Things I Wish I Knew Before Moving to The Netherlands| Expat Living 2023

Here's a few things I wish I'd known before moving to The Netherlands
#expatlife #netherlands
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Points Made:
* Living in cities other than Amsterdam
* Transportation Expense
* Making Friends
* Dutch Bank Account (you need your BSN:Burgerservicenummer to open a bank account)
* Language Barrier (by fined I was referring to a time when curfews where implemented during the pandemic. This does not apply now)
* Healthcare System
* Fines & Taxes
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This is not a detailed list of the ultimate to do's but some tips derived from my personal experience.
Hope you enjoy the video and drop your own tips in the comments below.
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English Dutch News Website
Dutchnews.nl
NLtime.nl
Housing Websites
Funda.nl
Pararius.nl
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Social Media
Instagram: @chizefobi @chiefobi.photo
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Camera Gear
Sony A7IV
Sony 11mm 1.8 Prime
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Music
Artlist

[@burgienl]

It's hard to make friends with Dutch adults because they usually have more friends than they need. Dutch people form relationships with friends while growing up. And because it is such a small country they can keep those relationships alive, even when moving to another part of the country. That means that Dutch adults don't feel the need to make friends at work, the gym or whatever place.

[@joanyoun]

Spot on! I feel the same.

[@Mahenaw]

Can you please make a video on how to find your "first" apartment when you just arrive in the Netherlands? Assuming the person does not have a local address, bank account or a permanent phone number. All the house-hunting videos are for someone who has all those three things. But I cold not find one video where it tells you how to find an apartment when you first arrive and have no bank account.

[@CuteCatsofIstanbul]

I'm half Dutch, I've lived there a number of years - and I'm not only an introvert with social anxiety, I'm also on the autism spectrum, so I can be 'weird'. Making friendships in NL is a huge challenge mainly because most people have friends, family and relationships and lots of hobbies, so no time or need for new friends. That said, there are always in need of like-minded friends so when/if I ever move back, I really hope to meet those people through hobby groups, volunteering, activism etc. l would indeed have to do a thorough research on which taxes/when and how to pay. Also what is forbidden, fines, etc. It can be quite confusing, so best to know these things ahead of time. Great video, wish you the best in the Netherlands! (I lived in Leiden when I was a student, but Haarlem would definitely be my next destination, Leiden is too full of students!)

[@theselfishcodependent]

I love your calm and collected evergy throughout the video! I can relate so much to how you make friends as an introvert. Having moved to the Netherlands seven years ago myself, I had to put in effort to build a social circle. It can be challenging at times as an introvert but in my experience, the connections formed are often deeper and more meaningful. I'll be on the lookout for the next video. :)

[@chellehighness]

Love this, thank you for this video x

[@mrtoobs]

What a nice, honest and heartfelt video. You learned a lot! Now learn to ride a bike before spring starts ;)

[@vickcyril]

Thanks for the heads-up Efobi ! Your command in English is amazing! I couldn’t finish a minute without hitting on the subscribe button.

[@bedheadacademic]

awesome video. thanks for sharing. Your channel is inspiring me on my KZbin journey

[@maryannokonkwo9288]

Another great and very useful information. Great job!

[@chiefobii]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lesaforbes6241]

Yasssss!!! This is a very informative video, thank you! You're smooth voice and laid back ora is fabulous! It works for you & you have a wonderful smile! I'm trying to move to the Netherlands. So I've been applying for jobs in Amsterdam, Hague & Rotterdam. I believe what's meant for me shall be for me......... hmmm🤔but it's the waiting for it to happen to me is the challenging part lol 🤪. Thanks again for this video 👍🏼🙏🏼😇

[@chie2610]

Love this. Very useful tips

[@chiefobii]

Thank ya

[@samia7858]

Very clear and the music is proper

[@olubayomichael7444]

Great video😊

[@colleenkolsun4237]

Ellie and I are watching this on our big tv 😍 so proud of you for starting this channel!!!👏🏻👏🏻 I remember talking about this in college and so happy you made one🙌🏻

[@chiefobii]

Hahah really? Thank yaa, im happy I did too.

