Rental homes in Friesland
Looking for a rental property in Friesland? Compare listings in all Frisian municipalities, check neighbourhood scores from residents and find a home that suits you.
What does renting cost in Friesland and how does the market work?
Friesland is a province where your rental budget still goes a long way. With an average rent of €1,111 per month in the private sector and an average floor area of 125 m², you quickly have more space than in the Randstad. Of the total housing stock of over 308,000 homes, 38% are rental properties, the majority (26%) owned by housing associations. The remaining 12% is offered by private landlords and investors. This ratio means that in Friesland you can find both social and private sector rentals, although waiting lists for housing association homes in popular places like Leeuwarden and Drachten have grown considerably.
What stands out: the range in rental prices is enormous. You can find rental homes from around €300 per month, while detached waterside properties appear for over €3,000. This spread is due to Friesland's diversity. Renting an apartment in the centre of Leeuwarden is a very different story from renting a home in a village in the Greidhoeke or Stellingwerven. The average WOZ value is €278,127, indicating that house prices here are still significantly lower than the national average. This makes renting in Friesland attractive, but it also limits choice: those who live here consciously choose space, nature and a different pace of life.
From Leeuwarden to the Stellingwerven: renting by municipality
Residents of Friesland give their province an average rating of 7.8 out of 10. That's a nice score, but it varies considerably by municipality. Below is a tour of the main municipalities for renters.
Leeuwarden: the Frisian capital with urban dynamics
Rental homes in Leeuwarden are the most in demand in the entire province. With nearly 129,000 inhabitants, it is by far the largest municipality and the cultural and economic heart of Friesland. Residents rate Leeuwarden 7.3 out of 10, based on 54 reviews. That's the lowest score among the large municipalities, and not without reason: some neighbourhoods struggle with parking pressure, higher noise levels and less social cohesion than you find in smaller Frisian towns. At the same time, Leeuwarden offers what no other Frisian municipality can: a wide range of hospitality venues, the Fries Museum, a university of applied sciences campus and the Medisch Centrum Leeuwarden as a major employer. For starters and students, this is the logical place to begin.
Súdwest-Fryslân: lakes, Sneek and village charm
With a rating of 8.2 out of 10, Súdwest-Fryslân scores the highest of all large Frisian municipalities. This municipality includes Sneek, Bolsward and dozens of villages around the Frisian lakes. Residents particularly mention the tranquillity, the water-rich landscape and the strong sense of community. One reviewer wrote: "You really know your neighbours here, and within ten minutes you're on the water with your boat." Rental homes in Sneek are popular with young families fleeing the Randstad but still wanting amenities. Note that the supply in smaller villages is limited and you often have to rely on Sneek for many facilities.
Smallingerland: Drachten as a surprising all-rounder
The municipality of Smallingerland, with Drachten as its core, scores 8.0 from residents. Drachten is the second-largest town in Friesland after Leeuwarden and has a complete shopping centre, good schools and a hospital. Philips (now Versuni) and other companies on the industrial estate provide employment. Renting a home in Drachten is generally cheaper than in Leeuwarden, while you lack little in terms of amenities. The downside? Drachten lacks the historic character of Leeuwarden or Sneek, and nightlife is limited.
Heerenveen: sport, accessibility and growing supply
Heerenveen (8.0 out of 10, 21 reviews) is strategically located on the A7 and A32, giving you quick access to Leeuwarden, Drachten or even Zwolle. The municipality is known for SC Heerenveen and Thialf, but it is also gaining popularity as a place to live. There is considerable new construction and the centre has been spruced up in recent years. For renters who commute to multiple locations in the northern Netherlands, Heerenveen is a smart choice.
Beyond these four, there are plenty of other interesting municipalities. De Fryske Marren (7.9 out of 10) is ideal if you love water sports and want to live in or around Joure, Lemmer or Balk. The municipality of Waadhoeke (8.0) includes Franeker and Sint Annaparochie and offers a rural character with the Wadden Sea around the corner. In the northeast you'll find Noardeast-Fryslân (7.5), with Dokkum as a historic town, although residents warn that some facilities are scarcer here.
Those looking for true village tranquillity can go to Tytsjerksteradiel (7.7), Opsterland (7.8) around Gorredijk and Beetsterzwaag, or the Stellingwerven in the south. In Achtkarspelen (7.0) around Surhuisterveen and Buitenpost, rental prices are lowest, but accessibility and the level of facilities are also more limited. That lower score of 7.0 honestly reflects this: residents sometimes miss a GP or supermarket within walking distance.
For whom is a rental home in Friesland a good choice?
Friesland attracts different types of renters. Starters and students mainly focus on Leeuwarden, where NHL Stenden and vocational education provide a young audience. Families wanting more space for less money often end up in Sneek, Drachten or Heerenveen. And for homeworkers or people who consciously choose peace and nature, the smaller municipalities around the lakes or in the Wâlden are ideal.
