From Hoef en Haag to Singapore and to Amstenrade
In this blog, I will take you on our journey of chasing dreams, living in Singapore, and ultimately finding our perfect dream home in Amstenrade. Whether you are seeking inspiration for your own interior or are curious about the challenges and successes of renovating and moving, you will find everything here!
Our journey begins in Hoef en Haag a small village in Holland near Utrecht and takes us all the way to Singapore and back to the Netherlands, to Amstenrade. We share how we gave up our dream home in Hoef en Haag for a new adventure and eventually set our sights on a beautiful property in Amstenrade. Read along and discover what drives us and how we handle the ups and downs of this exciting journey.
Who are we?
Our Background and Family
We are a small, close-knit family: me, Femke, my husband Leon, and our four-year-old daughter Puck. Leon works as a project controller in the construction industry, specialising in infrastructure (roads and water), while I am a marketer and event manager with a passion for interior styling and architecture. Our shared love for travelling and discovering new places took us to Singapore, a long-cherished dream that came true.
Our daughter Puck is a cheerful and curious girl who loves castles, unicorns, and everything related to Frozen. She now speaks two languages fluently and has a group of friends with roots from all over the world.
Our Passion for Living and Renovating
My background in marketing and event management is not my only knowledge. Before shifting to marketing and events, I studied architecture with the goal of becoming an architect. During my studies, however, I discovered that I excelled more in marketing and event management, which led me to change my focus. My eye for detail and love for beautiful interiors has only grown stronger.
Leon grew up in a small village where his father built their family home and worked as a carpenter. Leon inherited his father's eye for beautiful homes and enjoys the challenge of managing projects both at work and at home.
Our Adventure Begins in Hoef en Haag
An Ideal Start
Our adventure began in Hoef en Haag, a new village near Utrecht. Here we found our perfect starter home, centrally located with a primary school opposite our house and all necessary amenities within walking distance. It was the ideal place to start a family and build a community.
Alongside my work as a marketer, I was active in the village association, organising events to bring the community closer together. Leon's work kept us financially stable and gave us the opportunity to dream about a future abroad.
The Turning Point
In December 2022, everything changed. The company I worked for was taken over, and my position became uncertain. This brought us to a turning point; we decided that this was the moment to make our dream of living abroad come true. Leon arranged a position in Singapore through his work, and in April 2023, he left for his first term. Puck and I followed shortly after.
Life in Singapore: New Challenges and Insights
Adaptability and Growth
Moving to Singapore was a big step, but it brought us closer together and taught us a lot about flexibility and solution-oriented thinking. In Singapore, we had to adapt to a new life without the safety net of friends and family. This made us stronger and strengthened our relationship as a family.
The experience abroad also taught us that we can be happy wherever we are, as long as we are together. This insight has changed our vision for the future and helped us sharpen our goals and ambitions.
Financial Stability and Passive Income
An important aspect of our life in Singapore is generating passive income by renting out our house in Hoef en Haag. This gives us financial stability and the opportunity to save for future dreams and pay off my outstanding student loan faster. Renting out our house provides us with a stable base and the chance to improve our financial situation. We chose to rent instead of selling because our initial intention was to return to Hoef en Haag, which is no longer a must.
Back to the Netherlands? New Dreams and Challenges
Our new goals
When we will return to the Netherlands exactly is uncertain. We know that we will eventually return, which means continually re-evaluating our goals and dreams. We realise that the house we currently have might not align with our future goals and dreams. We need a home that allows us to continue generating passive income even when we are back in the Netherlands. Starting a B&B or renting out part of a house has now become a realistic goal.
During our holiday in the summer of 2024, we decided to be open to new homes. Although we visited several houses, none were perfect. Until we found the perfect house in Amstenrade in the last week of our holiday.
The Decision to do a Viewing
In November 2024, Leon had to return to the Netherlands for work. This gave us the opportunity to view the house in Amstenrade. Despite the short notice, we managed to schedule an appointment, and Leon and his parents were enthusiastic about what they saw. The house had everything we were looking for and more.
A New Start in Amstenrade?
Our adventure is far from over. The viewing in Amstenrade was just the beginning of a new chapter. With our eyes on the future and our shared dreams, we look forward to transforming this beautiful house and making our vision a reality.
Thank you for reading our story. Follow our blog for updates on our journey, interior projects, and more adventures. Want to know more about our experiences in Hoef en Haag, or curious about tips for living in Singapore? Keep an eye on our blog!
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