Rental homes in Smilde-Centrum, Midden-Drenthe
Looking for a rental property in Smilde-Centrum? Check the current listings on this page and discover what this Drenthe neighbourhood has to offer.
Rental prices and market figures Smilde-Centrum, Midden-Drenthe
Of the more than 1,767 homes in Smilde-Centrum, 40% are in the rental sector, the remaining 60% are owner-occupied. That rental percentage is relatively high for a Drenthe village, and a large part of it is social housing: about 31% of all homes are owned by a housing association, while only 8% belong to other (private) landlords. Free-sector rentals are therefore limited in this neighbourhood.
In the free sector (excluding social housing), four homes were rented out in the past twelve months, with an average rental price of €1,226 per month. The range was between €1,200 and €1,235 per month, with an average living area of 144 m². That works out to about €8.51 per m² per month. For current available rental properties and the most recent average rental price, you can check the overview at the top of this page.
The average WOZ value in Smilde-Centrum is €239,000, which is lower than the district average of Smilde (€254,000) and clearly lower than the municipal average of Midden-Drenthe (€299,000). This reflects the type of housing and construction period in this part of the village. Are you also interested in buying? Then check out the range of homes for sale in Smilde-Centrum.
Living in Smilde-Centrum, Midden-Drenthe
Smilde-Centrum is the heart of the eponymous village in the municipality of Midden-Drenthe, located on the Drentsche Hoofdkanaal. It is a quiet, predominantly village-like neighbourhood with a mix of older terraced houses, post-war single-family homes and housing association properties. The atmosphere is sober and down-to-earth, as you would expect from a Drenthe centre village. The greenery scores highly among residents (8.3/10), and that fits: the surroundings of the canal and the green through roads give the neighbourhood an open character. Renting in Smilde-Centrum means choosing peace, space and low housing costs, but also a neighbourhood that could use some maintenance in some areas.
Facilities in Smilde-Centrum
The village centre of Smilde offers basic facilities within walking distance. There is a supermarket, and for more extensive shopping or specialist shops, the larger towns of Beilen and Assen are within easy reach. The education score from residents is remarkably high (8.5/10), indicating that primary education is easily accessible from the neighbourhood. For secondary education, students rely on surrounding places. In terms of sports and recreation, Smilde offers opportunities for walking and cycling along the canal and through the surrounding nature. The overall facilities score of 5.0/10 is the lowest part of the resident ratings, indicating that residents experience the range of shops and services as limited. For current municipal policy and facilities, see the website of Midden-Drenthe municipality.
Accessibility of Smilde-Centrum
Accessibility scores well: residents give it an 8.3/10. By car, Smilde is conveniently located relative to Assen (about 15 kilometres, about 15 minutes' drive) and Meppel (about 25 kilometres). The N371 connects Smilde with the region. Public transport is available via bus connections towards Assen and Hoogeveen, although the frequency is limited as in many Drenthe villages. A private car or bicycle is therefore almost indispensable. Parking is generally not a problem in Smilde-Centrum: there is plenty of space and no permit requirement. Cyclists benefit from the relatively flat surroundings and good cycle paths towards surrounding villages.
Atmosphere and resident reviews
Smilde-Centrum receives an overall score of 6.8 out of 10 from residents, based on three reviews. The community score (6.0) and the housing score (6.3) are on the low side. Resident Roos writes: "I notice a lot of incompetence in prejudices about appearance, your dog, waste, other people's belongings, nuisance from cats, poor maintenance of pavements, fire escape not lit and paving is poor." Resident Romanos mentions practical problems: unlit fire escapes, protruding sleepers and a poorly working ventilation system. Water damage in gardens and surroundings is mentioned by several residents. These are signals to take seriously during a viewing: ask about the state of maintenance, the crawl space and the ventilation, especially for housing association homes. See all experiences and sub-scores on the neighbourhood page of Smilde-Centrum.
Compared to sister neighbourhoods, Smilde-Centrum has a central location that Smilde-Noord and Smilde-Zuid do not have, but also more housing association properties and a slightly older housing stock. Those looking for more space and a greener environment can also look at what is for rent in Verspreide huizen Smilde.
Is a rental home in Smilde-Centrum right for you?
Smilde-Centrum mainly attracts older residents (the 65-plus group is the largest age category with over 1,015 people) and single-person households (595 units). That says something about the atmosphere: it is not a bustling neighbourhood for young starters or families with young children, although they certainly live there too. The average income is €31,000, slightly below the municipal average of €34,500. The labour participation rate is 63%. Renting in Smilde-Centrum is financially accessible compared to the rest of Midden-Drenthe, but the free-sector supply is limited. Those hoping to rent an apartment in Smilde-Centrum will find that supply is scarce and goes quickly. For social housing, registration with the local housing association is necessary; expect waiting lists. An alternative is to look at the broader rental supply in Midden-Drenthe, or at nearby districts such as Beilen or Hijken.
