Moving to Amsterdam. Getting Started.

[milehigh]

the distance of the Dutch means that expats hang together

If you don't mind hanging with expats, then go for it. Niet voor mij.

[redeyezman]

Niet voor mij.

+1
Of all the travels I've done in these few short decades, nothing beats going west. Hmmm...

[weedhog]

weedhog.

did something similar last year.... but i work for myself, from home... so just packed up and moved there..... it was cool, but man I missed all my friends and mostly home (miami).... we have it SO good here in the states.

and i honestly got bored of sitting in the coffeeshops every day.... there's only SO much you can do it.... (never thought I'd say that, but damn)

DC, Yup this is exactly how I feel. I suddenly am able to do as I please and thought Id try living in Amsterdam for awhile. I knew I'd tire of the shops after awhile which is why I decided to live in Haarlem instead but makes no difference still home sick and am looking at moving either to Colorado or California next...
Still love this country though and will be back to visit a few times for a few weeks each year.

[dconstrukt]

ya dude... i feel ya.

and 100% the same boat. i love going back.... but i think a week or so is the best... otherwise its overkill. (i've been there like 17+ times keep in mind)

CO or cali is the best bet.... if the beach doesn't interest you then CO is the best bet... its cheap as fuck to live there too. TONS of outdoorsy stuff to do.

[EasilySuede]

Any pointers as to where or what we need to do to make this happen?

some ideas...
- learn Dutch
- buy dark, muted clothing
- check out this paper, "The Dutch polder way of (intercultural) policy making. The stubborn Netherlands
and its immigrants" by Rene Clarijs...
http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritag ... larijs.pdf

best of luck with your endeavors!

[Sailor59]

One marvellous quote from that piece:

The model of the social and political polder becomes national inheritance. Dutch people are
looking for things that connect people instead of looking for confrontation, and we keep talking
together (negotiating) till we agree.


Ergo, the Wietpass failure.

[fscrissey420]

I just used an immigration lawyer to file for citzenship using dutch american friendship treaty

Roughly how much did it cost and how long did it take to do this? Was it hard to find a good job?

[TwoCanucks]

Looks like you have to be self employed or working for a us company in NL

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DAFT_(treaty)

pretty cool option if you have a solid business plan or such. One way to go, find a product you can sell to Dutch residents via the internet. With success you have a solid business with income and reason to relocate to Holland.

Heres another link, explaining the processes for many different nationalities looking to move or live in Netherlands...

http://www.rotterdam.nl/tekst:residence_permit

[BigDanHaze]

I just used an immigration lawyer to file for citzenship using dutch american friendship treaty

Roughly how much did it cost and how long did it take to do this? Was it hard to find a good job?

I believe I payed around e2500 for the lawyer and about e500 for an accountant(you could do it for less than half that cost, mine was a little more complicated). As far as the job goes I no longer have to work so wouldn't really know about that. I started a business and bought a small store in Haarlem.

My number one advice would be to live in Amsterdam for 3 months before deciding to move here...
Like I said not trying to discourage anyone but the idea of living in Amsterdam is better than the actual living here, for some folks.

[tuttiflutes]

OK!
Here is where I add my 2 cents..

DAFT= Dutch American Friendship Treaty


I am from the Miami/ South Florida Area and after 52 years living in the same place I wanted and needed something different.. The weed in South Florida is equally available and just as good if not better than here in Amsterdam. But the sun and the expensive cost of living made me look for a better working retirement...Before I joined this forum my coffeeshop experience was Basjoes wake and bake and nightcaps, between a very busy cultural experience..I did not come to Amsterdam for the coffeeshops alone, there is loads to do in here..and now I work so much i don't get to do nearly all the things that are available.. =(


There was a film called 'Feild of Dreams' with Kevin Costner and this quote was my 'mantra' "If you build it, They will come".. I get Dutch smiles and " Mooi" and 'Gooede Initiave" very blunt, and VERY positive as I take their pin payment!!!
You must find a 'Niche' business and if you want to get the most out of this city, you have to make friends with the Dutch.. They need to accept your idea, and if you try just a little to learn their language they can be VERY friendly..
My business partner and I, both expats, are founders and members of a community music ensemble that is 75% Dutch.. I have implemented programming that forces me to interact and teach Dutch nationals of all ages.. Today I will be presenting 10 6-7 year olds in an final after school presentation.. Wish me luck!!!

