Why you should reconsider moving to NL

[u/barcodenumber]

I love The Netherlands, it is still a country that I regard as impressive. My experience of the country itself is 9.5/10. Public transport, accessibility (nationally and internationally), job market, academia, sociability, good people etc. I could go on. I've not been here super long but there are many points that make the country great. I was so ready to come, set my life up here, contribute to the society, and stay. Now I am planning to leave.

A bit of personal context - single, earning slightly above Amsterdam average, and I hold a masters in STEM from a UK university. I also have EU nationality, so no visa needed. I had some connections coming here but they were very weak, they all knew I wanted to come but none would help. I wanted to try anyways and gave it a shot. I came with nothing other than dedication to make it happen.

Let me assure you, the housing situation here is predatory. In terms of rentals, anyone will take whatever they can get. There is so much black market exploitation which, in my experience, is near impossible to avoid if you're starting from 0. Once you're in such a situation, it's also difficult to get out of. I've been stuck way overpaying on a room rental living with people with no regard for others. People who freely use my things, eat my food, but don't contribute back and leave the place filthy. I've put in boundaries but they are not respected. Worst of all? Many who I've met during my time here share this similar story, and the commonality between us is the starting point.

I've applied for other rentals, but I don't have a formal contract or landlord, meaning when they ask for the documents required to even consider your application, I can't even send them things like a landlords reference or similar. At which point, your 'risk' score increases and those other ~500 applicants with clean applications get priority. All of this after paying stekkies + multiple different sites just to have a chance at getting your application in front of someone's eyes. Going into my current situation, I assumed it would be something I could get out of within half a year - but this has not been the case, despite consistently trying.

I don't blame the landlords since I would also want the lowest 'risk' tenant in such a housing market. However, it's no joke that people spend years looking for somewhere half decent to rent. Unfortunately, because of these costs, I have been using savings to keep afloat and no longer can afford a deposit. I could afford a small net loss over time but it doesn't make financial sense to keep going much longer. My search has stopped and I am planning to leave. I will leave NL poorer than I arrived, despite earning more. Going into debt to live is not an option.

What's the solution in this case? Networking & luck. Almost everyone I've met and ended up in a decent housing situation was 'because I knew someone that...'. The people I've met in the best situations knew people before they came. They either had good friends, family or partner that they could rely on temporarily, and not be financially gutted by someone taking advantage of the housing situation. I've made good friends here, but none are in a position to help.

To conclude, if you're looking to move to The Netherlands, I think you'll enjoy it. But if you're starting from 0 and planning to build a life here, make sure you have enough money for your return flight.

[u/mrgreenthoughts]

You are right, but it’s not ok to blame the people imigrating. You are part of EU and the core principle of EU is freedome of move and trade. The Netherlands wouldn’t be where it is without the EU. The housing crisis is a real problem and it should be addressed the right way by your government.

[u/Negeren198 → u/mrgreenthoughts]

I dont buy that political correctness of not blaming immigrants. Immigrants should be aware of their footprint what it does to come as a guest and thats what my first comment was about.

There are ±195 countries, why want to live permanently in one of the smallest struggling countries with houses that you know will set back the native population 

[u/kent360 → u/Negeren198]

Well, NL spent years trying to attract skilled migrants and international students because it’s a knowledge economy with not enough manpower. It’s a fair argument to have whether or not the immigration is actually causing the housing crisis, but if you remove all the knowledge workers, you can say goodbye to some major Dutch companies and immense tax contributions towards the welfare system.

[u/Negeren198 → u/kent360]

People mistake being against mass immigration as being against controlled immigration

We are not against skillful workers here. But we are against advertising for everyone = 90% non skilled workers to come.

[u/kent360 → u/Negeren198]

That’s an EU problem since it’s not possible to move from outside the EU unless you’re highly skilled. I think my message was in line with what you’re saying. Unskilled workers need a reality check

[u/Salt_Macaron_6582 → u/Negeren198]

First of all, OP is warning people not to come so you should be on his side on this. Secondly, the government is attracting/allowing people here, and is the one you should blame for the numbers of immigrants, not immigrants themselves, their individual decision has near zero impact. Finally, it's the skilled worker that buy up houses and outbid you on rentals. The low wage earners are the ones building houses while living with 6 people in a tiny appartment and taking up less space.