Rental homes in Drift, Harderwijk
Discover available rental properties in Drift, Harderwijk. View the current listings, neighbourhood data and resident reviews directly on this page.
Rental prices and market figures for Drift, Harderwijk
Drift is a pronounced rental neighbourhood: no less than 82% of the 309 homes are rental properties, the vast majority (77%) of which are owned by a housing association. Only 18% of the homes are owner-occupied. This makes Drift one of the most social-housing-dominated neighbourhoods in Harderwijk.
The average WOZ value in Drift is €243,000. That is considerably lower than the district average of Stadsweiden (€325,000) and well below the municipal average of Harderwijk (€382,000). This reflects the composition of the housing stock: smaller apartments and porch flats from an older construction period dominate the streetscape.
In the free sector (excluding social housing), 6 homes were rented out in Drift last year. The average rent was €756 per month, with a range of €682 to €932 per month. The average floor area was 65 m², which works out to around €11.60 per m² per month. That is relatively affordable compared to the broader supply in Harderwijk. Keep in mind that the free-sector supply in Drift is limited; most tenants live here through a housing association property. For the current available rental properties and daily prices, see the overview at the top of this page.
Living in Drift, Harderwijk
Drift is a compact, quiet residential neighbourhood on the edge of the Stadsweiden district in Harderwijk. The neighbourhood has a down-to-earth, functional character: no trendy coffee bars or hip squares, but ordinary streets with predominantly multi-family homes and porch flats from the 1970s and 1980s. The buildings are sober, the gardens are neatly maintained, and the atmosphere is that of an average social housing neighbourhood where people have lived for years and know each other.
With 535 residents, Drift is small. The largest age group consists of 25- to 45-year-olds (170 people), but the over-65s are also well represented (165 people). Single-person households form the largest category (205 of the approximately 309 homes). Only 22% of residents are married. That says something about the character of the neighbourhood: it is more a place for singles and smaller households than for large families.
Facilities in Drift
You can do your daily shopping in the immediate vicinity. Within cycling distance are supermarkets such as Albert Heijn and Aldi on the Groene Zoom and in the nearby Stadsweiden shopping centre. For primary school children, several schools are accessible within Stadsweiden, including primary schools within walking distance in the adjacent neighbourhoods. Sports facilities are available via the sports hall and football fields in the district area; the De Sypel swimming pool in Harderwijk is easily reachable by bike. Healthcare and GP practices are present in the wider Stadsweiden area. Hospitality venues are scarce in Drift itself, but the city centre of Harderwijk offers more than enough.
Accessibility
Drift is located approximately 2 kilometres from the centre of Harderwijk, a distance you can cover by bike in less than ten minutes. Harderwijk station is accessible by bike or bus; Connexxion bus lines connect the neighbourhood with the centre and the station. From Harderwijk station, you can take the train to Amersfoort in about 30 minutes and to Zwolle in about 35 minutes. By car, the A28 (towards Zwolle and Utrecht) is quickly reachable via the Ceintuurbaan. Parking in Drift is generally free on the street, without a permit requirement, which is a practical advantage for residents.
Residents appreciate the peace and affordable rents, but are sometimes critical of the maintenance of public spaces and the limited hospitality options in the neighbourhood itself. One resident describes it as: "Quiet living, everything you need is close by, but it's not a neighbourhood to stroll around." See all experiences and scores on the Drift neighbourhood page.
Compared to sister neighbourhoods in Stadsweiden, Drift has a more sober character. Hanzewaard and Scheepswaard have a slightly more modern appearance and a different housing mix. Also popular among tenants looking for a bit more greenery is Weidewaard. Those who prefer to live in or near the historic city centre can also look at the supply in Binnenstad or Waterfront, although rents there are generally higher.
Does renting in Drift suit you?
Drift mainly attracts singles, first-time buyers on the housing market, and seniors who want to live affordably in a quiet environment. The average income in the neighbourhood is €29,800, clearly below the municipal average of €36,200. That fits the rents: for an apartment to rent in Drift in the free sector, you pay an average of €756 per month, which is reasonable for Harderwijk.
