Homes for sale in Westerveld
View the current supply of homes for sale in Westerveld. Compare prices, neighbourhood scores and resident reviews per village.
Buying a house in Westerveld: the housing market in 2026
Westerveld is a sprawling rural municipality in the southwest of Drenthe, characterised by forests, heathlands and small villages. The municipality has over 20,000 inhabitants, spread across places such as Dwingeloo, Havelte, Diever and Vledder. Anyone buying a home here consciously chooses space and nature: the Dwingelderveld (the largest wet heathland in Western Europe) and the Drents-Friese Wold National Park are literally on your doorstep. The downside is that for many amenities, large employers and secondary schools, you have to rely on Meppel, Hoogeveen or Assen, each about a 20 to 30-minute drive away.
The housing market in Westerveld is heavily skewed towards owner-occupied homes: 75% of the more than 8,750 homes are owner-occupied. The average WOZ value is €374,000. Over the past twelve months, 306 homes were sold at an average purchase price of €583,403, with a range of €115,000 to €1,950,000. This spread shows that both affordable village homes and substantial country houses come onto the market. The average floor area of sold homes is 175 m², indicating that you get a lot of square metres for your money compared to the Randstad. At the top of this page, you can see the current supply, the average asking price and the time on market. On Buurtje.nl, each property has neighbourhood scores and resident reviews, so you can assess not just the house but also the surroundings.
The best neighbourhoods to buy a house in Westerveld
Westerveld has fifteen villages and hamlets, each with its own character. From lively village centres with a supermarket and primary school to quiet rural areas where your neighbour is a sheep farmer. Below are the main residential areas for buyers.
Havelte, the largest village with the most amenities
Havelte is by far the largest centre in Westerveld and has a complete range of amenities: supermarket, GP, primary schools, sports clubs and hospitality around the village square. The village is conveniently located on the N371 towards Meppel and has its own bus stop. Families and movers feel at home here due to the combination of village tranquillity and everyday conveniences. Residents give Havelte a 7.2 on Buurtje.nl, based on 6 reviews. Housing scores a 7.7 and green space an 8.9, but in terms of community spirit (6.3) there is room for improvement. One resident notes: "Havelte is quiet and green, but you have to like village life, because the amenities are limited compared to a city." Prices are around the municipal average. View the housing supply in Havelte.
Dwingeloo, culture and astronomy in a green village
Dwingeloo is known for the radio telescope and planetarium, but it is also a lively village with a cosy village green, shops, restaurants and an active club life. The Dwingelderveld starts at the edge of the village, making Dwingeloo popular with nature lovers and active retirees. There are two primary schools and a good bus connection to Assen. Homes in the centre are sought after and change hands quickly, while in the rural area you get more space and land for your budget. View what is currently for sale in Dwingeloo.
Wapse, the highest-rated village in the municipality
The small village of Wapse scores the highest neighbourhood rating in all of Westerveld with an 8.9. It is a quiet hamlet north of Diever, with a close-knit community and plenty of space. People who live here consciously choose silence and a large plot. There are hardly any amenities: for groceries you drive to Diever or Dwingeloo. This makes Wapse less suitable for first-time buyers without a car, but all the more attractive for movers and homeworkers seeking peace and quiet. View the supply in Wapse.
Frederiksoord, colonial heritage and a strong identity
Frederiksoord owes its fame to the Colonies of Benevolence, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2021. The village has a special character with its historic buildings, the gardens of the Society of Benevolence and an active village community. Residents rate the village with an 8.1. The housing stock is limited, so properties rarely come on the market. Prices here are somewhat lower than in Havelte or Dwingeloo, partly due to the distance from larger centres. View the available homes in Frederiksoord.
Diever, historic but with caveats
Diever has a picturesque village green, the famous Shakespeare theatre and some basic amenities. Yet the village scores a remarkably low 5.5 from residents. Accessibility and the level of amenities are perceived as mediocre. For buyers looking for an affordable entry into Westerveld, Diever could be interesting, but it is wise to look around thoroughly and talk to residents first. View the supply in Diever.
