Moving to Utrecht (the Netherlands), cannot find a house, am really worried now

[Pawslikepaddington]

Dp is not coming too, so has totally washed his hands of the whole thing, which is not helpful and is adding to my stress!

We are meant to be viewing places next weekend, but haven't yet found anything to view, and I'm getting really scared. We have a very small budget, so dd (6) and I are going to be living in a studio/ 1 bed (dp is still going to be living in the house over here, and I need to pay my half of the mortgage). We don't move properly until the 25th July, but I'm so worried that we are going to get there and have nowhere, and dd and I will go mad in such a small place/I will scar her for life having to share a bed with her for a year. This was a good idea to start with!

[belgo]

WHy are you moving and your dp not?

Do you have family in Utrecht, anyone who can help out?

[Pawslikepaddington]

It's an academic exchange. I don't know anyone in the NL at all, and speak no dutch, so it is feeling rather overwhelming (although everyone is being very friendly). Dp has to stay here to do his PhD.

I have been advised to take a place for a month, and look while I am over there, but even that is proving rather difficult, and I'm really scared of going over with only somewhere to live for a month!

[belgo]

can the university not provide you with accomodation or give you advice? The Huisvesting I think it's called in dutch

[Pawslikepaddington]

I have tried them, but they only accomodate "single" students, i.e. only have a stock of 8m squared rooms. I am landing on their doorstep when we get there and not budging until we have somewhere!!!My university is wonderful, each college has accomodation, and there is a central accomodation service, so this came as a total shock!

Thank you Belgo, just talking through it with someone is so useful (dp refuses to talk about it).

[belgo]

I'm sure you will find somewhere to stay once you get there and start looking around.

Your dp should be more supportive, his child is going to live there!

Have you got child care/school sorted out?

[Pawslikepaddington]

The school is all arranged, which is brilliant. My dad has offered to pay fees for the international school in Hilversum, which is brilliant. I could not be more grateful to him! I give up with dp, he is a lump when it comes to anything that needs doing with any form of haste!

[ZZZenAgain]

can you advertise in a local newspaper?

Is your dp angry that you are going?

I think your dd will love sharing a room, even her bed with her mum for a year. Wouldn't worry the slightest bit about that. Maybe you can manage an ikea bunkbed or something

[ZZZenAgain]

apartments

[belgo]

What about asking one of your future dutch colleagues to help you look?

[Pawslikepaddington]

Zzzen you are a genius!! Have joined an international group this morning, which seems fruitful (yippee!!!). Dp is just dp, he mulls over things so goes deathly quiet over them. He is fab in other aspects, just not housework, emotion, or hasty things!

I will have another email to my new department (that sounds so snazzy!) to see if anyone knows anywhere. I am so glad I posted about this now, I was getting so internally stressed. Sorry it started so whingy!

Have visions of me and dd in bunkbeds "G'night dd", "G'night mummy", pull lightcord, american stylee! And the good thing is, dd would want the top bunk .

Oh am so much more upbeat about this now, thank you!

[belgo]

good, glad you have found an international group, I was sure there must be plenty of international people in Holland.

Holland is a great place to live, and I'm sure you dd will love it too.

[slim22]

you should try the expatica forums. found it very useful when we moved to Amsterdam.

it is a great place to live. Hilversum has a big expat community so try and mingle with the parents when you have the chance.

www.expatica.nl

good luck!

[Bonsoir]

Have you thought of looking for lodgings in someone's house, as opposed to looking for your own place? That might be cheaper, and maybe come with a garden and other children (maybe even a spot of childcare), which could help you out?

[Pawslikepaddington]

Lodgings do sound fab, especially if they already have children! Am very very excited about moving over, and dp has shown a little more interest at last (he was feeling left out!). Finally things are looking up! Just need to get the house over here bought for dp and we are all go! Thank you all so much, I cannot wait for the lovely, relaxed dutch attidude to things!

[Bonsoir]

My sister lives in The Netherlands (in Amsterdam). Her biggest takeaway is that the health care system is really terrible, so make sure you visit your GP in good time before you leave and have all your vaccinations and prescriptions up to date!

[Bonsoir]

I'm wondering whether your DD isn't going to the same school as my sister's children - International School of Amsterdam? My sister has a 6 year old DD. If so, please let me, I'll put you in touch, she'll be very happy to help and maybe your DD and my niece will be in the same class!

[Bonsoir]

please let me know

My sis is an academic type so she will be very sympathetic to your dilemmas!

[Pawslikepaddington]

Aaah no, they didn't have any spaces, so dd is going to the violenschool in Hilversum. I am a bit worried as I could not find ANYTHING about it on the net, but loads about the international school. I hope it turns out to be ok! It would be so nice to have someone in dd's class that we would have some form of tentative connection with, that was such a lovely thought Bonsior!

We are going to keep popping back to the UK, to keep poor dp's spirits up (and to check he is upholding his side of the bargain re keeping the house presentable. If not he is to fork out for a cleaner!), so we can always get gp needs/dental extractions then! .

I THINK we may have found a few places! One is a studio, and one is a one bed. I really want the one bed, as it means more room to keep me sane, but both are in Utrecht, not Hilversum, so a bit of a school trek, but not too bad. I am so glad I came on here, the help was invaluable!!!

[wrinklyraisin]

I'm in Amsterdam and looking for an excuse to visit Utrecht so if you want to get in touch once you're settled please do!

[Pawslikepaddington]

Sorry Bonsoir, I have goggly eyes tonight!

[Bonsoir]

that your DD and my niece won't be together! But I'm sure your DD will be fine - I think they are quite nice to children in the Netherlands!

Good luck with your house search.

[Expat2]

Have you tried www.funda.nl?

[skihorse]

kopen.marktplaats.nl/huizen-en-kamers/c1032.html - for Plaats put Utrecht and give say a 3km view.

The expatica places are generally very expensive.

Try www.kamernet.nl which is aimed at students and has everything from minging bedsits to rather "naice" apartments for wealthy PhD students.

Try also www.directwonen.nl/default.aspx?setlocaleid=1033

Be warned, ALL agencies will charge a non-refundable joining fee - usually in the region of 30 euros. In addition to this, once you've found somewhere they charge a "finder's fee" equivalent to 1 month's rent. Thems the way it works around here.

I am currently renting through these people www.vesteda.com who have been amazing (and cheap!) who run the place more like a HA - you know, they fix things, have maintenance guys, etc., etc. - although I see they don't currently have anything in Utrecht - but they do have something in maarssen -not so close and 1k a month.

If there's anything I can help with, please don't hestitate to ask - even if it's just translation of house advertisements! You can always place an add on marktplaats looking for accommdation.

Not sure what Bonsoir's sister's problem is with healthcare - personally I think it's great.