Robert sells apartment next to the basilica: ‘Even saw white smoke’

Robert’s spacious apartment is for sale in the heart of Oudenbosch. The house, located right next to the iconic basilica, has a living area of ​​162 square meters and two floors. “The ceiling is more than five meters high. That really gives a wow effect,” says Robert.

Robert moved to Oudenbosch from Eindhoven years ago because of his job in Rotterdam. The location turned out to be ideal, but the apartment itself was ultimately the deciding factor. “I had seen it a few times on the real estate agent’s website, but I doubted whether it was something for me. Until I went to take a look. When I walked into the living room I immediately thought: this is it.”

Living room as favorite place
The apartment occupies the second and third floors of the complex and has a living room of approximately seventy square meters, two bedrooms, a modern kitchen and several storage spaces. The asking price is 750,000 euros kk. “The enormous space is the biggest advantage for me,” says Robert. “My desk is in the living room, because that’s where I prefer to sit. There is a central seating area and a TV corner, and yet it remains light and open.”

According to Robert, Oudenbosch is a pleasant place to live. “I live here in the middle of the village, everything within walking distance. The municipality has made many improvements in recent years, which has made it even more pleasant to live in.”

White smoke
The apartment is located directly on Jan Gielenplein, with a view of the monumental basilica. “That creates a special atmosphere. On the east-facing balcony I have breakfast in the sun in the spring, with that view. And on the other balcony you sit on the south. You live in the middle of the village and yet very private.”

The basilica sometimes even plays a role in his daily life. “The bells ring at a few fixed times, but never disruptively. And when a new pope was elected this year, I suddenly heard the bells ring ten minutes later. I went to look and yes: white smoke. You don’t experience that often.”

Miniature version lasts forever
Yet his time in Oudenbosch comes to an end. “I am almost retiring and moving back to the Eindhoven region. By moving to a smaller home in Son en Breugel, I can stop working a little earlier.”

What will he miss? “The living room, absolutely. And the basilica too, a bit. That’s why I recently bought a miniature version, with lighting. It just lasts.”