The charming city is often called the “Metropolis of the North”; while considered small compared to other major Dutch cities, Groningen is known for being extremely liveable.

With a vibrant atmosphere and diverse culture, the city provides its inhabitants with an excellent quality of life, and it could be one of the best places to live as a British expat.

A European Commission Report on Quality of Life in European Cities crowned Groningen Europe’s third-best place to live in 2023. Praised for its small-town feel and progressive outlook, the Dutch destination scored well in many key quality-of-life indicators.

More than 90% of citizens felt Groningen was a good place for LGBTQIA people to live. Meanwhile, over 85% of residents felt safe walking alone at night due to low crime rates.

As for getting around in Groningen, its compact size means it is very walkable. Just 30% of residents said they used a car daily, according to the 2023 European Commission report.

Residents said they didn’t feel the need to use public transport, and over 40% of people stayed true to their Dutch roots by using a bike as their primary mode of transport.

The city centre boasts a large pedestrianised area with shops and cafes, while De Onlanden is a nature reserve popular for walking, biking, and running. Elsewhere in Groningen, there’s a range of city walking trails, including the top-rated segment three of the Pieterpad between Groningen and Zuidlaren, according to All Trails.

Alternatively, try the “easy” city walk, which meanders through Groningen’s historic city centre, past monumental guesthouses, parks, and historical and modern architecture.

Those who have ventured on the hike complimented the “nice route” that boasts “beautiful sites.” Another All Trails member said, “It’s a really good route taking in lots of fantastic architecture—the Martini tower and church, with newly commissioned stunning art, was a highlight. Also, the Gasthuizen, roses in Prinsentuin.”

Groningen may be small geographically but quite large for its contribution to tourism and the expat community in the country. The city has seen a growing number of British expats, particularly because the University of Groningen attracts many British students.

Many find a welcoming community within the city thanks to its relatively affordable cost of living and strong expat network.

One expat who has lived in Groningen for three years, shared on Reddit: “I’m an expat from the UK and have lived here for three years […] the city is super safe, quiet and pretty.

“It’s large enough to have everything you need, but small enough that everything is 10 minutes by bike – max; add in a top-tier public transport network, I can’t think of many places better to live. Loads of nature and a young vibrant atmosphere.”

The expat, who relocated from London, claimed that costs are “on the lower end of Dutch cities” but noted that healthcare, taxes and insurance could inflate living costs.

Another expat told A Way Abroad: “There are no shortages of internationals living in Groningen. Sitting in the city centre’s best greenspace, the Noorderplantsoen, you will sometimes hear as much English as Dutch.

“In general, the international community is welcoming and vibrant. Most are non-Dutch speakers, and many hail from English-speaking countries or have a near-fluent language.”

As for housing, the market has seen a “positive trend” in property values, according to housing data site Walter Living. The latest update for February 2025 states that the average list price went from 360,930 euros last quarter to 363,379 euros this quarter (£300,531 to £302,571).

The latest Statista data shows this is lower than the national average. In the third quarter of 2024, the average price of a single-family home in the Netherlands was around 434,000 euros (£361,370).