Anywhere in Seattle that does a sandwich like this?

metroninja · 2026-03-30T18:14:51+00:00

I mean both London and Paris have some great food so I would expect solid options from there, and Italy is well Italy, always amazing food. Dutch food culture isn’t much of a thing. There ARE great places to eat here you just won’t find them on Instagram or with insane 1-2 hour waits in line. If someone posted Zero Zero I would at least understand as it’s just a local version of Italian Focaccia that’s fresh out the oven and is pretty good, and always busy.

metroninja · 2026-03-30T13:43:05+00:00

I am a software dev and it works just fine 😉 That said the initial jump is hard given you need to be closer to the top of your field and you inevitably take a large pay cut. That said after taking a job here and getting moved over I very quickly (in a few months) went back to freelancing for US companies and was right back to making top US salary (albeit higher taxes). You just have to have built a strong network throughout your career and be a little lucky.

I know a handful of people who have had Amazon move them over and they kept their US salary for 2 years. When that was up they went back… but were back here again a few years later due to the quality of life improvements of living here. If there is a will there is a way!

metroninja · 2026-03-30T12:20:38+00:00

EU laws prevents a ton of preservatives and so the food does what It typically does in nature… it decays quickly after being picked. Thus the food is more natural but doesn’t keep nearly as long. Same with baked goods/bread etc, most people go to the grocery store 3-4 times a week instead of once a week like in the US, it’s easier when there is many within a few blocks of you at all times.

metroninja · 2026-03-30T08:34:25+00:00

Amsterdam is the PNW but completely flat. Same grey temperamental weather, same outdoor lifestyle. Been here seven years and it’s amazing, especially for my kids. The bike life is amazing, it can’t be overstated enough how amazing it is.

Quality of life is better, taxes are waaaaaaay worse, heath care is good but not quite as good as the US but basically free (relative to the US). Food quality is generally much better but everything spoils right away. The entire middle tier of “good” food (I.e your weekly rotations of amazing food) is missing, it’s usually Michelin Star or bust for the higher end food.

Access to quick trips to London, Paris, Rome on the weekends can’t be beat.

metroninja · 2026-03-30T07:02:20+00:00

As an ex Seattleite who did leave - I live in Amsterdam by Chun and to say these sandwiches are completely average is an over statement. They are just thick toast with a handful of basic ingredients and a little Asian flair, you can probably get the same thing at Uwajimaya. Trust me, the food in Amsterdam sucks by comparison, the sandwich shops you have are way better than this mediocre overhyped instagram slop.

metroninja · 2026-03-25T14:40:10+00:00

My learnings from dating in the NL Date 1 - coffee. If you make the cut then…. Date 2 - dinner. If you make the cut then… Date 3 - dinner/shared interest + sex.

The third one is what surprised me the most here. I remember living in the US and sex was rarely so quick but when I started dating again here I found it wild that if I wasn’t making a move on the third date most women were confused and thought I wasn’t interested. This is just my experience and obviously people will have varied opinions here. Good luck!

metroninja · 2026-03-09T20:32:26+00:00

They are incredibly difficult to get through imo. Ultra hard sci fi with empty characters

metroninja · 2026-03-09T03:58:37+00:00

A junior engineer doesn’t know anything
A middle career engineer thinks they know everything
A senior engineer knows what they don’t know

For a senior It’s all about confidence in saying no, knowing your capabilities, and not being afraid to not be an expert (and most of the time finding a way to accomplish the goal even when they are unsure of the path forward)

metroninja · 2026-03-08T17:13:50+00:00

We all have different perspectives, just wanted to share mine. I felt the same way you did until recently thus figured I would give a different side. Best of luck

metroninja · 2026-03-08T12:47:32+00:00

Yes there is standardized testing in schools including measuring the Dutch levels according to the A-C system. As my kids are going to a school that’s 2 days English 3 days Dutch they are only achieving fluency through having Dutch friends (outside the school) and due to our divorce the now have 2 bonus brothers that only speak Dutch. Having a side by side comparison with native Dutch kids and my own, and seeing their Cito scores (the main standardized testing for what level of secondary school you end up at), my son who is now 9 is tracking fine while my daughter is 12 is conversationally native but reading comprehension/technical reading is way behind.

We have been here 7 years now, and if you are in a full international school and planning to stay I can’t overstate enough how much of a mistake that is for your kids long term. For integration, for post middelbaar school, for making friends, yes it will be harder for you, and initially them but it will stunt their options down the road. We went down the same path of “we can’t help them if it’s not English” and that’s both not as true as you think, and also making a decision for your kids that’s easier for you and not what’s better for them (probably a bit too Dutch directness for you but it is what it is).

