Originally Posted by Thul

Hi everyone,
The pay they specified amounts to 2,400 Eur monthly, after tax, and wanted to find out if this is something I would be able to live off? Yes, you can live well as a single person on that take home pay: Make sure it's Netto and not Bruto (gross). Check also they provide travel to and from work allowance - and 8% vakantiegeld - these are standard. The first is a tax break for the employer so they don't mind reimbursing your commute costs - meaning you can live further away from the city if needed. The second makes the taxman happy when he takes 52% off it because its classed as a bonus. (oh yes, this is why we never bother with paid overtime, or take unused holidays in cash - the taxman gets richer than we do).

Is it worth moving for this amount? I would say yes, if it's not just about the money.

Rent seems to be the most expensive; I do not really mind where my apartment is as long as it is in a safe area and easily commutable to work. With that amount would I be able to secure an apartment on my own or would I have to share with people? By rights the first, in reality, the latter. Housing IS that hard to secure in Amsterdam. You should be able to find a studio apartment outside Amsterdam, but inside or even close, it's nigh on impossible right now to get somewhere to yourself. It's not getting easier - with housing currently in demand, many of my colleagues feel they are being forced out by landlords wanting to sell, and with apartments selling for 15 to 30% over the asking price right now, they'd be mad not to. It leaves private rented in very short supply. What do you call 'commuting distance'. There are towns and cities such as Hilversum, Leiden, etc within a 30 min direct train ride; the beautiful Utrecht is not much further. If you're going to stay in Amsterdam, you're going to pay a kings ransom right about now (total opposite of 3 years ago). I would advise you to get the bus timetable out and see what towns and villages lie at the end of the all-night bus routes, if you think you want to be in the city for the nightlife - the further out, the cheaper to rent is a general but not exact rule.

Also, does anyone have any idea how much student finance UK would be deducting from this monthly as I want to factor it into my expenses? Can't help you there, sorry.

Would I be left with anything to save? That depends entirely on your lifestyle (and what you pay for rent) - if you're eating out a lot, buying lots of clothes and shoes, then probably not. Eating out is not cheap. You'll find clothes expensive here and ... lacking in ... yeah, well, you'll find out. Save for shopping trips home The weekend markets however are colourful and cheaper!

I don't want to put a downer on things - it's an awesome city that I fall in love with every time I travel through it - and with that salary you will find some place to live (only the poor are homeless in Amsterdam) because you wont qualify for social housing without 10 years on a waiting list - and wouldn't qualify with your salary, most likely . I'd advise you to look at sites like jaap.nl and kamernet.nl which offer a larger range of studio rentals than funda.nl if you're determined not to share. Join Facebook groups too for Amsterdam to get some insight into what sharing opportunities are available, if you're open to that: Woning te huur in Amsterdam is one such, and Facebook is so smart /ironyoff that it will soon suggest other similar groups. Know that most landlords won't entertain you until you're already working here with a contract, so budget for possibly a few weeks in a serviced apartment or cheap hotel while you make viewings. You can get a Dutch sim card at shops just about anywhere, including at the airport.

Your first year here will be expensive while you get used to the fact that everyone wants a piece of your bank balance, from the gov't downwards. We had a gardener try to charge us three times more than he charged our Dutch neighbour (sorry mate, we've been here too long and got the T-shirt) - it's a national sport because they all think (western) expats come here for high paid work and they are entitled to take their slice. But we all learn fast.


Edit: Due to the nature of the housing market here, as in London or other big cities, if an advert looks too good to be true, it probably is. Housing Fraud is rife. If you see a studio for the same price as a room in a shared place (currently 600+ for just a room in Ams' centre), have your alarm bells set to ring at the slightest abnormality. Don't hand over money without going in to view it or without a contract with traceable contact details such as a permanent address or company email rather than a gmail/yahoo address.... Don't pay via untraceable means such as Western Union, or to accounts in foreign countries (including the UK!) Read the information on the Government website about the law around tenancies.

Thank you!

Originally Posted by StevieLW

I can help in response to the student loan question: ........