need advice from people living in the Netherlands

[southflorida]

Hello,

well so far my plan is to arrive in Amsterdam around 15th of april, 2009, and hit
all of the large coffeshop chains, with my resume

I figure that Greenhouse, Daampkring and Barneys, will be the first because they
all have many different sources of income, coffeshops, seed banks, and even
grow shop (Daampkring), and I figured that there is a good chance I will find
something I can do to make some money in the beginning

...and plus this is a good way to learn the Dutch language..and make some
contact, and some friends...and go on from there

...reality is always different than we imagine it will be, but the only way
opportunity is created, is when you take non-stop action toward your goals

...life is hard, and I have learned this through 18 years of self-employment,
but the situation in my country is so horrible, that I can't close my eyes
on this part of reality, and ignore all the facts that are around me

...the Netherlands are also going through tough times, I am sure, but no where
close to what my country is experiencing currently

does anyone have anymore ideas, maybe I should make a list of all the
companies working in the canna-trade and start contacting them by
e-mail

...I thought that there are so many different businesses in the Netherlands
that are in the *cannabis* market, that it is possible to find some decent
work, while I am learning and adapting to living in a new country

anyway, if anyone has any more ideas, they would be appreciated, so thanks
in advance to anyone who posts whatever comes into your mind

later

SouthFlorida

 

[esbe]

wishing you all best in your new dutch life! couldnt have chosen a better country to live in!

 

[southflorida]

esbe,

thanks for your support, to tell you the truth, it didn't take me long
to make up my mind where to move, in fact, the Netherlands, was
the only option that I really considered

I simply hate the fact after coming back from Amsterdam, I have to hide my
cannabis smoking hobby, because it is not tolerated in my stupid ass country

and even though there is some pressure on the Dutch government, to ban
cannabis, as far as I know, the Dutch people do not like to be told what to do

so I am counting on this quality to keep cannabis semi-legal in the Netherlands
for many years to come

later

SouthFlorida

 

[esbe]

at least you can still grow 5 plants legal weather your a med patient or not. i will recomend the haag for living. very nice almost turist free city near the lovely beach. lots of nice coffeeshops and full of nice ppl.

 

[southflorida]

esbe

do you think it is realistic to find a job there, considering that I only know English?

later

SouthFlorida

 

[Share_The_Pain]

Hello all, thanks for the tips Mr. Payaso and esbe

And almost for sure,i will try to do something like southflorida... but maybe if its too hard to get something in that field i will have to do other thing...

i will keep in touch, peace people

 

[McSnappler]

Good luck man, hope you find what you're looking for. When I was out last month I saw a few signs in windows for vacancies.. e.g. a coffee-tender in one of the Centrum cafes, and staff in the Cannabis College (though I don't know if that was voluntary work).

 

[JamieShoes]

I saw a few signs in windows for vacancies..

hehee be real careful which windows though eh mate :smile:

just kidding. best of luck with all your plans. I'm an expat from the uk living in NL. if theres anything I can do to help, drop me a line :smile:


j

 

[southflorida]

Hello,

McSnappler,

thanks for that info, and cannabis college is the only college in the world
that I consider worthy finishing...lol

JamieShoes,

Thanks for encouragement, and how was it for you when you first arrived
in the Netherlands, and started living there? As far as work, learning the
language and housing? thanks for your answer in advance

Share The Pain,

what are your current plans for housing, and do you have a set date when
you will arrive in the NL?

later everyone

SouthFlorida

 

[JamieShoes]

actually the answer to all 3 is "easy"..

Work: When I first came here to live in 97 there was plenty of work both skilled and unskilled. I spent the first few years working in a factory (Bakkers for those that know) where the money was (really) excellent, then in about 2000 decided to go and work in the area I'm trained (finance/management) so I went to work for Cisco earning about the same (lol).

Housing: I initally stayed on a campsite (caravan park) for 6 months then got a shared house with some lads from the place I worked (we later became friends this was my "crew/posse" for years). I now am married with a child and have a "council" house. (housing managed by local government/council)


Language.. ok now this IS embarressing... I've been here 12 years... I can't speak Dutch. All the work I've ever done here for corporate companies has been English language based (ie they're American companies with English as a standard). I DO understand written and spoken Dutch pretty well, but can't really manage sentence structure so well (you'll see - things like the verb and the tense get swapped around in Dutch sentence structure.. it's not "I'm going to the shops", it's "I'm to the shops going"/ ik ben naar de winkel gaan) my other excuse is that Dutch people speak better English than most English people I know and even when you try to speak Dutch to them, they smile at you and reply in English..(it's ok haters, you can tell me off for not speaking the Dutch now if you like :smile


j

 

[southflorida]

Jamie Shoes,

what is a caravan park campsite? and what would be your advice for me to find
an inexpensive place to live? would you advice to have an auto, or it is not
really necessary.

and as far as work, am I better off looking in Amsterdam, or The Hague, Haarlem
and other cities can also be considered? And should I use the employment
agencies, internet, newspapers?

what would you do if you were in my place, if you knew what you know now
about living in the Nethrlands?

