Hi everyone - Planning on moving to Europe, likely Netherlands, from UK
#1
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Joined: Sep 2015
Location: Manchester, UK
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Hi everyone - Planning on moving to Europe, likely Netherlands, from UK
Hi,
My name is Nicole, and both myself and my husband are looking to move to Europe, most likely the Netherlands, with our young son.
We have family and friends who themselves have emigrated in the past, and have some understanding of what legal requirements we would need to move over, but I'm looking for more advice, and hopefully to make some new friends, as we start to prepare for our new adventure.
We have visited some countries in Europe, and have really fallen in love with the way of life, however, we have still yet to visit the Netherlands, where we want to call home. We are hoping to scout places very soon, once we have fulfilled some work and personal commitments back home, but if there is anything anyone would like us to be aware of, or would like to share their own stories of moving to the Netherlands and the rest of Europe, please get in touch.
Also, if there are any mums who have moved, especially to places where English isn't a first language, please let me know how you got on, and if you have any tips for helping young children learn new languages.
Looking forward to hearing from you all soon.
Nicole
My name is Nicole, and both myself and my husband are looking to move to Europe, most likely the Netherlands, with our young son.
We have family and friends who themselves have emigrated in the past, and have some understanding of what legal requirements we would need to move over, but I'm looking for more advice, and hopefully to make some new friends, as we start to prepare for our new adventure.
We have visited some countries in Europe, and have really fallen in love with the way of life, however, we have still yet to visit the Netherlands, where we want to call home. We are hoping to scout places very soon, once we have fulfilled some work and personal commitments back home, but if there is anything anyone would like us to be aware of, or would like to share their own stories of moving to the Netherlands and the rest of Europe, please get in touch.
Also, if there are any mums who have moved, especially to places where English isn't a first language, please let me know how you got on, and if you have any tips for helping young children learn new languages.
Looking forward to hearing from you all soon.
Nicole
#2
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Re: Hi everyone - Planning on moving to Europe, likely Netherlands, from UK
"Europe" is a big place and very diverse. You need to narrow down. Where you are going and then do intensive research. What are your reasons for moving ? Will your or your partner work ?
#3
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Re: Hi everyone - Planning on moving to Europe, likely Netherlands, from UK
Thanks for replying.
Sorry, I should have put that my husband has been to the Netherlands before, but I haven't as of yet. Out of all the places we have travelled in Europe, he happens to love the place that I haven't been yet
We run our own company, developing ecommerce websites, but most of our clients are based in the UK, Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland. We have had several clients suggest we give moving to Europe a go, and we are quite interested in the culture and the way of life there. We also really like the commutability into Brussels etc, so it means we can see more of our clients face to face.
I think, as we all do when wanting to live abroad, it starts with an idea, and we have the means to go over comfortably, so why not?
We haven't planned to move forever, so we are hoping to initially rent for around 2 years and then go from there. We have settled on Amsterdam, probably towards the south, and have seen some likeable property in places like Amstelveen.
#4
Re: Hi everyone - Planning on moving to Europe, likely Netherlands, from UK
Hi Lipstick Well you have certainly given yourself a challenge.Of all the European countries to move to I would say that NL is probably one of the most controlled and difficult to get in to.I lived there for 30 yrs and brought up two girls within the system.Not easy.How are you with languages? The Dutch will insist you learn Dutch(not only your children)on average they give you 18 months before you start getting asked THAT question (how long have you lived here? why don't you speak Dutch) Quite right in my eyes by the way. but can annoy some foreigners.? why?The red tape can also drive you mad.Then there is the very high tax's.the hidden costs of living.I could go on.On the question of tax you might consider Belgium as the better option.Their healthcare was also considered superior.not to mention their food,shopping,and chocolate lol. For me if I could have lived in Antwerp I would have been in heaven.You only find out these things though after living in a country for awhile.My advice would be if your set on NL.(a) Visit for goodness sake!! even the smell of a country can put people off.(it did me in the beginning)(b) take a holiday there .you get the sound of the language and the style of the people.over a period of time (c) If your still keen .RENT for at least the first 5 yrs. As ex-pats you will be entitled to the 35% tax for (I think?) 10 yrs.After that it makes much more sense to buy.Life in the north (Amsterdam)is excessively busy but ex-pats are more accepted.Life in the south is quieter,better climate,but your chances of getting a job would be less.However you say you have your own business,check that out throughly before you move.You will need to register with the KVK.Ex-pats never realise just how much paperwork needs to be done to move countries (never having had to do it at home,registered at birth)Don't underestimate the Dutch they are super efficient.Having said all that ,it remains one of the best countries to bring up independent well-rounded kids.good luck
