Moving to Amsterdam

Old Jan 1st 2016, 5:45 am
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Default Moving to Amsterdam

I will be moving to Amsterdam in 4 weeks from the uk having secured a job. The company I am joining have a very comprehensive relocation plan for moving my family and belongings (at their cost) which includes them arranging my bank account, 30% tax etc but I still have questions I hoped you guys could help with

I plan on budgeting 3k euros a month for living costs including rent but excluding any going out cafe/restaurant etc costs, is this realistic? Will be me, the wife and our baby daughter

Also is there anything we should watch out for in general that many expats miss?

I wasn't looking to move overseas, this job came to me and was a great opportunity so now embarking on this new adventure with excitement and a little bit of nervousness.
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Old Jan 1st 2016, 6:11 pm
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Default Re: Moving to Amsterdam

3k is a generous budget for just 3 of you, and probably more than the average family has at its disposal, but it depends on the lifestyle you're planning to live, and whether you want right in the city centre or somewhere a bit greener and more childfriendly on the outskirts.

I'd say around 1.2 per month rent, 350 for a decent health insurance policy for you all, another 100 for your utilities and around the same you pay now for cable/internet. Perhaps another 500 per month for your grocery/househeld shopping. People don't eat out as much here, and there is virtually no after-work socialising, so you'll save on your budget there. Your travel-to-work expenses will no doubt be met by your employer as is common here.

How is your missus looking forward to it? Remember she's the one going to be stuck at home with a baby and no friends to socialise with at first, so let her choose her living environment. I suggest that if she wants to be out exploring, she joins the group Amsterdam mamas (Facebook and website) for activities to get her out and about with the little 'un and to meet other women in her situation.
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Old Jan 1st 2016, 6:30 pm
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Default Re: Moving to Amsterdam

Originally Posted by Red_Wine_Fairy
3k is a generous budget for just 3 of you, and probably more than the average family has at its disposal, but it depends on the lifestyle you're planning to live, and whether you want right in the city centre or somewhere a bit greener and more childfriendly on the outskirts.

I'd say around 1.2 per month rent, 350 for a decent health insurance policy for you all, another 100 for your utilities and around the same you pay now for cable/internet. Perhaps another 500 per month for your grocery/househeld shopping. People don't eat out as much here, and there is virtually no after-work socialising, so you'll save on your budget there. Your travel-to-work expenses will no doubt be met by your employer as is common here.

How is your missus looking forward to it? Remember she's the one going to be stuck at home with a baby and no friends to socialise with at first, so let her choose her living environment. I suggest that if she wants to be out exploring, she joins the group Amsterdam mamas (Facebook and website) for activities to get her out and about with the little 'un and to meet other women in her situation.
Hi Red_Wine_Fairy...apt name given I have an Australian Cabernet Sauvignon on the go right now

I had gone with 1,750 for rent (more central location - probably Amsterdam west around Rembrandt Park) and had utilities down at 200 euros for some reason...its been hard finding out costs online so been trying my best to work it out to set the budget - I did put 500 for groceries!.

My wife is a little apprehensive, but I think she will enjoy it. Our plan is for her mum to come out and spend a month or so with us so she has support whilst I am at work early on. My wife is actually Bulgarian so her mum will be coming over from Bulgaria. Initially my wife wasn't coming over with me straight away but I felt it important she did so my eife could choose the apartment we rent as you mentioned.

Thank you for the idea of the Facebook group, I think thats a brilliant idea and we will definitely be following this up
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Old Jan 1st 2016, 8:12 pm
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Default Re: Moving to Amsterdam

1750 is about right if you want furnished and in that kind of location - they do love to rip expats off if they think there's a relo package on offer It's cheaper in Nieuw West but I personally wouldn't head anywhere West of Lelylaan, even if there are some nice newbuilds going up in that area. 200 euros is what we pay in g/w/e for a 4 bed house, so I was guessing you'd be going for something smaller with just 3 of you and just halved the bill - but of course it depends how much you like the heating on

Let us know if you or your wife need any specifics answering, and enjoy your wine!
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Old Mar 19th 2016, 11:20 pm
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Default Re: Moving to Amsterdam

Hi mugshot, I'm in a similar position with a move to Amsterdam probably in June (due to my notice period). How are you getting on and do you have any advice on where to live and adjust to Amsterdam living?
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Old Mar 20th 2016, 8:31 am
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Default Re: Moving to Amsterdam

Originally Posted by Kentinsussex
Hi mugshot, I'm in a similar position with a move to Amsterdam probably in June (due to my notice period). How are you getting on and do you have any advice on where to live and adjust to Amsterdam living?
Hi Kentinsussex,

We have been here 8 weeks now and settled in well. The one thing we are not used to is the supermarkets, as we live in a more central area the supermarkets are like the small to medium ones you get locally in the UK rather than a big supermarket. This doesn't help with us not having a car to go further out as I sold my car when we moved - if you bring your car you will need to look at getting the correct insurance in the UK to cover you overseas if you are keeping it UK registered but you need to be careful as you will be liable for import tax on your car which is expensive if you still have the car in the first 12 months (hence selling mine!).

