Blog: Sarie Steenbergen

"Here in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, it turned out there were suddenly so many opportunities."
 

Until I was 18, I had never lived anywhere else but the city center of Hulst. In a hidden, quiet spot in a lively, bustling town. As a student, I mainly appreciated Zeeuws-Vlaanderen because my friends and family lived here, and I seized every chance to go out. To Perkpolder, staying over with friends in the countryside, shopping in Antwerp and Ghent, or going out. But still, I was sure of it: as soon as I had my diploma, I was leaving! Off to Breda, the city that had stolen my heart.

And so I went, ready never to return to live in Zeeland. What a sense of freedom, not everyone knows you and you can do whatever you feel like. Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Tilburg, Eindhoven, everything was just a few train tracks away.

But still, I’m writing this blog from my own office in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. Love brought me back. The love of having my family close by, the space, the opportunity to go wherever I want here, and not to forget, more and more friends returning made for a convincing switch.

Here in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, it turned out there were suddenly so many opportunities. I immediately had a graduation internship, within two weeks we got a newly built house to live in together, and when that diploma was in the pocket, I had three jobs up for grabs! I never expected this from Zeeuws-Vlaanderen.

By now, I’ve been back for several years and have gotten to know Zeeuws-Vlaanderen and its people even better. We enjoy great restaurants, the location close to Belgium, and the everyone-knows-everyone vibe doesn’t bother me anymore because; it’s actually nice to have connections. On weekends, I regularly drive through the Netherlands and Belgium to visit friends, go to a festival, or explore a cool city, but still, every time the basilica appears above everything else, I think: we really have it good here!

Where, for about four years after my return from Brabant, Breda still felt like my second home city, Antwerp has now claimed the spot as my second home city. This (world) city is just around the corner, there’s always something to see or do, and plenty of world cuisines to try. I know my way around well, but it still feels like a beautiful holiday city. The happiness we feel as a (now) family settled in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, with so much greenery, space, freedom, beaches and world cities around us, continues to delight us every time!