...as far as work and finding an inexpensive place to live?

thanks for your answers, in advance

I am planning on being in Amsterdam for the icamg cup 2009, hopefully we
will meet there and I can thank you with a cup of coffee, and some quality
smoke, from one of the better coffeeshops

later

SouthFlorida

 

[JamieShoes]

ok if it were me...

I would start looking on monsterboard.nl and try n get some interviews lined up. if that falls through, I would start visiting the "uitzend bureaus" (Tempo Team, Vidor, Ranstaad, Dactylo etc) these are temping agencies and you can usually find something to keep you going. (I reccomend looking Amsterdam, Haarlem, Den Haag, Leiden and maybe Lisse if you don't mind a bit of agricultural work.

For cheap housing...that one is easier once you get here and meet people in similar positions - there are MANY people who come here short term so there are always places coming up and there are always other peolpe looking. a "camp site or caravan park or "summer houses" are also options (a caravan park is like a field full of mobile homes or caravans - usually they have a place for tents as well you know those places?)

I would say that having a car can be useful, but NOT necessary. the public transport system here is excellent. parking in Amsterdam for cars is very expensive too.


other things to remember - if you (or your passport)are from outside the EU you need a work permit - this can obtained from the "vreemdelingenpolite" (or strange police..lol) and you'll need a tax number (SOFI number) from the tax office (Belastingdienst) the 3 rd thing you'll need for work is a bank account - I use ABN Amro have done for 15 years, no complaints..


coffee and a smoke? sounds good mate :smile:

 

[southflorida]

Jamies Shoes,

thanks for all that info, and I will check out everything you suggested

look forward to meeting you at icmag cup 2009, which hopefully be
the best so far, and even though it will be my first time attending,
I am sure Gypsy and Dutchgrown will make it a unique event

later

SouthFlorida

 

[Share_The_Pain]

Hey once again people, im not at home so i cant read all the posts..

Thanks anyway, Mr. southflorida i think im going with a friend from my country.. about the house... i guess we will gonna rent a house or maybe rent a room... i will send you some links with info later

Cya later

 

[southflorida]

Share the Pain,

let me know when you land in the Netherlands, maybe we can meet somewhere
around April 10, 2009, since this is the time I plan on arriving there

later, and good luck to you

SouthFlorida

 

[igrohydro]

I wish you much sucess SF,its been your goal for a while now,im sure you can make it.
Im aware of your compassion for mj and hope all your hopes and dreams come true.
You need to think outside the box sometimes as you know,what about smoking tours for less confident or smokers who just want to visit the best places.
As you know amsterdam can be a scary,intimidating place for some and people are willing to pay for a good time had safely.

TokersTours,takes you where you need to be!

Lots of people would love to go,if they knew someone would keep them right when there,with all the reasearch you done,have you thought of starting a company soley to help others make the transition?



Just an idea,do you have any botanical qualifications?
As many have said before me there are oppertunities,it just is really hard at the start.
Well,all the best for now.


Hopefully well meet this year man!
peace,love an cbd!

 

[southflorida]

igrowhydro,

currently I am working on an online business, but it will take about a year
for it to generate the kind of income I want

and as far as the Tokers Tours, that is truly a good idea, maybe I can create
a niche service down that line...thanks for the advice

botanical qualifications, not yet...lol

I dreamed of growing, but the crisis, really messed up my plans, in fact I have a
grow tent and 20 fem seeds that are just laying around, and I thought I will
bring them to the Netherlands with me, maybe someone wants to barter with me,
since my first year I will work and continue to spend all my free time on my
site, plus maybe I will consider this Tokers Tours, idea

I will be in Amsterdam on April 1, 2009, and will definately be a part of the
icmag cup 2009, and if you are there, we will definately smoke some of my
Chocolope and Amnesia Haze

later

SouthFlorida

 

[Share_The_Pain]

Hey there igrohydro, hope things are going good with you m8...

well im here too tell that my plans arent going go so good....

need to save some money first but im sure i will go some day maybe after the summer...

Kind Regards to all
and best wishes SF

 

[southflorida]

Share the Pain,

how was your move to the Netherends, and where did you end up staying
at, and what do you mean that your plans are not going so good?

I am planning on being there around first of april, would you say that it better
being there with your own car, or not?

If you had a car now, would you be better off, or not?

what are your plans, from here?

look forward to the news

good luck and take care

Southflorida

 

[movingtocally]

Very informative thread. Thanks.