Where to live depends on your circumstance and what you want. We live a 15 minute walk from the centre of Amsterdam as this is what we wanted - central but not touristy and there is a park/zoo etc within 5 minute walk for our daughter. Its classed as the East but its right over the Amstel river bridge. I have a colleague who is moving over from the UK and he and his wife have decided to live out in Haarlem because they have two older children and feel it will be better for the children to have a house with a garden and for schools.

Adjusting was easy other than the shops and not having a car! Everyone speaks English and its a nice place to live. Private Message me if you want to talk further so I can help!

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Old Mar 20th 2016, 10:10 am
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Default Re: Moving to Amsterdam

I'm afraid if you want a UK size supermarket, you'd have to go to Belgium or Germany. The Dutch don't shop like we do (one big load at the weekend), they like to buy little and often. On the plus side, you have access to so many great markets where you can get food directly from the farmer - something we out-of-townies don't have

If you ever feel the need to get out of town, look up Green Wheels which is a national intiative and much cheaper than regular car hire: https://www.greenwheels.com/nl-en
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Old Mar 20th 2016, 10:29 am
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Default Re: Moving to Amsterdam

Originally Posted by Red_Wine_Fairy
I'm afraid if you want a UK size supermarket, you'd have to go to Belgium or Germany. The Dutch don't shop like we do (one big load at the weekend), they like to buy little and often. On the plus side, you have access to so many great markets where you can get food directly from the farmer - something we out-of-townies don't have

If you ever feel the need to get out of town, look up Green Wheels which is a national intiative and much cheaper than regular car hire: https://www.greenwheels.com/nl-en
Thanks Red Wine Fairy - I have been saying to my wife about using rentals for running around when needed rather than buying a car which is expensive. I want a couple of lessons to get used to driving on the left first though

PS we decided to live on the Ruyschstraat in the end, perfect location for us and suits our style of living
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Old Mar 20th 2016, 2:20 pm
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Default Re: Moving to Amsterdam

If I were to live there, that's the area I'd go for too: great shopping, lots of markets and small artisan and ethnic food shops: actually, I'd put on too much weight! Plus you have a few parks to take the little one to. Glad you've settled in so quickly!
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Old Mar 21st 2016, 8:14 pm
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Default Re: Moving to Amsterdam

Thanks Mugshot for the info. I've not done enough posts for a PM so maybe this might swing it. Gave in notice today to its happening. Did your rental budgets match what you found? I think that's the tricky bit, moving to an area without knowing in advance. We have a relocation agents from my new employer to help but I've not spoken to them yet. We've got an 18 month old so parks and a smaller commute are key (though anything will beat the train to London in the morning).

Planning to sell the car (or give it to my mum!) as the less admin to worry about the better. Plus I you can wait read you can wait 2 years for a permit.
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Old Mar 22nd 2016, 7:44 am
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Default Re: Moving to Amsterdam

Originally Posted by Kentinsussex
Thanks Mugshot for the info. I've not done enough posts for a PM so maybe this might swing it. Gave in notice today to its happening. Did your rental budgets match what you found? I think that's the tricky bit, moving to an area without knowing in advance. We have a relocation agents from my new employer to help but I've not spoken to them yet. We've got an 18 month old so parks and a smaller commute are key (though anything will beat the train to London in the morning).

Planning to sell the car (or give it to my mum!) as the less admin to worry about the better. Plus I you can wait read you can wait 2 years for a permit.
Just sent you a PM with my email address.

We ended up spending a bit more a month than first expected, but this is more to do with the central location and the type of property we wanted (we went fully furnished). Our daughter is 16 months so we were in a similar position RE commute/park etc so I can definitely help on locations.
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Old Mar 22nd 2016, 9:24 am
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Default Re: Moving to Amsterdam

Thanks that's really kind. Furnished seems like the easier option.
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Old Jun 13th 2016, 1:32 pm
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Default Re: Moving to Amsterdam

Hey I am moving over in July, found a place to live in North Amsterdam. I am planning to bring my car and horse box over, my Dutch colleague didn't seem to think I needed to register it in The Netherlands, but to bring it back to the UK for taxing and MOT etc...
I came over a few weeks ago to scout places, and went to Ljmuiden beach and it was utterly stunning
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