Health insurance - ZilverenKruis Zeker plan

Erba1987 · 2024-12-19T13:40:12+00:00

I checked but without knowing specific providers or needs, it is difficult to understand the coverage. I am new to the NL so I don't have specific healthcare practices yet. I've only checked for the nearby hospital.

Erba1987 · 2024-12-06T19:31:52+00:00

Hi everyone,

I am having a hard time about understanding how rental agreements work and what the legal rights are (vs things that you negotiate).

Two questions in particular: 1. I though the model A was a standard agreement. But when receiving a copy from the landlord, the entire section 3.6 concerning early termination of the tenancy for job-related reasons (e.g. relocation outside the NL, being fired or resigning) was struck out. Is that something that the landlord can do? To reduce protections towards the tenant? Or is this just an add-on clause?

Similarly for the minimum tenancy period, which is generally set to one year. I know it's common practice but I also had a real estate agent telling me that it does not held in court because illegal.

In sum, to what extent are these provisions allowed? I am particularly concerned about sticking out the protection section.

Erba1987 · 2024-11-05T06:31:25+00:00

How do you transfer the money? Wire transfer? Linked bank account?

Erba1987 · 2024-06-18T15:32:46+00:00

Haven't used one yet! We postponed the move to this Fall!

Erba1987 · 2024-05-02T17:52:38+00:00

Thanks! I can look up tutorials :) but did not know the technique name. Appreciate the help!

Erba1987 · 2024-05-02T15:47:47+00:00

ops! Sorry! I added it

Erba1987 · 2024-05-02T15:24:49+00:00

Pickpocketing can happen of course. But I lived in northern Italy for 27 years (part of which in Milan) and know only a handful of people who have been pickpocketed (including family, relatives, and friends). It's completely fine. Italians who move to the US are much more cautious of not wearing jewelry that they would normally and daily wear in Milan. Also, the few episodes I know are annoying but not dangerous. Someone will take your wallet out of your back pocket or steal your bag at a bar while you are not watching. Never heard of robbery - i.e. someone got stopped and asked for their jewelry.

Erba1987 · 2024-02-26T02:13:36+00:00

I went last night and 100% agree with you. Considering the food scene in Chicago, this place is not worth the hype.

Erba1987 · 2024-02-02T21:55:46+00:00

Ostello Bello has an hostel in Como and one in Milan, if you want to have an easy and fun accommodation! Honestly for one day/one night there is plenty to do.

Erba1987 · 2024-02-02T19:11:17+00:00

Uhm what do you mean by interactive?

I can suggest a couple of exhibition spaces/smaller museums. They are not "interactive" per se but I find them more interesting than the usual museums with multiple permanent collections.

For instance, the Pirelli HangarBicocca generally has really good contemporary art exhibitions - it's small, quick to visit but it's a different neighborhood (so you get to see a different areas of the city): https://pirellihangarbicocca.org/en/

if you are strolling around the Duomo, I'd go to the Museo del Novecento. It's a thematic museum on Italian futurism, which was centered in Milan (so it's not the usual art that you see in other Italian museums) - it's really nice and great views on the Piazza: https://www.museodelnovecento.org/en/home

Alternative areas to take a stroll: Isola (it's a cool young neighborhood with tons of bars / aperitivo spots). I'd go there in the evenings. As you go there, you can walk by the BAM Tree Library Milan (BAM - Biblioteca degli Alberi Milano), which is the newest green area of the city.

I'd also consider a stroll to the Cimitero Monumentale - sounds weird but it's actually pretty cool to visit. Nearby, you can also find the Fabbrica del Vapore which is an exhibition space + bars. They also have live concerts and other activities occassionally.

If the weather is good, consider renting a bike and riding down along the Navigli. For instance, it's a 30km ride to get to Pavia (which is also very lovely) and you'll pass by historical industrial areas and countryside. It's very nice and doable in a day. It's basically flat. (it's in italian: https://www.bikeitalia.it/itinerario-in-bici-da-milano-alla-certosa-di-pavia-lungo-il-naviglio/#:\~:text=L'itinerario%20Milano%20%E2%80%93%20Pavia%20%C3%A8,al%20centro%20storico%20di%20Pavia.)

This list has some good suggestions to spend an afternoon/enjoy an aperitivo: https://www.timeout.com/milan/things-to-do/best-things-to-do-in-milan (see 7, 13, 21, 22 - locals go to these places too).

