My husband and I are expats. We have relocated to the Netherlands from California, USA. My blog began with our preparations to leave all we knew and continues through our journey in our new home! Join me in our adventure!
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Less than six weeks....
In less than six weeks we will be back in California. Everywhere we go now we are looking at things differently..."it could be the last time" eyes!
Last weekend we got together with one of Andrew's coworkers and his wife. What a dear, sweet couple. We took them to Duin en Kruidburg where we had a wonderful relaxing lunch together. When we parted, we both thought, it might have been the last time we would see his wife while we're here. 😞
Andrew's company sent him a contract for his new job in California a couple of weeks ago. We are both very happy that he is still employed. The company will be assisting us in the move back to the States by hiring a moving company, paying for our airfare and providing housing and a rental car for a month when we land.
The company is having difficulty finding us housing in the Bay Area (that will take a large dog). They have set parameters under which they work, so that's what they are going by. They said they will check again in a couple of weeks to see if they can find something. We have told them that we don't have to be in place close to his job....with hopes that would make it easier.
I have been watching rental housing websites and property management company sites for rentals in the Bay Area also. Oh my, prices have skyrocketed (again) there! I am finding it difficult to find a rental that will take a dog over 20lbs for a price we can afford.
While we are renting in the Bay Area I plan to take a few trips to areas we are considering retiring to, to scope things out. We have a few choices in mind (Northern CA, Texas, Montana and Idaho). If we end up in a place that gets snow, we want to be sure to be in an area where the temperatures aren't below zero and there is minimal snow. Wherever we decide to buy we want to be sure it's in an area we can sell again when/if we need to. I have noticed that the housing market in a lot of areas are still depressed and nothing is moving.
Andrew's brother has been taking care of our (old) Dodge Durango while we've been gone. It's a gas hog, but it runs! He's having some work done on it and will get it up to the Bay Area before we return. That way we will each have a car until we can buy something more practical. We just may hang on to the Durango to use for the Scottish Highland Games which we plan to get involved in again next spring.
Yesterday I went to the Van Gogh Museum. I got there around 08.45 and already the line was long. No photos were allowed inside. It was nice to see Van Gogh's most famous paintings once again before we leave.
When I left the museum the line was down the block!
The Rijksmuseum (aren't the clouds beautiful!?!?!):
Waiting for the bus:
After the Van Gogh Museum, I went to a Dutch fabric store in Amsterdam called "Den Haan and Wagenmakers". It had been recommended to me by the women who owns the quilt shop in Haarlem. I wanted to get some Dutch fabrics to work on a quilt when we return to the state. I plan to take some quilting classes when I return.
Andrew and I have been going for more long walks...working on getting in better shape. We have been taking Sammy with us most of the time. Yesterday we walked in the woods for about an hour....it was a beautiful day in the woods! Sammy is so happy here...he can go off leash and play with his friends and people don't get freaked out. It is such a dog friendly place to live.
Last weekend we got together with one of Andrew's coworkers and his wife. What a dear, sweet couple. We took them to Duin en Kruidburg where we had a wonderful relaxing lunch together. When we parted, we both thought, it might have been the last time we would see his wife while we're here. 😞
Andrew's company sent him a contract for his new job in California a couple of weeks ago. We are both very happy that he is still employed. The company will be assisting us in the move back to the States by hiring a moving company, paying for our airfare and providing housing and a rental car for a month when we land.
The company is having difficulty finding us housing in the Bay Area (that will take a large dog). They have set parameters under which they work, so that's what they are going by. They said they will check again in a couple of weeks to see if they can find something. We have told them that we don't have to be in place close to his job....with hopes that would make it easier.
I have been watching rental housing websites and property management company sites for rentals in the Bay Area also. Oh my, prices have skyrocketed (again) there! I am finding it difficult to find a rental that will take a dog over 20lbs for a price we can afford.
While we are renting in the Bay Area I plan to take a few trips to areas we are considering retiring to, to scope things out. We have a few choices in mind (Northern CA, Texas, Montana and Idaho). If we end up in a place that gets snow, we want to be sure to be in an area where the temperatures aren't below zero and there is minimal snow. Wherever we decide to buy we want to be sure it's in an area we can sell again when/if we need to. I have noticed that the housing market in a lot of areas are still depressed and nothing is moving.
Andrew's brother has been taking care of our (old) Dodge Durango while we've been gone. It's a gas hog, but it runs! He's having some work done on it and will get it up to the Bay Area before we return. That way we will each have a car until we can buy something more practical. We just may hang on to the Durango to use for the Scottish Highland Games which we plan to get involved in again next spring.
