Kralingen
The area known today as Kralingen is part of the old Kralingen craft between the A16 highway, Boezemsingel, Maas and Kralingsebos. Kralingen is broadly divided into two parts: Kralingen-Oost which is spacious with lots of green, traditionally a residential area for the wealthy and Kralingen-West what more the character of a working-class district. High density with many upper and lower houses.
Kralingen East
Kralingen-Oost used to be the transition from the city to the ‘green outside’. Well-known examples are Rozenburg, Honingen and Woudestein. The old structure is still clearly recognizable. The many trees and greenery determine the appearance of this part of Kralingen. In addition to characteristic residential neighborhoods, the district also has an office area; Brainpark.
Residents of Kralingen-Oost:
In Kralingen-Oost live generally highly educated, self-reliant, well-earning people who enjoy life. The population mainly consists of native inhabitants. The presence of the educational institutions ensures a nice student population in the neighborhood.
Kralingen-West
Kralingen-West has a large number of facilities. A variety of shops, restaurants and specialty stores characterize the environment. The district also has green activities: The Botanical Garden at the Kralingse Plaslaan and on the wasteland at the Palestinian street, Buurtlab is active with the project COOL seed.
Residents of Kralingen-West:
Kralingen-West is a lively neighborhood. To a large extent this area is surrounded by water. De Boezem, which connects Kralingen and Crooswijk, flows through Kralingen-West. The area has more than 15,000 inhabitants. The district consists of six different neighborhoods (Jaffa, Vredenoord, Jericho, Gashouderbuurt, Vlinderbuurt and Lusthof). Each neighborhood has its own atmosphere. The neighborhood is not easy to typify. The neighborhoods differ greatly. This variation is not just a feature, but a force. There are many people working in the wholesale and retail trade, repair of cars and the education and health and welfare services sectors.
What is there to do?
The neighborhood houses football club Excelsior, Erasmus University and Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. The nearby Park Trompenburg is internationally known among plant connoisseurs and is visited daily by walkers who seek peace in the metropolis of Rotterdam. The pre-war parts are popular ‘cozy’ neighborhoods. Kralingen-West is predominantly a residential area, with various neighborhoods and a large variety of housing. The Oude Dijk and the Lusthofstraat are the shopping streets in Kralingen. Here you will find all kinds of shops, supermarkets and small restaurants. The Kralingse forest is also an oasis of peace while there are various sports facilities and restaurants in the forest.