There are a hundred and one reasons Amsterdam is a city like no other. What makes Amsterdam special? It’s the city’s rich culture and heritage. Its the high quality of life and commercial dynamism. It’s in Amsterdam’s unique blend of cosmopolitan culture and old-world charm. Most of all, it’s in the people. These factors, and more, make Amsterdam one of the most popular European destinations. What better way to experience the city’s beauty and cultural attractions than by staying in cheap bed and breakfasts in Amsterdam?
Bed and Breakfasts in Amsterdam
More comfortable than hostels and backpacker accommodations but considerably cheaper than full service hotels, cheap bed and breakfasts in Amsterdam are usually exceptionally nice places to stay in. Cheap bed and breakfasts in Amsterdam are often remodeled old homes and mansions, painstakingly restored to represent the way they were originally built. These affordable accommodations give you a sense of going back in time, while giving you a glimpse of all that the city has to offer.
What’s In A Name
As the name promises, cheap bed and breakfasts in Amsterdam give you exactly that – a bed and a breakfast. Cheap bed and breakfasts in Amsterdam provide clean and comfortable rooms for you to stay in, usually complete with an en suite bathroom.
Breakfast varies and is usually included in the room rate, depending on your host. Some cheap bed and breakfasts in Amsterdam provide full meals of eggs, meat, pancakes, freshly squeezed juices, and coffee. Others provide much lighter meals. Still, there are some cheap bed and breakfasts in Amsterdam that may require you to pay extra for breakfast.
What To Expect
Cheap bed and breakfasts in Amsterdam are perfect for the gourmet traveler on a budget. When staying in a bed and breakfast, you can guarantee that all your senses are pampered, from the moment you arrive to the time you leave.
On arrival, it is possible to find a glass of champagne or a platter of fruit and cheese in your room. Many cheap bed and breakfasts in Amsterdam will provide baskets with goodies to pamper your weary travel-worn body with such treats as scented candles, soap, shower and bath gel, and specially formulated shampoo. Some go the extra mile if providing you with the best quality bed sheets, blankets, and duvets and pillows as soft as clouds.
Most cheap bed and breakfasts in Amsterdam give you access to your own bathroom, too, and often, these are equipped with showers and bathtubs. Smaller bed and breakfasts may provide shared bathrooms. Do not fret, however, because hosts go through great lengths to keep shared bathrooms clean.
Lodging in a bed and breakfast can often give you the feeling you’re staying at a five-star hotel sans the hefty price tag. In essence, staying in a bed and breakfast is living in somebody else’s house in style. Hosts of cheap bed and breakfasts in Amsterdam have opened up their homes to strangers like you, with the idea of making their home your home away from home.
Cheap Bed And Breakfasts In Amsterdam: Your Home Away From Home
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Myrtle Beach Real Estate – A Buyers Market
If you have been paying attention to the news lately, you know that the real estate market is taking a beating. It is definitely a buyer’s market at the present time. Myrtle Beach real estate is no exception. Buyers who borrowed the money for homes and used ARM loans are now facing payments that they cannot make.
Myrtle Beach real estate can be bought for a lot less right now due to the high number of foreclosures that are escalating daily. Because Myrtle Beach is a resort area, the foreclosure rate is higher than other areas of the country. A large number of these condos were bought by investors with the idea of reselling them and making a profit.
Now they have to make the payments on this Myrtle Beach real estate. If they bought several properties, this can add up. They are unable to keep up payments on these properties. Many of these are condos, which are oceanfront and are high-end properties. Some investors are having to sell properties for a loss just to keep from going under.
This is a good deal for someone who is looking to buy Myrtle Beach real estate. The prices are down and many people would rather sell than face foreclosure. For those who are facing high payments due to the interest rate, this may be the only way. If they sell the home they cannot afford to make payments on, they leave their credit in decent enough shape to buy one they can afford.
When someone defaults on a loan, the lender files a notice. This is when many homeowners will try to sell their home to keep it from going through foreclosure. During this pre-foreclosure period, if they can sell the property, there will not be the hassle of having a foreclosure hanging over your head. It takes many years for these to come off your credit record and when you try to buy another home, it will cause problems.
Myrtle Beach real estate is going through an upheaval caused by lending practices in 2006, not only here but also all around the country. The homes that are available here are very nice homes that can be bought for a fraction of the cost. The time to buy is now. By purchasing a home at the present rates, when the real estate market recovers, you will have a home that is worth far more than what you paid.
Myrtle Beach can offer over 60 miles of beach for you to enjoy fun in the sun. Entertainment is abundant and the shopping malls are popular with people from all over the south who come to this area to shop. Dining is one of the draws of this area with over 1200 eateries from fine dining to America’s most popular fare; burgers.
Mild winters are another feature that brings many people from the north. This area has a lower cost of living than their northern neighbors do. If you are in the market for a condominium or a home in Myrtle Beach do not miss your chance to purchase a home for far less than what it is worth.
Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Condos
When you decide that Myrtle Beach is the place you would like to call home, look no further than Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This is definitely the place to find a deal on oceanfront condos. Prices that have not been seen since 2005 are available when you check out Dunes Village Phase II.
The oceanfront condos available here have a wide selection of floor plans. From one to four bedrooms, new window treatments, and furnishings that will speak for themselves are included. Top of the line trim, countertops, and panel doors are just a few of the amenities that will help you make your mind up that this is well worth the price.
Due to the real estate market, Myrtle Beach condo sales are slow at the present time. The variety of these high-end oceanfront condos are available to suit your needs. You can find one that will be the perfect home for your family. High ceilings, new carpet, and designer quality features that will speak for themselves will convince you that these oceanfront condos are what you are looking for. If you are in the market for a home in this area, look no further than Dunes Village Phase II.
Oceanfront and angle oceanfront properties are selling for the lowest prices seen in years. This is definitely the time to jump in and take advantage of the prices before they go up. When you purchase one of these oceanfront condos, you will be assuring yourself of owning a property that will rise in value when the real estate market improves. You could easily be sitting on a home that will appraise for thousands more than the price you paid.
These condos are located on “The Golden Mile”, one of the most desirable sections of Myrtle Beach. Twin indoor water parks, covering almost 30,000 feet, have water slides, pools, spas, and even a kiddy pool. Add 650 feet of oceanfront fun to the picture and you have even more activities from which to choose. Game rooms and play space for the younger children are one of the features. If you are looking for recreation, look no further. The basketball court, tennis courts, and exercise room will satisfy you when it comes to keeping fit. Restaurants and a gift shop are included practically making this a city within a city.
This is absolutely the best deal you will find when it comes to oceanfront condos in Myrtle Beach. Can you believe that all this is selling for 2005 prices? The best deal around is waiting for you. When the real estate market recovers, and it will, these condos are going to escalate in value. Even if you do not want to sell, you will be the owner of some really valuable property.
Due to the problems the real estate market has had, this property is at the lowest price you will hope to get. When you invest now, you are going to get the best deal. When you buy one of the properties at Dunes Village Phase II, you will be congratulating yourself for a long time on the great deal you made.
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Village Living: Second Home Delights
If you long for life at a slower pace, where friendly neighbors interact against a backdrop of classic village settings, we have some suggestions about places to visit and perhaps to live. Our review of great vacation and second home spots ranges from western Massachusetts, to the shores of Lake Champlain in Vermont and New York, the Upper Valley of New Hampshire to the Rhode Island seashore. We’ll begin our tour in the Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts.
Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Stockbridge is a small village nestled in a quiet valley, in the heart of the rolling hills of the Berkshires. Its sun-dappled streets and classic architecture have made it emblematic of the quaint New England village. It is fitting that one of the artistic chroniclers of life in Stockbridge was Norman Rockwell, whose romantic portrayal of small town life evokes a simpler time, unhurried and neighborly.
The small-town center seems a Rockwell painting come to life. With small, locally owned shops, tidy, wide streets and sidewalks, kids on bikes, beautiful churches, and numerous examples of well maintained and diverse New England architecture, Stockbridge offers a welcomed respite from the hurried pace of 21st century America.
The Berkshire hills that surround Stockbridge offer a wide variety of four season activities. There are more than 90,000 acres of recreational land, over 90 lakes and ponds, parks, golf courses and ski areas. Cultural touchstones of Stockbridge include the world-renowned Tanglewood Music Festival and the Berkshire Theatre Festival.
While home prices in the area are relatively high, there are still some bargains available from time to time. Visit the Massachusetts 2ndhome State Page at http://www.2ndhome.net/massachusetts-vacation-homes.
The next two towns on our tour of villages and village life in the Northeast share a special connection, even though they are in different states. Essex, New York and Charlotte, Vermont are separated, some say joined, by a 20 minute ferry ride across beautiful Lake Champlain.
Charlotte, Vermont
The Town of Charlotte sits on a series of hills and ridges overlooking Lake Champlain, about ten miles south of the bustling city of Burlington. Vermont Magazine has said “…This is a town dominated by rural landscapes, by farmland, hills, and orchards; it is also – quietly, to be sure – part and parcel of Vermont’s Gold Coast.”
Charlotte is a town with multiple attractions. It’s close enough to Burlington to access great shopping, dining and nightlife, yet it is a bucolic, pastoral place possessed of a strong sense of community spirit, manifested by a commitment to excellent schools, a new town hall, and a great local gathering spot, the Old Brick Store. Its residents bridge the spectrum between multi-generational farmers, artists, writers and professionals of all stripes.
Charlotte has been a rural escape for second homeowners for many years. It’s comprised of several villages, including East Charlotte and Thompson’s Point, a largely summer community. Visit the Vermont 2ndhome State Page at http://www.2ndhome.net/vermont-vacation-homes.
