Rotterdam, Netherlands, Zip Code: 2761 DJ
Two years ago, I packed my life into two suitcases and boarded a flight from Mumbai to the Netherlands. I was moving to Rotterdam for a job in IT—a chance I had dreamt about for years. Europe had always felt like another world to me. I grew up imagining what it would be like to hop countries by train, to live in postcard towns, to take weekend trips across borders. So when the opportunity came, I didn’t think twice.
But what I didn’t expect was how much this move would change me—not just where I lived, but how I lived.
A City That Surprised Me
Rotterdam wasn’t what I pictured when I thought of Europe. It’s not quaint or charming in the way Amsterdam or Paris might be. It’s modern, edgy, sometimes even stark. But it grows on you. The city was rebuilt after World War II, so the architecture is bold and experimental. Skyscrapers sit next to quirky cube houses. Street art pops up around unexpected corners. It feels like a living canvas.
What I love most is how spacious everything is. Coming from Mumbai, where personal space is more of a luxury, Rotterdam gave me room to breathe—literally and emotionally. I started noticing how quiet the streets were, how orderly public transport was, how no one seemed to be in a rush. That took some getting used to.
From Hustle to Balance
Back in Mumbai, life moved at breakneck speed. I was used to long workdays, packed weekends, and the constant buzz of the city. Here, the pace is different. People value their time—both at work and outside of it. Offices shut by 5 or 6. Colleagues head out for evening walks, bike rides, or simply to unwind with their families. At first, I didn’t know what to do with all that free time.
But slowly, I began to appreciate it. I stopped checking emails at night. I started cooking more, reading again, and even picked up sketching—something I hadn’t done since college. For the first time in years, I wasn’t just working. I was living.
Finding a Bit of India Here
There’s a small but tight-knit Indian community in Rotterdam. I found them through festivals, potlucks, and WhatsApp groups where we trade tips on where to find the best paneer or which store has mangoes in season. It helps, especially on days when homesickness hits hard—during Diwali, or when I crave a proper vada pav.
I’ve also made friends from different parts of the world—Spain, Poland, Suriname, Turkey. Rotterdam is a multicultural city, and that reflects in its food, people, and stories. It’s broadened my perspective in ways I didn’t expect.
My First Dutch Winter
Nothing prepared me for the winter, though. I remember waking up one morning in December and seeing everything outside my window covered in frost. Beautiful, yes—but also bitterly cold. Learning to bike in the wind, rain, and occasional snow was an experience in itself. The Dutch don’t stop cycling just because the weather is bad—they just add layers. I quickly learned to do the same.
But winter also brought its own kind of charm. Hot chocolate by candlelight, festive lights across the canals, and the quiet hush that falls over the city when it snows. It made me appreciate warmth—in people, places, and moments.
Travel and a Solo Journey
One of the biggest perks of living here is how easy it is to travel. France is a few hours away by train. Belgium is practically next door. I’ve done weekend trips to Prague, Paris, and even hiked in the Austrian Alps—all without needing to board a flight from Mumbai airport six hours in advance.
Last summer, I took my first solo trip to the Swiss countryside. I stayed in a small village near Interlaken, hiked through flower-filled meadows, and watched the sun set over snowcapped peaks. It was peaceful in a way I had never known before. That trip gave me the confidence to do more things alone—and to enjoy my own company.
Learning to Live Fully
This move has taught me a lot—not just about another culture, but about myself. I’ve learned to be okay with silence. To slow down without feeling guilty. To navigate loneliness and turn it into solitude. To find joy in the ordinary—a bike ride to the local market, a quiet evening by the river, the sound of rain on my window.
Dutch culture can be direct, which took me a while to adjust to. People say what they mean, and there’s little room for small talk. But over time, I’ve come to appreciate the honesty and simplicity of it. Life here is not about impressing others. It’s about living authentically.
Home, Reimagined
I still miss Mumbai. I miss the chaos, the warmth, the familiarity of it all. But I also know I’ve grown in ways I never could have if I’d stayed. Living in Rotterdam has given me not just a new home, but a new rhythm—one that feels more in tune with who I am becoming.
Europe may have once felt like a distant dream, but now it’s part of my everyday. And every time I cross a canal or hop on my bike or take a train to a new country, I’m reminded: I made this life for myself. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
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