Temporary Apartment Living in The Hague: A Complete Guide

A Thorough Apartment Tour: Room by Room

Entering the apartment, the first thing you see is the bathroom. A welcome surprise awaited – a separate toilet and shower! Not exactly palatial, but a definite upgrade from shared facilities. The modest size didn't detract from the overall cleanliness; it was simply efficient. The small but well-equipped kitchen immediately followed, featuring a dishwasher, oven, and a surprisingly spacious refrigerator – currently, rather alarmingly empty, I might add.

Next, the living room, a cozy space anchored by a comfortable couch and a sizable coffee table. A coffee machine sat discreetly on the counter, a thoughtful touch. The presence of a lamp and chair completed the space, creating a relaxed atmosphere. The monkeys on the decorative wall, however, were...a conversation for another day. We'll see what we decide to do with those.

The bedroom was straightforward: a comfortable bed and a surprisingly adequate closet. Drawers provided extra storage. The space was functional and provided a welcome haven for rest and relaxation. There's a corner that needs some attention – it's currently rather underutilized. However, for a temporary space, the bedroom area is wonderfully calming.

Finally, a shared laundry room down the hall. A washing machine, dryer, and even an iron awaited; a shared vacuum cleaner was also available. This was definitely a plus, eliminating the need to invest in large appliances immediately. It’s a nice addition to make managing daily life that much easier.

Initial Shopping and Unpacking: Stocking the Apartment

With the keys in hand and a week's worth of essentials packed, I tackled the initial unpacking. The apartment, while charmingly compact, felt strangely empty. The fridge, a surprisingly spacious model, was a stark white void. My immediate priority? Stocking the bare cupboards and filling that refrigerator.

A quick trip to Albert Heijn (my new favorite supermarket) yielded the basics: bread, butter, eggs (for a simple breakfast), some produce, and a few pantry staples. I also snagged a few extra kitchen items – baking sheets, a dish brush, and a surprisingly affordable utensil holder to tame the chaos in the drawers. The hunt for a decent vase to brighten up the living room – a small indulgence after all the unpacking – was a success. It wasn’t the most exciting shopping spree, but it was practical, and a necessity.

Back at the apartment, I organized what felt like a mountain of belongings brought from R’s parents’ home. It wasn't a huge haul, mostly personal items, and books – just enough to create a cozy homey feeling. Finding spots for everything became a surprisingly satisfying puzzle; organizing my makeup and other things into the drawers, using the new utensil holder to its full potential, and giving that 'random spot' a little more attention. I'm not going to lie, finding a place for everything felt good. Every little thing put in its rightful place added a small sense of accomplishment to my day.

A later visit to a budget-friendly store provided a dozen new hangers (essential!), rounding out the unpacking process. By the time I’d finished, the apartment had transitioned from a slightly sterile shell into a functional, albeit still sparsely furnished, temporary home. Not exactly a palace, but a place I was happy to call home, for now.

Cooking in the New Space and Reflecting on the Decision to Rent Temporarily

The kitchen, while compact, proved surprisingly functional. It had everything we needed – a dishwasher, oven, and a spacious fridge (initially alarmingly empty, I confess). The provided pan, however, left something to be desired; a quick trip to Albert Heijn remedied that, along with a few other kitchen essentials. Stocking the bare cupboards and filling that refrigerator felt like a small but significant step towards making this temporary place feel like home.

Breakfast the first morning was simple – bread, butter, and eggs – a testament to our minimal initial supplies. But it was delicious, enjoyed at the cozy little table in the combined kitchen-living room. The ease of preparing such a simple meal highlighted just how much easier things would be in this well-equipped (if temporary) space. The decision to rent this temporary apartment, while initially stemming from our nomadic lifestyle and the need for a quick and efficient place to land, now felt like a smart choice.

The cost was higher than a standard long-term rental, but the trade-off was significant. We avoided the hassle and expense of furnishing an empty apartment, allowing us to focus on settling in and beginning R's new job. It gave us the time and space to explore The Hague's various neighborhoods before making the commitment to a long-term residence. The temporary nature of it all allowed for a lighter heart, a sense of adventure, and a focus on enjoying the transition.

What are the key features of the temporary apartment?

The apartment features a separate toilet and shower, a compact but well-equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and oven, a cozy living room with a comfortable couch, a simple bedroom with adequate closet space, and access to a shared laundry room with a washing machine, dryer, and iron.

Why did the authors choose temporary apartment living?

They chose temporary housing due to their nomadic lifestyle and the need for quick, efficient accommodation while starting a new job in The Hague. It avoided the hassle of furnishing and allowed time to explore the city before committing to a long-term residence, although it was more expensive than a standard long-term rental.