Living in UTRECHT: How to Move There, Cost of Living, and Job Options (2020) | Expats Everywhere

Utrecht is the fourth largest city in The Netherlands and it won the vote for this Review/Preview show. Josh and Kalie break down moving to, living in, and working in Utrecht. They talk about the expat life there, the housing crisis, where to live, transportation, the cost of living, job opportunities and more.
Here are a couple of websites to help you out:
BSN: business.gov.nl/regulation/ci...
Job Hunting: undutchables.nl/
Travel: www.ns.nl/en/travel-information
Watch us vlog and give advice about our move to Portugal: • 3 Month Journey to Por...
Check out J and C Toronto's channel here: / @jandctoronto
Missed some of the other cities? Check out the playlist here: • Moving, Living, Workin...
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[@NathanBowden]

I've lived in the Netherlands for more than 20 years. Great video. A few corrections. Renting in the city center is much more expensive than you propose. €2000 minimum for a 1 bedroom city center. But Lombok is actually very hip and just outside the city center and super close to the train station and much cheaper. I live in the city center (I was SUPER lucky) but would easily move to Lombok. Leidsche Rijn is great for families. Only 10 minutes by bike to center and they have their own shopping district, parks, cinema and train station. All my friends with kids live there. Oog in Al is overpriced, doesnt have a train station, old houses but not historic. Very meh. But conversely, food and drink in Utrecht is cheaper than you propose. €2.50 for a normal beer. Dinner out for €25/person at a nice restaurant is normal (no tipping here). And there are so many free concerts and shows and markets and activities, You don't need a lot to have fun here. Also public transport is cheaper. €1 Euro gets you anywhere in the city ( but biking is free). And you can buy a yearly reduction card for trains. €20 return to Amsterdam (and there are 10 trains per hour!). But gas is no joke $11 per gallon is normal. If anyone needs tips, gimme a shout out. Utrecht is easily the best city to live in in the Netherlands.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thanks, Nathan. We use a site aggregator called Numbeo for our data. www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Utrecht

[@nicoledijkhoff5097]

Hi Nathan, I am currently debating between moving either to Utrecht or Leiden. How hard would it be to find a 1 bedroom apartment around €1200 for a couple and 2 dogs? I am hoping to get something with a small yard or balcony. I’ve lived in Rotterdam for almost 2 years a few years back. Is it a lot different? I have so many questions😅

[@Yuribezemer]

Good video, as a resident of Utrecht, a small correction. A beer is usually 2,75-3 euro. And not 5. Thanks!

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thanks! We need to drink with you. 😁

[@nagalakshmighatrazu823]

Very good blog. Nice information and explanations

[@dginsb1213]

Great episode. The Netherlands is one of the other countries we had been looking at to move with the DAFT, but Portugal is definitely #1. Excited for the continued videos!

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thanks, David! Yea, the DAFT is a great thing, isn't it? Thanks for your support. We'll keep rolling them out.

[@hiruniganewaththa6677]

Thank you so much for the information❤️ This helps me to choose my options wisely.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

You're very welcome. We also have an interview with a girl that lives in Utrecht. Have you seen that too?

[@charlesferiozzi]

Excellent content. Please, share extras about other cities in Netherlands besides the main cities.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thank you. This was really a part of a viewer driven series that we did, but what cities would you like to see highlighted?

[@charlesferiozzi]

@@ExpatsEverywhere Armersfoort, Breda, Arnhem, Hoorn, Alkmaar

[@richvangogh]

I am so glad that you are actually moving to Portugal. A.) I hope to meet you someday... B.) it makes me feel confident I have done my homework and come up with the right answer! I can't find any country that offers more bang for the buck, and that fits my lifestyle. I am torn between buying an old farm of the East Side of the country, or living in Porto. I have pretty much narrowed it down to those two options. I know I will spend time in the Algarve, but I don't see that as home. It's so funny that this latest video is in Utrecht, because I am in my final year of my MFA here in Portland, and have applied for a Fulbright Award in the Netherlands. After that, (if I get it) I should be close to cashing in my chips and living in Portugal.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thank you. Let us know when you get to Portugal. Portugal offers a ridiculous amount of bang for the buck. Both options sound great, but very different lifestyles. Utrecht won the vote and we were happy to put together that video for our audience. We're hoping to have an interview with people living there soon.

