People who end up *moving* to the dam..

[xfaLL]

I've heard of this before and was wondering if anyone else has. It's usually some college kid(s) on spring break and they decide on Amsterdam, most of the time they're stoners as well. Anyway, they end up having the time of their lives not just because of the bud but because of the lifestyle and the attitudes of the people. The reason I ask is because I've been looking down hundreds of "life paths" and I'll be going to Amsterdam for spring break.

The last thing I want to have happen (or would it really be that bad? ) is for me to fall in love with the place and end up wanting to move over there. I know it's not very common, but it's certainly not unheard of. Any stories/ideas/thoughts are welcome, let me know what you think. Oh and also, hypothetically of course - Let's say I do end up loving it, just how hard would it be to make a decent living over there? I'm talking about the equivalent of $55k/year pay in America. Would expecting $55k/year (obviously not my first year or anything) be waaaay too much, or is that doable with a solid job?

 

[SpacedCWBY]

http://www.postwarmedia.nl/amsterdam.html

Give it a read. It's not just as easy as going over there and finding work from what I understand. Best of luck in your travels!

Enjoy!

 

[Guest]

Amsterdam is hard to move to and you must speak dutch. It helps to survive and the dutch government requires you take dutch society and language classes to move to the country long term. i have visited holland many times and not just amsterdam.It is very beautiful, of course the coffee shops but they also have good bakeries and amazing coffee. To this day there is nothing like a good coffee and a good joint.

My wife and I plan on living in The Hague where my wife wants to work for the UN before her masters if she can but she has a better shot with the masters.

It's not easy unless your with a big company that has offices there and you kiss alot of ass and get the job. Europe can be expensive.

Enjoy your spring break, check out my first hand guide alittle lower down in the worldwide forum. If you want to live there it will take alot of work and you'd never be able to go to walmart or home depot like they have in america.

My guide to amsterdam

 

[British_Bulldog]

Hi there,

Ok:

1: you would struggle as a non-EU citizen to get a work permit, and you must be able to do a job which is in short-supply/doesn't exist in the Netherlands, for example specialist computer engineer/programmer, etc

2: ideally you need to be able to speak Dutch

3: a $55k salary is a small fortune in Europe because wages are lower here than the US! So, unless you're a specialist in something, $55k is waaay out of the question. Plus - tax for a salary like that is 40% in NL!

4: your statement about good coffee in NL says a lot about the coffee in the US, which must be terrible, as I live in Italy where they serve superb coffee, and the coffee in NL is crap compared to here!

 

[Rosy Cheeks]

I'm a European, living in Paris (because that's where the job I wanted was to be found).
I've lived in many European countries, such as England, France, Spain, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, and I know many more of them due to extensive travelling.
My #1 country of choice would be Holland. Not only because of the liberal drug politics (which are slowly being streamlined according to common European Union politics), but because of many things. Dutch people are generally open-minded, friendly and easy-going. As in the Scandinavian countries, a capitalist market economy has been combined with ideals of a solidaric society, a developed social well-fare and health care system protects the citizens against poverty, misery and social exclusion.

Everybody speaks English, especially in Amsterdam. The new directives on learning Dutch language and culture are basically there for the non-European immigration, that has a tendency to not integrate Dutch society but rather its own ethnic minority present in the country. But if you arrive as a foreign student or an overseas employee, you will have a whole different status in the eyes of the Dutch.

Americans generally make more money than Europeans (about 20%), I guess it depends on your definition of what "decent living" is. In a small Shangri-La country such as Holland (well, that's my arcaic vision of it), your conception of what decent living is might change alltogether. I've lived in the US as well, and would rather pedal a bike down a cobble-stoned canal street in Amsterdam while puffing on a good joint than driving a top of the line SUV in and out of L.A everyday.

But that's just me, and my conception of life quality.

Oh, and not to forget, Dutch women are great lookers.

 

[orgogliodiprovi]

I'd have to agree with everything Rosy said.

Especially the part about the women in amsterdam... Finest women out of all the places I have travelled.

Good Luck with your trip!

 

[Guest]

Go Rosy... Impressive, and Great info....!

I like the Hollanders' committment to 'freedom.' (term used loosely due to its' subjective nature.). What USA Citizens call it is a sham.

Although it can be perplexing, life in The Netherlands can be, as there is also a xenophobia..... Akin to Redneck thinking here.....

I saw an order in many towns, perhaps soon in Amsterdam, as well, against 'assemblies' of more than 5 people (to be read - men, I assume, ethnic men).... This is considered one of the tenets of the true Police-state.... But that is nothing compared to the good 'ol USA, and its' subtle, and not so much, collective politics of fear and manipulation.

I find the Dutch women to be beautiful, tall, sorta manlike -Warrior-Princesses, tasty, able to practically "Juke" on their Bicycles, clear-thinking (to a fault, lol) and perhaps a bit chilly, but very friendly. Alcohol is often necessary. lol

Americans (USA Dudes) would do well to not sexualize every interaction, as is done in da USA. And as the ignorant Media expects us Men to do.

Euro-Chikas have heart, but almost always do exactly what they want. Without too much arrogance. But, you are allowed to be a Man in Europe, and Holland in particular, which is nice, because in California, that is simply not the way.