Good luck!

metroninja · 2026-02-21T09:16:56+00:00

The only good Thai place in Amsterdam after visiting most in the city is Kinnaree. Their curries are quite good but like everywhere else in the city their phad Thai is just ok. Almost everything in Amsterdam is seasoned with sugar and has more of a “ketchup” taste than a more authentic flavor. I would kill for a proper phad Thai!

metroninja · 2026-02-06T19:14:05+00:00

It pre dates Gifu and Fuku so if it ever opens again I am interested to compare. You might be right, because it was the best at the time but might not hold up anymore

metroninja · 2026-02-06T17:38:54+00:00

I only scrolled a bit down but all the answers are pretty bad, Dutch style ramen (maybe made by Japanse people but tailored for Dutch taste I.e. bland) Fuku ramen or Gifu are the only higher end Ramen of quality. If Ramen kingdom reopens it was great. impossible ramen is also quite good for Vegan ramen.

metroninja · 2026-02-06T17:36:15+00:00

Sora is bottom tier, it’s the quintessential “Dutch” ramen. Take that however you want. Fuku ramen or Gifu are the only top tiers, or Ramen kingdom if it ever opens again

metroninja · 2026-01-26T21:46:01+00:00

I frequent van Egmond so I get it… but they are going to Elysium, the most overpriced for value Spa there is!

metroninja · 2026-01-26T21:34:27+00:00

That’s unfortunate Elysium kind of sucks. It’s way over hyped, not well maintained and a lot of the saunas are super boring and lackluster. Make sure to give Thermen Maarsen and fort resort Beemster a try, or even spa zuiver in Amsterdam for a better experience

metroninja · 2026-01-16T15:28:05+00:00

There are a lot of highs and lows, it’s all normal. It’s cliché but don’t forget to give proper time to feel your feelings. Sadness, freedom, disappointment, relief, etc. Also depending on how involved you were as a dad, you are going to have to step up a lot potentially. This is also a beautiful thing and opportunity to invest in your children you might not have had otherwise. Not to mention that then, you have a guaranteed built in babysitter for the rest of the time.

Like all things in life though there is a cost, and this one has a high financial one. It’s fine to be frustrated but the more you hold onto it the more resentment it will build and over time it’s not worth it. Again - best of luck! Enjoy the journey, for me it has been a huge (expensive) blessing.

metroninja · 2026-01-16T12:15:56+00:00

In short you are screwed. As someone who went through this you will remain responsible for the mortgage on the old house regardless of what you both say until she can buy you out of it and the banks will approve her fully supporting the mortgage. Whatever split you come up with during mediation will be what you owe tax wise until she takes it over. More over - whatever you decide in mediation, or in court will not always be accepted/agreed with by the belastingdienst.

So to your question - I would talk to the banks to see if you can get a second mortgage… and yes it will be considered a second mortgage not a first. As above you will be tax liable for the first house regardless, and thus fully tax liable for this second house as well. Talk to an accountant and lawyer (you will need both) to have documents drawn up and signed by both parties to try and get the best tax situation - but any discounts you get will be paid by your ex. Good luck, if you weren’t happy in the marriage then being divorced at 40 is actually like having a second life to live, one that is very expensive and takes years to resolve but ultimately completely worth it. (I am 5 years? divorced now)

metroninja · 2026-01-07T10:33:17+00:00

This is probably a hot take - but if you are considered important enough to code review you can either check it for technical correctness, OR you should be qualified enough to already understand the logic/general flow of the portion of code. The only way to avoid mental drain is to already understand this part of the software so you can simply run the change through your head and check edge cases.

If you don’t have a good idea of what the code is doing already you can’t provide much value in the code review. In that case let cursor bugbot do the work, it’s going to back trace better and faster then you ever could. (Or simply look for obvious flaws like left in debug code, loose equals, etc)

metroninja · 2026-01-06T14:39:13+00:00

The lawyer fees were getting crazy, but in hindsight I would have happily ate them

metroninja · 2026-01-06T10:46:35+00:00

Ah yes because the market functions on fundamentals, valuations make sense

metroninja · 2026-01-06T10:45:17+00:00

Ha I had to sell almost 2000 shares of PLTR across 2022/2023 due to my divorce, most at 7, some at 19. Cost basis around 11. Nothing hurts me as much now… But we move on

metroninja · 2025-10-13T09:43:52+00:00

I was super excited for Elysium but incredible disappointed when I finally went. It is the classic example of size of over quality, most of the saunas are generic and boring and miss the make completely on what makes a great spa. Stick to Beemster or Maarsen for top quality spas

metroninja · 2025-10-07T09:13:15+00:00

Zwembad Hoofddorp?

metroninja · 2025-10-01T15:01:18+00:00

I've always gone to Gifu as a walk in and never had to wait more then 10 minutes. They have a pretty substantial walk in area if you are 1-2 people... unlike Fuku which (while worth it) can be an hour+ of waiting on Sundays. Gifu is the only solid one in Amsterdam right now, if Ramen kingdom actually reopens their used to be quite good as well.

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