Running Commentary on Living in the Netherlands
SO, I've been giving advice to people thinking of moving to the Netherlands for a bit now and thought I would share some of my thoughts.
On the Weather:
Buy a great raincoat. I know the Dutch don't do it, but invest in a pair of rain pants. Get a set of Frogg Toggs or something. I know they bike in the rain, but seriously, wet jeans suck and it rains a lot here. This video is not lying.
On the Food:
It sucks. There is no happy medium here. If you are used to flavour, spice, anything...this is not going to be your happy place. Find an ethnic grocer like Oriental Express and order your ingredients and learn to cook. Ordering is expensive and options are limited. The y have even managed to make Domino's Pizza suck worse than in the US....I didn't know that was possible, but they found away. The only food here that you will be super excited about is the frites (fries) and they can be 4E a cone, ouch.
On speaking English:
Of the EU countries I've been in, NL is definately the most accomidating to English speakers and young internationals.Find a Dutch language class and start learning, it is NOT an easy language to just pick-up. You won't have that "No se hablar" familiarity.
On furnishing a home:
Ikea and second-hand shops are the easiest ways to furnish a place, but if you don't have an agent to help find a place, DO NOT get a room online. Find a shortstay and look when you get here. There is a big issue with scams for housing online. Action is a store like Dollar General, super cheap, but not that great of quality. It is a good 'starter' store though for furnishings like bedding and kitchen stuff.
On banks and rental subsidies:
The municipality can take a few days to get you 'legal' and banks are a bit different over here. ABN Amro is good for internationals, they allow you to create the account online and then sign paperwork when you get here making creating an account fast and easy. If you want the rent subsidy you have to have a dutch bank account and the municipality can take months to finalize that.
On bluntness:
Wow, they can be exceedingly blunt. They don't understand passive agressive at all. You need to have a thick skin when dealing with the Dutch because sometimes it comes off as they are mad, but they aren't, they are just saying it quickly and to the point.
On Bikes (my love/hate relationship) and Public Transportation:
Get a bike. If you don't get a car or moped, you have to have a bike. I think the Dutch are born with one attached. Public transport, once you figure it out, is reliable and fast (except when they do strikes for two days straight grrr). You can do an anonymous OV chip card until you are ready for one with your photo on it. I've had mine for a year. Works fine.
On the Weather:
Buy a great raincoat. I know the Dutch don't do it, but invest in a pair of rain pants. Get a set of Frogg Toggs or something. I know they bike in the rain, but seriously, wet jeans suck and it rains a lot here. This video is not lying.
On the Food:
It sucks. There is no happy medium here. If you are used to flavour, spice, anything...this is not going to be your happy place. Find an ethnic grocer like Oriental Express and order your ingredients and learn to cook. Ordering is expensive and options are limited. The y have even managed to make Domino's Pizza suck worse than in the US....I didn't know that was possible, but they found away. The only food here that you will be super excited about is the frites (fries) and they can be 4E a cone, ouch.
On speaking English:
Of the EU countries I've been in, NL is definately the most accomidating to English speakers and young internationals.Find a Dutch language class and start learning, it is NOT an easy language to just pick-up. You won't have that "No se hablar" familiarity.
On furnishing a home:
Ikea and second-hand shops are the easiest ways to furnish a place, but if you don't have an agent to help find a place, DO NOT get a room online. Find a shortstay and look when you get here. There is a big issue with scams for housing online. Action is a store like Dollar General, super cheap, but not that great of quality. It is a good 'starter' store though for furnishings like bedding and kitchen stuff.
On banks and rental subsidies:
The municipality can take a few days to get you 'legal' and banks are a bit different over here. ABN Amro is good for internationals, they allow you to create the account online and then sign paperwork when you get here making creating an account fast and easy. If you want the rent subsidy you have to have a dutch bank account and the municipality can take months to finalize that.
On bluntness:
Wow, they can be exceedingly blunt. They don't understand passive agressive at all. You need to have a thick skin when dealing with the Dutch because sometimes it comes off as they are mad, but they aren't, they are just saying it quickly and to the point.
On Bikes (my love/hate relationship) and Public Transportation:
Get a bike. If you don't get a car or moped, you have to have a bike. I think the Dutch are born with one attached. Public transport, once you figure it out, is reliable and fast (except when they do strikes for two days straight grrr). You can do an anonymous OV chip card until you are ready for one with your photo on it. I've had mine for a year. Works fine.
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