Moving to Amsterdam from Chicago for a year

[pleach]

Hello
My name is Sheetal and have a 2.5 years old daughter Soniya. We have lived in Chicago for 7+ years. My husband has taken a secondment with his company in the US and we will move to Amsterdam sometime in April. I am looking for some moms/playgroups, things that I should know about or things to do with kids in NL - any advice/leads will be apreciated.
Hoping to meet moms and make new friends in a new land..
~ Sheetal

[ChetMC]

Saying Hi

I'm also in the US. I just peaked in here to ask a question about the Netherlands and saw your post.

Traffic in here seems a bit slow, so while you're waiting for some responses I just thought I'd say hi, and let you know that the Netherlands is a lovely place. We've been to visit several times and we really like it. You'll find the winters much milder than Chicago for sure.

[lillian]

we just arrived in amsterdam and will be here for 3 months. we are from wisconsin. we are just figuring out what are the best things to do here. i would be happy to share any of my info with you.

we just arrived 2 days ago and haven done too much, but we plan on going to tun fun tomorrow (indoor park).

we also bought a bakfiets to get around. it is really heavy but it is easier than walking with the 3 year old.

[wazzmum]

Hi!

I live in Amsterdam but am not yet a Mom! Expecting with my pregnant partner in early September.

April is a great month to move here!

You can check out the American Women's Club for some playgroups/socializing: http://www.awca.nl/amsterdam/
I haven't joined b/c a lot of the activities are during the day but I've gone to some open events and the people are nice.

If I think of anything else, I will post it. You could search on http://www.expatica.com/nl/main.html in their forums to see if anyone has suggestions.

Please let me know if you have any questions about moving here! Good luck with your move!

[pleach]

Thankyou for writing in... It makes me feel connected
I hope to meet some of you while in Amsterdam.
Love & Peace
Sheetal

[sarahmck]

Hi Sheetal,

My daughter goes to a wonderful pre-school that we adore beyond words. I am the contact parent for our group and I maintain the waiting list. We currently have space available and I'd be happy to send you more info or give you a tour once you're here. Peuterspeelzalen (pre-schools) in the Netherlands typically take children from 2.5 until 4. Ours is an afternoon program from 1:30 until 5:00.

I'm also the coordinator for the American Women's Club Moms and Tots playgroup, which meets on Monday mornings at different members' houses each week. I can give you more info about that as well.

Finally, there's an AP mailing list / playgroup. For info on that, join the ap-nhol Yahoo group.

Sarah

[rcr]

Originally Posted by lillian

we also bought a bakfiets to get around. it is really heavy but it is easier than walking with the 3 year old.

Hi Lillian, hope you are enjoying Amsterdam. You bought bakfiets? That is so cool. How much did they cost? Are you planning to bring them back to the US? That is my dream bike, I would love to bring one back...

To the OP - I am originally from Chicago - the west side (wicker park/Humboldt park). I now live in the south (as in Alabama, not the south side of Chicago), and I am planning to be in Amsterdam for 2 months this summer for work. I am just finalizing a place to stay (what an ordeal!). If you are looking for temporary housing when you first arrive, let me know and I will send you some links. It was hard for me to tell what was a scam and what was not... I don't have any advice, since I have never been there...

[pleach]

Hey Sarah
Thankyou for your reply. I would really be interested in the preschool program that you mentioned. Could you please send me more information about the on my personal email id [e-mail].
We haven't found the place to stay yet but we are zeroing in somewhere in Amstelveen area. Is this school that you mentioned easily accessible from Amstelveen? I would love to definately join the AP yahoo group but I wanted to know one thing - thing is I am an Indian by origin so is this group mainly aimed at American women or is it a general international women where women from all nationalities are welcome?
Thanks for your reply
love & peace
~Sheetal

[lillian]

Originally Posted by rcr

Hi Lillian, hope you are enjoying Amsterdam. You bought bakfiets? That is so cool. How much did they cost? Are you planning to bring them back to the US? That is my dream bike, I would love to bring one back...

...

i found one on craigs list. and no, it is not coming home with me. the one i have a really a piece of carp. plus where i live is hilly and it woudl never work. if i lived in a flat area i woudl really consider importing one of the nicer and more expensive ones. it is such a great way to get around!

[sarahmck]

Originally Posted by pleach

I would love to definately join the AP yahoo group but I wanted to know one thing - thing is I am an Indian by origin so is this group mainly aimed at American women or is it a general international women where women from all nationalities are welcome?

It's definitely for women of all nationalities. It's an English-speaking group officially, but lots of the women are Dutch and then there are a few Americans and Brits and others. If you can speak English, you can communicate with the group and are welcome!

I'll send you school info via e-mail.

[pleach]

Thanks Sarah! You have been so resourceful

[SuzymomofLaura]

Hi Sheetal and


I'm living in (or rather on the outside border of ) Amsterdam, and am Dutch by origin. So if you get to feel puzzled by the ways of the natives here, maybe I can help you out
This tribe is indeed a bit slow in traffic, but most of us go here every now and then to check for any news. How nice you'll be moving in april, spring is a good time to get started in a new place!

[rzberrymom]

Originally Posted by rcr

Hi Lillian, hope you are enjoying Amsterdam. You bought bakfiets? That is so cool. How much did they cost? Are you planning to bring them back to the US? That is my dream bike, I would love to bring one back...

I'm not the PP, but I brought a bakfiets with me when we moved back to the U.S., and I'd HIGHLY recommend it! Even if there are hills, you can usually get around them--I lived for a bit in the hilliest part of Seattle, and could always manage to get to where I needed to be. (although, I'm only carrying one kid with it--would probably be different with more than one). Plus, if you hate it, there will always be someone who will take it off your hands--I've had people BEGGING me to sell it to them!

You can get them in the states now, but they're about double the price as in the NL.

[lillian]

we have been here just over a month now and i have to say how wonderful amsterdam is. the people are incredibly friendly and welcoming. the city is beautiful and so manageable - easy to get around, great transportation, great for biking.

we are having a great time here. i know we will all be sad to leave in may.