Should I stay or should I go??
Nov 20th 2015, 3:51 pm
#18
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Joined: Sep 2015
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 262
Re: Should I stay or should I go??
That's OK, just not bacon and eggs is it? Even bread (toast) and baked beans are different ........ and don't get me started on Dutch sausages !!! Strange thing is if you buy Dutch bacon in the UK, it tastes "normal". Our butcher in Enschede (who trained in the UK) used to try and make me Brit sausages, but we gave up after a few months.
In Holland, I normally eat Dutch style, then I'm not disappointed.
In Holland, I normally eat Dutch style, then I'm not disappointed.
Nov 20th 2015, 3:52 pm
#19
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Re: Should I stay or should I go??
They're looking for opinions, as it is outside their experience and they don't know anyone else who has relevant expected. ..... If my employer asked me to relocate to the Netherland on €X salary I would probably post a similar question. I wouldn't want someone to take the decision for me, but just help me with some opinions from people who have "been there and done that".
Nov 20th 2015, 3:53 pm
#20
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Re: Should I stay or should I go??
It's more than minimum wage (€1500 p/month before tax); there are Dutch families living on similar or less, so it's doable, but probably not in the ex-pat world.
Holland is a great place, but it really depends on you and your expectations. If you send your kids to an International School in Holland (here's a list of International schools); for example the British School in the Netherlands are charging €14k p/year for Key Stage 1 to 6, p/child, plus a €2k charge p/kid - so there's €32k gone from your salary before you even think about rent and living. I'd seriously consider sending your kids to a local Dutch state School (we did) - they are free, but as they move up into secondary education, you can expect to pay for course books. The added bonus of a state school is they will learn Dutch much quicker and get local friends, you'll also get to meet local Dutch mums and you'll pick up Dutch and make some friends. The down side of local schools is that if you only intend to stay for a couple of years, they'll be out of sync with the UK when you return. When we came back to the UK, our kids needed a special needs teacher in the UK to get them back up to speed with speaking English, but they soon got back into it and went on to Uni in UK.
Housing - I'd recommend renting first, then register with the local housing association, my daughter just got a 2 bedroom house from one in Enschede for €500 p/month, though you'll pay more for 3 bedrooms.
Medical Insurance in Holland is mandatory, my daughter pays €150 p/month just for herself, for doctor and dentist.
If you stay in the ex-pat market place, you'll find everything very expensive.
Whatever else you do, learn Dutch. Although many speak English, you'll find that life around you is all in Dutch, you'll find it much more doable if you can communicate.
One last thing; the "salary after tax" thing. Actual income tax in Holland is very low, but on top of that you have to pay into social funds, which brings it to much more than the UK; I'd get your husband to clarify with his employer just what they mean by "after tax".
Hope this helps.
Best of luck.
Holland is a great place, but it really depends on you and your expectations. If you send your kids to an International School in Holland (here's a list of International schools); for example the British School in the Netherlands are charging €14k p/year for Key Stage 1 to 6, p/child, plus a €2k charge p/kid - so there's €32k gone from your salary before you even think about rent and living. I'd seriously consider sending your kids to a local Dutch state School (we did) - they are free, but as they move up into secondary education, you can expect to pay for course books. The added bonus of a state school is they will learn Dutch much quicker and get local friends, you'll also get to meet local Dutch mums and you'll pick up Dutch and make some friends. The down side of local schools is that if you only intend to stay for a couple of years, they'll be out of sync with the UK when you return. When we came back to the UK, our kids needed a special needs teacher in the UK to get them back up to speed with speaking English, but they soon got back into it and went on to Uni in UK.
Housing - I'd recommend renting first, then register with the local housing association, my daughter just got a 2 bedroom house from one in Enschede for €500 p/month, though you'll pay more for 3 bedrooms.
Medical Insurance in Holland is mandatory, my daughter pays €150 p/month just for herself, for doctor and dentist.
If you stay in the ex-pat market place, you'll find everything very expensive.
Whatever else you do, learn Dutch. Although many speak English, you'll find that life around you is all in Dutch, you'll find it much more doable if you can communicate.
One last thing; the "salary after tax" thing. Actual income tax in Holland is very low, but on top of that you have to pay into social funds, which brings it to much more than the UK; I'd get your husband to clarify with his employer just what they mean by "after tax".
Hope this helps.
Best of luck.
Nov 20th 2015, 3:56 pm
#22
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Re: Should I stay or should I go??
I can never understand the type of post from the OP. Would you, or anyone, go up to a stranger in the street and ask that question?, well it's just the same as asking on here, some will have positive advice, others negative, but those will be coloured by their own experiences. Really, the decision is up to the OP, and they could find all the answers they have been given, and more, from internet searches.. but then they are coloured by the experience of the writers.
