Rent a Home in Meerstad and Haren, Groningen

Meerstad and Haren are both located outside Groningen's urban area, but have been part of the municipality since the 2019 redrawing of boundaries. That's where the similarities end. Meerstad is a newly developed neighborhood still being built, centered around an artificial lake of 350 hectares. Haren is a village with a history dating back to the Middle Ages, villa neighborhoods on the Hondsrug, and the Paterswoldsemeer (lake) as its backyard. Those considering renting a home in Meerstad and Haren choose space, nature, and a different pace than the city.

Meerstad: New Construction Around Woldmeer

Meerstad is one of the more ambitious housing projects in the Northern Netherlands. The plan: 10,000 homes around the Woldmeer, a recreational lake being dug as the heart of the new neighborhood. A waterway connects the Woldmeer to the Slochterdiep.

The first sub-districts are complete. Meeroevers has been delivered, Tersluis is almost finished. Sluis Oost (De Zeilen, phases I and II) is under construction. Klein Harkstede and Groenewei will follow. The pace is about 200 homes per year. The neighborhood is growing slowly but steadily.

The homes are predominantly owner-occupied properties. Detached, semi-detached, and terraced houses with gardens. Modern, energy-efficient, gas-free. The target group is clear: young families looking for new construction in a green environment, with Groningen as their base. Residents rate their neighborhood an 8.0.

Rental homes are scarce in Meerstad. The neighborhood was conceived as an owner-occupied area. But the supply is growing along with the neighborhood. Apartments and upper-floor units will be added as amenities increase. Two new primary schools are under construction, and a larger health center has opened. It is a neighborhood in the making.

Haren: The Green Gem on the Hondsrug

Haren was an independent municipality until 2019. The village has about 18,500 inhabitants (2025) and is sometimes called 'the Wassenaar of the North.' That's an exaggeration, but it indicates the direction. Detached villas from the 1930s to 1950s, spacious plots, old trees, a village center with shops and catering.

The Hondsrug, the glacial ridge landscape stretching from Groningen to Emmen, gives Haren a rolling and wooded character. It's a landscape you wouldn't expect just a half-hour bike ride from the Grote Markt. The villages of Glimmen, Onnen, and Noordlaren also fall under the former municipality and share the same green, affluent profile.

Housing values in Haren are among the highest in the province. Haren-West scores an 8.8 as a neighborhood rating. It is a village that residents deliberately choose and stay in for a long time. This results in low turnover and a limited supply of rental homes.

Paterswoldsemeer and Hortus

The Paterswoldsemeer lies on the border of Groningen and Haren. It is one of the largest recreational lakes in the region. Sailing, swimming, walking along the shores. For Haren residents, the lake is within cycling distance. For Groningers, it's a day out.

The Hortus Haren (now Hortus Biotoop) is a prominent landmark in the village. The former botanical garden is being redeveloped by the municipality. Residents are involved through public participation. What exactly it will become is still open. But the location itself, in the middle of the village, gives Haren a cultural layer that most suburbs lack.

Haren Station: Five Minutes to the City

Haren has its own NS train station. The train to Groningen Central takes five minutes. This makes Haren suitable as a commuter village: living in a green environment, working in the city. The cycling distance to the center is half an hour. By car, the A28 towards Assen and Zwolle is quickly accessible.

Meerstad is more car-dependent. Access is via Meerstadlaan. A second main road is being built for the newer sub-areas. Public transport is limited. Without a car, Meerstad is less practical than Haren or the city districts.

The Truth About Renting Outside the City

Meerstad and Haren are not neighborhoods where you'll quickly find a rental home. Both areas are dominated by owner-occupied properties. In Haren, the rental supply is small, and turnover is low. In Meerstad, the neighborhood was set up as an owner-occupied area. Studios and rooms are not available. These are places for renters with patience and a specific desire: space, greenery, and tranquility.

The rental prices are higher than in Paddepoel or Beijum, comparable to the city center. But you get more square meters, a garden, and nature right on your doorstep. The distance to the center is the main disadvantage. Haren compensates with a train station. Meerstad requires a car.

Renting a home in Meerstad and Haren suits families who want village living, residents who prioritize nature, and people who find the city districts too busy. Set up notifications, respond directly, and have your documents complete. The supply is small, but so is the competition.