Zuiddijk 75A

Messy neighbourhood, generally nice people but could do with more pulling together (including myself), almost everyone has a fast life here, it would be nice if people were sometimes less rushed and took it easy doing something for someone else, this could be something very small like greeting someone kindly or letting someone go ahead. The neighbourhood could also be a bit tidier in some places, there is rubbish lying in the streets, also from all the DIY that goes on a lot. Furthermore, there are primary schools in the area but they are very full. Also secondary education which is not far by bike. There are restaurants, cafés, lunch spots, a supermarket, bike repair shop, hairdresser, much more and the city of course, which is very close. Also there is regularly a nice party at the Burcht and the river Zaan is nice to walk along. The neighbourhood feels reasonably safe, if something unpleasant were to happen that is seen by residents, I am quite sure they would come to help if needed. Green space is unfortunately somewhat lacking, in principle logical because it's the Randstad but I think it could easily be a lot greener, especially the gardens.

Living in Zaandam is like having a front-row seat to a modern Dutch fairy tale, but with a raw, industrial soul that keeps it grounded. While tourists at the station stare at the "Lego hotel", the magic for us locals lies in the quiet corners along the Zaan. The daily rhythm: in the morning you usually smell chocolate – really. Depending on the wind, the local cocoa factories (like ADM or Cargill) envelop the entire city in a warm, brownie-like scent. It's the ultimate "gezellige buurt" perk you won't find in travel guides. My favourite local spots: De Hemmes: This is my favourite "secret" spot. It's a small peninsula jutting into the Zaan. It's wild, industrial, and perfect for a sunset walk when you want to see the windmills of Zaanse Schans in the distance without the crowds of tourist buses. BIND: Located on the old Hembrug terrain, this is the heart of the community. It's an old transformer building turned into a living-room café. There's a wood stove, various rugs, and someone is always playing guitar or hosting a small art workshop. The 'Dam' (Zaandam-style): On Friday nights we go to the square by the lock. It's much more intimate than Dam Square in Amsterdam. Sitting at Wonder's or Manzo's with a beer, watching the boats sail through the Wilhelminasluis, is how we truly unwind.

Reasonable, but compared to 20 years ago. Too busy with traffic.

No more than 27 years ago

It is a quiet neighbourhood with beautiful houses. There are plenty of primary and secondary schools in the area, but unfortunately no universities or colleges. It is very close to Amsterdam (10 minutes by car), which is always nice. The infrastructure is very good and there are more and more improvements. It is a shame that there is not a larger centre, because at the moment there are only clothing stores, terraces and restaurants. House prices are also getting more expensive, and are starting to look more and more like those in Amsterdam. There are also plenty of sports clubs. The only problem is the Poelenburg district, where there are sometimes issues. I hope that more attention will be paid to that.

Living in Zaandam is like having a front-row seat to a modern Dutch fairy tale, but with a raw, industrial soul that keeps it grounded. While tourists at the station stare at the "Lego hotel", the magic for us locals lies in the quiet corners along the Zaan. The daily rhythm: in the morning you usually smell chocolate – really. Depending on the wind, the local cocoa factories (like ADM or Cargill) envelop the entire city in a warm, brownie-like scent. It's the ultimate "gezellige buurt" perk you won't find in travel guides. My favourite local spots: De Hemmes: This is my favourite "secret" spot. It's a small peninsula jutting into the Zaan. It's wild, industrial, and perfect for a sunset walk when you want to see the windmills of Zaanse Schans in the distance without the crowds of tourist buses. BIND: Located on the old Hembrug terrain, this is the heart of the community. It's an old transformer building turned into a living-room café. There's a wood stove, various rugs, and someone is always playing guitar or hosting a small art workshop. The 'Dam' (Zaandam-style): On Friday nights we go to the square by the lock. It's much more intimate than Dam Square in Amsterdam. Sitting at Wonder's or Manzo's with a beer, watching the boats sail through the Wilhelminasluis, is how we truly unwind.

The rest of Assendelft is difficult to reach, the neighbourhood bus only runs once an hour between 9 and 18, but otherwise it's very pleasant living here. All amenities are available, many schools, greenery.

No contact with neighbours, used to have New neighbours

Nice people who leave each other alone, but you can always turn to them when needed...