Where are we going?
You may have noticed: many people from the Randstad are moving to 'the rest' of the country. "Why?" you ask. Well, it seems that the northern provinces - Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe - are much more popular than before.
What do the figures say?
The CBS has some figures for us. In the first 8 months of 2023, about 1.2 million people moved. That is 2.5% more than last year. The big winners? Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe!
- Groningen: 100,000 new moves.
- Friesland: 50,000 new moves.
- Drenthe: 100,000 new moves.
Together, that is 250,000 people who chose the north. That is one fifth of all movers!
Randstad vs. the rest
The Randstad, with cities like Amsterdam and Utrecht, saw 450,000 people move. But look at the rest of the Netherlands: 750,000 people have found a new home there. That is a big difference!
Why the North?
So, why do people choose Groningen, Friesland or Drenthe? A few guesses:
- More Space: In the city it is crowded, in the north you have space.
- Less Expensive: In the north you get much more house for your money. For example, in 2023 the average price per square metre of a house in the Randstad is about €6,000, while in the north it is only €3,000. So you have a house twice as big for the same price!
- Nature: Who doesn't love greenery and fresh air?
Conclusion
The trend is clear. More and more people are saying 'bye' to the Randstad and 'hello' to the quiet and beautiful north. And who can blame them? If you are also considering moving, it might be time to visit the north!
Curious about what the residents of the Netherlands think of their living environment? Check out the reviews on Buurtje.nl!
