tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2484887167067774698.post728259232119535298..comments2023-12-14T16:42:14.475+01:00Comments on Another American Expat: Ah yes, the logistical details are important too.Another American Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09780132937865128999noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2484887167067774698.post-27921912793622461022008-06-23T18:17:00.000+02:002008-06-23T18:17:00.000+02:00Moving to amsterdam sounds like a lot of paperwork...Moving to amsterdam sounds like a lot of paperwork.....<BR/><BR/>I liked the area of town you live in. It was convenient. But oud zuid was prettier!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2484887167067774698.post-74580256367904947502008-06-21T00:08:00.000+02:002008-06-21T00:08:00.000+02:00Yes, you're right about having a balanced view. I...Yes, you're right about having a balanced view. In my experience there are very few blogs by expat Dutchies that do this, making it hard to find reliable information. <BR/><BR/>As to "luck", well.. We know you did your background work before leaving the States. :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2484887167067774698.post-40891840592944948302008-06-20T13:32:00.000+02:002008-06-20T13:32:00.000+02:00"So many expats love to bitch and complain about h..."So many expats love to bitch and complain about how hard everything is... there's no shortage of that stuff to read online."<BR/><BR/>You know what else I think, though? When people have problems, they blog about them/look for support online. I never wrote about anything to do with moving here (though the internet barely existed then:P) because it was a non-issue, I just got on with it. But for people who have problems, writing/asking others is probably a good way of venting. When things go smoothly, you don't really write about them (I bought a cup of coffee today, it came, I drank it. Bit boring really! But when it gets stuffed up, it's a story!)<BR/><BR/>Also, for those of us from first world countries with decent training/education/experience, things are easier and we have preferential treatment laid down in law (eg not having to have a visa to come here in the first place). Other people do sometimes get treated like s***.<BR/><BR/>I don't disagree with anything you've written mind you, I just know that people like you and I have had a relatively easy ride. But either way, the country's full of Americans and other foreigners, so moving here can't be that difficult!<BR/><BR/>Hope work is going well :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2484887167067774698.post-86853536039867004832008-06-20T10:55:00.000+02:002008-06-20T10:55:00.000+02:00Hey Anon - I'm going to mention what you said in y...Hey Anon - I'm going to mention what you said in your comment in my next post... it's important, and something I only learned about myself a few weeks ago. When I asked my friends about registering, I did it with the offer that I would of course cover the additional expenses that would occur because of it. <BR/><BR/>And to Nav - (which kind of goes along with the above comment as well) - I think it's important to talk about the good stuff as well as the bad. So many expats love to bitch and complain about how hard everything is... there's no shortage of that stuff to read online. I've had an amazing run of good luck, and yes, having the visa I have makes everything ten zillion times easier than it would otherwise. that's pretty much the entire reason why all this is happening so smoothly.<BR/><BR/>I've already made a couple of my dutch friends promise that they would speak Dutch with me when the time comes. I can't wait to get started on learning the language!Another American Expathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09780132937865128999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2484887167067774698.post-9573371396302535922008-06-20T03:46:00.000+02:002008-06-20T03:46:00.000+02:00AWESOME! If you have a housewarming, please post ...AWESOME! If you have a housewarming, please post the "boring" details. ;-) <BR/><BR/>I've read numerous posts about the whole IND and "getting legal" process and yours is the first positive one I've EVER seen. Great to know that there's light at the end of the tunnel. <BR/><BR/>Now, the real test: Start practicing your Dutch around Dutchies. THAT I can't wait to read about. :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2484887167067774698.post-74268719573593314242008-06-19T18:12:00.000+02:002008-06-19T18:12:00.000+02:00Once you're registered, you can change your addres...Once you're registered, you can change your address with the Stadhuis online, you don't need to go back in person.<BR/><BR/>The reason why most people won't let you register with them if you don't live there is because that's how rates are calculated, so you have to pay more for water (there are like 3 or 4 kinds of water rates in this country) and rubbish collection/street cleaning/all other things they can think of to charge you for.<BR/><BR/>Also, your situation is different due to the KM visa. For most people, moving here really IS a nightmare. Of course I'm happy that it's worked out for you, I'm just saying that before the KM visa it wasn't that simple, so be gentle with people who are having a hard time ;-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com