Blog: Ilse van Nijverseel

"I can say with 100% certainty that I have lost my Brussels heart to Zeeuws-Vlaanderen."

My name is Ilse van Nijverseel. I was born and raised in Brussels. From a young age, I experienced the hustle and bustle of a big city. I lived there my whole life, went to school and university, and then worked in the big city for another four years. But in 2021, I followed my heart and took the step to live and work in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. Moving from a large, vibrant city to the small village of Sluiskil took some getting used to and was a bit of a challenge. But I can say with full conviction that I have not regretted my move for a single moment. 

It all started when I met my boyfriend Bas. He is a true Zeeuw and has lived in Terneuzen his whole life. I had never heard of it and had no idea where it was exactly. But suddenly I found myself there every weekend. I met new people and quickly felt at home. Every weekend there was something fun to do: nice outings with friends, dining out, or just having a coffee with cake at a beach pavilion. We especially did the latter often. For me, the beach has always meant vacation and relaxation. The fact that the beach is never far away here was a breath of fresh air for me. 

When Bas and I decided to move in together, the choice was quickly made for me: I would leave Brussels and come live in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. We started looking for a house, and I also began searching for a new job. I was soon able to start working at the municipality of Terneuzen as a financial consultant. I couldn't have wished for anything better: a fun and challenging job, just a half-hour bike ride from home! Especially the latter is not so obvious in a big city like Brussels. :)

I've been living here for almost a year now, and what I still enjoy so much is the holiday feeling I get here: the peace, the nature, the sea... and that feeling is still there after all this time. I completely unwind here. Compared to the fast-paced and hectic life in the busy city, life in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen is a breath of fresh air, everything at its own pace. Even though Brussels will always be my one true home and I still love going back, I wouldn't want to trade it anymore.

I can say with 100% certainty that I have lost my Brussels heart to Zeeuws-Vlaanderen.