Unutterably Silly So what are you doing RIGHT NOW?

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer

Our summers our getting warmer, so I might regret the decision. But I think if the attic's got two windows opposite each other it'll be fine (my current bedroom also gets hot, and it's got no option to air it out). An airco is also an option in the future. I just think an attic room is cozy, no idea why.

Today we visited the town center of Amersfoort, which is lovely. A lot of small(er) independent stores and the usual bigger stores.

Tomorrow is going to be rainy, so we're staying on the park. Relax and get some laundry done. We're going to have cheese fondue for dinner, probably whilst watching the Barbie movie.

Well, if the weather stays warm for a while yet--what we used to call here an Indian Summer (with my luck that's politically incorrect now), you will at least have some idea of how warm those can get, the attics, that is.

Amerfoort looked really nice--I did some Google-diving of it. The town looks cute and handy, depending, of course, on where you are. :-) Some cute houses!

Hitch

[badgoodDeb]

I think the second one Hitch mentioned (the one under contract already (or whatever your term was)) has nicer, fluffier furniture. The first one (deemed "boxy") may just have worse taste in their furniture -- and your furniture would be quite different! It could still be worth a look, since it's easier to ignore furniture in person than in a photo.

I agree, Hitch -- it's bad for me to look at houses. I make fast decisions, and have moved house quickly in the past. It's a good thing these are in another country!

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by badgoodDeb

I think the second one Hitch mentioned (the one under contract already (or whatever your term was)) has nicer, fluffier furniture. The first one (deemed "boxy") may just have worse taste in their furniture -- and your furniture would be quite different! It could still be worth a look, since it's easier to ignore furniture in person than in a photo.

OMG, GMTA (Great Minds Think Alike). I swear, i was coming over here, this evening, to say exactly the same thing. Furniture and wall hangings, etc. make a HUGE diff.

I agree, Hitch -- it's bad for me to look at houses. I make fast decisions, and have moved house quickly in the past. It's a good thing these are in another country!

ME TOO!!!

ETA: because I'm a big fat liar and can't stay away: https://www.funda.nl/koop/amersfoort...curastraat-42/ I am NOT sure about their BR claim or the SIZE of them. That's the one thing that makes me squishy and it's at the upper end of your budget. The streets might be quiet--or NOT. You would, though, at least have one wall that does not buttress another house.

Hitch

[astrangerhere]

I am decidedly NOT looking for a house to buy.

I'm on my first span of more than 2 days of vacation consecutively since 2021. I spent today cleaning out and straightening up the garage, filling up the freezer with some soups and stews, and now I'm reading, cider in hand.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by astrangerhere

I am decidedly NOT looking for a house to buy.

I'm on my first span of more than 2 days of vacation consecutively since 2021. I spent today cleaning out and straightening up the garage, filling up the freezer with some soups and stews, and now I'm reading, cider in hand.

GOOD for you on all fronts. I have grabbed a heavy-duty trash bag, a contractor's bag and YES, omg, I am plowing through my closet, getting rid of all the clothes and shoes, etc. that I shall ne'er wear again. Suits from...lord, more years ago than I wish to admit and all that. (sigh). BUT, with any luck, I'll be able to see the back of the closet again...

Hitch

[Rumpelteazer]

The weather is crappy today, rainy and windy. So we're staying on the vacation park. I've just had a shower and once my sister is up and ready we're going to do laundry. Luckily the launderette is close by. In between I'm going to cross stitch and prepare my next project (grid the fabric and organize the floss). My sister is going to work on her craft project. We'll also make a plan what we're going to do the rest of the week; we got three more outings we want to do plus a hike during the weekend.

[Rumpelteazer]

Just after midnight this house came on the market. Both my sister and I like it, a lot. The rooms are a good size, the heating system and fuse box are only 2 years old, the dormers were replaced this year, the tram stop is nearby and it's only a 35 minute ride to Utrecht city center, my sister can get to work by car in 10 minutes and 25 by bike. The garden needs a bit of work and the energy certificate is a C, so there's room for improvement. We would change some cosmetic things, but that's all within the budget.

The only thing is that we don't know much about IJselstein, there seems to be a shopping area a short bike ride away with all the basics.

This morning we're going to see if we can book a viewing.

[Greg Anos]

Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer

Just after midnight this house came on the market. Both my sister and I like it, a lot. The rooms are a good size, the heating system and fuse box are only 2 years old, the dormers were replaced this year, the tram stop is nearby and it's only a 35 minute ride to Utrecht city center, my sister can get to work by car in 10 minutes and 25 by bike. The garden needs a bit of work and the energy certificate is a C, so there's room for improvement. We would change some cosmetic things, but that's all within the budget.

The only thing is that we don't know much about IJselstein, there seems to be a shopping area a short bike ride away with all the basics.

This morning we're going to see if we can book a viewing.

Do that as quick as you can.

[Rumpelteazer]

Originally Posted by Greg Anos

Do that as quick as you can.

We got a viewing booked for Friday next week. My sister is being a bit difficult because she thinks 35 by tram is too far away from Utrecht. We'll see.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer

We got a viewing booked for Friday next week. My sister is being a bit difficult because she thinks 35 by tram is too far away from Utrecht. We'll see.

I dunno, but that one is decidedly nice and a fair enough price, it looks like to me. And one of the largest we've all seen in that price range.

Hitch

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer

We got a viewing booked for Friday next week. My sister is being a bit difficult because she thinks 35 by tram is too far away from Utrecht. We'll see.

I kinda like this one: https://www.funda.nl/koop/nieuwegein...nterkoning-13/ . It's a skoosh out of your range, but they might be willing to drop a bit IF it's been sitting there. As I haven't logged in, I do't know if it's new or not. But it has some features that would be pretty great for you two and the garden is lovely. It's in Doorslag-Nord.

