Homes for sale in Smallingerland
View the current supply of homes for sale in Smallingerland. Compare prices, neighbourhood scores and resident reviews and find your new home.
Buying a house in Smallingerland: the housing market in 2026
Smallingerland is the municipality around Drachten, the third largest town in Fryslân. With over 56,600 residents, it is a municipality that combines urban amenities with a remarkably green, spacious environment. Drachten functions as a regional centre with employers such as Philips, Nij Smellinghe hospital and a wide range of shops in shopping centres De Lawei and Raadhuisplein. Its location on the A7 makes Heerenveen, Groningen and Leeuwarden easily accessible, making Smallingerland popular with commuters.
Of the more than 26,200 homes in the municipality, 60% are owner-occupied and 40% are rental. The average WOZ value is €276,000. Over the past twelve months, 234 homes were sold at an average purchase price of €403,962, with a range from €127,500 to €1,200,000. The average floor area of sold homes is 149 m². The market is fairly active: homes sell relatively quickly, indicating a tight market where you need to be decisive as a buyer. At the top of this page, see the current time on market and the current supply of homes for sale in Smallingerland. On Buurtje.nl, you will find neighbourhood scores and resident reviews for each home, so you can assess not only the house but also the neighbourhood, based on listings from more than 1,500 sources.
The best neighbourhoods to buy a house in Smallingerland
Smallingerland has fifteen official neighbourhoods, from the compact centre of Drachten to sprawling rural areas with detached houses on large plots. Each neighbourhood has its own character and price level. Below are the most notable neighbourhoods for buyers.
De Drait, popular family neighbourhood with water and greenery
De Drait is one of the most sought-after neighbourhoods in Drachten. Built from the 1970s onwards and later expanded with newer parts, this neighbourhood offers spacious single-family homes, plenty of greenery and water around the Drachtstervaart. Families appreciate the proximity of primary schools, sports facilities and playgrounds. Residents give De Drait a strong 8.7 out of 10 based on 6 reviews. "Nice, quiet neighbourhood with plenty of space for children," writes one resident. Prices here are generally above the municipal average, especially for the newer parts near the water. View the housing supply in De Drait for the current situation.
Centrum, lively living close to all amenities
The centre of Drachten is compact and well-organised, with a mix of apartments above shops, townhouses and new-build projects. If you want to buy an apartment in Smallingerland, you will find the most supply here. Everything is within walking distance: supermarkets, theatre De Lawei, the library and the bus station. Residents rate the centre a 9.0 out of 10. Prices vary: an upper-floor apartment can start at around €130,000, while a renovated townhouse can go up to €400,000. Discover what is currently for sale in the Centrum.
Drachtstervaart, village living on the edge of Drachten
Drachtstervaart is a small ribbon along the canal, just outside the built-up area of Drachten. It feels village-like and quiet, with detached houses and semi-detached homes on larger plots. The neighbourhood score is remarkably high: 9.6 out of 10. This is a neighbourhood for movers seeking space without being far from Drachten's amenities. Prices here are above average due to the larger living area and plot size. View the available homes in Drachtstervaart.
De Bouwen, affordable and good for starters
De Bouwen is a neighbourhood from the 1960s and 1970s on the west side of Drachten. Here you will find terraced houses and porch flats at prices below the municipal average. This makes De Bouwen interesting for starters and people looking for an affordable home. The neighbourhood scores an 8.4 out of 10 among residents. There are primary schools, a neighbourhood shopping centre and good bus connections. See the current supply on the page for De Bouwen.
Buitengebied Noord, peace and space outside Drachten
For those who really want to live rurally, Buitengebied Noord is an option. Here you will find detached houses, farms and farmhouses on large plots. The neighbourhood score is 10.0 out of 10, although this is based on one review. Prices vary widely: from a simple home to well over €800,000 for a converted farmhouse. Keep in mind that amenities are at a distance. View the supply in Buitengebied Noord.
Other neighbourhoods worth exploring: De Singels (7.9 among residents, a green neighbourhood with many single-family homes), De Trisken (7.5, a newer neighbourhood on the south side) and De Folgeren (7.0, affordable but slightly less highly rated). Read all ratings and reviews per neighbourhood on the municipal page of Smallingerland to get a good picture.
What to look out for when buying a home in Smallingerland?
Firstly: look beyond just Drachten centre. Neighbourhoods like De Bouwen and De Folgeren offer lower entry prices, while you are within a ten-minute bike ride of the centre. That can save tens of thousands of euros on the purchase price. Especially for starters, this is worth considering.
Secondly: the market in Smallingerland has become tighter. Homes sell quickly and overbidding occurs, especially for well-maintained family homes under €350,000. Make sure your financing is in order before you go viewing, and engage a local buying agent who knows the Drachten market.
Thirdly: accessibility varies by neighbourhood. If you live in the centre or De Drait, you have good bus connections and quick access to the A7. In the rural areas, you are dependent on the car. Also check the proximity of schools if you have children, as not every neighbourhood has a primary school within walking distance.
Finally: use the neighbourhood scores and resident reviews on Buurtje.nl to compare neighbourhoods on safety, green space and community feel. This gives you insight that you won't get from an estate agent's description. And if buying is not yet feasible, also check the supply of rental homes in Smallingerland as an alternative.
