Moving to Amsterdam

[SeeBrad]

I am moving to Amsterdam in August with DH, DS ( 4 years old and about to start Reception) and DD (will be nearly 3 and about to start Nursery). The children are enrolled in Britams and I think that we will live somewhere between the school and Vondelpark. Has anyone got any tips / familiar with the area / know of any good mums networks etc where I can meet people? I am very excited as I hear it is a lovely lifestyle but am a career girl here in London and so am wondering how I will make friends and meet people if I am not working and my husband is working a lot! Thanks

Do you speak Dutch? I ask, because my sister lives in Amsterdam and, despite her initial reluctance to learn yet another language, found it absolutely indispensable to do so. If you do a graduate level Dutch for foreigners class, you will meet other like minded people.

I used to live on Van Baerlestraat/corner Frans Van mierris.
nostalgia.....
Look up the forums on expatica.nl, best resource for NL.

Do talk to you neighbors and random strangers. Very hard to break the ice with the dutch but well worth it. Get out of your comfort zone or you appreciate Amsterdam as it should be.

You will meet lots of mums in the same situation as yourself at the school - I know I did. There is a real community feel at the school, especially at the infants where your children will be. It sounds like you've done your research on where best to live. An easy commute to school, by bike, is really the best decision you can make.

Regarding learning dutch, I would recommend starting a course as soon as you arrive. It's important to at least have some basics though most of the people you'll come across (shops/dentists/doctors) will understand english.

The school holds a coffee morning every Thursday - that's your best way to start probably. Latch on to someone who is a bit ahead of you (lots of new families started in May, they'd be ideal) who'll be perfect in advising you.

Good luck - we are leaving Amsterdam after 5 great years - you'll have a great time.

PS - if you're looking to buy a 5 bedroom house in Oud Zuid, PM me!

Thanks so much everyone - this is great! We are off there today to view apartments and are going to the school first thing tomorrow to pick up uniforms for the kids. I will definitely take your advice and go on a dutch language course - I was planning to do this anyway but this has confirmed to me that it is a good idea. I spoke to some lovely mums in the park whose children were at the british school and they were really friendly - so hopefully as you say pinkje some like minded people. thanks again, really appreicate the replies.

There's a really good facebook group called Amsterdam mamas. Invaluable for helping you find your way.

Just logged on to Amsterdam mamas. Brilliant. Thanks Graciescotland.
Pinkje-don't need a house- but any ideas where I can get a good second hand bakfiet box trike?

Hi See Brad, I will be selling my bakfiets if you are still looking. Also renting out our 5 bed house 5 mins walk from Vondelpark. Please PM me if interested. We have lived in Amsterdam for 2 yrs, my son went to nursery at brit school-he loved it!

Don't sell the bakfiets, they have them here in Belgium too and even do bike races with them, with Belgian prices so high, it will probably sell for more here!