Yesterday I went to the Van Gogh Museum. I got there around 08.45 and already the line was long. No photos were allowed inside. It was nice to see Van Gogh's most famous paintings once again before we leave.
Andrew and I have been going for more long walks...working on getting in better shape. We have been taking Sammy with us most of the time. Yesterday we walked in the woods for about an hour....it was a beautiful day in the woods! Sammy is so happy here...he can go off leash and play with his friends and people don't get freaked out. It is such a dog friendly place to live.
Monday, July 21, 2014
Moving back to the U.S. and a walk around Haarlem
We have started making plans to move back to CA from The Netherlands. Tomorrow we have a phone conference set up with the relocation people with Andrew's company. They will let us know what they will help us with and what we need to do on our own. I have started packing and also making a pile for 'Goodwill'. The landlords have decided they would like us to leave the furnishings and household items in the house, which makes it easier for us...and for them it'll be easier to rent out, especially to expats.
I have been watching rental prices in the Bay Area and have noticed that the prices have been going up, up, up again! It's especially difficult to find places to rent that take a dog over 25 lbs. Yikes! The plan now is that we will be in corporate housing for a month while I look for a place to rent.
We just found out from some expat friends of ours that renting a place without a driver's license in the U.S. is impossible! When we got here in The Netherlands both of us turned our CA driver's licenses in for Netherlands licenses. The only way to get new ones is to personally go into DMV. So, that'll be one of the first things we do when we arrive in CA!
Andrew's brother has been keeping our Dodge Durango for us since we've been here. He's going to get it to the shop for some needed repairs and will get it to Northern California before we arrive. That way, we'll have something to drive till we have time to look for another car.
_______________________________
While making plans to move back we're trying to do and see as much as possible. We've been getting together with friends, walking around town enjoying 'our' town of Haarlem, etc. It's hard to believe that our time here is coming to an end. We have truly been blessed to have found such a beautiful place to live.
I call this the 'paint roller bridge'!
Some innovative ways the Dutch transport things around!
This guy told me he had over 200 kilos (440 lbs) of wood on this the day before!
This guy has been working on this for over a year.
The Spaarne River.
The Adriaan Windmill in Haarlem.
A cute doggie swimming in the canal on a warm day in Haarlem!
This is a map of all the city gates that used to surround Haarlem!
A hand painted mural inside the Adriaan Windmill in Haarlem.
We stopped for a local beer and some bitterballen!
St. Bavo's Church in Haarlem.
We've enjoyed our time in The Netherlands, but it's time to go back to family...we miss them! We are also excited about trying to find our 'forever' home once we're settle in.
_______________________________
Last Saturday night we met some friends in Amsterdam for dinner. We went to Hobe House...which was delicious and fun! On our way home, it just reaffirmed to us that we are ready to go 'home'. We took the train from Amsterdam to Haarlem. When we arrived we found that the buses had stopped running, so we had to walk home (over a mile in shoes not made for walking). While walking home (it was around 1:00 a.m.) there were drunk young people (mostly boys) all over the streets peeing all over the walls of the beautiful buildings, etc.
City life has had its challenges for us.
We have to be sure the doors and windows in the house are closed before we talk...because we are surrounded by people. We can't play our music loudly for fear of disturbing our neighbors.
Crossing the street can be hazardous to your health (not that it's not in the U.S. by any means!)...there are bikes, cars and people everywhere!
What happens in your house affects those around you (the roof leaking here affects the people on both sides of us.....potentially causing water damage to their homes). What is growing in our yard might make too much shade for our neighbors, etc.
Using public transportation means always traveling 'with the public'! The public transportation here is clean and efficient, but, I must admit, I miss the serenity and independence of driving my own car!
etc.!
Life anywhere has its pluses and minuses I guess!
I have been watching rental prices in the Bay Area and have noticed that the prices have been going up, up, up again! It's especially difficult to find places to rent that take a dog over 25 lbs. Yikes! The plan now is that we will be in corporate housing for a month while I look for a place to rent.
We just found out from some expat friends of ours that renting a place without a driver's license in the U.S. is impossible! When we got here in The Netherlands both of us turned our CA driver's licenses in for Netherlands licenses. The only way to get new ones is to personally go into DMV. So, that'll be one of the first things we do when we arrive in CA!
Andrew's brother has been keeping our Dodge Durango for us since we've been here. He's going to get it to the shop for some needed repairs and will get it to Northern California before we arrive. That way, we'll have something to drive till we have time to look for another car.