[@SusaneRibeiro]

Thank you for the video! I just have a question, what is “plenty of time to find a place”? Is it 1 month? 3 months? More?

[@TreyRouth-nd6mc]

Do I have to get my bsn before I get my apartment? I'm looking to rent an apartment in Utrecht before flying to the netherlands is that possible to have an apartment before applying for bsn?

[@KyaHaiBeYe]

Hi, I like your videos. I saw your video on Singapore. I want to know how would you compare Singapore vs Netherlands. Thanks!

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

How would you like us to compare the two? Cost of Living, culture, job market?

[@KyaHaiBeYe]

@@ExpatsEverywhere thanks for you reply. Please compare it in terms of job market, quality of life and mainly in terms of integration with locals.

[@truthhurts7045]

Amazing and Very Knowledgeable Video..... I watch the Budapest video over 10x .... Do you have any suggestions for a single mom of 3 moving overseas?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thanks! We're doing our best to pack in what we can into these 10 minute videos. We're having a lot of fun with this series as labor intensive as it is. Obviously it depends on the kid's age and what level of an expat you're going to be, but definitely go somewhere that's safe and kid friendly. Go with places that you'd allow your kids on the public transportation alone (like Singapore) assuming they're of age to do that at all. Budapest is a great city with lots of opportunities and a low cost of living. There's so much to say on this topic of single mom with 3 kids because it really depends on what you and your family want and then you can narrow things down from there.

[@truthhurts7045]

@@ExpatsEverywhere this is great information all of my kiddos are teens.... I thought Singapore but I don’t have a college degree and it’s very hard to get a job without it.... We are relocating to Budapest within 2 years and I am so excited and thanks to your videos I gained so much knowledge thank you

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Cool! Singapore is awesome but yes, it might be difficult without a college degree unless a company moved you there. In general, visas acceptance is influenced by points and a degree gets you more points. All the best with your move to Budapest. We hope you hang around the channel despite us not being focused on just Hungary. There's so much of the world out there, we're trying to give a sample to inspire people to get around and see it.

[@truthhurts7045]

@@ExpatsEverywhere Yes and I look forward to it thank you so much for your time

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

@@truthhurts7045 You're welcome!

[@ShelterDogs]

As an American, I could legally work if I got the work permit mentioned here? I had read elsewhere you can't work for anyone, but you can start a business. Please clarify this if you can.

[@ShenyaBieber]

Hi! Im a bit late but I'm planning to do an exchange semester in Utrecht University. I'm worried about finding housing since I've heard a lot about the housing crisis. Thank you for this video. Do you have any advice?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Hi, we recommend using Expats Utrecht Facebook group for the most up to date information on housing.

[@user-ic9hg6yj6d]

Really nice video guys! I am a greek pre-graduate student in psychology and Utrecht is my number 1 choice for my Master's degree. Very useful and informative video, kudos! Edit: I would like to know how popular is living with other people in order to make the rent more affordable. What's your thoughts on that? Thank you in advance!

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thank you very much. We actually did an interview with the founder of Expats Utrecht Facebook, Darla. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXm3qHWhp8SHZtk She would be a great resource to get a much more targeted answer because she's so in the know in that community. She's also really responsive. Just tell her we sent you. If you don't have Facebook and can't get in touch with her, let us know.

[@user-ic9hg6yj6d]

@@ExpatsEverywhere you guys are the best! Thank you SO much! You've just won a new subscriber!

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thank you, we appreciate it! We're working hard to grow so it's great to have upbeat people like you on our team. Please let us know how else we can help. Wishing you the best. Keep us posted. 🙏

[@MMm-zr5yx]

what about apartments says untiities included?should I pay electricity and gas again?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

If the utilities are included that should probably be water and gas/electric, but you will probably have to pay for internet and TV. Check with the landlord, property management company or whoever you're renting from.

[@jimmymiata]

buying a house is the way to go, you can make much money when you sell it later and never have to pay rent

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

💪👏👏 We feel that way about real estate too.

[@cerenbaran9110]

I wanted to learn a few extra information about Utrecht but I listened irrelevant stuff about Toronto and a constant demand of subscription. Appreciate the effort but could have been 5 mins.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thanks for the criticism, that's fair. What extra info were you looking for about Utrecht? What would make the Toronto episode more relevant to you? We've got several questions about this comment, but we'll leave these here for now. Take care, Ceren.

