Cost of Living in the Netherlands

[stuart]

Hi all,

Are there any Americans Expats living in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, or The Hague? I am considering a move there from Ft. Lauderdale Florida. My company is researching the COL but I want to get my own information too.

I lived in Cork Ireland for 4 years and found some things very expensive and others not so much. I am looking for some advice on the COL and what to expect for housing, fuel, groceries, clothing, etc.

All advice will be very much appreciated.

Regards,
Stuart London

[synthia]

Welcome, stuart, to the expat forum. I've copied your thread to the Other Countries forum to give you another opportunity to get responses. What a great opportunity for you.

[meow]

Hi stuart, I lived in Cork also, and now live in Amsterdam. Housing is expensive here. Expect to pay around 1000 a month for the city centre (for small) or for nice (on the edges). Groceries, public transport and in places, eating out is cheaper than home. Taxes are higher though
One thing to note, is that I found services and customer care were much better in Ireland, here I often hear "that's not possible". Note also, that it rains just as much here as in Ireland

[calgrad00]

I have been living in Eindhoven, NL for about a year and I can agree that the Cost of Living here is a bit higher then where I am from (CA) for things such as gas, food, etc.

My company factored that in when producing my contract.

Hope this is helpful,
D.

[r0xanne]

Hi Stuart. I'm going to be moving from the US to the Netherlands as well. Maybe we should be in touch to exchange some details. Is this possible?

[Bevdeforges]

The cost of living in Europe is going to be higher than in the US in any event, but Calgrad00 hit the major areas that account for that difference.

Gasoline is heavily taxed, with prices running about $5 to $7 a gallon. But, cars are smaller and fuel efficiency is a big consideration these days. (Besides, there are alternatives to driving in many areas - and public transit is subsidized so as to make it very worthwhile.) Consider, too, that distances driven are much less here.

Food has always been more expensive here in Europe. Part of it is that it's more highly regulated. And it's also really, really good. (More "real" food - without additives and not as highly processed - as my French husband is so fond of saying.)

Taxes are, of course, higher - particularly the VAT which ranges from 15 to 22% in the various countries (and which makes most day-to-day purchases more expensive than in the US). But, in exchange for taxes, there are some genuine services, which kind of makes up for things. Medical care won't cost as much (at least if you're on the local payroll and in the local health care system - on expat packages, they generally maintain your US social security and US based medical insurance).
Cheers,
Bev

[moonfaev]

I think every had pretty much covered it but if you want to find fresh fruit and bread the market usually on the weekend is the best. Cheaper for the food and you can find clothing and stuff there as well.

[finlandlive]

I think it is a bit lower than in Germany

[piradies]

Hello,

I'm from Spain but I've lived about 3 years in America, and 17years in Spain. I also spent a few months in Holland (1.5months in Maastricht, 0.5 month in Amsterdam).

Gas is going to be way expensive, since in USA the gallons are dirt cheap. So if you have a 50L tank, expect to pay like 60euro+-.

Food tends to be more expensive, but the quality is 1000+ times better than American food, and if you want to buy cheaper food / fruits, during the weekends (Saturdays usually) they hold a Market where they sell different kinds of food, fruits, clothes, etc.

If you eat outside, it tends to be cheaper, but if you are not accustomed to Hollands food (which is not so good, sorry) it may be a little hard to eat outside at first. However, you can always find some Frites met mayo~

Living - It depends. When I looked for apartments in Maastricht, they were DIRT CHEAP. Like 300euro for 80sqm apartment, 500+ for nicer apartments fully furnished and in the center of the city.

However, Amsterdam is way more expensive. If you look for apartments within the center of the city, it may cost you 600 (cheaper I've seen for like 40sqm furnished), to 1000+ for a decent place.

Taxation is higher, but you usually get benefits such as the health system tends to be much cheaper.

Also, I've got to say that clothes tend to be slightly cheaper than in other countries that belong to Europe, but it cannot be compared to America, since the prices tend to be similar but in euros.

Example: Jeans - 30 dollar in USA, Jeans - 30 euro. So it may still be cheaper than in other European countries but still is more expensive than America.

It should cost you around 1000 euro a month (utilities paid - gas, light, water), if you have a car then addup 100-200-300 a month for gas even though I have to say they have GREAT public transportation ... nothing similar to USA's.

Regarding food and clothing, you will probably spend about the same or a little more, just say if you spend 300 dollars or 500 dollars a month in food/clothing, then say 300~ euro.

So it could be anywhere from 1400 euro to 1700 euro a month in expenses. But I'm sure that as you spend more time there, you will find cheaper shops, tricks, tips... etc.

Good luck

[JuliaH]

Hi,

in comparison to US prices, you'll probably find that the Dutch have greater cost of living expenses. You've already heard that housing is REALLY expensive but you're company is bound to pay for some of this?

The other thing about Holland is it's quaintness. Coming from the US where space is normal, you shouldn't get claustrophobic in dinky little Holland. Houses, gardens, distances are all tiny (relatively). This is of course great for getting to know the country but you may be stuck in traffic jams a lot of the time as well

But then again, Ireland's becoming pretty crowded these days, too (am thinking more of the Dublin area).

In summary, though, The Netherlands is a great place to be because the standard of living is really high and research published in 2007 showed kids growing up in NL to be the happiest in the world!

enjoy the culture shock

Julia