I came here with an Educational "initiative" and a Retail plan.. It is not easy, and it is expensive.. but expensive is relative to the situation you are leaving.. It costs me a lot less to live here, than South Florida, and any Retail store, anywhere takes 5 years to see any return.. so we will see... The educational programming is an essential part of my plan, and additionally services related to retail merchandise you sell is recommended..

3 months trial is a good idea, & after 2 years, I am still loving it, but it is a struggle every day and you should find something to do that you are passionate about, that ideally isn't covered in the area, & that you think the Dutch will also be interested in supporting too..

Making good business contacts take at least a year, and location is EVERYTHING.. So the first 3 months you best be looking and observing... 'Marketing Research' is the key, and it took me 1 full year.. the shop is open 1 year, and has a good shot.. I have no regrets! we are not there yet..

I had a 'Few' business start ideas and if you pm me I will share a Brainstorm idea or two =)(Some have already appeared).. But you need to have some capital, and time to make 0.. Have to live on the cheap, which means skipping the 'BORING' coffeeshopping obsession, get a MUSEUM CARD!!!!.. I really don't understand how people can come here for 2-3 weeks and they never make it out of the center, and then, want to move here????.. I have smoked weed since I am 11, and it is all good smoke when it tastes good, gets me stoned at 7-8e a gram..

10e when in a party mood

Amsterdam is a wonderful place to make a new life..& 'its getting better all the time"

that's all for now!

tutti

[Lazaris]

I just used an immigration lawyer to file for citzenship using dutch american friendship treaty

Roughly how much did it cost and how long did it take to do this? Was it hard to find a good job?

I believe I payed around e2500 for the lawyer and about e500 for an accountant(you could do it for less than half that cost, mine was a little more complicated). As far as the job goes I no longer have to work so wouldn't really know about that. I started a business and bought a small store in Haarlem.

My number one advice would be to live in Amsterdam for 3 months before deciding to move here...
Like I said not trying to discourage anyone but the idea of living in Amsterdam is better than the actual living here, for some folks.

This is very true, and a distinction must be made between the idea of living in Amsterdam and the actual experience of living in Amsterdam. They are not the same thing, in fact, not even close, as a rule, of course.

maybe there are exceptions, but from my personal experience, in 2009 when I moved there, and left after 3 months, it was not something that was my cup of tea.

Many folks I talked to said the same thing, and once the initial rush is over, you start experiencing the same BS that you experience at home...lmfao

but, I love vacationing there, in Amsterdam, Haarlem, Rotterdam, The Hague, Enschede, or any other place in NL is simply just awesome, and will continue for life!

[Lazaris]

OK!
Here is where I add my 2 cents..

DAFT= Dutch American Friendship Treaty


I am from the Miami/ South Florida Area and after 52 years living in the same place I wanted and needed something different.. The weed in South Florida is equally available and just as good if not better than here in Amsterdam. But the sun and the expensive cost of living made me look for a better working retirement...Before I joined this forum my coffeeshop experience was Basjoes wake and bake and nightcaps, between a very busy cultural experience..I did not come to Amsterdam for the coffeeshops alone, there is loads to do in here..and now I work so much i don't get to do nearly all the things that are available.. =(


There was a film called 'Feild of Dreams' with Kevin Costner and this quote was my 'mantra' "If you build it, They will come".. I get Dutch smiles and " Mooi" and 'Gooede Initiave" very blunt, and VERY positive as I take their pin payment!!!
You must find a 'Niche' business and if you want to get the most out of this city, you have to make friends with the Dutch.. They need to accept your idea, and if you try just a little to learn their language they can be VERY friendly..
My business partner and I, both expats, are founders and members of a community music ensemble that is 75% Dutch.. I have implemented programming that forces me to interact and teach Dutch nationals of all ages.. Today I will be presenting 10 6-7 year olds in an final after school presentation.. Wish me luck!!!

