Netherlands - visiting the netherlands

[eos]

Hi everyone

I dont know if this is the right place to post this so feel free to move it

Im visiting the netherlands in a couple of weeks when my exam period is over


I have been planning on doing this trip forever and finally the time is right (or rather finally Ive got some money)


I dont know for how long I ll be staying. maybe a week, maybe a month, maybe forever


this may sound weird but this is not just a trip for me. its a spiritual journey.My visit has a purpose. (meaning Im gonna get seriously f#cked up with anything I can get my hands on)(but still with a purpose..)

anyway my questions are:


a)which city-ies should I visit?
and
b)what are the chances of me finding a job and place to live in the netherlands?

Im half-serious about moving to the netherlands but if I like it well enough and if things work out I might give it a shot.

anyone who managed to read through my rambling and still feels inclined to post his 2cents Id be grateful

Reputation Comments on this post:

great, good first post, motivation etc.

[rocksmokinmachine]

Tourism

Amsterdam seems to be the most popular with the tourists, because of the coffeeshops on near enough every street in the Centruum, The famous Red Light District, and also the other tourist attractions such as museums, galleries and canal trips. Rotterdam, Den Haag, Maarstricht and Utrecht are definately worth a visit.

Just a warning do not buy hard drugs on the street, here is a prime example of what happens to tourists, especially Americans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqBop7pPKJ8

Countries, which do not require a visa to stay for up to 3 months;

Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom (or holders of a BNO, British National Overseas Passport), United States of America, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela.

If you are a national from any other country, you need a visa for a stay of less than 3 months in the Netherlands. You need to apply for a visa at the Dutch embassy or consulate in your country before you come to the Netherlands.

Longer than 3 months

If you are planning to stay in the Netherlands for a period longer than 3 months, you need an MVV. An MVV (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf) is an authorisation for temporary stay. Only nationals of the following countries do not need a MVV; Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Vatican City.

Getting a Visa

If you require a visa for your visit to the Netherlands, you need to apply for one at the Dutch embassy or consulate in your country. You should do this approximately 2 months before your arrival to the Netherlands. You cannot get a visa in the Netherlands!

Obtaining Residency

In order to qualify for a residency permit you will need to fulfil certain requirements. These requirements depend on the motivation of your stay: work, education, family, etc. The IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst) will decide whether you fulfil the necessary requirements and if you are in possession of the correct documents. There are various requirements which you will always need to meet. You will always need to be in the possession of a valid passport. To obtain a residence permit you will further need to undergo a tuberculosis test and have a valid health insurance.

To be honest, if you are only half serious about moving, and your only motivation is drugs, then it wouldn't be for you. The Netherlands is beautiful country and has so much more to offer than cannabis and smartdrugs.

Reputation Comments on this post:

great info really appreciate it

[eos]

thx for the info mate I really appreciate it.

Thank gods Im not an American

and luckily Im not interested in crack, cocaine, heroine or anything of the sort (Im a nature boy so coffeeshops and smartshops will be enough in most cases)


as an EUer staying in the netherlands wont be a problem.

The only problem will be finding a job and a cheap place to live.


Also about the drugs you misunderstood me. What I really like about the Netherlands is the whole liberal attitude, the drugs being only a part of it(a really fun part thats for sure )

also I always wanted to live below sea level


what Im really worried about is that I have no university degree yet( or ever?). Im at third year of studying law (go figure..) I have little job experience. my only skill (except being sexy ) is speaking 4 languages but sadly not dutch. but I learn fast..


do you think it will be easier finding a job and place to live in Amsterdam or in some other city?

[rocksmokinmachine]

Originally Posted by eos

do you think it will be easier finding a job and place to live in Amsterdam or in some other city?

Finding housing in Amsterdam in especially difficult (and expensive), living in the Centruum is ridiculously expensive. If you have visited before you will see there is alot of homeless people, there is currently a housing crisis in Amsterdam, people are also dangerously prone to flooding. There are compaines building homes, businesses and even roads that float on water. Amsterdam is also one of the most densely populated cities in the world.

Six prototype wooden and aluminium floating houses are already moored off Amsterdam, and at least a further 100 are planned on the same estate, called Ijburg, They are expecting to build between 50 and 200 homes a year. This may well be the soloution. But for the mean time, I would look at other cities.

[eos]

Yeah I know about Sweden. But them banning drugs does not mean they are not civilized. Just short-sighted in some issues

Actually now that I come to think of it Im not supporting full legalization of drugs and them being sold in shops. Because they are not for everyone and not for children.

I support decriminalization so those who need them wont have to use them in fear.


Anyway the reason I want to try living in the Netherlands for a while is because I think the mentality there is exactly the opposite from where I live now. We are very conservative on topics like drugs and very liberal on others (the bus NEVER EVER EVER arrives on time. no one even looks at the bus schedule ..)

anyway I guess Ill go to Amsterdam for a few days and if it doesnt work out Ill try my luck in some other city. Maybe Utrecht which is close. or that island I read about somewhere. We will see.

Thank you for the info rocksmockin you have been very helpful

[Expat98]

Originally Posted by rocksmokinmachine

Just a warning do not buy hard drugs on the street, here is a prime example of what happens to tourists, especially Americans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqBop7pPKJ8

That video is gone now. So what happened, did they get mugged or what?

[eos]

I think the Netherlands as well as the Scandinavian countries are the only people today that are truly civilized.

Because they are civilized by choice and not by ignorance

Btw this crazy smilie is insane. I ve been staring it for hours LOL

[rocksmokinmachine]

It may seem liberal, but The Netherlands currently has a right-wing styled Chistian Democrat government intent on closing all coffeeshops, and are actually in the process of banning magic mushrooms.

Aside from the coffeeshops, prostitutes and smartdrugs, it is infact quite a conservative country aswell, as you will see. For example, public transport runs regularly and on time, the canal routes, trams and metro. There are plenty of attractions for people. Young or old.

You mention Scandanavian countries. Some countries like Sweeden are about as non-liberal as you can get when it comes to drugs. They ban EVERYTHING that could even be considered a drug.

Anyhow, I hope you get to where you need to be. The Netherlands is a wonderful country.

[FrankenChrist]

Here, check that topic:

http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/sho...670#post286670

[Cocainebrain]

if you go to amsterdam go to kashmir and buy their supermaroc or kashmir hash .. good stuff

[podge]

Swim has recently moved to the Netherlands. Finding accomodation in Amsterdam is very expensive, swim found a place in the Hague for much cheaper and he finds it a far more agreeable place to live than Amsterdam, much more chilled out. its only about a 30 minute train ride to the Dam anyway. Currently he is still on the job hunt, not being able to speak dutch is the major problem for getting a job. But swim thinks he may have a few hours lined up for next week. And yes the public transport is excellent over here.

Basically unless you're willing to live in a dodgy area or pay at least 1000 a month for rent ( usually excluding blls and furniture too) then swiy should look elsewhere in the Netherlands . And yes the people speak english, women are beautiful , people are friendly and the cannabis is as amazing as it is abundant.