[@ee_utih2021]

Great information...... thank you

[@veronicamaria2730]

So much useful information! I grew up in a very mountainous area before mountain bikes were a "thing". Never learned to ride as a kid. Tried to learn as an adult, but I'm too much of a klutz lol.

[@cristinac.571]

Thank you for this information 😊

[@chiefobii]

You are welcome

[@Bella-yn8cc]

@@chiefobii Good day, please do you need someone who prepares nigerian meals in bulk or small quantities, in the Netherlands?

[@Chellpansa]

Hi, I also live in NL. Almost 5 years now as an expat. I’m Surinamese (my country was a Dutch colony). Here are some tips: - Transportation: NS and GVB have some subscriptions with discounts. For example I have one that allows me to travel cheaper outside of peak hours. - All my monthly expenses are being paid automatically from my bankaccount. I don’t want stress to figure out each month what I should pay 😅. Automatically payment is stress free. Just make sure you have enough money in your account. All the best in the Netherlands 😊

[@venouskakamil]

Hi Gracella! If I may ask, what subscription do you have?

[@hannahricevisuals770]

This is so chic love love!!!

[@tolovenature45]

really informative

[@lynettembugua9135]

Thanks for this video. Some additional info on the travel discount, yes they exist. If you have a personal ov-chipkaart you can sign up for a plan on NS that allows you to pay once every month and you get 40% off on off peak hours on weekdays and 40% off all weekend. It’s amazing, you save a lot.

[@jasmikko]

Great video

[@amityboy14mo]

Thank you!!!

[@VivianAF]

GVB and NS offer flex options that can help cut transport cuts!

[@chiefobii]

Hi Vivian, my coworker was just telling me this as well. Good tip and I will check it out.

[@vanderquast]

great tips 😊👍

[@chiefobii]

Thanks!

[@MA-yc7pz]

I am thinking on moving to Leiden or Haarlem now you have helped me to confirm this although my job is located in Amsterdam Central. Weird cuz I have a mastercard card and it worked perfectly over there

[@colleenkolsun4237]

And tips for traveling to Amsterdam 😉

[@zephyrus339]

As a Dutchman: don't stay in Amsterdam. By which I mean; go to Amsterdam by all means, but book your hotel elsewhere. So may tourists focus just on Amsterdam that hotels there ask for top dollar. Meanwhile surrounding cities like Haarlem are much cheaper and only 15min away by train. Plus Haarlem is a nice city in it's own right, like Amsterdam but with way less tourists.

[@donaldumoren3665]

Whao...........Chi thanks so much for this video...I would like to stay connected to you when I arrive in the Netherlands. Lol because I won't like to be very lonely, yeah because I don't like when I'm lonely thou I'm an introvert but since you're a Nigerian. I think it'll make a good sense.

[@DiggerWhoops]

Great, informative video! Thanks. One thing you didn't mention were the Dutch, themselves. I traveled to Amsterdam some years ago and found them to be very friendly, welcoming and helpful. Has that been your experience?

[@colleenkolsun4237]

I want to see day in the life video;)

[@chiefobii]

Will definitely do

[@cuteness1235]

Hello Chi, I'm a Nigerian potentially moving to Amsterdam and although you haven't made a video in a while, I wanted to let you know that this video was super informative and I would love to hear more about your experience in the Netherlands! No pressure though of course

[@iambellatonia]

Hi, I’m also planning on moving as well. Let me know if you’d wish to communicate further

[@jeroenvanzwam6991]

Jumbo also accepts amex and visa. In EU you can use your debitcard almost everywhere.

[@josatinooking388]

Sorry for that hoping for the best for you

[@erikmulder2574]

If you want to visit the hospital, you need to go to your GP and get him to give you a letter so you can visit the hospital. In the Netherlands everything goes through your GP.

