Housing

The city of Groningen boasts a variety of different neighbourhoods. From the characteristic old city districts around the centre to areas with newly built homes for families. Each neighbourhood is unique, and there's always one that best suits your preferences. To discover which neighbourhood aligns with your wishes, GroningenLife has put together an overview describing the various neighbourhoods.

Besides the city, Groningen also has beautiful countryside, with villages full of character where it is wonderful to live. The big advantage: you can enjoy the atmosphere of a village and the vastness of the Groningen landscape but, if necessary, you can be in the city in no time. Close to the city you will find villages such as Haren, Meerstad and Ten Boer. Also, further into the province you will find gems to live in, such as Winschoten, Appingedam and Niehove. And did you know that here you can even live in the most beautiful village of the Netherlands? Winsum was voted the most beautiful city in the country by the ANWB in 2020.

Once you've found where you want to settle down, it's time to look for a house, apartment, or room. It's good to start early as it can take several months before you find something. When searching, you have two options: renting or buying. Most people choose to start by renting a house and then, from a rental property, search for a house to buy. At Home in Groningen provides a lot of information on what to consider when looking for a house in Groningen. There are also various websites where you can find housing options in Groningen. For rental properties, you can check Pararius, Woningnet, and Kamernet. If you're looking to buy a property, you can find many houses on Funda or get in touch with a local real estate agent. However, be careful not to fall victim to scams when searching for a house. If you'd like some assistance with finding a house, the International Welcome Center North has Housing Agents who are ready to help.

If you are living in the Netherlands, you might be eligible for rent benefit.

If you're staying in Groningen for a shorter period, such as a few weeks or months, there are also other options for finding accommodation. You can turn to The Social Hub, SSH, and Housing anywhere. These organizations specialize in short-term stays.

Do you have problems with your housing when it comes to housing discrimination, harassment, unreasonable service fees and excessive deposits? Then you can read more about rights and rules on this page on the website of the Municipality. You can also report your landlord via the Rental Harassment Reporting Hotline.

• Do not rely on just one housing website, try out different ones at the same time to find a house asap!
• Do not pay anything before you have a written contract and always ask for a receipt of payment.
• If the rent looks too good to be true for the location/type of housing, or the pictures are unidentifiable, you might be looking at something that is not genuine.
• Avoid identity theft: never send a copy of your passport to strangers. If you do share a copy of your passport, make sure to obsure personal details.
• Do not go to a viewing alone. If possible, take a Dutch speaker with you.

While the search can sometimes be challenging, it's important to remain patient and thorough when exploring different options. Be aware of potential scams and ensure you always have the necessary information and contract details before making a decision. There are always landlords (private or otherwise) who are primarily motivated by profit and may not keep their promises.

Whether you choose a room, studio, a (shared) apartment, or a house, finding the right place adds an extra layer of enjoyment and excitement to your work life in Groningen. It's an opportunity to create your own space in this vibrant city. For more information about moving to Groningen, check out At home in Groningen. The website of GroningenLife (for students in Groningen) has a nice overview of the neighbourhoods in Groningen.