Real Estate Agent Enschede

Living in Enschede: character and housing stock

Enschede is the largest city in Twente and was once the heart of the Dutch textile industry. From that era come the factory buildings, workers' neighbourhoods and textile barons' villas you still see all over the city. There are also large post-war districts, modern new builds and the rebuilt neighbourhood of Roombeek.

According to CBS, about 48% of homes in Enschede were owner-occupied in 2025 and 52% were rented. The average WOZ value was €301,000 in 2025, and the average sale price of an existing owner-occupied home was €373,780 (CBS/Kadaster, 2025). That makes Enschede clearly more affordable than the Randstad.

That affordability attracts buyers. First-time buyers, young families and people from the west of the country looking for more space are increasingly looking at Twente. Family homes with a garden and spacious detached houses on the edge of the city are most in demand. With apartments and homes that need energy upgrades, there is usually more room to negotiate.

Getting around and work

Enschede lies on the A35, and via the A1 you quickly reach Deventer, Apeldoorn and the Randstad. By train you travel directly to places such as Hengelo, Zwolle and the Randstad, and across the border to Gronau and Münster in Germany. The German border is just a few kilometres from the city.

Major employers include the University of Twente, Saxion University of Applied Sciences, Medisch Spectrum Twente hospital, the municipality and a growing group of technology companies around the university campus and Kennispark Twente. The university attracts many international students and researchers. Living or working towards Salland? Also see our page about an estate agent in Deventer.

Who is Enschede a good fit for?

Enschede is a good choice if you want spacious living at a price that is hard to find in the west. The countryside with forests, country estates and heathland begins right outside the city. The centre is compact, with a lively market, nightlife and culture such as the Rijksmuseum Twenthe and the Muziekkwartier.

Students and young professionals often live in and around the centre or Roombeek. Families choose neighbourhoods such as Helmerhoek, Glanerbrug or the green edges of the city. Ons Soort Makelaars does not yet have its own agent based in Enschede. Feel free to get in touch: we are happy to think along with you about buying or selling in Twente.

Tips for buyers in Enschede

As a buyer in Enschede you often have a little more time than in the big cities. Use that time well.

• Look beyond the asking price. An affordable home with a poor energy label can cost a lot to make sustainable.
• Have a building survey done on older workers' houses and 1970s homes.
• Calculate your buyer's costs in advance and check whether you stay below the NHG limit of €470,000.
• First-time buyer? With the first-time buyer exemption you may pay no transfer tax. See transfer tax 2026.
• Compare travel time to work: Hengelo, the campus and the centre are close together, but accessibility varies per neighbourhood.
• A buying agent helps you set the right price and negotiate well.

Tips for sellers in Enschede

Because buyers in Twente often have more choice, a well-presented home stands out even more.

• Start with a realistic valuation. An asking price that is too high often leads to a longer time on the market.
• Show what you have already made more sustainable: insulation, solar panels or a heat pump are strong selling points.
• Reach buyers from outside the region too, with good photos, a floor plan and information about the area.
• Get your home ready for sale with small improvements rather than major renovations.
• A selling agent helps you compare offers on price, conditions and completion date.