Nov 20th 2015, 3:57 pm
#23
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Re: Should I stay or should I go??
I'd like to help, but you really need to list your concerns and expectations in more detail first. It would also be helpful for us to know if you intend this to be a short term or (semi)permanent move.
If you're worried he hasn't been offered a decent wage, perhaps with a webpage translator you could check if they've offered him a reasonable salary via: Loonwijzer.nl - Check hier je Salaris, Hoeveel Verdien Je
If you're worried he hasn't been offered a decent wage, perhaps with a webpage translator you could check if they've offered him a reasonable salary via: Loonwijzer.nl - Check hier je Salaris, Hoeveel Verdien Je
Nov 20th 2015, 4:48 pm
#24
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,448
Re: Should I stay or should I go??
12 x €2,400 = €28,800. At least that is how I learned to do math in the UK. ..... In some European countries they do very odd things with their euro calculations to make their numbers balance, so maybe you have a point? 
Last edited by Pulaski; Nov 20th 2015 at 5:15 pm.
Nov 20th 2015, 5:13 pm
#25
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Re: Should I stay or should I go??
I agree with the euro calculators however I also have a UK property income on top of this €16000 gross so not sure what the net would be on this.
Last edited by BEVS; Nov 21st 2015 at 12:20 am. Reason: Sort quotes
Nov 20th 2015, 5:56 pm
#26
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Joined: Sep 2015
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 262
Re: Should I stay or should I go??
I agree with the euro calculators however I also have a UK property income on top of this €16000 gross so not sure what the net would be on this.
Despite what the TV adverts say, tax in Holland is complicated, I'd recommend speaking to a tax adviser (preferably before you make your decision, as it's been a break point for some and helped others decide when they actually move). Perhaps someone on here can recommend somebody they use; failing that, try Google and give them a call.
There is an expat centre in Eindhoven (18 kms from Oirschot) who will (probably) be very helpful, this link will take you to their website (it's in English).
Nov 20th 2015, 6:06 pm
#27
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Location: Noord Holland
Posts: 568
Re: Should I stay or should I go??
Here it is 13 x and not twelve. You haven't heard of the famous dutch vakantiegeld (holiday pay, at 8% of your salary, paid out in April or May so you can use the lump sum to book a holiday, although it's not always used for this)? It's also possible to have a 13th month payable depending on contract, just to confuse things.
If you want to know specifics, ask the HR department for a dummy payslip - that's very common here so that you know exactly what's going to land in your bank account each month. Don't sign the contract without reading and understanding it first - use a lawyer if you have any doubts - if they are a company used to dealing with expats then they will also send you an English translation, but it is the Dutch one he will need to sign and Dutch law that governs it.
I would always advise a newcomer to get rechtsbijstandverzekering (legal insurance) because if you feel you're being ripped off, you probably are. The Dutch like to believe all expats are on executive relocation packages, earning so much money they can't possibly keep track of it, which is why they try constantly to part you from it - it's like a sport to them You'll see this reflected in the price of rental accommodation from ''expat specialist estate agents'', and that's just the start of it.
Edit: I'm guessing you're more worried about your children than your husband. This is a country made for children. It is never a case of 'seen and not heard' here. You won't believe the difference between here and the UK. They aren't obsessed with Health and Safety; one of my first memories of coming to meet the headmaster was seeing a teacher shoving a kid UP a tree to rescue a stranded football
. Kids get hurt? S*** happens! They have a bazillion clubs and groups from scouts and singing, to arts and athletics, with which to fill their time: it will help them build friendships in the neighbourhood. But make sure you enrol them for their swimming diplomas as soon as possible - they are a far higher standard than the UK ones, and with water at every turn, you will have piece of mind knowing they can swim confidently and with survival skills: they will also need the basic A diploma to join in classmates swim parties. Let me know if you want any other information.
If you want to know specifics, ask the HR department for a dummy payslip - that's very common here so that you know exactly what's going to land in your bank account each month. Don't sign the contract without reading and understanding it first - use a lawyer if you have any doubts - if they are a company used to dealing with expats then they will also send you an English translation, but it is the Dutch one he will need to sign and Dutch law that governs it.
