capelle offers and the nice change of environment from the noise-polluted Rotterdam.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany of my close friends also ended up moving to Capelle, even though they weren\u2019t even considering it at first. You\u2019d be surprised by how many people from Erasmus live here\u201d, Maia said. \u201cLiving in Capelle won\u2019t make you an outcast.\u201d<\/p>\n

No nightlife<\/h2>

Maia acknowledged the lack of nightlife in Capelle compared to Rotterdam. She explained how apart from a local jazz bar, the nightlife scene in Capelle mainly revolves around restaurants rather than anything like student bars or clubs. It is all far more subtle and quiet than the nightlife scene in Rotterdam.<\/p>\n\n\t

\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t
\n\t\t\u2018I feel like here in Capelle, neighbours are more likely to help each other out\u2019\n\t<\/blockquote>\n\n\t<\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

However, there is an alternative option: house parties. \u00a0\u201cMy house is a great location for house parties because it is rather spacious and the walls are quite thick, so ever since I moved there, I\u2019ve ended up being the host for parties far more often. And I haven\u2019t received any noise complaints from neighbours so far.\u201d<\/p>\n

As for the atmosphere of the town, Maia praised it for being \u2018safe and calm\u2019. \u201cAs a young woman, it feels very safe, being surrounded by families and nice neighbours. There is more of a neighbourhood, community-like feeling in Capelle than there is in Rotterdam. It is more village-like. I feel like here in Capelle, neighbours are more likely to help each other out, be aware of one another or have a quick chat while passing each other out on the street. In Rotterdam, everything is far more rushed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Close or far?<\/h2>
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>

Alexander is fond of his accommodation, mainly due to the proximity to campus Woudestein.<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPien D\u00fcthmann<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

First-year student Alexander is quite fond of his accommodation in Capelle due to its proximity to Erasmus University. It takes him only eight minutes to cycle between his home and the campus. He believes the EUR website\u2019s housing section should promote Capelle more.<\/p>\n

\u201cCapelle isn\u2019t specifically mentioned anywhere on the website, and I think it should be, because it\u2019s really underrated for first-year students\u201d, Alexander said. \u201cI think it\u2019s important to live close to campus during your first year of university.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, Capelle is also quite expansive, and how far out a student lives can determine their experience. Mahee, a second-year student, lives in an area of Capelle bordering Rotterdam-Alexander Station, around thirty minutes from the university and one hour from Rotterdam centre by bike.<\/p>\n

\u201cGiven the choice, I would still prefer to live in Rotterdam\u201d, Mahee admittted, \u201cand I know other students who live in Capelle would as well. Capelle just happens to have more housing available and is far more budget friendly. I only pay 425 euros per month, excluding utilities.\u201d<\/p>\n

New housing projects<\/h2>
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>

Mahee would prefer to live in Rotterdam.<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPien D\u00fcthmann<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Sjoerd Geissler, an alderman of the Capelle municipality, is aware of the national housing crisis and the increasing number of students moving to Capelle. He explained several plans the municipality must accommodate for these changes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re creating new student housing on the western edge of Capelle, in the new neighbourhood called Fascinatio, which will be finished in 2026. Every studio in the building will have its own bathroom and kitchen\u201d, Geissler said.<\/p>\n

Capelle has also already converted some former office buildings near Capelsebrug and in other parts of Capelle into apartments. Geissler: \u201cThis project was necessary to meet the housing demands of our own residents: children from Capelle families who want to leave the parental home and continue to live in Capelle need smaller homes, such as these apartments. But of course, some are being rented out to students as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Controversy<\/h2>

However, not all Capelle residents are in favour of the housing projects. \u201cWe\u2019ve faced some legal procedures from residents living in Fascinatio, so that is delaying the process. People living around the area are going to court against the project, as they don\u2019t want there to be too many students there.\u201d<\/p>\n

The projects may still be necessary despite the controversy that could arise. Last year, the Rotterdam municipality directly asked Capelle and other neighbouring municipalities to create more student housing in the town given the lack of options in Rotterdam. \u201cThe Capelle municipality was a little hesitant, since it has heard about the disturbances that student houses created in Rotterdam. That is why some of the residents around the new student housing locations are quite opposed to the projects.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t

\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t
\n\t\t\u2018The housing crisis is also felt here, so if we only add housing for other groups, what does it do for our own?\u2019\n\t<\/blockquote>\n\n\t<\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

Geissler also acknowledged how Capelle must keep in mind its own residents. \u201cWe also need enough houses for the future generations of Capelle families. The housing crisis is also felt here, so if we only add housing for other groups, what does it do for our own?\u201d<\/p>\n

Geissler revealed details about the municipality\u2019s long-term project of transforming the business park next to campus Woudestein into a more housing-oriented area. \u201cThe project consists of adding 5,500 housing units, 500 of which will be made for students and young professionals. A lot of those are offices that will be turned into residential buildings. But this is a long-term project, building processes will start in 2027 or 2028.<\/p>\n\n\t

\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Read more<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t