I came here with an Educational "initiative" and a Retail plan.. It is not easy, and it is expensive.. but expensive is relative to the situation you are leaving.. It costs me a lot less to live here, than South Florida, and any Retail store, anywhere takes 5 years to see any return.. so we will see... The educational programming is an essential part of my plan, and additionally services related to retail merchandise you sell is recommended..

3 months trial is a good idea, & after 2 years, I am still loving it, but it is a struggle every day and you should find something to do that you are passionate about, that ideally isn't covered in the area, & that you think the Dutch will also be interested in supporting too..

Making good business contacts take at least a year, and location is EVERYTHING.. So the first 3 months you best be looking and observing... 'Marketing Research' is the key, and it took me 1 full year.. the shop is open 1 year, and has a good shot.. I have no regrets! we are not there yet..

I had a 'Few' business start ideas and if you pm me I will share a Brainstorm idea or two =)(Some have already appeared).. But you need to have some capital, and time to make 0.. Have to live on the cheap, which means skipping the 'BORING' coffeeshopping obsession, get a MUSEUM CARD!!!!.. I really don't understand how people can come here for 2-3 weeks and they never make it out of the center, and then, want to move here????.. I have smoked weed since I am 11, and it is all good smoke when it tastes good, gets me stoned at 7-8e a gram..

10e when in a party mood

Amsterdam is a wonderful place to make a new life..& 'its getting better all the time"

that's all for now!

tutti

haha...I grew up in Ft.Lauderdale, lived in Miami Beach, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach. In 1993 I came back to my little EU country by the Baltic Sea and stayed. Started a business, a family, and not planning on going back.

Went on vacation with my son in 2007 to NL, travelling in my car, through Poland, Germany, and arrived in Enschede, as the first town where we stayed in a hotel.

Went to a CS called Cafe Mix, got 5 grams of White Widow, rolled a huge joint like I did while living in South Florida and smoked the whole thing. When it hit me in about 5 minutes I felt like I was on a different planet, and couldn't talk. Had to slowly walk back to my hotel room with my son's help, and wait 3 hours till the buzz became manageable

From then on I took it easy, and took 3-4 tokes and waited till effects arrived, and only then decided if I will smoke more or not...lol

In 2009, I also wanted to start a business in NL, and arrived to search for an opportunity to do so.

But, after 2 months I grasped that it wasn't my cup of tea, a little too "structured" for my spirit. I am semi-responsible, and that attitude will not cut it in NL, at least not to start and grow something new.

Anyway, when I'm there on 4/20 in April, I will definitely stop by your shop to have a talk!

Peace

[Uncle Ron]

OK!
Here is where I add my 2 cents..
tutti

Thank you for taking the time to share a little bit of your experience with us.
...
Taking the piss, one stoner at a time...

[Slip & Sal]

This thread has become heaps awesome!

This information is gold. Good work people =!

[spidergawd]

OK!
My business partner and I, both expats, are founders and members of a community music ensemble that is 75% Dutch.. I have implemented programming that forces me to interact and teach Dutch nationals of all ages.. Today I will be presenting 10 6-7 year olds in an final after school presentation.. Wish me luck!!!

tutti

Good luck!!! .

I have smoked weed since I am 11, and it is all good smoke when it tastes good, gets me stoned at 7-8e a gram..

10e when in a party mood


tutti

Hooray!! you said it, I also dont have this weed fetish, if it gets me there thats cool. The stuff I grew up on, most of it grown in the good earth in various parts of the world, you just couldn't do multiple joints and bongs at one go. Why would you want to ?