[@Robert-ig6zh]

What is GP?

[@erikmulder2574]

@@Robert-ig6zh a general practitioner, ofwel huisarts

[@joostprins3381]

For Amsterdam it’s living costs +50 to 100 % (housing that is).

[@latestupdate119]

Very insightful info here thanks will be there soon.. going to Apeldoorn what do you think ?

[@chiefobii]

Hello, thanks for watching. I have actually never been to that municipality before so I dont know much. However good luck with your move and let me know if you have any other questions I can answer.

[@Sarx-vw5oq]

Amsterdam biking is not really entry level difficultly. You can get a anonymous transport card or an personal. Personal has a large discount 40 or 50% i think. You can also get other subscriptions for other discounts.

[@jeroenvanzwam6991]

Dont use a device while being a member of traffic. Not on a bike and not in a car. When you participate in traffic you should pay attention on traffic and not your phone!

[@gavkinn]

Thanks for the video its awesome. How easy is it to move if you are retired.

[@isimemeniyoha1457]

I like how you talk. very expressive, straight to the point and eloquent

[@josatinooking388]

New sub dear ...and am keeping it here

[@josephinaamarichardmalual8748]

I'm looking to come to the netherland with my son to live in Den Haag.

[@alandbs329]

No. Stay where you are.

[@888records]

I don’t think it’s a fine for filming while you bike but for using your phone on the bike. It’s just the same treatment as using your phone in a car as it is one of the main forms of transportation here

[@TEWMUCH]

Distracted biking.

[@adbekers1160]

You ever been in Eindhoven? Its also a very nice place

[@lovergirl94ful]

Hi. I would like a cost of living in Netherlands video please.

[@chiefobii]

Hello thanks for watching, I will indeed try to make a video on that!

[@johnvandenbos1673]

I don't think your statement about only accepting dutch bank cards in supermakets is correct. Pretty sure they accept most european back cards. However, I think the problem you had is that you had a credit card and not a direct debit card. Very few shops in The Netherlands accept credit cards, mostly just big restaurant and hotels. In fact, most dutch people do not even have a credit card.

[@ronaldderooij1774]

You can give permission to the municipality and the water board to get their money automatically from your account. That will ensure that you forget to pay or pay late with fines as a consequence. Be aware that you will remain responsible, even if you have given permission to extract the money automatically. But I have done this for fourty years now, and it never went wrong.

[@RealConstructor]

You can also make a deferred payment order in your bank app. I do that at the moment I have read the tax assessment letter. That’s what I always do and I set the date at a week before the ultimate pay date.

[@ronaldderooij1774]

@@RealConstructor provided that people understand what is in the tax assessment letter, that is also a good solution.

[@chiefobii]

This is such a good tip, especially if you don't check your mailbox regularly. I will go ahead and figure out how to do that too. Thanks for watching!

[@chiefobii]

thats sounds like a smart alternative as well!

[@amanchopra8571]

HI, I am planning to move as an expat in Nov 2023. Is it worth ful to move on visit visa and search for job locally in other stream or own stream.

[@Rejoicemangkam]

Please is school chesp there?

[@bas7492]

Amazing, the things you mention. Let me clarify by reversing the situation: "Hello, I'm Dutch and I emigrated to the USA. I wish I'd known before I moved that American banks don't have apps in Dutch. Also I'd wish I'd known that official letters, from the government, are not in Dutch, but in English. Because I don't speak English. I only speak Dutch. I also did not expect that I would need an American bank account to get my salary from my employer." That sounds a bit naive, don't you agree?

[@user-ho5xg6qh3y]

When come to you

[@richardhltrp1791]

when foreigners move to amsterdam i know enough ... loads of money or poor planning .. just outside of amsterdam you pay 30 % less and is much more relaxing and 20% more house .. why would you move to a tourist city ???

[@mirisetc]

I want to move to this country for calm, but lately I've been hearing about vertical construction and population crisis. As a freelancer, it is very thought-provoking how possible it is to find a job in my field before coming there, which employer is warm to immigrants. does anyone have experience with this? My profession is photographer and videographer.

