From Curaçao to Ootmarsum: why Vera and Matthijs chose Twente

Old love never dies

“We wanted to give our children more stability,” says Matthijs. “Education in Curaçao is either very expensive or of inconsistent quality. In the Netherlands, educational opportunities are just better. And honestly, after COVID, prices on the island kept rising. Everything became more complicated.”

Family also played a major role in their decision. “Our parents mainly knew our children through video calls or short vacations. We wanted to be closer. You really notice the distance when you can’t just visit anytime.”

Although Vera is originally from the Randstad, she always felt good about Twente. “It’s calm, green, and warm here. And yes, I don’t mean the climate,” she laughs. “The sense of community really appeals to me. Even as someone from the Randstad, I feel completely at home here. Our street organizes a neighborhood women’s day and a neighborhood men’s day. Just simple, fun things together, like having a beer or going out. That’s just normal here.”

Buying without seeing

The move wasn’t without adventure: they bought their house in Ootmarsum from a distance. “Our parents did the viewing,” says Matthijs. “A bit like buying without seeing. But it felt right immediately. Once we arrived, we invited the entire street for a welcome drink. That’s how we became part of the neighborhood.”

Carbide shooting in Curaçao

Despite the distance to Twente, Matthijs kept his connection to his homeland alive. “In Curaçao, we celebrated Twente in our own way. We drank beers together, watched De Beentjes van Sint Hildegard, and even tried carbide shooting—which actually worked. Only the Easter fire was a bit tricky on an island.”

That love for Twente stayed alive, even 8,000 kilometers away. Now that he’s back, it feels like coming home. “Driving here from the west, you see the landscape slowly change. Company names give way to family names. The land becomes hillier. That feels like home.”

Making an impact and integrating

Vera and Matthijs now both work in Twente’s education sector: she as a gym teacher, internship coordinator, community sports coach, and part of a fall prevention team at Noaberkracht. Matthijs teaches music at several schools and works as a freelance musician. “We really make an impact here,” says Vera. “In a region like this, you can make a difference quickly. That gives meaning to your work.”

When asked if it was difficult to find their place as “outsiders,” Vera answers firmly: “You have to be open. I first worked in a bar just to get to know people. If you seek connection, you quickly fit in.”

They haven’t forgotten their Curaçaoan roots: “During Carnival, we organize a big BBQ, just like we did back home—eight kilos of chicken, twenty liters of soup. Everyone is welcome. We combine it with typical Twente traditions, like a contest for ‘The best meatball in Ootmarsum.’”

The choice for Twente

Why did they ultimately choose Twente? Matthijs: “There’s space here. For work, for family, for nature. And Germany is just around the corner—perfect for a day trip or shopping. Everything feels close.”

Vera concludes: “Twente may not be the first place you think of if you’re from the Randstad. But if you take the time to really settle here, you find space, calm, and warmth. I see our children growing up here and think: this is exactly where we should be.”