If you want a rental home in Drift via the social sector, register as soon as possible with Omnia Wonen or another active housing association in the region, because the waiting lists are long. The free-sector supply is limited (only 5% of homes fall outside the housing association), so respond quickly when something becomes available. Keep your documents (income statement, proof of identity) handy. Considering buying instead of renting? Then also check the supply of homes for sale in Drift, although the choice is limited given the low owner-occupancy rate of 18%.
What residents say about Drift
Residents of Drift particularly appreciate the peace, affordable rents, and central location relative to the Harderwijk centre. Some are less enthusiastic about the appearance of public spaces and the limited range of facilities directly in the neighbourhood. One resident writes: "You live here fine and affordably, but don't expect a cosy neighbourhood atmosphere with terraces around the corner." All reviews, partial scores per category, and neighbourhood data can be found on the Drift overview page. These kinds of resident reviews are unique at neighbourhood level.
Comparing rental properties in and around Drift
Looking for rental properties in Drift but also want to compare alternatives? The surrounding neighbourhoods in Stadsweiden offer similar rents with sometimes a slightly different atmosphere or housing type. Outside Stadsweiden, Friesegracht and the Zeebuurt are also worth a look. Buurtje.nl combines current housing supply from more than 1,500 sources with resident reviews and neighbourhood data, so you not only find a home but also know whether the neighbourhood suits you. For a complete overview of all available rental properties in the municipality, see rental properties in Harderwijk. More information about the municipality can also be found on the official website of the municipality of Harderwijk.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Drift, Harderwijk?
In the free sector (excluding social housing), the average rent in Drift over the past year was €756 per month, with a range of €682 to €932 per month. The average floor area was 65 m², which works out to about €11.60 per m² per month. Social housing through the housing association is generally cheaper, but income requirements and waiting lists apply.
Are there social housing units in Drift?
Yes, Drift is actually strongly focused on social housing: 77% of the housing stock is owned by a housing association. Omnia Wonen is one of the active housing associations in the Harderwijk region. If you want a social housing unit in Drift, register as early as possible, because the waiting lists are long. Only 5% of homes are rented out by other (private) landlords.
What is it like to live in Drift?
Drift is a quiet, compact residential neighbourhood with a down-to-earth character. The buildings mainly consist of porch flats and multi-family homes from the 1970s and 1980s. Residents appreciate the affordable rents and the location within cycling distance of Harderwijk city centre, but are sometimes critical of the appearance of public spaces and the limited dining options in the neighbourhood itself.
Is Drift suitable for singles and starters?
Yes, Drift is particularly a neighbourhood for singles and starters. More than 200 of the approximately 309 homes are single-person households, and free-sector rents are relatively low for Harderwijk at an average of €756 per month. The average income in the neighbourhood (€29,800) is below the municipal average, indicating that the neighbourhood is accessible to people on a tighter budget. Large families will find less suitable options here.
How accessible is Drift?
Drift is about 2 kilometres from the centre of Harderwijk, easily reachable by bike in less than ten minutes. Connexxion bus lines connect the neighbourhood to Harderwijk station, from where you can reach Amersfoort by train in about 30 minutes. By car, you can quickly join the A28 towards Zwolle and Utrecht. Parking in the neighbourhood is generally free and without a permit.
What facilities are there in Drift?
Drift itself has a limited range of facilities, but the immediate surroundings more than compensate. Supermarkets (including Albert Heijn and Aldi) are within a short bike ride in Stadsweiden. Primary schools, sports facilities and GP practices are available in the surrounding area. For dining, shopping and cultural facilities, you will need to go to Harderwijk city centre, which is within cycling distance.
How quickly are rental homes in Drift rented out?
The free-sector supply in Drift is limited: only 6 free-sector homes were rented out in the past year. Due to this scarce supply, homes are generally snapped up quickly. So respond quickly when something becomes available to rent in Drift and make sure you have documents such as an income statement and proof of identity ready. For the current rental time in days, see the overview at the top of this page.
