u/ICouldNotindaname

​Hi everyone,

​I am an international student who recently moved to Leeuwarden, and I am currently trying to navigate buying my first second-hand bike on Marktplaats.

​I am a 6-foot-tall guy, and I just found a really great deal on a Gazelle in my size. The only catch is that it is a "damesfiets".

​In my home country, bicycle frames are pretty strictly gendered, and it would definitely turn some heads or get some laughs if a guy rode a women's bike. However, looking at how people commute here, that low step-through design seems incredibly practical for riding around the city, carrying things, and constantly stopping at intersections.

​Before I buy it, I wanted to ask about the cultural norm. Will I get weird looks or be mocked for riding a damesfiets as a man, or is it completely normal and accepted in the Netherlands?

​Thanks in advance for helping a newcomer out!

​Hi everyone,

​I am an international student who recently moved to Leeuwarden, and I am currently trying to navigate buying my first second-hand bike on Marktplaats.

​I am a 6-foot-tall guy, and I just found a really great deal on a Gazelle in my size. The only catch is that it is a "damesfiets".

​In my home country, bicycle frames are pretty strictly gendered, and it would definitely turn some heads or get some laughs if a guy rode a women's bike. However, looking at how people commute here, that low step-through design seems incredibly practical for riding around the city, carrying things, and constantly stopping at intersections.

​Before I buy it, I wanted to ask about the cultural norm. Will I get weird looks or be mocked for riding a damesfiets as a man, or is it completely normal and accepted in the Netherlands?

​Thanks in advance for helping a newcomer out! Edit: I bought the Gazelle (orange) for 60 euros. It rides pretty good

Hi everyone,

​I’m starting a Master's program in Environmental Science and Technology this September and I'm trying to lock down my digital note-taking setup. My main workflow will involve taking handwritten notes, annotating massive PDFs, and recording fast-paced lectures (so having a feature where the audio syncs to my handwriting in real-time is an absolute must).

​I’m currently looking at prices in the Indian market (I've converted them to USD for easier comparison). Here is my shortlist:

​1. Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ (13.1")

​Price: ~$620 USD (S-Pen included)

​My thoughts: I love the massive A4-sized screen for split-screening a textbook and my notes. Does the audio-sync feature in Samsung Notes hold up to iPad apps?

​2. Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus (12.7")

​Price: ~$730 USD (Stylus and Keyboard included)

​My thoughts: The hardware is insane for the price (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 16GB RAM, 512GB storage). However, I am worried the native Android note-taking apps won't be as polished for audio-syncing as iOS apps.

​3. Apple iPad 10th Gen + USB-C Pencil

​Price: ~$510 USD total

​My thoughts: The cheapest entry into Notability and GoodNotes, which I know are the gold standard for audio-synced lectures. But the 10.9-inch screen seems a bit cramped for split-screen multitasking.

​4. Apple iPad Air 11" M3 + USB-C Pencil

​Price: ~$750 USD total

​My thoughts: Great processor, but I feel like paying this much for an 11-inch screen just to take notes might be overkill.

​Has anyone used Samsung Notes or third-party Android apps for serious lecture recording, or is the iPad ecosystem (Notability/GoodNotes) still too good to pass up for a grad student? Which of these options gives the best value for this specific workflow?

​Thanks in advance!

​Hey everyone

​I'm an international student moving to Leeuwarden soon, and I know getting a bike is basically step number one for surviving in the Netherlands!

​I'm looking for recommendations on the best places to buy a reliable, budget-friendly bicycle. Since I'm on a student budget and prefer to be environmentally conscious, a solid second-hand bike would be ideal rather than buying brand new.

​Could you guys share your go-to spots?

​Offline/Local Shops: Are there any local bike shops in Leeuwarden that are trustworthy and have fair prices for students? I’ve seen places like Bikeshop Leeuwarden and BENN on Google, but I would love to hear personal experiences. Are there specific thrift stores or local markets where you can score a good deal?

​Online Options: I know about Marktplaats, but are there any specific Facebook groups or WhatsApp communities for Leeuwarden where graduating students sell their old bikes? Also, are refurbished online sellers like Cheapassbikes or BikeStoreGroningen worth the delivery, or is it better to buy local?

​Leasing vs. Buying: I see a lot of international students using Swapfiets (looks like they have a store in Leeuwarden). Is the €15-€20/month subscription actually worth it long-term to avoid maintenance hassles, or am I better off just buying a cheap €100-€150 used bike upfront?

​Any tips on what to look out for (or common scams to avoid) when buying a used bike here would be hugely appreciated.

​Alvast bedankt

​Hey everyone!

​I'm moving to Leeuwarden soon as an international student and I'm trying to figure out the mobile plan situation before I arrive. I'll need a decent amount of data (mostly for navigating the city, WhatsApp, and surviving train rides), but I definitely need to keep it budget-friendly.

​I’ve been doing some digging and I see a lot of people recommending MVNOs like Lebara, Simyo, and Simpel over the major carriers.

​I have a few specific questions for you all:

​Network Coverage: Does the underlying network (KPN vs. Odido vs. Vodafone) make a big difference up in Friesland/Leeuwarden? I've heard KPN is generally best outside the Randstad, but is it strictly necessary for city life up North?

​Setup Strategy: Should I just grab a prepaid SIM at a supermarket when I arrive, or is it smarter to use a cheap travel eSIM for the first week and then sign up for a month-to-month SIM-only plan once my Dutch bank account and BSN are finally sorted?

​Red Flags: Are there any providers with terrible customer service that I should absolutely avoid? (I've seen some mixed reviews about Lycamobile canceling service randomly...)

​I would love to hear what providers other students or locals are using. Any tips, student deals, or things you wish you knew before picking a plan are super welcome.

​Alvast bedankt!

​Hey everyone!

​I'm moving to Leeuwarden soon as an international student and I'm trying to figure out the mobile plan situation before I arrive. I'll need a decent amount of data (mostly for navigating the city, WhatsApp, and surviving train rides), but I definitely need to keep it budget-friendly.

​I’ve been doing some digging and I see a lot of people recommending MVNOs like Lebara, Simyo, and Simpel over the major carriers.

​I have a few specific questions for you all:

​Network Coverage: Does the underlying network (KPN vs. Odido vs. Vodafone) make a big difference up in Friesland/Leeuwarden? I've heard KPN is generally best outside the Randstad, but is it strictly necessary for city life up North?

​Setup Strategy: Should I just grab a prepaid SIM at a supermarket when I arrive, or is it smarter to use a cheap travel eSIM for the first week and then sign up for a month-to-month SIM-only plan once my Dutch bank account and BSN are finally sorted?

​Red Flags: Are there any providers with terrible customer service that I should absolutely avoid? (I've seen some mixed reviews about Lycamobile canceling service randomly...)

​I would love to hear what providers other students or locals are using. Any tips, student deals, or things you wish you knew before picking a plan are super welcome.

​Alvast bedankt!

Hi, as the title states i am coming to the netherlands to do my masters as wetsus, they have recommend studentstay but the ones eligible for huurtoeslag as 1.1k euro or so while i checked Xior and it is coming with the huurtoeslag and services fees about 500 euro or so. I haven't checked out Mark 085 but I have only heard bad things about xior's cleanliness and extra fees randomly added. Could anyone with experience with them please help