In addition to these centres, there are smaller villages worth considering. Uffelte scores an 8.4 from residents and is nicely situated between Havelte and Dwingeloo. Vledder has its own supermarket and primary school, and Doldersum is an option for those who want to live truly remotely. Read all ratings and reviews per neighbourhood on the municipal page of Westerveld.
What to look out for when buying a house in Westerveld
Firstly: look carefully at the accessibility of the centre where you buy. Westerveld has no train station. You are dependent on the car or bus, and the bus does not run equally frequently everywhere. If you live in Havelte or Dwingeloo, you can be on the A28 within a quarter of an hour. From Diever or Wapse, it takes longer to reach the motorway.
Secondly: the spread in prices is enormous. A simple terraced house in Diever can be around €200,000, while a detached house with land in Dwingeloo or Havelte can go towards €700,000 or more. So do not be misled by the municipal average of €583,403. Look per village at what is realistic for your budget.
Thirdly: take energy costs into account. Many homes in Westerveld are older and not always well insulated. The average gas consumption is 1,410 m³, indicating considerable heating in winter. Always ask for the energy label and factor in renovation costs.
Finally: use the neighbourhood scores and resident reviews on Buurtje.nl to get an honest picture of the neighbourhood where you want to buy. The scores range from 5.5 to 8.9, so the difference per village is large. Would you rather rent? Then also check the rental properties in Westerveld.
What residents say about living in Westerveld
Residents rate Westerveld an average of 7.4 out of 10, based on 10 reviews. The highest scores go to green space and nature (8.9) and the beauty of the surroundings (8.0). Safety and accessibility both score 7.1, and community spirit comes out at 6.3. The latter is striking: in a rural municipality you might expect a higher score, but residents indicate that social cohesion varies greatly per village. A resident of Wapse writes: "You live here in the middle of nature, the peace and quiet is priceless." Want to read all reviews and compare scores per neighbourhood? Then view the full ratings of Westerveld.
Homes for sale near Westerveld
Looking beyond Westerveld? The surrounding municipalities each offer their own advantages. De Wolden lies directly to the south and has similar villages with slightly more amenities. Assen offers a more urban alternative with shops, schools and a train station. Aa en Hunze is just as green and rural, but on the eastern side of Drenthe. Coevorden and Emmen are also worth a look if you want more urban amenities at a lower price level.
View the current supply of homes for sale in Westerveld
At the top of this page you will find the complete overview of homes for sale in Westerveld, compiled from more than 1,500 sources. Use the filters on price, floor area and energy label to search specifically. For each property you can see the neighbourhood score and read residents' experiences directly, so you can make an informed choice for your new home in Drenthe.
Frequently asked questions
How many homes for sale are there in Westerveld?
The current number of homes for sale in Westerveld can be found at the top of this page. The listings are updated daily from over 1,500 sources, so you always have a complete overview of what is available in all villages of the municipality.
What does a home cost in Westerveld?
The average purchase price in Westerveld over the past twelve months was €583,403. The cheapest homes sold for around €115,000 and the most expensive for €1,950,000. Prices vary greatly per village: in Diever you generally find cheaper homes, while Dwingeloo and Havelte are at the higher end.
What is the average price per square metre in Westerveld?
Based on an average purchase price of €583,403 and an average floor area of 175 m², the price per square metre comes to approximately €3,334. This is an average; compact village homes are relatively more expensive per m² than large detached houses with plenty of land.
How long does a home typically stay on the market in Westerveld?
The current average selling time can be found at the top of this page. Generally, the market in Westerveld is less tight than in urban areas, but sought-after villages like Dwingeloo and Havelte have a faster turnover. Homes in smaller hamlets sometimes stay on the market a bit longer.
Which neighbourhoods in Westerveld are most popular for buying a home?
The best-rated villages by residents are Wapse (8.9), Uffelte (8.4) and Frederiksoord (8.1). Havelte is the most popular in terms of amenities and attracts the most buyers. Dwingeloo is popular with nature lovers and retirees. Each village has its own character, so it pays to compare neighbourhood scores and reviews.
