Housing

Like any City, Groningen has a variety of different neighbourhoods. From the characteristic old city districts to areas with family friendly and newly built homes. Each neighbourhood is unique, and there's always one that ticks all the boxes. To discover which neighbourhood aligns with your wishes, GroningenLife has put together an overview describing the various neighbourhoods of Groningen.

Once you've decided where you would like to settle down, it's time to look for a house, apartment, or room. It's wise to start early, as it can take several months before you find something. If you're looking to buy a property, many houses can be found on Funda. What’s best for an international resident is to get in touch with a local real estate agent (makelaar), as they know all the ins and outs. Make sure you find an authorized real estate agent. This you can check by looking up the firm on Funda or VBO Makelaar. More information on real estate agents and buying a property in the Netherlands can be found on the IWCN website. 

Furthermore, if you'd like some assistance with finding a house, the International Welcome Center North has Housing Agents who are ready to help.

When coming to Groningen most people choose to start renting a house. Once settled in the city, it can be easier to look for a property to buy. However, finding a rental place is not as easy as it may sound. The availability is quite low in the Netherlands. Therefore, again, you should start early with your search and be prepared. To find a rental place, you can look online at websites like Pararius, Woningnet, and Kamernet. Be aware that you need to check these websites often and respond fast, otherwise viewings will be full. At Home in Groningen provides a lot of information on what to consider when looking for a house in Groningen. Next to that, IWCN also provides lots of information to make you more familiar with the Dutch rental market. Check them out before you start searching for a place!

Rent benefit

If you are renting in the Netherlands, you might be eligible for rent benefit. Check for its conditions, it might save you quite some money!

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.

Besides the city, Groningen is surrounded by beautiful countryside, with villages full of character that are wonderful to live in. The big advantage: you can enjoy the atmosphere of a village and the vastness of the Groningen landscape and, if necessary, you find yourself 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.

• Do not rely on just one housing website, try out different ones at the same time to find a house as soon as possible!
• Do not pay anything before you have a written contract and always ask for a receipt.
• Always be cautious! If the price of rent looks too good to be true for what you would be getting, or the pictures are unidentifiable, you might be looking at something scammy.
• Avoid identity theft: never send a copy of your passport to strangers. If you do share a copy of your passport, make sure to obscure 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 joy 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.

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.