Rental homes in Waterfront, Harderwijk

Is renting in Waterfront financially feasible for you?

Let's not beat around the bush: Waterfront is one of the most exclusive parts of Harderwijk. If you look at the figures, you'll immediately see that this is no ordinary residential area. The average WOZ value here is €519,000, which is significantly higher than the municipal average of €382,000. This is also reflected in the rental market. With only 27% rental properties compared to 73% owner-occupied homes, supply is scarce. While in other neighbourhoods you often still see a mix with social housing, the rental market in Waterfront consists almost entirely of the private sector. Only 3% is owned by housing corporations, while 23% of homes are offered by other landlords (such as private investors or institutional funds).

What does this mean for your wallet if you want to rent a home here? Over the past twelve months, the average rent for a home in the private sector was around €1,400 per month, with a range between €1,350 and €1,430. For that amount, you do get space: an average of 101 square metres. An important bright spot in monthly costs is the energy bill. Because Waterfront is a new-build location, the houses are extremely well insulated. The average gas consumption is only 720 m³ per year; that is very low compared to older neighbourhoods. For current availability and daily prices, we refer you to the overview at the top of this page, as the market moves quickly.

Living by the water: atmosphere and resident experiences

Waterfront is not just an extension of the city; it is a completely new way of living in Harderwijk. The neighbourhood is built up of various islands and quays, so water is always nearby. This attracts a specific group of residents. The largest population group is between 25 and 45 years old (560 residents), and many households (315) have no children living at home. The education level is high; 54% of residents are highly educated. This creates a fairly dynamic, modern atmosphere that feels less 'village-like' than traditional neighbourhoods, but is still very social.

Residents greatly appreciate their neighbourhood, which is reflected in the nice ratings. With an average score of 8.0 across all aspects — from safety to beauty — satisfaction is high. Resident Daisy Bos-Amiot sums up the feeling well in her review: "A beautiful residential area and easily accessible." She describes how she lives pleasantly in her row of six houses: "Friendly people, with some we have good contacts and help each other where possible!" This disproves the prejudice that new-build neighbourhoods are impersonal. Would you like to read more such experiences or dive deeper into the statistics? Then check out the detailed data on the Waterfront neighbourhood page.

The layout of the neighbourhood plays a major role in the experience. For example, you can live chicly on De Eilanden, where the focus is really on the water experience. If you are looking for something that feels more urban and directly connects to the boulevard, then the atmosphere in De Kades might suit you better. Neighbourhoods like Stadswerven and the characteristic De Knar also contribute to the diversity. The big advantage of this location is that you can walk via the boulevard straight to the historic Binnenstad for a terrace, while by car via the N302 you are quickly out of the city. That combination of peace, water and urban amenities makes it unique.

Does a rental home in Waterfront suit your lifestyle?

Given the income level in the neighbourhood (average €49,400 per year) and the rental prices, rental homes in Waterfront target a specific audience. It is an ideal place for dual-income couples, expats and seniors who have sold their large family home and want to live comfortably without maintenance worries. Are you looking for a cheap apartment to rent or are you dependent on social housing? Then your chances of success here are unfortunately small and the waiting time is very long. For families with growing children, the neighbourhood is certainly safe and fun, but keep in mind that the gardens are often more compact than in the 1970s neighbourhoods. Are you torn between renting and buying? Given the low interest rates of recent years and the value stability of this area, looking at homes for sale in Waterfront is often an interesting alternative.

How do you find an available rental home?

Because in the private sector, on average only about 10 homes per year change tenants in this specific area, you need to be quick. Buurtje.nl helps you by bundling listings from various sources. Is there currently nothing available in Waterfront? Then take a look at the listings of rental homes in Harderwijk in general. Often you can fall back on the adjacent Zeebuurt or the green neighbourhood Stadsdennen, where the turnover in rental homes is often slightly higher. For official information about parking permits in this new area, you can visit the website of the municipality of Harderwijk.