Rental homes in Noord-Oost, Smallingerland
Looking for a rental property in Noord-Oost? Check the current listings on this page, including rental prices, surface areas, and resident reviews.
Renting in Noord-Oost: limited free-sector supply, housing association dominates
Noord-Oost is a neighbourhood where renting is the norm for almost half of the residents: 44% of the more than 2,200 homes are rental properties. Within that, housing association ownership is by far the largest segment, with 32% of the total housing stock owned by housing associations. The free sector is small. In the past twelve months, only 14 free-sector homes were rented out in Noord-Oost, with an average rent of €999 per month. The range was between €946 and €1,100 per month, with an average living area of 71 m². These are annual averages for the free sector, excluding social housing. For current rents and availability, please consult the overview at the top of this page.
For comparison: the average WOZ value in Noord-Oost is €256,000, which is slightly lower than the municipal average of Smallingerland (€276,000). That fits a neighbourhood with relatively high housing association ownership and an average income of €32,200, just below the municipal average. Anyone considering renting an apartment in Noord-Oost in the free sector should expect limited supply and little choice. Also check the broader range of rental properties in Smallingerland if you want to compare more options.
Noord-Oost: cosy quays, but chaos is part of it
Noord-Oost in Drachten is a neighbourhood with a distinct character. The area around the quays attracts restaurants, terraces and nightlife venues, giving the neighbourhood a lively but also noisy face. Iris van der Harst described it aptly in her review: "There is a lot of noise on the quays. That's logical if you live on a 'street' near a nightlife venue. With eateries, clubs, pubs, outdoor terraces with lighting... very cosy... but enormously chaotic! You have to be able to handle it." She also added that the presence of police seemed too limited for the hustle and bustle that prevails there. On the neighbourhood page of Noord-Oost you will find all resident reviews and detailed neighbourhood data, including sub-scores per category.
The average resident score on Buurtje.nl is 6.5 out of 10, based on a limited number of reviews. That is frankly a modest score. Residents most appreciate accessibility (7.0) and amenities (7.0). Education even scores an 8.0, which is remarkably high and aligns with the presence of schools in and around the neighbourhood. Safety, community, green space and beauty all score 6.0. That is not bad, but not convincing either. The neighbourhood feels urban and functional, but currently lacks the social cohesion or green appeal that some other neighbourhoods in Drachten have.
Noord-Oost consists of several sub-areas, each with its own atmosphere. For example, Noord-Oost north has a different character from the more centrally located Noord-Oost east or the quieter Noord-Oost west. If you are considering looking for a rental home in Noord-Oost, it is worth checking per sub-neighbourhood which environment best suits your lifestyle. Those who want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the quays would do better to look for something in Noord-Oost south. The municipality of Smallingerland provides more information about living and amenities in the area on the municipal website.
Renting in Noord-Oost: who is this suitable for, and who is not?
Renting in Noord-Oost is most suitable for people who enjoy urban liveliness and do not mind some environmental noise, especially around the quays. Young adults and singles, the largest groups in the neighbourhood, find a functional living environment here with good amenities and accessibility. Families with young children seeking peace and green space are less at home here. Those who prefer buying over renting can check the range of homes for sale in Noord-Oost. The free-sector rental supply is narrow, so those who want flexibility would do well to also look at the nearby De Singels or the slightly quieter De Wiken.
Looking for a rental home in Noord-Oost? How to find current listings
On this page, Buurtje.nl collects daily current rental listings in Noord-Oost, including filters on price, area and energy label. Would you like to rent a home in Noord-Oost but is the supply currently limited? Then also check the listings in the adjacent Centrum, the slightly greener Drachtstervaart, or broaden your search to all neighbourhoods and districts in Smallingerland.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of a rental home in Noord-Oost?
In the free sector (excluding social housing), the average rent in Noord-Oost over the past year was €999 per month, with a range of €946 to €1,100 per month. The average living area of rented homes was 71 m². Social housing through a housing association falls outside these figures and typically has lower rents.
How long is the waiting time for social housing in Noord-Oost?
Noord-Oost has a relatively large share of housing associations: 32% of the housing stock is owned by a housing association. Waiting times for social housing in Drachten and the surrounding area are managed by the relevant associations and can run up to several years, depending on the type of home and registration period. For current waiting list information, you can contact the municipality of Smallingerland or the local housing association.
Is Noord-Oost a safe neighbourhood to rent in?
Residents rate safety in Noord-Oost a 6.0 out of 10. One resident noted that the police are rarely present, especially around the quays where hospitality and nightlife venues are located. The neighbourhood thus scores average on safety. Those sensitive to nighttime bustle and noise would do well to look at one of the quieter sub-neighbourhoods.
Are there good schools near Noord-Oost?
Education scores remarkably high in Noord-Oost: residents give it an 8.0 out of 10, the highest sub-score of all assessed categories. This makes the neighbourhood relatively attractive for families with school-age children, even though the neighbourhood itself seems more geared towards young singles and couples.
How is the accessibility when renting a home in Noord-Oost?
Accessibility is one of the stronger points of Noord-Oost, with a resident score of 7.0 out of 10. Drachten does not have its own train station, but is well accessible by bus and lies on the A7 motorway. For those commuting daily to Groningen or Leeuwarden, the location is acceptable, although a car or bicycle is practically indispensable.
Nice neighbourhood. Many beautiful homes. Also close to all the amenities you need.
Auto-translated to English by AISafe and social control.
Auto-translated to English by AIOn the quays there is a lot of noise.. Logical if you live on a "street" with nightlife. With eateries, clubs, pubs, outdoor terraces with lighting..very cosy... but enormously chaotic! You have to be able to handle it... Furthermore, I find the police presence rather lacking, there is a lot of crime and violence sometimes.. mess on the street from eateries for example... safety could be better, if the housing corporation paid more attention to the residents around this area..
Auto-translated to English by AI



