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NL gals, more questions :)
Hi again! As we are trying to organize our visit in December I am setting up appts with the school(s) and realtor, so a couple of things...
Do any of you have any thoughts/opinions regarding the American School of the Hague vs the International School of Amsterdam? It appears that the American school has more social types of activities and nicer facilities...but this may just be the website? I have read some poor reviews about the International School, any truth that you know of?
If we choose the International School we will likely live in Oud Zuid or Amstelveen, how do we know which areas to focus on looking for housing? I have checked out Funda (a lot!) but find it hard to tell what the area is like. If we choose the American School we will likely live in Wassenaar, but my husband was wondering about Leiden? Lastly, if we live in the Wassenaar/Den Haag area will we be bored as far as nightlife/restaurants etc? We don't necessarily need clubs, but would be nice to have fun dinner and drink options for nights out.
Thanks in advance, you are all so appreciated!
Re: NL gals, more questions :)
I know people who've had kids in the American school as well as in the international school (all Americans) and really, there's not much difference, neither in quality, nor in social aspects.
Regarding housing in Amsterdam/Amstelveen, Oud Zuid and Buitenveldert as well as Rivierenbuurt are all nice areas in the southern part of Amsterdam. You can't really go wrong there, all safe and nice.
In Amstelveen I'd try to stay in the North part (north of the A9 highway), any neighborhood there is fine. Bankras is the least of the areas there, but it's still nice enough.Regarding south of the A9: Westwijk has nice houses, but is kinda far from the center. Groenhof and Keizer Karelpark neighborhoods are ok regarding houses, proximity to the school and easy enough public transport to the center of Amstelveen/easy access to Amsterdam. I'd stay away from Middenhoven and Waardhuizen are early to mid 80's neighborhoods. Houses are a little older and less nice than Westwijk, but the location is equally inconvenient.
My food blog
What I'm looking forward to in 2012:
Eating our way through (northern) Italy on vacation
<a href="http://www.thenest.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="Home DMy personal opinion is to stick with Amsterdam/Amstelveen. Den Haag and Leiden are cute but it will still be a hell of a commute for your husband to get to Amsterdam. Den Haag would take him 1 hour on the train alone. That doesn't include getting to and from the station. Leiden is closer to the Hague than to Amsterdam. I really think if he is going to work in Amsterdam, you should stay in Amsterdam/ Amstelveen. Who wants to spend 2.5 hours of their day commuting?
I didn't have a kid in the schools but I knew people in both the ISA and American School. I heard nothing but good things about the ISA. What were the bad reviews?
May I ask what your reluctance is for Amsterdam over Wassenaar (which I personally think would be BORING)? is it just the ISA vs. Amsterdam School?
Either way, your kid is going to get a good education.
Glad to hear that there is not a bad perception of the ISA...you know how the internet can be, once you find a bad couple of reviews it can feel as if that's all you see. I am not so much worried about the quality of education per se (I mean really, she's only 3) but more the quality of the experience at the school as a whole. We will also be bringing our (tiny) dog so I would like to avoid an apartment/walkup situation. I think this is possible with our budget...I am just so much more used to the suburb/Wassenaar type housing. I know, branch out...it's only 2 years!
I really just need to stop googling and get there and see everything with my own eyes! Ahhhhh, I'm just so impatient! Which is why this experience is going to force me to find some said "patience"
I missed your intro post due to being on vacation, but I wanted to say welcome to the NL!!! DH and I are Americans living in Eindhoven (southern part of NL), so I can't really comment on the areas that TotZiens and NLFoodie can comment on, but it's great to get another NL lady!
If you have any questions about anything "down south"...let me know!
I don't know too much about the schools, but do agree w/TZ, I would stick to Amstelveen or Amsterdam. The other cities are adorable, but you gotta consider overall quality of life. I'm kicking myself for us moving to Haarlem. I do love it here, but my DH's commute is over an hour each way most days either by car or public transit.
Also, in Amstelveen you can get a house w/a yard. With my DS being at that age where he always wants to go outside, it sucks having to go to the park (even thought it is only a block away). We have a terrace that I put toys on for him, but its not the same. I miss my yard, garbage disposal and garage
Oh, and when you see a lot of little parks, know its not a park for humans, but a dog chitting ground 
The "kiddie" parks have little gates around them.
I came here in December to look around too. We came during that Europe ice storm, but it was still nice. The canals and city are so pretty that time of year.
HI! I am a NL nestie living just North of Rotterdam (husband works near Rotterdam). I have two boys (ages 2 and 8 months). You are really lucky that you get a visit to see where you want to live! We found out 3 months before we moved here, so no time for a visit before hand!! I can't really help with info on Amsterdam, but I did consider looking at Wassenar for my son to go to school. This would have made my husband's commute over an hour each way for sure and I just wasn't in love with the area. It is true that there is a large expat community (especially American) in that area, but at the end of the day I figured I would happier having him come home before 6 or 6:30 everyday!! Listen to the girls that have info on Amsterdam; I am sure you can find something!
Also,I found a local English speaking playgroup that I go to with the boys and it has been a huge lifsaver for my sanity!! We even have ladies' nights out, etc.. In fact, that is why I don't post on here as much as I thought I would. I stay busy!! I found my playgroup/friends through the consulate bureau (the child care center that checks your children's growth and vaccines). They put me in touch with other English speaking moms! Maybe you could ask the same of yours! Good Luck and have fun on your visit!!!