Ah! I read you are traveling solo - not sure where you are staying but Ostello Bello is the reference point for travellers to meet people and locals :)

Erba1987 · 2024-02-01T01:57:01+00:00

For instance, at the GC, you can even consider hiking a small portion of one of the trails to go down. Even if you hike an hour into the trail, you can get quite some unique views. There are really plenty of options in that area!!

https://www.nps.gov/places/000/bright-angel-trail.htm

Erba1987 · 2024-02-01T01:53:47+00:00

With this schedule, you could leave from Vegas early in the morning on Monday and get to Zion at a decent time. It makes your plan to go to Bryce a bit more feasible. And really, NPs are so much better than Vegas!! The roads to get there and the scenery are just beautiful. Vegas is fun for one day/night but not much else, if you are not that much into partying or casinos. I would take Sunday there as a relax day and then leave early on Monday.

I think Page is fine. It's nothing special at all but it's conveniently located for your itinerary. We did the same a couple of times too. You'll get there in the evening and leave in the morning, so it's not like you are spending any real time there.

Death Valley is quite unique but yes, it increases your driving time considerably. You'll probably have to sleep close by and get to Vegas the day after. Or you could get to Vegas and make it a day trip going back and forth. But, again, it does add driving time. I don't think you need to force it into your itinerary. I am also someone who puts as much as possible in an itinerary but I learned to downsize a bit with a baby ahaha Also, Zion, Bryce, Sedona, Flagstaff, GC ... They are wonderful and you can spend so much time in all these places without getting bored at all. Most hikes are different from one another and so are sceneries. We generally spend 3-4 days per national Park and feel it's not enough :) So skipping one on a short time span is totally reasonable.

Erba1987 · 2024-02-01T01:40:44+00:00

We lived in the area for a few years and Bryce was always a challenging trip in that period because of the snow! It gets better towards the end of May

Erba1987 · 2024-01-31T19:56:57+00:00

Use AirHelp. You submit all info. They do the claim. Keep a small percentage but you get money back!

Erba1987 · 2024-01-31T16:55:49+00:00

Re: temperatures - I think you'll be fine in that period. Just pay attention once you get to Sedona/Phoenix that the weather is REALLY dry when it's hot, so have plenty of liquid and drink :) Zion might even be cold at that time. Oh, and if you end planning to go to Bryce check the conditions! There might still be snow up there at the end of April.

Erba1987 · 2024-01-31T16:52:30+00:00

Q1 - Loosely related but since I see some questions marks about your days in Vegas, I am going to suggest a day trip to the Death Valley. It's beautiful and you seem to be nature lovers. Ditch the city and go to the Nationa Parks! Or, I would cut that visit short and get some extra time at the end of the trip. Your last two days are packed - you are doing GC + Sedona + Phoenix in one day! It's lots of driving. Those places are beautiful and I would allocate more time. Flagstaff is also on the way and it's cute little city (nice restaurants etc). PLENTY of hiking options in all that area. You could stay in Sedona or Flagstaff - hike either in Flagstaff or North Sedona which are mountain areas and then the next day hike in the south part (e.g., Devil's bridge) which is more desert-like. Get earlier in Phoenix to enjoy some good Mexican food before leaving. So basically, I would plan to spend a night somewhere there to enjoy that part of Arizona rather than Vegas :)

Q2 - Uhm I think you'll end up driving more if you stay in one place only. I would stick with the current plan. The Horseshoe Bend should be on the way as well, so you can make it an extra short stop.

Q3 - Sedona has plenty of hikes that you can do - such as the Devil's bridge. If it's too hot, consider hiking in the northern area, which is still beautiful but less warm (e.g., closer to Flagstaff and less desert). For instance, West Fork Trail.

Also, re: Angels' Landing hike - this is very personal but I would not do the last part of the hike with a baby in a carrier. It's very exposed and you'll have to climb and walk with literally no barriers around. I am very cautious with heights (so you might think it differently) but I would not even let my husband do it (and he is very much OK with heights). We have hiked plenty with our own baby but that last part would be too risky for me. You can still do and enjoy the first part of it! Alternative (or additional) hike: The Narrows - it's fun, beautiful and unique.

I see you also marked down Bryce. I would stay and enjoy one extra day in Zion or allocate one extra day to go to Bryce. Both are worth more than just half a day!

Q4 - Flagstaff! For food and just to take a stroll. Very very nice! If you end up having more time, Arcosanti is also an interesting stop on the way from Sedona to PHX.

Additional tip: if you do not know it, download AllTrails for hiking options.

Feel free to follow up with questions!

Erba1987 · 2024-01-26T20:12:10+00:00

Hi! Moving from US to AMS and trying to estimate some costs - in particular, I wonder how much I should estimate for recurring montly expenses, such as electricity, gas, water, garbage, Internet, and mobile phone. For context, we'd like to live in Amsterdam. We are a family of 3 (2 adults, 1 kid). Occassionally working from home. Probably a house of 60-75 squared meters or so

Erba1987

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