“It was raining, it was windy, and I thought, ‘Is this going to be my life here?’” laughs Claire from France. One of her best friends already lived in Rotterdam and told her about a job opening. “She had been living there for a year, so I thought, why not? Let’s give it a try.” She got the job. “It was very unexpected.”
When Claire moved to Rotterdam, she arrived in the middle of a storm that affected the whole of Europe. Fortunately, this was not a sign of things to come for her experience of the city. “When the sun finally broke through, everything felt different. Rotterdam is a city with a really lively atmosphere. People sit outside at cafés, cycle everywhere, and even in winter, when there’s a bit of sun, you see everyone outside.” This was one of the biggest differences Claire saw compared to Paris. She finds that city much quieter and less lively in winter.
Celebrating diversity
What really attracted Claire to Rotterdam was the city’s diversity. “You hear so many different languages when you walk through the city, from people who live here and from tourists,” she says. “It’s a city that not only allows diversity, but celebrates it. Festivals, parades, and street parties are very normal here,“ she says. She mentions Chinese New Year and the celebration of King’s Day, which turn the city into a celebration of cultures. ”In Paris, there is often a divide between the different communities, which sometimes remain in their own neighborhoods. You only hear tourists there. Rotterdam is different. Rotterdam really tries to showcase diversity in public spaces, and that makes the city unique.”
She is therefore enthusiastic about Fenix, Rotterdam’s migration museum. “It is so important for a city to showcase its different communities in the city center. This is one of the things Rotterdam does well,” she says.
A home, a bicycle, and an expat community
Her first period in Rotterdam felt like a temporary situation. She slept in an Airbnb. When she found her first apartment, Rotterdam started to feel more like home. A bicycle also helped. “I also had a bicycle in Paris, but it was only in Rotterdam that I realized how important the bicycle is for everyday life in the city. So when I finally bought my bicycle, everything changed,” she says. “Cycling makes it much easier to explore the city. It’s so peaceful and accessible, especially along the canals.” And there is a lot to explore. “Every neighborhood and every street has its own sound.”
The openness of the city also helped Claire feel at home quickly. She met other young international Rotterdammers who showed her around the city, and she soon found her place in social life. “The expat community is large, and people speak English, which makes it easier to feel welcome.”
She would definitely advise other newcomers to buy a bicycle. “It completely changes your experience of the city.” And to meet new people. “Use platforms such as Meetup to connect with others. Rotterdam has a truly vibrant community, and people are eager to show you their city.”
Bakeries and restaurants
Although Claire has quickly adapted to her new life in Rotterdam, she still has a number of French habits. “Every Saturday, I go to the bakery for fresh bread,” she says. “It’s something I remember from my childhood in France. Rotterdam also has really good bakeries, and I see that people here enjoy that moment just as much as I do.”
Claire also shares her love of food with Rotterdam. “There are so many great restaurants here, and I love discovering different cuisines,” she says. “That may be a cliché for a French person, but it’s something I really appreciate here.”