[@johnveerkamp1501]

SNEL NEDERLANDS LEREN !!!!

[@Akimatu]

I for some reason misheard your first tip as "Resist the urge to live in Netherlands"

[@chiefobii]

Haha, thanks for watching.

[@dianaaddison1]

In 2018 I came Amsterdam to stay , but unfortunately i went through hell, I went to zaadam leger der heis , I stayed there for like 2 weeks and was told to get a address cause thy couldn’t help me get address , gosh was hell I then returned to England and now planning to relocate permanently to Netherlands but now have to get address and place to stay if not will be stranded, have to do a good research , I got no family in Netherlands that will help me out …

[@angelinasouren]

I'm sorry to hear about your experiences in the Netherlands, Diana. The situation in the Netherlands has changed since 2018. 1. Municipalities now have to give you that address at which you can register - which is a requirement that few other countries have - so that you can access the obligatory health insurance and so on. I don't know the ins and outs of this; it's a very recent development that most people won't know about. 2. Brexit keeps progressing too and that's important if you have the British nationality. 3. Also, Dutch municipalities are now obligated by law (Wgs) to identify people who may be struggling financially. So if you are struggling financially and for example apply for exemptions, such as for local taxes, this may bring what I call "the payment police" to your door. There is something called "vroegsignalering" now of which the implementation varies wildly between municipalities. It's often not really geared toward supporting you, but rather intended to help creditors avoid financial damages. If you want to learn more, read the report "Hoe eerder, hoe beter" by the Nationale Ombudsman (Feb 2024) and check out "vroegsignalering" on the NVKK website. 4. In the Netherlands, sadly, you can also run the risk of being blacklisted as someone who may be playing the system if you make use of facilities supposedly intended to make life easier for people, because of factors like having a foreign-sounding name etc. There was this big "toeslagen" scandal caused by an algorithm. Reassurances have been made but so far, nothing really points toward it being guaranteed that it will never happen again. Unfortunately, there really are groups (organized crime) that are really doing this. Just now, a large number of applications has been detected all from the same IP numbers in Bulgaria, for example. It doesn't help. ---- I was in England for nearly two decades, still have settled status there, am currently in the Netherlands, but will probably return to England. Running a business, for example, is much easier in England. And while I used to see the Netherlands as very well organized, and I initially struggled with the way things were done in England, I now consider the way England works often much more efficient and, at the same time, am seeing similar (technology-caused as well as polarizing) developments in the Netherlands that I noticed in England. Zaandam Leger des Heils is probably what you mean, by the way. Again, I'm so sorry this happened to you, but as I am sure you know, bad experiences often offer great learning opportunities and you can turn them into a super strength.

[@chikellyateh6321]

Is netherland Holland?

[@angelinasouren]

The Netherlands is the official name of the country. Foreigners often call it Holland, but that's only the central part of the country. The two large coastal provinces in which The Hague and Amsterdam are located are called South Holland and North Holland.

[@joostprins3381]

Wish you all the luck, just don’t act to eager, that is the way to scare Dutch people of. Next be a member of a club, music, sport, whatever, that is the way to make friends. Me as an autist it’s the way to do it, a big step, but in the end it’s the way to go.

[@Warsticks463]

Damn...you're too beautiful

[@aruyess4492]

people like yeah I don't like Netherlands but their videos start with the fact that they have been living there for 2 years lmfao hahahaha

[@liverpool9591]

GENERALLY PEOPLE WITHOUT FRIENDS AND PROPER FAMILY AND LOONERS CAN SUSTAIN TO LIVE AWAY FROM HOME COUNTRY....EVEN AFTER MOVING THERE THEY DOOMED WITH MENTAL STRESS

[@Fxpipsslayer565]

How old are you? You look 12yrs old

[@Edje001]

Do you have a Facebook account? If yes I can tell and show you more about The Netherlands.