Rental Properties in Overijssel
Overijssel is a province in the east of the Netherlands, with the IJssel River mainly forming the southwestern boundary with Gelderland. The province has about 1.15 million inhabitants spread across 25 municipalities. The most well-known city and the capital of this province is Zwolle, with other larger cities including Almelo, Deventer, Enschede, Hengelo, Kampen, and Oldenzaal. Overijssel is also home to many Hanseatic cities, which are towns that were part of the Hanseatic League, an original cooperative organization of merchants from cities around the Baltic and North Seas. For instance, Zwolle, Kampen, and Hasselt are members of this league.
Rental Homes in Overijssel
The province mainly consists of sandy areas intersected by lakes and rivers. Overijssel is divided into five regions: the Head of Overijssel, the IJssel Valley, the Overijsselse Vecht Valley, Central Salland, and Twente. As suggested by the names of these regions, the province has many water-rich areas. For this reason, the province has numerous significant bridges, and several ferry services are available to cross the IJssel River. The tourist village of Giethoorn is also located in Overijssel. This popular place is often referred to as the ‘Venice of the North’ because transport here traditionally occurs via waterways.
Sights in Overijssel
Even though Overijssel isn't the most famous destination for holidays or outings, the province has much to offer. As mentioned earlier, it is known for its water-rich areas. A visit to one of the Hanseatic cities in the province is a must-see when visiting Overijssel. In the Hanseatic city of Kampen, you’ll find numerous historical sites. It's also possible to follow the Thea Beckman route here. Thea Beckman was a well-known writer of historical stories and often used Kampen as her inspiration. This route takes you past beautiful historical landmarks, such as the old city walls, historic churches, and the IJsselkade.
For those who want to really play the tourist in Overijssel, the famous Giethoorn is a must-see. How delightful is it to see that even today the main mode of transport is via water? On a beautiful day, it's lovely to explore this picturesque village from a boat. This town also hosts various interesting museums, which can complete your visit to this popular destination.
For those who prefer less tourism and more nature, the National Park Weerribben-Wieden is likely a perfect fit. Located in the northwest of the province, this enormous park was formerly known for peat and turf digging. The areas where peat was once extracted have now transformed into lakes, home to various animal species. This park is a fantastic place for a stroll or a boat tour. Information about the landmarks can be found at one of the visitor centers in the park.
For those fond of city trips, Overijssel has something to offer too. Capital city Zwolle boasts beautiful canals and numerous historical sites. You can climb the Peperbus Tower or visit the old Sassenpoort. Zwolle is also the largest and most diverse shopping city in Overijssel. All major chains and more are established here, perfect for a good day of shopping!
Why Rent in Overijssel?
Especially for those who find the hustle and bustle of the Randstad and its surroundings too much, Overijssel can be a delightful home base. The province offers countless quiet places to live, but with its varied range of cities and villages, it is far from boring. Because of its tranquility, the province is also very suitable for families with children.
For those who like working in the city but prefer not to live there, Overijssel is also an excellent option. The rest of the Netherlands is easily accessible from the province by both public transport and car. Thanks to the province's location, it's an ideal place to live for people who frequently travel to Germany for work.
The province of Overijssel hosts several colleges and even a university, offering plenty for students. As a student, you won’t be bored in Zwolle. The city organizes an introduction week specifically for new students and has various student associations. Perfect for students who find Amsterdam a bit too much and prefer to study in a city where you can get everywhere by bike! Moreover, renting a student room in Zwolle is much cheaper than in major student cities like Amsterdam or Rotterdam.
How to Rent a Property in Overijssel?
As mentioned earlier, Overijssel is a nice, quiet province, making it a beloved place to live for many people. The province offers a variety of housing options. If you love activity and liveliness, an apartment in one of Overijssel’s larger cities is perfect. Additionally, there are plenty of great student housing options in these cities for those attending one of the colleges or the university. For families with growing children, a family home on the city outskirts or even outside the city is ideal, allowing children to play safely and freely outdoors!
On Huurzone, you can find all types of the mentioned properties. Huurzone collects the latest listings of rental properties in Overijssel every day to provide you with a complete overview of the available options. When searching for a rental property, it’s useful to first consider what’s important to you, allowing you to search as effectively as possible. Questions you might consider include:
- What is your budget?
- Do you want to live in the city center, on the edge, or just outside the city?
- What type of property are you looking for?
- Do you want a private bathroom and/or kitchen, or are you willing to share (think, for instance, of student housing)?
Choosing a location in Overijssel
Overijssel consists of several regions with their own orientation. In the west, a rental property in Zwolle may suit you if urban amenities and connections to other parts of the Netherlands are important. In Twente, compare rental homes in Enschede, rentals in Hengelo and properties in Almelo. Renting in Deventer offers another combination of historic city life, amenities and regional accessibility.
Consider smaller municipalities as well if you prefer quiet surroundings, greenery or a village setting. Identify where you work, study and regularly visit family or services. Compare the actual journey by train, bus, bicycle or car. A place outside the largest city can be practical when it lies on a direct route. If you work in a hybrid pattern, include both the commute on office days and the space available for working at home.
Living in Twente, Salland or north-west Overijssel
The province’s subregions differ in landscape, housing and distance to amenities. Twente combines cities, villages and a clear connection to the German border. Salland offers another balance between towns and countryside, while water and nature are prominent in the north-west. The best environment depends on your preference for activity, space and everyday accessibility.
Visit a potential home town on an ordinary working day rather than only during leisure time. Look at shops, public transport, parking and the route you expect to use frequently. A peaceful neighbourhood can be attractive but must still meet your needs for schools, healthcare, sports or social life. Evaluating location and lifestyle together produces a more focused search than filtering by rent or floor area alone.
Compare apartments, rooms and houses
Larger Overijssel cities provide apartments, studios, rooms and urban houses. Students often consider Enschede, Deventer or Zwolle and pay attention to the connection with a campus and centre. Families may look for houses with several bedrooms, storage and outdoor space in a neighbourhood or surrounding municipality. Always inspect the usable layout; a well-positioned extra room can be more valuable than a larger floor area without a practical purpose.
Check whether the home is unfurnished, upholstered or furnished and which facilities genuinely form part of the rental. Ask about service charges, parking, maintenance and how energy is settled. Daylight, ventilation and insulation affect comfort. Including these characteristics lets you compare Overijssel rentals by total value rather than only the price displayed at the top of the advert.
Keep your property search organised
Create separate profiles for the regions you are considering and set a realistic total budget for each. Include service charges, energy, internet and transport alongside the basic rent. Alerts let you see suitable properties sooner. Record the adverts you respond to, their conditions and any viewing dates.
Write a concise personal response tailored to the specific property. Organise relevant documents, but share sensitive information only through a reliable channel and after the reason for the request is clear. During a viewing, assess both the home and its surroundings and ask about additional costs, maintenance and handover. This increases the likelihood of finding an Overijssel rental that fits both your finances and daily routine.
Moreover, by creating a free account on Huurzone, you can specify your preferences for a rental property. You will then receive an email when a suitable rental property is found for you!