 

[Bazarocka]

Im american (sorta) but live in Zaanvoort, (Zandvoort--Depending on where your from) have since 1997, was part of the movement in the 70s. Wife is dutch it was easy for me. Its gotten more difficult since the days of the breeder migration. Mannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn I remember when there wasn't a bud one of cannabis to be found ANYWHERE in Europe. But I also remember buying in (bulk) oil that came in th e little jagermiester bottles and afghani black that (kilos) looked like a giant tootsie rolls. Anybody remember?
Man those were the days. And then lets see, mid late 80s,,,,,DEA sweeped across America with illegally confiscated info from every Hydroponic supply store in america and BUSTED everyone they could. (I wasn't in country at the time or IM sure I would have went down to.)
THATS when ALL the good guys LEFT and went to Canada and Holland.
I KNOW afew of them, one in which started working in a pizza joint the other a donut shop------------"Their both respected Breeders in Harlem-Amsterdam" originally from Northern California.
I live here 3-6 months out of the year spend the other in Miami.
Can watch the races from my backyard. Anybody that knows Zandvoort knows where Im talking about';'


Language barriers should'nt even be a consideration.

My 2 cents.

 

[t-rex]

You've lived in Zandvoort for 10 years but don't know how to spell the name of the town you live in? Thats what the dutch would call a typical, 'buitenlander'
Just kidding.

Interesting reading some of these words coming from aliens.. A lot of people in The Netherlands are becoming more and more unhappy with the way things are being handled here, especially in politics. It is mostly the immigrant problems that draw the attention and people are getting fed up with it. Also the country losing its own face, many say. Being responsible for its own politics, instead of the EU gaining more influence is something the people are dissapointed in. Nncreased taxes, in particular those for motorists are viewed as a worry. The list goes on and on.. but then the dutch are also known for always having something to complain about
I like Holland, and I dont think I could ever live in a country such as the United States.. to each his own. I think it all depends on what you're used to, or where you would feel better in place.

 

[TimewarP]

i know youll assume im prejudiced, but im actually very objective about this.

much rather live in vancouver than amsterdam.
better weather, cheaper better weed and hash, less people, bigger houses/apartments for less money. mountains, ocean and lakes you can swim in. ski resorts 1 hr from town. awesome resturants/microbrew pubs

europe in general [lived in 3 , visited 6 countries] is dirty and small. awesome in archetecture and infinate greater concert/nightclub scene.

rent for a typical apartment in london paris amsterdam stockholm or frankfurt would get you a freakin mansion in BC.
im lucky to get cheap rent but its still more than what my bud is paying for his waterfront house on the island

 

[TimewarP]

you will never ever pay more than 10[7euro] per g for bubble or sift unless u buy just 1 off a street punk

and 25 an eight [5euro per g]is totally normal for something id compare with the best coffeeshop product outta the dam

hazes are like 14 euro per now. unbelievable

 

[Guest]

http://www.postwarmedia.nl/amsterdam.html

Give it a read. It's not just as easy as going over there and finding work from what I understand. Best of luck in your travels!

Enjoy!

This link doesn't work, the correct one is:

http://www.postwar.nl/pw_2007/subject/amsterdam/

W.

 

[Guest]

I almost moved to Amstedam back in June, got a job there, 35k as a web designer, the office was directly across the street from the Seed Boutique, I could see OP in the shop from there, that's has close it was, found a flat on the same street as The Dolphins Coffeeshop near the Leidseplein, a great part of town, it was all perfect. Then I discovered i would need 5-6000 euros to get me through the first motnh, 4000 of it to pay the rent, deposit, agent's fees etc. on the flat, the only thing that stopped me was the immense cost of gettign a flat in Amsterdam, you need savings, I have almost nada.

 

[British_Bulldog]

Hi British Hempire,

I know what you mean about up-front costs! - I had the same problem when I moved to Italy recently, and it's even worse here:

they expect:

- 10% of the annual rent as an agency fee + 20% tax/VAT on top (!!) - as in NL,
- 3 months rent in advance,
- a deposit of 3 months rent,
- as well as other fees like legal documents, deposits for gas, electric, telephone, etc.

...which all adds upto a big bill.....good thing I had money to front this!


NL agents don't usually expect as much as Italian agents/landlords in advance, as I've researched it, but it's still hefty enough to put you off!

As you know, in the UK you can move for a fraction of the cost, and you're not tied into a long-term contract!


Peace

 

[Dr. Bloom]

Hey everyone!

Well i don't think that you will fall in love with the country in a week, but who knows?

I spent the year studying abroad in the Netherlands last year (in Utrecht), and would fully consider moving back there once I have a degree.

The people are relaxed, intelligent, and usually friendly.
Most of all though I loved the simplicity of life there.
Though I had far less than i do living in the US, i felt that i needed much less to be happy.
The country was beautiful, the girls were beautiful, and I really enjoyed riding my bike everywhere, (the weed was also very good)
I don't know if I will ever try to live there in a permanant sense, but i'm certainly not ruling out the possibility!

 

[koalaponics]

Didn't the netherlands refuse to sign up with the european union, along with poland or some such thing? That's awesome but if you have the fortune of being a US citizen I would stay here and ride out the future in possible safety among a population that can defend itself from gov't.

 

[British_Bulldog]

I spent the year studying abroad in the Netherlands last year (in Utrecht)

Hi Dr. Bloom, which were your favourite coffeeshops in Utrecht please?


Many thanks,


Peace

 

[Dr. Bloom]

Well Sarasani was by far my favorite.....but I heard it got shut down since I moved away. It's too bad, as its the place I always brought people to when they came to visit.

Anyway,
The culture boat is another favorite. It has a great view and good music....and is...uhh....a boat.

Andersoms is also nice, and it's just below the dom tower, which means you can get really baked, then climb a few hundred meters into the air and look around. It's a lot of fun, especially on a clear day.

Let me know if you need directions....i'll try to remember the street names.

 

[lippiter]

Do they have a UPS hub in amsterdam I want to transfer lol

 

[Guest]

Being responsible for its own politics, instead of the EU gaining more influence is something the people are dissapointed in.

so you're saying the dutch want to be controlled by the EU?