Rental homes in Blauwe Zand, Amsterdam

We moved from Elandsgracht 2 hoog-voor with one child and pregnant with number two to North 22 years ago. Everyone thought we were crazy, 'North is insane', etc. My husband was born and raised on Elandsgracht but we couldn't afford a larger home there. He grew up in 'the slum' and saw it turn into a 'yuppie neighbourhood'. Few real Jordaan residents left and hardly any social cohesion. We found that here. Amsterdammers, social cohesion and contact. Nice and green and a (then still) affordable rental house. We see that slowly changing. Blauwe Zand doesn't change as quickly as other parts of North but gentrification is hitting here too. After 22 years we have become Northerners (Blauwe Zanders) and if you ask our son where he's from, he'll never say Amsterdam but Amsterdam-Noord. Blauwe Zand is a nice neighbourhood but the new residents are less sociable and much has disappeared. Like the little building by the playground where the mothers used to sit cosily, they knew your child so you could let him go with peace of mind. That freedom was great for the children and parents. It hurts that our children will hardly be able to live here.