In 2018, 24-year-old Jorah Terwisscha van Scheltinga made the choice to pack her stuff and move to the northern district of Amsterdam, better known as Amsterdam-Noord, where opinions about the atmosphere vary widely. However, for this student, life in Amsterdam-Noord is nothing short of fantastic, largely due to the sense of community and recognition she experiences from her neighbors. After a short stay in Amsterdam Bijlmer, she found her home in Amsterdam-Noord and decided to continue living there after completing her studies, as this district managed to capture the heart of this native Frisian.
From Malvastraat to Molenwijk
"In 2018, I could consider Amsterdam-Noord as my new home, although it was in a small room on Malvastraat near Mosplein in Amsterdam-Noord. Within a week, I could describe this peculiar district to people who had never been there, mainly due to the sense of community among my neighbors. It's a city within a city because in Amsterdam-Noord, you have various shopping centers, schools, squares, and a park, which happens to be my favorite place in Noord. The Noorderpark has completely won my heart with its lush greenery and constant serenity. In this park, I cherished a specific willow tree that I considered my favorite, but sadly, it was recently felled. In Amsterdam-Noord, everyone recognizes each other, creating that typical small-town feeling. I moved here as a seventeen-year-old student to study Art Education and Design at the Amsterdam University of the Arts, which also has a campus in Amsterdam-Noord. Gradually, I began doing everything in the northern district, and I could gradually call it my hometown. I have since graduated and earned my Bachelor's degree in Visual Arts and Design. Currently, I work as a museum educator at the Mesdag Collection in The Hague, where I derive immense satisfaction from my work. Additionally, I am active as a freelance photographer and still reside in Amsterdam-Noord."
"As a seventeen-year-old student, I came to Amsterdam to live and study. My stay in Amsterdam-Noord was actually a result of chance, born out of an urgent need for a suitable room. As is well-known, finding housing in Amsterdam can be quite challenging. Initially, I stayed in Amsterdam-Zuidoost, in the Bijlmer, but I eventually had to leave, facing the challenge of quickly finding a new room. Thanks to a friend, I eventually found a room on Malvastraat in Amsterdam-Noord, where I moved in with a few other girls. Initially, this was out of sheer necessity, but I soon discovered that I felt completely at home in Amsterdam-Noord. It was by chance that I ended up in Noord when I was urgently searching for a room. The years flew by, and I had to leave my apartment on Malvastraat. At first, I was disappointed, but fortunately, I was able to find a new place in the Molenwijk, also in Amsterdam-Noord. I now live there with my boyfriend and our cat Herman."
'I ended up in Noord by chance when I was urgently looking for a room'‘
Noordelingen
"These are the people who are truly rooted in Amsterdam-Noord, and I often notice that their needs, such as improved living conditions, are often overlooked. I see that Amsterdam-Noord is undergoing changes; old places are being replaced by new homes or tourist hotspots, catering to people who come to explore Amsterdam-Noord for a day, perhaps using the ferry. I've been living here since 2018, and I've observed some changes. Many of these changes seem to align with the desires of expats who are flocking to the city in large numbers, as well as young urban professionals (yuppies). It appears that more attention is given to what they want, while homes are also being built that are not affordable for the people who already live in Noord. This is a clear example of the ongoing gentrification, where insufficient consideration is given to the original residents of Noord."
"I am well-acquainted with the people of Noord, and as I mentioned earlier, the residents of Amsterdam-Noord are very open and welcoming. This was immediately apparent when I lived on Malvastraat and got to know my neighbors. They recognized me on the streets and in the stores, which gave me a genuine sense of a warm and close-knit community. Recently, I attended a party with friends in Amsterdam, where I struck up a conversation with another partygoer. We got to talking, and I mentioned that I live in the Molenwijk in Amsterdam-Noord. She then asked me if that was not the 'ghetto' of Amsterdam-Noord. Unfortunately, I must admit that Amsterdam-Noord as a whole often has a negative reputation, particularly certain neighborhoods that are consistently portrayed negatively in the media."
The future of Noord
"Amsterdam-Noord is undeniably beautiful as a whole, but the changes are now quite apparent. The municipality of Amsterdam is currently engaged in a large-scale renewal project, involving the demolition of old neighborhoods and the construction of new homes. However, it is striking that the focus seems to be primarily on housing, while other essential amenities for the residents of Noord appear to be overlooked. It is hoped that green areas within the district will be preserved and not sacrificed for new apartment buildings and high-rises. I don't always believe that the sole focus should be on housing. It would also be in the best interest of Amsterdam-Noord to improve public transportation connections, ensuring more frequent bus services, and introducing trams in Amsterdam-Noord doesn't seem like a bad idea. Currently, Noord is one of the few districts in Amsterdam without tram services."