#5
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Joined: Sep 2015
Location: Manchester, UK
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Re: Hi everyone - Planning on moving to Europe, likely Netherlands, from UK
Hi Lipstick Well you have certainly given yourself a challenge.Of all the European countries to move to I would say that NL is probably one of the most controlled and difficult to get in to.I lived there for 30 yrs and brought up two girls within the system.Not easy.How are you with languages? The Dutch will insist you learn Dutch(not only your children)on average they give you 18 months before you start getting asked THAT question (how long have you lived here? why don't you speak Dutch) Quite right in my eyes by the way. but can annoy some foreigners.? why?The red tape can also drive you mad.Then there is the very high tax's.the hidden costs of living.I could go on.On the question of tax you might consider Belgium as the better option.Their healthcare was also considered superior.not to mention their food,shopping,and chocolate lol. For me if I could have lived in Antwerp I would have been in heaven.You only find out these things though after living in a country for awhile.My advice would be if your set on NL.(a) Visit for goodness sake!! even the smell of a country can put people off.(it did me in the beginning)(b) take a holiday there .you get the sound of the language and the style of the people.over a period of time (c) If your still keen .RENT for at least the first 5 yrs. As ex-pats you will be entitled to the 35% tax for (I think?) 10 yrs.After that it makes much more sense to buy.Life in the north (Amsterdam)is excessively busy but ex-pats are more accepted.Life in the south is quieter,better climate,but your chances of getting a job would be less.However you say you have your own business,check that out throughly before you move.You will need to register with the KVK.Ex-pats never realise just how much paperwork needs to be done to move countries (never having had to do it at home,registered at birth)Don't underestimate the Dutch they are super efficient.Having said all that ,it remains one of the best countries to bring up independent well-rounded kids.good luck
Thanks for your reply.
Your advice has given us a little bit more to think about, so thank you I have started learing some Dutch over the past couple of weeks, and I am also apart of a language exchange programme in which I offer skills in English to a native Dutch speaker and vice versa. I am quite good with picking up some aspects of language. My husband has also started to learn Dutch and we have also been teaching some words to our son, who is enjoying it.
We have explored some of our tax options and are comfortable with the arrangement in Netherlands, but we will look into it a some more for the business side, and I will definitely have a look at KVK.
We have looked at Belgium as an option too, but one of our priorities is h low we bring up our son, and I agree with you, I think the Dutch attitude to parenting really does help bring out a great side to their kids.
What was your experience bringing up your girls? What was the education like? Are you still living in NL?
Nicole
Last edited by lipstickladybirds; Sep 5th 2015 at 8:43 am.
#6
Re: Hi everyone - Planning on moving to Europe, likely Netherlands, from UK
Hi GeniB
Thanks for your reply.
Your advice has given us a little bit more to think about, so thank you I have started learing some Dutch over the past couple of weeks, and I am also apart of a language exchange programme in which I offer skills in English to a native Dutch speaker and vice versa. I am quite good with picking up some aspects of language. My husband has also started to learn Dutch and we have also been teaching some words to our son, who is enjoying it.
We have explored some of our tax options and are comfortable with the arrangement in Netherlands, but we will look into it a some more for the business side, and I will definitely have a look at KVK.
We have looked at Belgium as an option too, but one of our priorities is h low we bring up our son, and I agree with you, I think the Dutch attitude to parenting really does help bring out a great side to their kids.
What was your experience bringing up your girls? What was the education like? Are you still living in NL?
Nicole
Thanks for your reply.
Your advice has given us a little bit more to think about, so thank you I have started learing some Dutch over the past couple of weeks, and I am also apart of a language exchange programme in which I offer skills in English to a native Dutch speaker and vice versa. I am quite good with picking up some aspects of language. My husband has also started to learn Dutch and we have also been teaching some words to our son, who is enjoying it.
We have explored some of our tax options and are comfortable with the arrangement in Netherlands, but we will look into it a some more for the business side, and I will definitely have a look at KVK.
We have looked at Belgium as an option too, but one of our priorities is h low we bring up our son, and I agree with you, I think the Dutch attitude to parenting really does help bring out a great side to their kids.
What was your experience bringing up your girls? What was the education like? Are you still living in NL?
Nicole
A LOT to think about (and of course everyone has a different experience. Lip ).PM me if you want to know anything more
#7
Re: Hi everyone - Planning on moving to Europe, likely Netherlands, from UK
If you decide to settle in NL, send me a PM. I can help you with a lot of questions regarding setting up your business so you don't end up wasting time or money. I owned my own company for 20 years here. Good Luck.
NB: please don't underestimate the competition in the IT sector in NL, although your customers can be global of course..
NB: please don't underestimate the competition in the IT sector in NL, although your customers can be global of course..
Last edited by calman014; Sep 6th 2015 at 11:34 am.