But be honest with yourself: Friesland is not the Randstad. Distances to Schiphol or Utrecht are considerable, public transport outside Leeuwarden is poor, and in many villages a car is a must. The province of Fryslân is investing in better bus connections, but it remains a sparsely populated area. On the other hand, an average income of €32,606 goes further here than in the Randstad. Considering buying as well? Then check out the supply of homes for sale in Friesland, because with the relatively low WOZ values, buying can be surprisingly affordable here.
View the current rental supply in Friesland
On Buurtje.nl you will find the current supply of rental homes in Friesland, from apartments in Leeuwarden to detached houses in Frisian villages. Filter by price, floor area or municipality and view neighbourhood scores and resident reviews directly. This way you not only know what a home costs, but also what it's really like to live there. View the supply above or choose a specific municipality to search more specifically.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent for a rental property in Friesland?
In the free sector, the average rent is €1,111 per month for a property averaging 125 m². Prices vary widely: in Leeuwarden and Sneek you pay more than in smaller municipalities like Achtkarspelen or the Stellingwerven. Social housing through housing associations is cheaper but has longer waiting lists.
In which Frisian municipality is it best to rent a home as a starter?
Leeuwarden is the most logical choice for starters due to the largest supply, the university of applied sciences, and the most nightlife. Drachten (municipality of Smallingerland) is a good alternative with lower rents and sufficient amenities. Both municipalities score 7.3 and 8.0 respectively among residents.
How do the Frisian municipalities score according to residents?
The average rating for Friesland is 7.8 out of 10 based on 238 reviews. Súdwest-Fryslân scores the highest with 8.2, followed by Smallingerland and Heerenveen (both 8.0). Leeuwarden scores the lowest among the large municipalities with 7.3, partly due to the challenges of a larger city.
Can I find an affordable rental home outside Leeuwarden?
Yes, outside Leeuwarden rental homes are often cheaper and more spacious. Municipalities like Opsterland, Weststellingwerf, and Achtkarspelen offer the lowest rents. However, keep in mind that the level of amenities in smaller villages is more limited and you almost always need a car.
Is it easy to rent an apartment in Friesland?
In Leeuwarden and Drachten, the supply of apartments is largest, but competition is increasing there too. In smaller municipalities, there are fewer apartments and the supply is mainly focused on single-family homes. Respond quickly and make sure your documents are in order, because even in Friesland popular properties go fast.
How is the accessibility when I rent a home in Friesland?
Friesland is easily accessible by car via the A7 and A32. Heerenveen and Leeuwarden are on the railway line towards Zwolle and the Randstad. Outside the larger towns, however, public transport is limited. Expect a travel time of just over two hours to Amsterdam. A car is indispensable in most Frisian municipalities.
What are the pros and cons of renting in Friesland compared to the Randstad?
Advantages are lower rents, more living space, strong social cohesion, and proximity to nature and water. Disadvantages are the greater distance to the Randstad, less cultural offerings outside Leeuwarden, and limited public transport in rural areas. For remote workers or people with a job in the northern Netherlands, the balance is often positive.
What percentage of homes in Friesland are rental properties?
Of the more than 308,000 homes in Friesland, 38% are rental properties. Of these, 26% are owned by housing associations and 12% by private or commercial landlords. The remaining 62% are owner-occupied homes. In Leeuwarden, the rental percentage is higher than in rural municipalities.
You can sum it up as follows: > My experience with the Bloemenbuurt is very negative. In two consecutive situations, we had neighbours who caused a lot of nuisance. There were concerns about drug activities, the safety of children, and serious incidents in the neighbourhood, including a car explosion. As a result, I don't feel safe here and I wouldn't choose to live in this neighbourhood myself. The housing is reasonable, but in my opinion, the houses on Azaleastraat are in need of a thorough renovation. Additionally, there are few to no amenities in the immediate vicinity, which does not improve the liveability of the neighbourhood. Based on my personal experiences, I would therefore not recommend the Bloemenbuurt as a place to live.
Auto-translated to English by AIAtmospheric neighbourhood with nice neighbours. Houses with a stately character interspersed with smaller workers' cottages. You can feel the history, you can walk straight into the city centre.
Auto-translated to English by AItoo few bus connections cannot always plan the call bus the early and late times are also inconvenient long walk to the stop facilities: an extra restaurant would be nice and a butcher
Auto-translated to English by AIA quiet neighbourhood where people know each other and are involved with one another. Many beautiful houses on very spacious plots.
Auto-translated to English by AIeverywhere drunk people, many empty dilapidated houses
Auto-translated to English by AIyes
Auto-translated to English by AIOur village is quiet and nothing happens because there is very little here.
Auto-translated to English by AINice neighbourhood. Many beautiful homes. Also close to all the amenities you need.
Auto-translated to English by AI
