In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, like many families, we found ourselves amidst a sea of change and reflection. The world turned upside down, prompting us to reassess our priorities and seek out new adventures. I was deeply immersed in challenging work, but the long hours were taking their toll, and watching our children grow up so fast made us seek a change of pace.
During this period of introspection, Phil's work introduced a global mobility scheme, sparking our imaginations and fuelling dreams of packing up our lives and trying something new. We envisioned a place that would not only offer unique opportunities for personal and professional growth but also immerse us in a vibrant culture while facilitating more travel and weekend adventures.
After much deliberation, our shortlist narrowed down to two Western European countries: France and the Netherlands. Initially drawn to the allure of Southern France—its warm weather and the prospect of improving our French language skills (yes even Phil!)—we took pause with the rumoured bureaucratic hurdles alleged to be even worse than Quebec (if you know you know).
Ultimately, the Netherlands emerged as our destination of choice, despite its infamous weather. Amsterdam, with its cycling-friendly infrastructure, child-centric culture, and burgeoning IT scene, captured our hearts. The city's cosmopolitan vibe and central location with a major airport made it an ideal base for exploring Europe.
To our close friends who patiently listened to our endless musings about this hypothetical move for nearly two years, we extend our heartfelt apologies. But as the saying goes, if not now, when? With that mantra in mind, we embarked on the journey of planning our relocation to Amsterdam.
And so, the planning began in earnest. From navigating visa processes for both humans and dogs, to researching neighborhoods and schools, every step brought us closer to our new adventure. Stay tuned for more updates as we delve deeper into the good, the bad and the ugly of moving to Amsterdam—and yes, we'll definitely be discussing the weather!
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