Moving On — House Hunting
I’m moving from the UK to the Netherlands. I spent August and the first week of September in the Netherlands looking for an apartment to rent. It was more difficult than I expected. There is a lot of competition for places.
At first, I had no idea what I was looking for. I sent so many contact forms from websites. I was in a panic to get somewhere within the month and I was not being selective.
I began to think about what I really wanted. It had to be in my price range and near a train station. I had to be able to register the address. It had to be in a quiet area with nice places to walk and a grocery store within walking or cycling distance.
I want my home to be my haven and sanctuary so I scratched the house with the ugly furniture off my list and also the apartments in the middle of the noisy part of Alkmaar. I made a firm decision to take care of my needs. I was disappointed when I went back to the UK without finding somewhere to live.
Back in the UK, I half-heatedly sent some more online forms and made some calls but nothing resulted. I felt my courage and hope draining away with each dead end. I worried I had been wrong in being so selective.
On Monday, I saw a great apartment online that had everything I was looking for. I sent the form and within an hour, I got a call from the Makelaar (agent) for a viewing on Wednesday morning. I booked flights and accommodation right away. It seemed rash and impulsive to go to all that expense just to view an apartment. It was very hard to justify to my rational mind.
On Tuesday after work, I flew back to Schiphol. I arrived at the Airbnb place quite late and feeling exhausted. On Wednesday morning, I waited for the taxi I’d booked to take me to the train station but the driver didn’t turn up so I walked.
I got on the train at the time I’d researched. There was standing room only. The train went right on by my station and I ended up about 35 kilometers away from where I was supposed to be. I couldn’t get back by train in time for the appointment so I found a taxi. I made it to the appointment on time but the fare cost me €75.
The apartment was perfect for me. Every box on my checklist was ticked. Another couple came to view the apartment while was filling out the application form. The Makelaar told me she had 5 people viewing that day. My heart sank a little.
I walked back to the train station feeling tired and close to tears. My sore foot was hurting like hell. I was very relieved when the train came and I saw my station listed on the screen in the carriage.
I walked again from the train station to the Airbnb house. The 25 minute walk took me over an hour because I was limping badly by then. I worked all Wednesday afternoon from my room so I didn’t get too much of a chance to feel sorry for myself. By the time I finished work, I felt a little better.
On Thursday morning, I got a call from the Makelaar to say that I had been successful and I signed the lease that day. I will be moving in sometime in mid-October. I’m very excited. Now it’s really real!
Footnote:
I started writing this story on Wednesday morning before I left for the viewing and for fun I made up an ending to the story. The made up version was not as colourful as the actual story but quite accurate.
I viewed the apartment. It was better than I hoped for. That afternoon, I filled in the application and sent in my documents. The next day, I got a call back from the Makelaar to say I was successful. I signed the lease and the apartment was mine from mid-October.
Update:
A month before the contract was up I got notice on this place. I had a lot of stress finding another that was smaller, more expensive and nowhere near as nice. Now I’m working on manifesting a home of my own. It’s hard to be patient and wait for the right time. It’s hard to keep the right mindset and not let “reality” creep in. Soon.
