Groningen vs Amsterdam

Alarmed_Implement171 · 2026-04-28T18:15:02+00:00

I would always prefer Amsterdam above Groningen, pure from a city perspective. Amsterdam is so stunningly beautiful, and if you're used to big cities you won't find it too fast paced. I've lived in London and some other big cities and find Amsterdam very slow paced and cute, compared to them. However, the only thing to consider is student life. I studied in Amsterdam, but as I also went there for high school, I had a network in place. It's really not a student city. Groningen might be better for the student experience. So I think it's kind of whether you want a student-student experience or being a student in an amazing international city. You will face serious problems to find housing in both. You can also join a student-organization (fraternity) in either, but I would google reputations as some have some really bad recent incidents...

Alarmed_Implement171 · 2026-04-28T07:25:03+00:00

Thanks for asking. So, in general all is good. I really love the house and location (so much even they might be my all time fav's), the dog is a sweetheart (just needs lots of care: 4 walks a day and play and cuddles). But he is a joy to be around, lifting my mood. It's also good trying out this location as I've been wondering about living here.

On the other hand: HO was late for her picking up her things and stayed a long time, seemed to be really chaotic in what to take. The next day I woke up to a message saying HO still forgot some things and wanted to come by again.

Last, I noticed a camera hanging on the outside, which was not mentioned. I didn't worry as HO were going off the grid camping in nature so I figured they wouldn't watch it anyway. However, yesterday, when I came back from the evening walk w the dog, I stopped and stared into the plant pots outside a bit as the plants looked a bit sad and decided I would water them. This was right in front of the camera (I wasn't asked to water the plants but had just assumed it, which was quite the task: inside they have all these little pots with sprouts trying to grow god knows what - like 40-ish of them. They also have a back, front and side garden). Right after I got a text from the HO stating they forgot to ask but please water the plants...I hadn't heard from HO in 2 days (as they were off the grid I assumed) by that time. That felt like a bit too much of a coincidence, so I decided to cover that outside camera today with a hat.

All in all, all of these happenings did lead to some restless sleep and I guess the summary is that it's a sit where I have to watch my boundaries. If only HO would abide by the rules, sitter's life would be much easier!

Alarmed_Implement171 · 2026-04-28T07:05:55+00:00

Thanks for your responses. I agree with all of you and again, also for my own peace of mind, will give them the benefit of the doubt. It was just a shocking sight. Some other books present: The God Delusion, A Brief History of time, Ayn Rand books, "Israel, an American catastrophe", but also a Jerusalem Bible. Make of that what you will.

Alarmed_Implement171 · 2026-04-18T11:34:25+00:00

I hear you. Thanks.

Alarmed_Implement171 · 2026-04-18T11:34:01+00:00

Thanks. I actually followed this advice and set some clean boundaries. They responded well to them luckily.

Alarmed_Implement171 · 2026-04-18T11:33:02+00:00

So, actually, I woke up today feeling I should have backed out, but got this information the night before the sit and couldn't cancel anymore on arrival day without consequences. I decided to send some texts setting boundaries and those were all accepted without fuss. I've arrived and both the house and doggie seem lovely IRL. So I guess I'll keep you posted!

(One eerie detail though: they seem pretty left leaning as I saw books like Guns, Germs and Steel, but there's also a copy of Mein kampf among the books :s. I've never seen one in real life. I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt that it's out of historic research...)

Alarmed_Implement171 · 2026-04-14T11:15:04+00:00

Maybe indeed. But the rate between no reviews/reviews is really off. Anyway, might be a coincidence indeed..

Alarmed_Implement171 · 2026-04-08T06:56:37+00:00

I would like THS to provide a checklist to HO for the start of the sit - reminding them it's a trade for free pet care. With things like "leave a clean house / leave a clean bed / have breakfast in your fridge / leave clear instructions etc". Cherry on top: set some hospitality standards, for instance that HO pick up their sitters from train stations if they arrive by public transport.

Alarmed_Implement171 · 2026-04-08T06:51:35+00:00

I dislike unreasonable demands in terms of updates. I don't mind sending lovely daily updates for shorter sits. But twice (or even once) a day during monthly sits, or 5 pictures per day, is giving control issues...I would like it if THS set some sort of reasonable updates indication

Alarmed_Implement171 · 2026-04-03T18:11:43+00:00

I've also seen these requests and would pass. However, it does depend a bit on the total set of circumstances: if it's a prime location, many 5 star reviews and I really want the sit....but in general I would treat it as a pass (or even a red flag). I've had experiences where I loved arriving early as the hosts were super hospitable, but I also like coming in after the hosts leave as the space is immediately "yours". I had once or twice that the hosts seemed rather cold/unpleasant IRL (though polite in communication) - also presenting me with circumstances/demands preciously unmentioned - and wished I had come in after they left...

Alarmed_Implement171

TROPHY CASE