[@Harrypjotter7]

The city is getting so expensive that nurses, policemen, and other people who get the city going can’t live their anymore, they have to pay to get their for work. So that is going to be a big problem voor that city. Lift there for over have of my life and it’s hurting to see what is happening their.

[@dutchyjhome]

Hey guys, if /when you'd like to stay here, then go see this video by other expats: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6OkkGt5eransLM

[@kodomotachi1]

Just to clarify, even EU citizens need a BSN.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Yes, everyone needs it.

[@VikasKumar-nq8if]

Good content I appreciate and you have a new sub. Just wanted to check if you have similar video for Den Haag

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Hi Vikas, thank you for the sub! We appreciate that a lot and it's nice when people reach out like you did. This video here is a part of an audience voted series this year. Unfortunately, Den Haag wasn't chosen for us to do a city guide. We are however attempting to interview someone that's living/lived in Den Haag, but so far, no takers. Sorry.

[@truemarius6171]

what about renting with roommates ? how much doed it cost ?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Darla at Expats Utrecht on FB is your gal. Contact her and let her know that ExpatsEverywhere sent you. She'll be able to give you really accurate info and is well connected to rooms for rent.

[@truemarius6171]

@@ExpatsEverywhere that’s amazing ! thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my comment 🙌🏼

[@truemarius6171]

@@ExpatsEverywhere I just contacted her by message, but instead of helping me directly, she sent me to use the groupe. even though I told her you sent me :/

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

@@truemarius6171 It's okay. Don't worry. That group is massive with a lot of activity so if you post there, you shouldn't have a problem getting an idea of real time rents with roommates. Let us know if you've posted there and how it goes. You should certainly get some action on your post.

[@herbertwest9370]

And drive out the locals

[@Paul_C]

5 euro for a beer? Just no.

[@user-kg1rd6fz9x]

Nah it's for 3 or 2

[@BanterRanterr]

Eee immigrants not expats HAHAHA

[@megalomaniacko1]

I don't care about gas price, I'll buy a car.

[@Tardis216]

Expats piss me off. The Netherlands have a huge housing shortage. The small country is already overpopulated and the population grows about 100.000 each year. Not because of newborn babies, but mainly because of expats and foreign students. So they need a house to live in. A lot of Dutch people (and I mean really a lot!) are waiting ten years or more for an affordable rental home, this is certainly the case in Utrecht and `Emsterdem'. Expats from wherever shortcut the waiting line and occupy these homes. This is wrong. It is also wrong that expats refuse to learn the language. I live in Utrecht and it happens more and more that someone is asking me a question in English, automatically assuming that I am willing to adapt to him or her. Pardon me? This is our overpopulated country, we speak Dutch, you should adapt to us. Better still: stay away.

[@librocubicularist3322]

Don’t you think it is a little discriminatory to say that people should not ask questions in English if they are in the Netherlands? Or that they are “invading” the homes? Shouldn’t the people with the money/abilities from a country with bad government have a chance at life as well? Nobody is taking anything from you guys with an “unfair” advantage. They just want an equal chance.

[@Tardis216]

@@librocubicularist3322 No, it is just a matter of civilized behavior that you attempt to speak at least a little of the language of the country you're in. Especially when you moved there to make a living. This applies to everyone, for every country. edit: In the Netherlands, the housing problem is such that someone who cannot afford to buy a house and who is dependent on social housing is on the waiting list for about 11 years before being eligible for a rented house. It is indigestible to see that people coming from outside Europe are given priority. This is experienced by the population as jumping the queue and disruptive to society. The Netherlands is overcrowded, i.e. it uses about 13 times the surface area of the Netherlands to provide its inhabitants with the standard of living it has. That is certainly not in line with a sustainable way of dealing with this planet. Leaving aside the problem of overpopulation, the Netherlands can only decently afford to adopt people from outside of the border once the domestic housing problem has been resolved.

[@user-kg1rd6fz9x]

@@Tardis216 well said , I totally agree

[@ugurdonmez6441]

I think a legal immigrant should at least show some effort to learn dutch!! sorry but their land their rules

[@noellewest4347]

Thank you for sharing this. I wondered if this might be the case. I also might like to relocate to the Netherlands in the future (I am a researcher in Germany), but I am not an EU resident. As far as I'm concerned, I would have to earn my residency and right to live in Germany or the Netherlands long-term. That includes learning the local language.