What residents say about living in Smallingerland
Based on 22 reviews, residents rate Smallingerland an 8.0 out of 10. The highest sub-scores are for green space (8.4), education (8.2) and amenities (8.2). Residents appreciate the combination of a complete range of amenities with a quiet, green living environment. "Everything is close by and yet you don't live in the hustle and bustle of a big city," says a resident of De Drait. The best-rated neighbourhoods are Buitengebied Noord (10.0), Drachtstervaart (9.6) and Centrum (9.0). Curious about all experiences? Read the full resident reviews of Smallingerland.
Homes for sale near Smallingerland
Looking beyond Smallingerland too? The surrounding municipalities also offer interesting opportunities. View the supply in Heerenveen, which is a quarter of an hour's drive away via the A7. Achtkarspelen and Dantumadiel also offer village living at often lower prices. Towards the lakes, you will find homes in De Fryske Marren. Read more about the region on the page of the province of Fryslân.
View the current supply of homes for sale in Smallingerland
At the top of this page, you will find the complete, daily updated overview of homes for sale in Smallingerland. Use the filters to search by price, floor area or energy label. For each home, you will immediately see the neighbourhood score and what residents think of the area. This way, you can assess not only the house but also the neighbourhood before planning a viewing. The municipality of Smallingerland also provides information on zoning plans and construction projects that may be relevant to your choice.
Frequently asked questions
How many owner-occupied homes are for sale in Smallingerland?
The current number of owner-occupied homes in Smallingerland can be found at the top of this page. The supply is updated daily based on more than 1,500 sources, so you always have a complete overview of what is available.
What does a home cost in Smallingerland?
The average purchase price in Smallingerland is €403,962 over the past twelve months. The range runs from €127,500 to €1,200,000. In neighbourhoods such as De Bouwen and De Folgeren you will find homes below the average, while Drachtstervaart and De Drait are more expensive.
What is the average price per square metre in Smallingerland?
Based on an average purchase price of €403,962 and an average floor area of 149 m², the price per square metre comes to approximately €2,711. This varies by neighbourhood: in the centre you pay more per m² for an apartment than for a spacious single-family home in the rural area.
How long does a home stay on the market on average in Smallingerland?
The current average selling time can be found at the top of this page. The market in Smallingerland has become tighter in recent years, with relatively short selling times. Family homes under €350,000 in particular sell quickly.
Which neighbourhoods in Smallingerland are the most popular for buying a home?
The best-rated neighbourhoods by residents are Buitengebied Noord (10.0), Drachtstervaart (9.6) and Centrum (9.0). De Drait scores 8.7 and is popular with families due to the space and greenery. De Bouwen (8.4) attracts starters because of the lower prices.
Is Smallingerland a good place to buy a home?
Smallingerland offers a complete range of amenities with a hospital, schools and shops, combined with a green environment. The WOZ value (€276,000) is lower than the national average, the labour participation rate is 64% and major employers such as Philips are based in Drachten. Residents give the municipality a score of 8.0 out of 10.
What are the additional costs when buying a home in Smallingerland?
Expect 4 to 6% on top of the purchase price in additional costs. This includes transfer tax (2%, with a starter exemption for buyers under 35 for homes up to €510,000), notary fees, valuation costs and possibly estate agent fees. For a home of €400,000, this amounts to an extra €16,000 to €24,000.
How accessible is Smallingerland?
Drachten is located directly on the A7 (Heerenveen-Groningen) and is connected to Leeuwarden via the A31. By car, you can reach Groningen or Heerenveen in 25 minutes. There is no train station, but regular buses run to Groningen and Leeuwarden. For daily commuting, a car is recommended in the outer neighbourhoods.
Can I search for owner-occupied homes per neighbourhood in Smallingerland?
Yes, Smallingerland is divided into fifteen neighbourhoods, each with its own page showing available homes, neighbourhood scores and resident reviews. This allows you to search specifically in, for example, De Drait, Centrum or De Bouwen and immediately see how residents rate the area.
How many homes are there in total in Smallingerland?
The total housing stock of Smallingerland amounts to 26,241 homes. Of these, 60% are owner-occupied and 40% are rental homes (of which 30% are social housing). The largest share consists of single-family homes, particularly in the neighbourhoods around the centre of Drachten.
Nice neighbourhood. Many beautiful homes. Also close to all the amenities you need.
Auto-translated to English by AISafe and social control.
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Auto-translated to English by AIAttentive and helpful
Auto-translated to English by AIOn the side facing Himsterhout lies a quiet, safe and green neighbourhood in the Trisken. The streets are peaceful and surrounded by trees and green strips. It feels like a place where you can live with peace of mind, where children can play safely outside and nature is always close by. The combination of safety, tranquillity and greenery makes it a real recommendation to live. It is a pleasant neighbourhood to stay in, with plenty of space to relax and enjoy a quiet living environment. Moreover, all amenities are within walking or cycling distance.
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Auto-translated to English by AISelf-sufficient, public transport is mediocre
Auto-translated to English by AIVery pleasant neighbourhood to live in. Amenities and nature are within walking distance.
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