Chris was born and raised in Jutter. At one point, he left for Amsterdam. “I lived there for about nine years, but lived for twenty-five. Life there is fast and hard. When I headed that way, Amsterdam was everything, but at a certain point I longed to return to peace, cleanliness, and order. Affordability as well, and accessibility. Actually, I just wanted a nice job, a nice house, and not to have to take the tram for 45 minutes every time to get somewhere. People always think Den Helder is far away, but if we want to go to Amsterdam sometime, we get there almost as fast as people who have to travel from one side of the city to the other.”

Mitch lived in Heerhugowaard. He came to Den Helder for Chris. “At the end of the world, turn right,’ we used to say. Simply because we never went that way. I studied in Haarlem and worked in Alkmaar, so I had no reason to travel up north. Still, it fit immediately. I work in the hospitality industry, which is always busy. Then the peace and quiet here is just so nice. On top of that, I work in the evenings and Chris works during the day. When we have time off together, we love just being in our house.”

Pleasant

That house is a 'hotel-chic' furnished townhouse that is only a few years old. Mitch and Chris are the second owners. Recently, they added a spacious extension and a new garden. So, essentially, they don't need to go anywhere anymore. Chris: ‘We used to go out regularly, but corona put a hard stop to that. We got the keys to this house in March 2020, a week before the first lockdown. With the help of family and friends, we moved in lightning fast.’ After that, this house was their whole world. Mitch: “I work in the hospitality industry, so I ended up sitting at home during that time. Chris is a manager at 's Heerenloo. He was having online meetings in the guest room. Still, it wasn't a bad time for us. We were together much more than usual and, for example, we could just have lunch together.” Chris: “We also played a lot of games and took online Zumba classes. By the time autumn started, we had put up the Christmas tree and conjured up a Christmas dinner about three times a week. Actually, it was quite cozy.’ Mitch: ”And of course, I had time to decorate the house nicely.“ They are glad they moved at exactly that time. Mitch: ”Our previous house was much smaller. We would have gone a bit crazy.“ Chris: ”Or imagine if we had lived in Amsterdam.“. For the price of this house, we would have been living on the third floor back there. Then we would have had a much harder time.”

Face

When Mitch and Chris set their sights on this house, they didn't immediately expect it to be feasible for them. Chris: “Out of my league, I thought. But it turned out much better than expected. Then house prices went sky-high due to corona. That’s why we had a meeting with our mortgage advisor last year. We wanted to do something with our patio cover. It turned out we still had so much financial room that we could add an extension.” They took care of the garden at the same time. Chris: “It was obviously wrecked after the renovation, so I completely redesigned it together with my father-in-law. Decking, a lawn, plants, and an outdoor kitchen, made from the tiles from the patio cover.” Mitch: “When you look at the space we have here—a garden and a carport too, right in the middle of the city—that is truly fantastic.”

Chris and Mitch have seen the city change over the past few years. New construction, building restoration, and urban renewal have given Den Helder a different face. and that attracts people from outside. Chris: “That is why I expect some nice hospitality venues to open. We do have some nice spots, mind you; Carmel is a great addition, Nozems too, and of course Fort Westoever, but Willemsoord focuses a bit more on a younger nightlife crowd. I would actually like to see some of those nice little pubs or grand cafés to connect the center a bit more with Willemsoord via the Spoorstraat.” Mitch: “But the difference compared to seven years ago, when I first moved here, is huge. It feels much more pleasant to walk around here now.” Chris adds: “Exactly. That affordability is nice, of course. But it does need to have a bit of character.”

Charm

Do the men have favorite spots too? Mitch, laughing: “Home!” Then: ”When we’re off work, we like to have breakfast at Halte Bellevue, and Chris loves cooking, so he really enjoys going to the market.“ Chris: ”Yes, and to the shopping center in Nieuw Den Helder. I didn’t used to like going there that much, but that neighborhood has been renovated so much too.“ Later: ”What I see there, and also in our city center, is that the neighborhoods aren’t so separated anymore. In the past, you had owner-occupied neighborhoods and social housing, the Amsterdam South-style neighborhoods and the working-class neighborhoods. I wouldn’t feel at home in either, but I think that mix is beautiful. People who are all different and just having a nice chat. That gives a city charm.“ And what else? “We regularly walk the dog, and I really like the dike then.”. This week we walked through the dunes and along the beach. We just have that, and we actually take it for granted. Mitch sometimes notices that while working at C'est la Vie, the restaurant of the Beatrix Hotel at Huisduinen. People from outside find that view very special.”Mitch: “You can see the entire coastline from there, Texel, Fort Kijkduin, and the dunes. 'Den Helder really has it,' I often hear. And yes, that is true.‘