Essex, New York
Essex is located on the shores of Lake Champlain and in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. It is sometimes referred to as New York’s most historic hamlet. Why this designation? Among other reasons, Essex has one of the finest collections of pre-Civil War architecture in the country. Framed by a beautiful lakefront and New York’s majestic Adirondacks, Essex has welcomed visitors and second homeowners for many years. Another special feature of this charming place is that across the blue waters of Lake Champlain lies the vista of Vermont’s Green Mountains.
There are many four-season activities available in and around the town, including first class trout fishing on the Boquet or Salmon Rivers or on the broad, deep waters of Lake Champlain. Biking, canoeing and kayaking, hiking and birding are popular in spring summer and fall. And of course sailing and power boating on Lake Champlain are some of the best to be found in the Northeast. There are many high mountain peaks, trails, rivers and streams within a half hour of the village. The closest hiking trails are in nearby Split Rock Reserve, a 3000-acre tract where numerous trails hug the shore of Lake Champlain. Golfers will find 10 challenging courses within a half hours drive. Summer theatre, concerts and special events round out the warm weather activity list. Winter activities include great backcountry and downhill skiing, or for the more adventurous, ice climbing. Visit the New York 2ndhome State Page at http://www.2ndhome.net/new-york-vacation-homes.
Lebanon, New Hampshire
In the heart of an area referred to by locals as the Upper Valley, Lebanon is located about mid way up the State of New Hampshire.
The town is laid out in the traditional New England fashion, with a two-acre square, with a band shell at the center. The square is fronted on by a collection of impressive traditional civic buildings with handsome facades, including the town hall, a library and a wonderful gem, the Lebanon Opera House. It’s an 880-seat facility with superb acoustics and is the largest proscenium theater in the Upper Valley. After more than eighty years of presenting quality musical and theatrical performances, the Opera House remains a key component of the cultural life in and around Lebanon.
Lebanon is just a short drive south of Hanover, the home of Dartmouth College, which offers many year round cultural events in the multi performance hall venue of the Hopkins Center. Films, musicals and dramatic productions, including opera, are staged throughout the year.
Much of the housing stock in the historic district is comprised of stately Colonial, Federal and Victorian style homes, a legacy of the wealth of mill owners of the 19th century. The town has ranked highly, (often in the top four), in Prentice Hall’s ‘100 Best Small Towns in America’, a guide to the communities that offer the best in small town living. It mingles the quiet of small town rural life with cultural opportunities not commonly associated with rural life.
Outside the historic district, a wide variety of housing can be found in the area, from 18th century farmhouses, to ranch-style homes and increasingly, high-quality modular homes, in many traditional and contemporary designs.
In short, if you are looking for a second home, Lebanon and the surrounding area offers a unique blend of rural lifestyle and urban amenities. Visit the New Hampshire 2ndhome State Page at http://www.2ndhome.net/new-hampshire-vacation-homes.
Narragansett, Rhode Island
The town of Narragansett hugs the Atlantic Ocean along 26 miles of shoreline (including Pettasquamscutt Cove and Narrow River). This long and varied shoreline has drawn New Englanders to second homes in the summer since the early 1900’s. During the summer season, the population triples. The year round population has also been growing in recent years.
A principal attraction for these seasonal residents is easy access to miles of varied beaches. The busiest is the Narragansett Town Beach, right in the center of town. Known for quality surf, it has been described as one of the top surfing destinations in the country. Nearby Scarborough State Beach, which is more than a mile long, has fewer undertows and a more gradual slope than the town beach and is the choice of many area families. Roger Wheeler Beach, fronting on the harbor, is well protected and is best suited for small children. Salty Brine State Beach is a small crescent of sand that abuts the nearby port town of Galilee, where many sightseeing, whale watching and fishing boats lie at anchor, plus the ferry to Block Island, which lies12 miles offshore.
In the middle of Narragansett, there is a stunning parallel pair of stone arches spanning Ocean Road, anchored on either side by curved towers. The Towers are what remains of the Narragansett Pier Casino that once stood on the site. Designed in 1883 by the renowned architect Stanford White, the 3-story granite Towers, topped by conical roofs, are connected by one long gallery room. Sadly, the main Casino building burned in 1900. The light-filled, 130-foot long Great Hall, built with fieldstone walls, with windows on three sides, still offers a spectacular vantage point to take in the views of the Atlantic and suggests the beauty and opulence of the long vanished Casino.
If you want to find a great seasonal home, Narragansett offers many styles of existing homes and cottages, including new construction, single-family homes, condominiums and adult living communities, plus land, waterfront properties and multi-family investment properties. The surrounding areas offer a wide choice of lifestyles, from summer cottages to grand oceanfront estates, including old New England farmsteads and other country properties.
In upcoming issues of 2ndhome® Journal, we’ll continue our coverage of New England villages where many second home owners have happily
settled.
