Going Dutch

In June last year, Britain voted to leave the EU, this is officially known as Brexit.  I am what is officially known as a ‘remoaner’, this is a person who voted remain (in the EU) and now moans constantly about Brexit (and about all the people who voted to leave).

After the Brexit vote last year, the decision was made to leave to remain.  I am leaving England to move to the Netherlands. ie to remain in the EU. This has been in the planning stage for roughly a year, which really talking about it for about ten months and slow action starting in the 11th month and the 12th month and moving date is close and now panic is on the horizon.

I did a 24 hour jaunt in Amsterdam this week to look at houses.  I have an adorable estate broker who is managing it all, which makes a massive difference and equally means I could just show up for 24 hours and look at 12 houses and make a decision on the day. A house was found on the outskirts of Amsterdam, which to say Im in love with it is a complete understatement. Negotiations have now begun with the landlord to sort out all the details. In a ideal world, the keys will be handed over on or around the 1st of August.

Moving really upsets my inner hoarder, Im getting rid of a LOT. Why have 1 of anything when I can have 12?!?! Its my inner American really but it still makes getting rid of anything a real inner battle.

Why the Netherlands? Ive lived there as an exchange student 1999-2000 and now speak the language very badly, I kid you not but apparently being able to do it with confidence makes the difference.

I often have the itch to move, every five or so years Im determined its time to get up and go, so I think this move is what I need. Given that Ive been in England for over 15 years and have a visa to Australia that has long expired and never used. Am I excited? No, actually Im (not so) silently mortified. I worry about the basics, like finding a job similar to the one I do now and having a similar income.

I recently read Dutched Up!: Rocking the Clogs Expat Style as a primer for moving.  Whilst it made it giggle on several levels, it also worked as a reminder of the issues I am very likely to have as a expat. I am looking forward to it, once I am settled in my ideal dream rental with a job that suits me on a bike doing it all dutch style.  

T minus 1 month to the move. The idea is to be completely moved and settled in the Netherlands by the end of August 2017.