Finally, trees are in bloom and you can walk around without a jacket on many days. Here is a pic of the main street near my house that I have always found particularly cozy.
A rainy ride through a neighborhood. In Holland? Nahhhhhh.
Today was overcast, but the weather was still pleasant.
Anonymous asked: 2) At what point in the process were you able to get health insurance? 3) I have been researching the city so much, I feel like I already know it - but can you say what areas you recommend to live? (I want to be close to some green space and not that far from the center - but not directly in it, a quiet(er) area. I have been looking near Wilhelinapark & Griftpark) Or maybe it would be easier to say which areas are not as great to live...? Thanks for any info! - Kelly
I don’t know all of Utrecht. But, I live near Wilhelmina park in an area called Oudwijk. It’s bordering an area called Wittevrouwen. Wittevrouwen is an expensive family-oriented place near the center that has a number of good schools. Oudwijk is like their less-expensive little sister.
I have kids and it’s important that they have access to a public playground from our house. Also, easy access to the school in Wittevrouwen. If you want to live ‘within’ the city you may consider west of Wilhelmina Park.
I have been to Griftpark a number of times. But, I don’t know what it’s like to live over there.
There’s a ‘loop’ around Utrecht that is considered Utrecht proper. I’m told that you want to live within the loop.
Anonymous asked: Hi Shawn. Love your blog - really helpful. I'm actually moving to Utrecht in mid May (with DAFT, like most of the others asking questions...) Anyway, thanks for taking time to answer any or all of these...1) I was going through (stalking?) your blog from start-finish, and it seems you got to Europe around June 1 and your residency was not totally "official" until September-ish. Is that about how long I should expect the whole process to take? What was the longest waiting period for? -Kelly
It was It was almost 2 years ago that we first moved here. So, I can’t remember the exact details. But, I do remember that for some reason the Gemeente (city government) held up the process of getting us our BSN numbers. This slowed us down. Everything else went surprisingly quickly.
Anonymous asked: Hi, Shawn. Post more blogs -- I look in from time to time, and am disappointed not to see any new pictures of beautiful Utrecht. Here's my question: the fee for the residency visa is €600. Was that €600 for your entire family, or each (which would bring your fee to a lot more)?
As a family of two adults and two children we pay something like €1100 per year for residency. Off the top of my head I’m not sure of the exact price.
And, you’re right. I should be posting more. =)
In Holland Easter is celebrated over two days. Translated to first and second Easter (eerste paasdag and tweede paasdag).
My wife had a get-together for a university organization at my house, so I decided to take a walk. I ended up in Utrecht’s center and it was quiet as a mouse.
Rarely, have I seen the city in such a beautiful light. Apparently, I consider quiet historical cities particularly fondly.
Photo of Amsterdam Central Station. I was in a picture-taking mood.
Here’s a submarine that we saw docked in Amsterdam.
Here’s my impression of a Dutch person’s opinion of The Netherlands.
It sucks.