_______________________________
While making plans to move back we're trying to do and see as much as possible. We've been getting together with friends, walking around town enjoying 'our' town of Haarlem, etc. It's hard to believe that our time here is coming to an end. We have truly been blessed to have found such a beautiful place to live.
We've enjoyed our time in The Netherlands, but it's time to go back to family...we miss them! We are also excited about trying to find our 'forever' home once we're settle in.
_______________________________
Last Saturday night we met some friends in Amsterdam for dinner. We went to Hobe House...which was delicious and fun! On our way home, it just reaffirmed to us that we are ready to go 'home'. We took the train from Amsterdam to Haarlem. When we arrived we found that the buses had stopped running, so we had to walk home (over a mile in shoes not made for walking). While walking home (it was around 1:00 a.m.) there were drunk young people (mostly boys) all over the streets peeing all over the walls of the beautiful buildings, etc.
City life has had its challenges for us.
We have to be sure the doors and windows in the house are closed before we talk...because we are surrounded by people. We can't play our music loudly for fear of disturbing our neighbors.
Crossing the street can be hazardous to your health (not that it's not in the U.S. by any means!)...there are bikes, cars and people everywhere!
What happens in your house affects those around you (the roof leaking here affects the people on both sides of us.....potentially causing water damage to their homes). What is growing in our yard might make too much shade for our neighbors, etc.
Using public transportation means always traveling 'with the public'! The public transportation here is clean and efficient, but, I must admit, I miss the serenity and independence of driving my own car!
etc.!
Life anywhere has its pluses and minuses I guess!
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Straatfeest, Haarlem Style.....annnnd plans for the future!
It has been a few months since I last posted. Since that time I met friends (Pat, Donna and Mary) in Poland for a 10 day tour, then they came to Haarlem to visit; our friend Kristen and her Mom Sharon came to visit for a few days; my friend Nina came to visit and she and I traveled to Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro; Dan, Michelle and the girls (Andrew's brother and family) came to visit. It has been a busy few months with lots of travel and many visitors!
Last night was our last Straatfeest (Street Party) in Haarlem. The end of the street was closed off to traffic, so we were able to set up tables and chairs. We had such a great time! Everyone brought food to share. We had our BBQ set up for everyone to use, so burgers and sausages were cooking for all! I made chili (toned the spiciness down a bit!) which was enjoyed by all!
Yesterday was the longest day of the year. Sunrise was 0518hrs. and sunset was at 2207hrs. It didn't actually get dark till almost 2300hrs! Several of us were out in the street till after midnight talking. What a great day!
We have been so blessed to have such wonderful neighbors and friends!
Sammy had a great time too!
Dancing in the streets!
Taking Sammy for a walk!
_______________________________________________________________
We are starting to make plans to move back to the U.S. Andrew got confirmation last week that he has a job waiting for him in the Bay Area (CA) October 1st. We have decided that we will get into a month to month place for about two months while we look for a place to rent for a couple of years. We will both fly back at the same time in September.
Sooooooo, we are working on getting prices for shipping Sammy and shipping a few household goods back. There's a lot to think about and I'm thankful that this time I'm not trying to work too while having to do it all!
We are trying to get confirmation from our landlords if they want us to leave the furnishings in the house when we leave (so they can rent it out fully furnished), or if they want us to empty the house.
Last night was our last Straatfeest (Street Party) in Haarlem. The end of the street was closed off to traffic, so we were able to set up tables and chairs. We had such a great time! Everyone brought food to share. We had our BBQ set up for everyone to use, so burgers and sausages were cooking for all! I made chili (toned the spiciness down a bit!) which was enjoyed by all!
Yesterday was the longest day of the year. Sunrise was 0518hrs. and sunset was at 2207hrs. It didn't actually get dark till almost 2300hrs! Several of us were out in the street till after midnight talking. What a great day!
We have been so blessed to have such wonderful neighbors and friends!
We are starting to make plans to move back to the U.S. Andrew got confirmation last week that he has a job waiting for him in the Bay Area (CA) October 1st. We have decided that we will get into a month to month place for about two months while we look for a place to rent for a couple of years. We will both fly back at the same time in September.
Sooooooo, we are working on getting prices for shipping Sammy and shipping a few household goods back. There's a lot to think about and I'm thankful that this time I'm not trying to work too while having to do it all!
We are trying to get confirmation from our landlords if they want us to leave the furnishings in the house when we leave (so they can rent it out fully furnished), or if they want us to empty the house.
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