What residents say about Smilde-Centrum
The average resident score for Smilde-Centrum is 6.8 out of 10 (3 reviews). Strongest points are education (8.5), accessibility (8.3) and greenery (8.3). The lowest scores go to facilities (5.0) and housing (6.3). Resident Romanos (5.6/10) describes a neighbourhood with practical shortcomings: "Fire escape not lit by lanterns. Ventilation system does not work. Draught, mould, water under crawl space." These are concrete points to look out for during a viewing. All reviews and sub-scores can be found on the resident page of Smilde-Centrum.
Compare rental properties in and around Smilde-Centrum
Do you want to compare renting a home in Smilde-Centrum with other options in the area? On Buurtje.nl you combine current property supply with resident scores, district data and rental market figures, information you won't find at any other property site at neighbourhood level. Also check the supply in the broader district via rental properties in Smilde, or explore other districts in the municipality such as Hooghalen and Wijster. The available rental properties in Smilde-Centrum, including filters on price, area and energy label, are at the top of this page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Smilde-Centrum, Midden-Drenthe?
In the free sector (excluding social housing), the average rent in Smilde-Centrum over the past twelve months was €1,226 per month, with a range of €1,200 to €1,235 per month. The average living area was 144 m², which works out to about €8.51 per m² per month. Social housing is typically much cheaper, but registration with a housing association is required for that.
Are there social housing properties in Smilde-Centrum?
Yes, social housing is well represented in Smilde-Centrum: about 31% of all homes are owned by housing associations. To get a social housing property, you need to register with the regional housing association active in Midden-Drenthe, such as Actium. Be prepared for waiting lists, which can be long in Drenthe villages. The total rental percentage in the neighbourhood is 40%, of which 8% is from private landlords.
What is it like to live in Smilde-Centrum?
Smilde-Centrum is a quiet, village-like neighbourhood along the Drentsche Hoofdkanaal with plenty of greenery and an open character. Residents give the neighbourhood a score of 6.8 out of 10. Its strongest points are education, accessibility, and green spaces. Areas for attention include the maintenance of pavements and alleyways, waterlogging in gardens, and a limited range of amenities. It is a neighbourhood that suits people who appreciate peace and space over urban hustle and bustle.
Is Smilde-Centrum suitable for senior tenants?
Smilde-Centrum has the largest number of residents in the 65-plus age group (over 1,015 people), giving the neighbourhood a quiet and stable character. Single-person households are in the majority, and the surroundings are green and easy to navigate. Accessibility by car is good, but public transport is limited. For seniors who rely on public transport or extensive care facilities within walking distance, the neighbourhood is less suitable.
How accessible is Smilde-Centrum?
Residents rate accessibility at 8.3 out of 10. By car, Assen can be reached in about 15 minutes via the N371, and Meppel in about 25 minutes. Bus services run to Assen and Hoogeveen, but frequency is limited. A car or bicycle is almost essential in Smilde-Centrum. Parking is free and generally not a problem.
What amenities are there in Smilde-Centrum?
The village centre of Smilde has basic amenities, including a supermarket. Residents give amenities the lowest sub-score: 5.0 out of 10, indicating that the offering is perceived as limited. For more extensive shops, dining, or healthcare services, Beilen and Assen are the places to go. Primary education is easily accessible; for secondary education, students rely on surrounding towns.
Is Smilde-Centrum a safe neighbourhood to rent in?
Residents rate safety in Smilde-Centrum at 6.7 out of 10, which is slightly below average. In their reviews, residents mention practical annoyances such as unlit alleyways and poorly maintained pavements, rather than crime. It is a quiet neighbourhood, but attention to the maintenance of public spaces remains a recurring point in resident experiences.
Alley not lit by street lamps. Responsibility lies with the housing association. I have a broken little toe from protruding sleepers of a garden in the alley. Ventilation system doesn't work. Draft, mould, water under crawl space. There was also a visit from a company regarding energy level. C was personal, will become B for business. The housing association in question is difficult to communicate with, in my experience. Same with the pavements in the alley and the drain I called the relevant department about, but still need to report it. The neighbourhood. I've only just moved here and what strikes me is that there are no rubbish bins where you can, for example, dispose of your dog's waste. I also see that people dump waste in the private woodland areas where you're allowed to walk, including the poop bags. And then the pavements. Dangerous! And in the neighbourhood itself, people drive too fast. I don't get too worked up about it, but I actually find it quite annoying. The greenery, walking paths, private woods where you can walk are beautiful. With diversity of flora and fauna. But again, I see stepped-on mushrooms, plastic, cans, bottles, and much more. I take with me what I can take. But actually, there should be a bin at the beginning of the path, which is on municipal land. I notice little of the community. I'm quite a loner. When I walk the dog, people are friendly. It has become a reasonably mixed village.
Auto-translated to English by AII notice a lot of incompetence in prejudices about appearance, your dog, waste, other people's belongings, nuisance from cats, poor maintenance of pavements, alleyways without lighting and poor paving. Little information about possible help for the less fortunate. Water damage in gardens and surroundings. Car tyres are always flat in certain parking spots. Setting off fireworks too early. And probably more.
Auto-translated to English by AIIt's a lovely green area with all amenities nearby. The only thing I miss is a lunchroom/coffee shop/restaurant.
Auto-translated to English by AI


