i stayed at jeroen's place for two nights and it was not near enough. my arrival was delayed several hours but still he was there to meet me, and cheerfully gave me the lay of the land, with great suggestions for food and transport. he was always available for advice and logistics, and proved to be a conscientious and excellent host, making me feel right at home.

the room is as described - big and well-furnished with books and a dynamite bed. i slept better there than at home. beware if you're a bookworm or pinball fanatic - it may be difficult to find a good reason to go out. the room is on the ground floor of a big building that opens onto an interior parking courtyard with lots of trees and shrubs. google maps or detailed directions are helpful finding it the first time from the bus stop. the area is pretty quiet, and i never had trouble with noise inside or outside. with a bus stop and mall less than a block away, it would be hard to find a place more convenient for a stay. take care if you're planning to be downtown late at night: after midnight the bus trip back takes much longer, around 40m, not the 10m ride you get the rest of the day.

while it's quick and easy to get downtown, don't neglect to wander around amsterdam north. it's a very residential area (this means also that at night most everything but the odd snack shop is closed), filled with interesting housing developments, little parks, old churches, canals etc, all with a very different and welcome feel from amsterdam city center. it's quick and easy to get on a bike and get out to the countryside as well. take care biking through the center of amsterdam north - it is possible to lose your way if not paying attention, there are so many bike paths.

i highly recommend renting from jeroen, if you want to be able to get to the tourist sites of amsterdam easily, but stay in a big, relaxing place that's in a lovely and different part of the netherlands entirely. just be sure to leave yourself enough time to take advantage of it - two days is hardly enough time to begin.