And this one in Gouda--it's pretty nice and I thought of your sister and noise: https://www.funda.nl/koop/gouda/huis...-beringlaan-2/

And another Goudan candidate: the conservatory is nice. BR's are smallish, but... https://www.funda.nl/koop/gouda/huis...olenomloop-11/ but it's QUITE affordable...looks quiet as hell.

H

[badgoodDeb]

35 minutes by tram is a *great* time to do some reading of a good book! It’s nice to have scheduled times when reading is the best filler of the time slot!

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by badgoodDeb

35 minutes by tram is a *great* time to do some reading of a good book! It’s nice to have scheduled times when reading is the best filler of the time slot!

When I was young, and working in the city (NYC), I used to take the train into the city, and there were days when I did my makeup while traveling! LOL.

It is also a great time to get caught up on reading and in today's world, with Kindles, etc. it's pretty perfect.

Hitch

[Rumpelteazer]

Originally Posted by Hitch

I kinda like this one: https://www.funda.nl/koop/nieuwegein...nterkoning-13/ . It's a skoosh out of your range, but they might be willing to drop a bit IF it's been sitting there. As I haven't logged in, I do't know if it's new or not. But it has some features that would be pretty great for you two and the garden is lovely. It's in Doorslag-Nord.

And this one in Gouda--it's pretty nice and I thought of your sister and noise: https://www.funda.nl/koop/gouda/huis...-beringlaan-2/

And another Goudan candidate: the conservatory is nice. BR's are smallish, but... https://www.funda.nl/koop/gouda/huis...olenomloop-11/ but it's QUITE affordable...looks quiet as hell.

H

The first one we looked at and we both liked it. I would love to have the weirdly shaped room (2 rooms put together), I could make one section the bedroom and the other half my craft area. But my sister wanted to divide the two rooms again and I would then get the one beneath the roof (which are always smaller than it looks on paper because you lose space because of the roof and they are hard to furnish).

The second one came on the market yesterday. We shortly discussed it, but then didn't talk about it. I think it's because it needs some work; kitchen, bathroom, the bedrooms. I do love the attic, though.

We looked at the last one a while ago, but even my sister thinks the bedrooms are too small (she needs space for her big wardrobes and a make up table).

About the 35 minute tram ride. I don't mind it. For me it would be an opportunity to wind down and, like others suggested, read a book or listen to a podcast or music. She uses as argument that from Gouda it takes shorter to get to Utrecht than from IJselstein. It's true, Gouda is a less than 20 minutes by train. However, you first need to get from your home to the station. So you have to cycle or take a bus. When you take your bike you need to park it before getting on the train. When taking the bus you know that the bus doesn't take the most direct route. The IJselstein house was less than 5 minutes on foot to the tram stop. I expect there isn't much of a difference in travel time between the two places if you look at the overall travel time.

Also, I don't think you're going to Utrecht as often as my sister thinks she will. Gouda has a great town center, with both shops and cafés and restaurants. IJselstein is small, but it's got the basic stores. If you need more you most likely can find it at the big shopping center in Nieuwegein (11 minutes by tram). Sure, it doesn't have a lot of cafés and restaurants, so you would have to go to Utrecht, but how often do you go out to dinner?

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer

The first one we looked at and we both liked it. I would love to have the weirdly shaped room (2 rooms put together), I could make one section the bedroom and the other half my craft area. But my sister wanted to divide the two rooms again and I would then get the one beneath the roof (which are always smaller than it looks on paper because you lose space because of the roof and they are hard to furnish).

The second one came on the market yesterday. We shortly discussed it, but then didn't talk about it. I think it's because it needs some work; kitchen, bathroom, the bedrooms. I do love the attic, though.

We looked at the last one a while ago, but even my sister thinks the bedrooms are too small (she needs space for her big wardrobes and a make up table).

About the 35 minute tram ride. I don't mind it. For me it would be an opportunity to wind down and, like others suggested, read a book or listen to a podcast or music. She uses as argument that from Gouda it takes shorter to get to Utrecht than from IJselstein. It's true, Gouda is a less than 20 minutes by train. However, you first need to get from your home to the station. So you have to cycle or take a bus. When you take your bike you need to park it before getting on the train. When taking the bus you know that the bus doesn't take the most direct route. The IJselstein house was less than 5 minutes on foot to the tram stop. I expect there isn't much of a difference in travel time between the two places if you look at the overall travel time.

Also, I don't think you're going to Utrecht as often as my sister thinks she will. Gouda has a great town center, with both shops and cafés and restaurants. IJselstein is small, but it's got the basic stores. If you need more you most likely can find it at the big shopping center in Nieuwegein (11 minutes by tram). Sure, it doesn't have a lot of cafés and restaurants, so you would have to go to Utrecht, but how often do you go out to dinner?

Wait, now I gotta switch BACK to Gouda? Sheesh. (And Gouda, I think, is a skoosh $$$ than Ultrecht, but I'm wingin' it here. I do think, though, that from waht I see, Gouda has a greater percentage of what I would consider "quiet" neighborhoods, and I suspect that your sister probably sees that too. If you are noise-sensitive, those things are screamingly (ha!!) obvious.)

I think the Winter King one (#1 for youze guys out there) might bite at $450; it's a shame we can't find it for another 20 less, but.

That 2nd one--I think you could get that to 400 or even a bit less, because it DOES need a lot of TLC. It's a thought. BUT, hear me on this--if you guys don't love it, don't offer, don't mess with it. LOVE matters in a house; it's nearly more important than it mattering in a spouse. (You can throw a spouse out of a house. it's harder to just throw a house away.)

Hitch