Is Westerveld a good place to buy a home?
Westerveld is a good choice if you like space, nature and peace. The municipality has over 20,000 residents, the WOZ value is €374,000 and the labour participation rate is 62%. Strong points are the green environment (8.9) and beauty (8.0). Disadvantages are the limited amenities and the lack of a train station, making you dependent on the car.
What are the additional costs when buying a home in Westerveld?
Expect 4 to 6% in additional costs on top of the purchase price. This includes transfer tax (2% for homes), notary fees, valuation costs and possibly estate agent fees. Buyers under 35 who purchase a home below the threshold may qualify for the starter exemption on transfer tax.
How accessible is Westerveld?
Westerveld has no train station. The nearest stations are Meppel and Beilen, both about a 20-minute drive away. By car, from Havelte you can quickly reach the A28 towards Zwolle or Groningen. Buses run, but frequency is limited, especially in the evenings and at weekends. A car is almost essential in this municipality.
Can I search for homes for sale by neighbourhood in Westerveld?
Yes, on this page you can filter by neighbourhood. Westerveld has fifteen villages and hamlets, each with its own page, including neighbourhood scores and resident reviews. This allows you to search specifically in, for example, Havelte, Dwingeloo, Diever or Frederiksoord and see directly how residents rate their village.
How many homes are there in total in Westerveld?
Westerveld has 8,757 homes. Of these, 75% are owner-occupied and 25% are rental properties. Of the rental properties, 17% are owned by a housing association. The majority of the housing stock consists of single-family homes; buying apartments in Westerveld is limited due to the rural character of the municipality.
It is a cozy green neighbourhood around Havelte
Auto-translated to English by AINice neighbourhood with diverse ages. Good atmosphere, quiet, next to nature. Really nice to live
Auto-translated to English by AIIt's fine, but maybe a bit more cosiness
Auto-translated to English by AIA lovely little village to live in, everyone knows everyone culture. School, shops and swimming pool within walking distance.
Auto-translated to English by AILiving is pleasant, because of the space. The only thing I find annoying/negative is how incredibly fast cars drive here. There are also blind corners, it's sometimes scary to walk or cycle here.
Auto-translated to English by AIIt's very cosy here and everyone is welcoming
Auto-translated to English by AISince I live alone, I constantly suffer from burglary and also the pulling up of my garden; there is no herb against it. I have been electrocuted, walked with a large bump for 2 years, and experienced worse things; the police act as if I'm making it up. All my valuables and memories of my family were stolen; I made a donation but have to provide proof. The foundation of my building has been pulled away so it's leaning, etc.; my curtains stolen, everything torn apart, even my clothes are ruined. Eventually the police did something about it and were friendly. After changing my lock 100 times, I discovered that someone climbs through the roof and there is a hatch from a roof point where I live below, where I had made my clothes storage; holes in a dress so I could be spied on. Yes, so sad, and someone who tells things to anyone who wants to hear, which I can't even think about what I do then. Disgusting people; his wife walked with the mail which was read first, and also through burglary my data was all within reach and everything was used; I was hacked and scammed. Eventually you realize that; really sickening, people without any empathy for others, materialistic. So first blacken someone and then no one sees anything, everything is fine. I keep to myself and focus on other things because I can't relate to this; also don't want to become angry, but this naturally costs nerves; still busy finding a solution with my nothing against pulling out windows, etc., opening windows, which was done later since the hatch is closed. Neighbors see nothing; the latest is that a step was made crooked so that when I climbed it, it fell, but I fortunately saved myself by grabbing a rebate. So my chair has a crooked leg, etc.; you can think of things they haven't touched. I had leaks for months and things soaked, and never got anything back from insurance, etc. This through roof climbing. Because of all this, I am in a scheme, and it hasn't become easier; on the contrary.
Auto-translated to English by AIIt's a fine neighbourhood. Safe, but the average age is also very high, which means there are no friends living nearby.
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