I would always advise a newcomer to get rechtsbijstandverzekering (legal insurance) because if you feel you're being ripped off, you probably are. The Dutch like to believe all expats are on executive relocation packages, earning so much money they can't possibly keep track of it, which is why they try constantly to part you from it - it's like a sport to them
You'll see this reflected in the price of rental accommodation from ''expat specialist estate agents'', and that's just the start of it.Edit: I'm guessing you're more worried about your children than your husband. This is a country made for children. It is never a case of 'seen and not heard' here. You won't believe the difference between here and the UK. They aren't obsessed with Health and Safety; one of my first memories of coming to meet the headmaster was seeing a teacher shoving a kid UP a tree to rescue a stranded football
. Kids get hurt? S*** happens! They have a bazillion clubs and groups from scouts and singing, to arts and athletics, with which to fill their time: it will help them build friendships in the neighbourhood. But make sure you enrol them for their swimming diplomas as soon as possible - they are a far higher standard than the UK ones, and with water at every turn, you will have piece of mind knowing they can swim confidently and with survival skills: they will also need the basic A diploma to join in classmates swim parties. Let me know if you want any other information.
Last edited by Red_Wine_Fairy; Nov 20th 2015 at 6:18 pm.
Nov 20th 2015, 6:28 pm
#28
Joined: May 2006
Location: Galicia
Posts: 3,140
Re: Should I stay or should I go??
To calculate taxes etc maybe try and read through the following on the Dutch Tax Service website.
The website for the city council is partly in English.
The rest of the practical information you have been given is on the button.
The website for the city council is partly in English.
The rest of the practical information you have been given is on the button.
Nov 20th 2015, 7:23 pm
#29
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 11
Re: Should I stay or should I go??
Here it is 13 x and not twelve. You haven't heard of the famous dutch vakantiegeld (holiday pay, at 8% of your salary, paid out in April or May so you can use the lump sum to book a holiday, although it's not always used for this)? It's also possible to have a 13th month payable depending on contract, just to confuse things.
If you want to know specifics, ask the HR department for a dummy payslip - that's very common here so that you know exactly what's going to land in your bank account each month. Don't sign the contract without reading and understanding it first - use a lawyer if you have any doubts - if they are a company used to dealing with expats then they will also send you an English translation, but it is the Dutch one he will need to sign and Dutch law that governs it.
I would always advise a newcomer to get rechtsbijstandverzekering (legal insurance) because if you feel you're being ripped off, you probably are. The Dutch like to believe all expats are on executive relocation packages, earning so much money they can't possibly keep track of it, which is why they try constantly to part you from it - it's like a sport to them You'll see this reflected in the price of rental accommodation from ''expat specialist estate agents'', and that's just the start of it.
Edit: I'm guessing you're more worried about your children than your husband. This is a country made for children. It is never a case of 'seen and not heard' here. You won't believe the difference between here and the UK. They aren't obsessed with Health and Safety; one of my first memories of coming to meet the headmaster was seeing a teacher shoving a kid UP a tree to rescue a stranded football. Kids get hurt? S*** happens! They have a bazillion clubs and groups from scouts and singing, to arts and athletics, with which to fill their time: it will help them build friendships in the neighbourhood. But make sure you enrol them for their swimming diplomas as soon as possible - they are a far higher standard than the UK ones, and with water at every turn, you will have piece of mind knowing they can swim confidently and with survival skills: they will also need the basic A diploma to join in classmates swim parties. Let me know if you want any other information.
If you want to know specifics, ask the HR department for a dummy payslip - that's very common here so that you know exactly what's going to land in your bank account each month. Don't sign the contract without reading and understanding it first - use a lawyer if you have any doubts - if they are a company used to dealing with expats then they will also send you an English translation, but it is the Dutch one he will need to sign and Dutch law that governs it.
I would always advise a newcomer to get rechtsbijstandverzekering (legal insurance) because if you feel you're being ripped off, you probably are. The Dutch like to believe all expats are on executive relocation packages, earning so much money they can't possibly keep track of it, which is why they try constantly to part you from it - it's like a sport to them
You'll see this reflected in the price of rental accommodation from ''expat specialist estate agents'', and that's just the start of it.Edit: I'm guessing you're more worried about your children than your husband. This is a country made for children. It is never a case of 'seen and not heard' here. You won't believe the difference between here and the UK. They aren't obsessed with Health and Safety; one of my first memories of coming to meet the headmaster was seeing a teacher shoving a kid UP a tree to rescue a stranded football
. Kids get hurt? S*** happens! They have a bazillion clubs and groups from scouts and singing, to arts and athletics, with which to fill their time: it will help them build friendships in the neighbourhood. But make sure you enrol them for their swimming diplomas as soon as possible - they are a far higher standard than the UK ones, and with water at every turn, you will have piece of mind knowing they can swim confidently and with survival skills: they will also need the basic A diploma to join in classmates swim parties. Let me know if you want any other information.
Nov 20th 2015, 7:24 pm
#30
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Joined: Nov 2015
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Re: Should I stay or should I go??
Thank you. Great help