I’ve lived in Amsterdam for five months now. All in all, it has been a great experience so far, however, with mixed feelings – nonetheless, a great experience! It’s fair to say that nothing has gone as planned. Nothing… Absolutely nothing. However, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. I’ve focused on settling first, becoming a local and soon, I can start exploring my new home(y) country as a tourist. I look very much forward to this!
…It started a week after I moved here when I started working at my current job. Then, I suddenly fell in love with this great guy. So while I’ve been busy making a living here: Settling, getting used to the city, people, work and a sudden boyfriend, there hasn’t been time for much else – and to be honest, I haven’t had the time or need for much else either. Too much just gets too much. As a result, there have been ups and downs. Mainly because of limited leisure time, I haven’t done all the things, I wanted to do – the things I planned to do. It really bugged me the first two/three months. Now, I’m not too worried as I know that it’ll come with time. After all, I’ll stay here for a year or two longer. Furthermore, with almost monthly visits from friends and family, I get to do the tourist experience of Amsterdam at least for a couple of days a month. That’s more than most people living here can say.
Now that spring is slowly turning into summer, I have high hopes for the following months. I want to explore the Netherlands. As such, I wish to travel around a bit. I want to travel to the Hague, Rotterdam, Zaandam, Haarlem, Groningen, Eindhoven and Maastricht. Going too all these destinations might be a bit too ambitious as I only have the weekends. However, I’ll do my best to do as many as possible with the time at my disposal. After all, I’ll go visiting my parents back in Denmark during my holiday.
Anyway… The good thing about the slow settling has made Amsterdam feel homey to me. I can finally say that I’m settled. Next month, I’ll start a Dutch language course so I can finally say more than a few sentences when out. I don’t believe I’ll become fluent as I won’t stay here in the Netherlands that long. Nevertheless, being able to communicate with Dutch people when out and about would be nice. So here’s to Amsterdam Adventure Part 2.
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Have, or do you also live abroad permanently? How did you settle? And how did you find the process – the experience? I’m very curious.
xo P!
Wanderlust: Becoming a Traveler 
Amsterdam must be an interesting place to live – so much going on! How did you get that photo without anyone in front of the sign?! I lived abroad last year (Colmar, France), as part of my degree – it took a little while for it to feel like home, but I was sad when it came to leaving! I’m relocating to France after my degree – looking forward to it, as at least this time I know what I’m up against with French admin, customs etc.
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It is absolutely lovely living here, yes! Indeed, it always takes a little while to settle. And when it’s best, you’re leaving. But then you’re moving on to the next adventure 🙂
We actually went there 5am one morning to get a tourist free picture. Haha.
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So very true – always moving from one adventure to the next! Wow- that’s commitment!
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Amsterdam is a lovely city. For me as South African, it feels like a second home – there is no language barrier, and everything just feels comfortable. I am hoping to travel there again in the near future. By the way, visit the Anne Frank House.
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My husband and I have a bucket list of places we want to live, and Amsterdam is right up there! Congrats on the new fella – I always feel that travelling opens up these serendipitous chances because we’re more open to them when we’re abroad. It sounds like you’re having a great time! 🙂 Good luck on the course. I’ve been living in Jordan for nearly a year and still can’t speak in sentences… so don’t bee too hard on yourself! 🙂
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I would love to revisit Amsterdam. Sounds like you’re doing a great job settling in. I look forward to reading about Part 2!
As for me…I’ve lived in five cities in 8 years in Spain and was born in the States, so I’ve been on the move constantly. I’ve been in Bilbao for three years, and the Basque Country is so different than the rest of Spain that it’s been a rough patch for me here…but I’m headed back to Valencia, where I felt most settled in…learning valenciano, perfecting my castellano. I had a much more positive experience there and excited about resettling there. I’m at a point where I consider myself much more Spanish than American. But I never became Basque like I became Valenciano. So I’d say overall in Spain a positive experience. Even in rainy Bilbao I love it!
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I so enjoyed reading about your settling in process with all its joys and woes. Falling in love on top of a new job and culture sounds like you maxed out the “life stresses” chart. Continue to enjoy!
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I’d love to relocate…especially to the Netherlands ☺️
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Congrats on the new person in your life!!. Well you finally say you are settling in Amsterdam after five months. I have been in Dubai since 5 years , i still feel i cannot say i am settled here. I still long to go back.
By the way i have nominated you for One lovely blog award.:-) Feel you deserve it 🙂
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Thanks a mil! I am very happy to hear that you enjoy reading it!
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