People often ask me where in Rotterdam I live. Their reaction to the answer often sounds like this:

"Feyenoord? Oh my god I would never go there! It is such a rough neighbourhood."

No, it's not. Instead it is time to look at some of the broad statements about this lovely area on the south side of the river Maas:

1. "Feyenoord is such a ghetto!"

typical residents doing typical stuff

This assumption probably stems from the districts population. Mostly people with an immigration background. Marrocan, Surinamese, Turkish, Polish, Myself. White people are a minority down here.

Persons who say that kind of stuff, would never even put a foot into Feyenoord. They probably drove through it by car and thought: "Oooh, so many foreigners. I want to get back to my suburb."

Too bad for them. Actually it is a really safe, down to earth neighbourhood, with reasonable prices, and an international vibe. Drop by one of the tropical supermarkets and see for youself!

2. "I heard there is this really good football club with that name."

an emblem of pride

Correct. Feyenoord Rotterdam, whose stadium De Kuip is located in the district is one of Hollands best clubs. They won the presitigious Eredivisie league 14 times already. And their rival Ajax Amsterdam just can't stop them.

Famours for its hooligans, the club is not only the pride of Feyenoord but of the whole of Rotterdam. A fact, which can be observed by its omnipresent logo on cars, backpacks, windows, and...

3. "Tracksuits."

a timeless fashion accesoire

Yes, tracksuits. If you want to blend in with the locals, then you better get a tracksuit with a Feyenoord logo real fast. It as phenomenal piece of clothing indeed. In the winter you wear it with sneakers. In the summer you wear it with white socks in flip flops. An obligatory piece of identity for the aestethically competent resident.

4. "It is sooo far away from the city center!"

lovely Dordtselaan

For people in the Netherlands everything which takes a 20 minute bike ride to reach seems to be far away. Considering the countries size this assumption is somewhat understandable.

Nevertheless, growing up in Berlin and being used to different dimensions of urban space, I have to say: "Rotterdam is not that big. So get your lazy ass on a bike and cross that bridge!"

The Erasmus bridge, Rotterdams landmark is indeed the biggest obstacle when crossing the Maas and entering Feyenoord. In a country without hills, a curved bridge is quite exhausting. Luckily there are things like gears and the Maastunnel. This should debunk all excuses about not visiting me in the south!

5. "Is there any cool stuff in Feyenoord?"

It may not boost the most amazing nightlife, but we have: A huge park, affordable rents, tropical supermarkets, shisha cafes and unattractive places like Zuidplein:

Zuidplein shopping center in all its glory

But if your idea of a big night out consists of drinking beer with giant, fat, bald men then you are at the right adress. You will surely find some tucked away corner bar/cafe with this kind of guests. Otherwise go back to Kralingen, you pussy.