Our Step-by-Step Guide to Acclimating in Amsterdam

As soon as our 10-day quarantine ended, Jack and I were off to the races!  ​Today's post recaps some of the biggest "To-Do's" we accomplished in the past two weeks.

Step 1: Opened a Bank Account

Bright and early the first morning after our quarantine lifted, our relocation consultant picked us up and took us to open a Dutch bank account.  We had been really looking forward to this, as a local bank card is required to sign up for a phone plan, obtain health insurance, and shop in many stores.  We also thought an account was needed for us to purchase our bike subscription (though we've since discovered we were wrong on this one).  Regardless, this felt like a big step towards affording us more access to our new city, and we were pumped to get at least one task knocked off our list.

We were quickly disappointed to discover that making the account was only the first step, and it actually would not be useable til our cards arrived via mail later that week.  Whoops!  Thankfully we had little time to mourn this realization, as we were swiftly shuttled off to begin a full day of apartment hunting. 

Step 2: Found an Apartment

 ​In the days prior to our home search, Jack and I scoured online apartment postings and compiled a list for our tour.  We had been warned that apartments move quickly here in Amsterdam, and that definitely is true. By the morning of our search, many of the places we had planned to see were already off-market. 

The realty group had selected some replacement properties for us, so thankfully we still had a full schedule.  In total we toured 9 places.  As the day progressed, I started feeling increasingly worried that I didn't like a single apartment we had looked at.  Some were in undesirable locations, others were on really noisy streets, some smelled funky, and others were covered in cat hair (a no-no for my dander allergy, especially considering the apartments we were looking at all came furnished).  As is on-brand for our dynamic, Jack was much less picky, but agreed he didn't see anything that blew him away.  By the time we arrived at the doorstep of the last place on our list, we were both hungry, thirsty, cranky, and ready to re-start our search from square one. 

They say good things come to those who wait, and Apartment #9 proved no exception.  We were relieved to discover the final apartment we saw was tidy, well-decorated, had great natural light, a balcony, two bedrooms, an actual oven, and best of all: A DISHWASHER.  It also was in a prime location, at the SW corner of Vondelpark.  It wasn't huge, especially compared to our Chicago apartment we'd been spoiled by.  It also was missing some key furniture we'd have to purchase - a TV, a TV stand, a desk, etc.  But it was the best we'd seen by far, right on budget, and we felt we could make a home there. We put in an offer on the spot, and soon learned we were accepted!  We set a date to move-in the following Monday.  

Step 3: Got Registered

On Wednesday of that same week, we crossed two more big steps off our list: getting our Dutch residence cards and our citizen service number ("burgerservicenummer").  Since we didn't yet have our bank cards, we didn't yet have bikes, and consequently this day entailed a LOT of walking.  It ended up being a great way to see the city, and we enjoyed killing gaps of time by taking the scenic route through two prominent parks, Rembrandpark and Beatrixpark.  As we're continuing to see for ourselves, Amsterdam is PACKED with gorgeous parks, and each one truly has its own character and identity. 

Step 4: Connected with our Fellow Expats

We are very thankful to already have a few connections here.  We met one couple during our 2019 rotation orientation weekend, and Jack met another coworker through his time in Chicago.  I also know a friend of a friend who is an Amsterdam resident, and can't wait to get her insider's scoop on the city!  

Since there's such a large population of expats who have rotated here from the States, Jack's company also facilitates meetings, discussions, and events for rotating employees to meet and connect with one another.  Leaning on our existing relationships, while also taking advantage of these avenues to form new ones, has been a great way to get some socialization.  We've enjoyed three meetings in Vondelpark so far with various groupings of coworkers - some who have been here awhile, and others who arrived the same time we did.   We are definitely looking forward to more of these encounters, as it's a great way to share knowledge about our experiences and meet some new friends in the process.

Step 5: Moved In

Just this past Monday, we officially moved into our new apartment.  It wasn't without kinks - our internet didn't work for the first day and a half, which is less than ideal when we both work from home.  We also discovered our freezer was malfunctioning, and a baseboard literally just fell off the wall (as baseboards apparently are wont to do).  We also had the fun task of maneuvering our 10 suitcases and all our Ikea orders up our shockingly steep Dutch staircase. 

But as it goes, the issues all got resolved, our furniture was built with little-to-no-swearing, and the treks up and down our staircase are granting us some pretty svelte calf muscles.  Sitting here on day 6 in our new home, I'm proud of how cozy we've made this place in such a short amount of time.  Our TV might still be missing in DHL delivery limbo, but I'm excited for the memories we'll make here and that we'll always remember this as the third apartment we've shared together.  

Step 6: Bought Bikes

When we finally were able to get our bikes, it could not have been an easier process.  Although originally our plan was to buy a used bike from a local bike shop, Jack's coworker recommended we check out Swapfiets, a subscription bike service.  For a set fee every month, they give you your own bike to use for as long as you want, and they'll handle repairs and replacements should it break or be stolen.  We made a pick-up appointment online, and were in and out of the shop in less than 10 minutes.

The act of actually riding the bikes has been less seamless, but still much easier than I anticipated.  Jack definitely has taken more naturally to biking as a form of primary transportation than I have.  Even so, although I'm not the most graceful biker around, I'm getting more confident with each passing day.  Biking is also becoming much easier physically, as my legs get stronger and my balance improves. 

In terms of my road skills, I'm currently averaging about two "dings" at me per day.  Oops!  We both have some growth edges to work on in terms of our understanding of traffic rules and road signs, but we're learning a ton from watching our fellow cyclists (and some good ol' fashioned trial and error). 

Step 7: Got Drinks at a Windmill

Armed with our bikes, we capped off our move-in week with a ride out to Brouwerij t' IJ, a taproom attached to a massive Dutch windmill.  We made a quick stop just next door at another local brewery called Amsterdam Brewboys, and ended our trip at De Biertuin, a beer-focused spot with a great outdoor terrace.  Despite being caught in an impromptu rain shower (which we're learning is basically a guarantee on any given day), our first Saturday ride on the bikes was a success.

In all, the tasks we knocked out these past two weeks have played a HUGE role in helping us feel more adjusted here.  Here's to hoping our next two weeks are filled with just as many memories, and significantly less deliveries to carry up those damn stairs.

Vaarwel,
- Lou