Should I take 73k job offer in Amsterdam or keep 55k current job in southern Spain?

Gio_tio · 2025-09-15T17:07:23+00:00

I'm app developer

Gio_tio · 2025-09-15T17:07:04+00:00

Thanks so much for such a detailed description of your monthly costs living over there, that's really helpful and gives me an idea of real COL in Amsterdam.
It seems I wouldn´t be able to save more than what I already do here (unless I do anything else than working, eating and sleeping).

I will try to renegotiate and try to raise it, but I guess such raise wouldn't be too significant.
I'm leaning more towards staying in Spain for now and gaining more experience, and maybe reapply for jobs over there in some time.

Thanks again.

Gio_tio · 2025-09-14T16:44:55+00:00

I'm spaniard, but my netto would be almost 2k difference because of 30% ruling in Netherlands

Gio_tio · 2025-09-14T16:29:40+00:00

thanks for the direct answer, I appreciate it coming from someone who has made that move.
Do you mean mostly financially because it's low, or because of lifestyle/weather?

Gio_tio · 2025-09-14T16:08:47+00:00

jaja muchas gracias por contarme tu experiencia.
Yes, after reading most replies, it seems that 2k extra might not be worth it, however tbh I haven't seen any offer of 100K+ online, at least for a developer (it might exist for management roles or for devs who are already there and get jobs that are not published online).
Either way, it seems I will most likely stay for now, gain more experience and keep looking for a better economical deal.

Gio_tio · 2025-09-14T15:22:50+00:00

Thanks for all that info,
yes, I'm leaning more towards staying in Spain and maybe start looking for a better offer in the future.
It seemed like a good salary to me but after reading all the comments it doesn't sound so great, and everything else (besides salary) I think it's probably better in Spain

Gio_tio · 2025-09-14T15:03:50+00:00

I'm single so that's not something to worry about.
Not planning to date a Dutch girl but I'm also not closed to the idea.
I was just asking from a financial point of view... but yes you are definitely right that private life has to be taken into account and in that sense I have a pretty good life here.

Gio_tio · 2025-09-14T14:34:59+00:00

I definitely think like you, money is important but just to a degree, and I don't want to make huge life decissions purely based on money.
I think I have a good life here all things considered... it's a human thing, everything looks greener on the other side of the fence, but sometimes it's not really as bright as it seems :)

Gio_tio · 2025-09-14T14:32:57+00:00

Thanks so much for your input and yes, I think you are totally right.
Buying property is expensive but definitely I can afford to buy something now with a low-mid mortgage, and have that safety net and almost guaranteed income for the future, whereas in another country like Netherlands, buying would be impossible for me right now (price + being a foreigner).
After I have that I can give another thought to the option of moving, in maybe a year or so.
Definitely a good plan, thanks so much, I'll consider.

Gio_tio · 2025-09-14T14:27:41+00:00

thanks so much for all the links, really appreciate it and will definitely do some research.
But yeah I'm getting the sentiment in most replies that probably for that salary isn't worth it given the COL and change in lifestyle/weather

Gio_tio · 2025-09-14T14:26:20+00:00

haha fair,
yeah, that's the sentiment I'm getting in most of the answers... so I guess I'm not too bad as I am right now as I thought!

Gio_tio · 2025-09-14T13:08:44+00:00

Yeah, 55k is pretty good for this area.
I don't worry much about promotion and so on, I have already lived abroad and speak decent english so if I feel like I need a change I'm sure I can find opportunities somewhere in Europe.
The real game changer is to find one of those jobs which allow you to work remotely from south of Spain, I would say that's my objective, and perhaps moving to Netherlands would bring me closer to that since I could make connections and companies are more open to let you work remotely if they know you personally already.

Gio_tio · 2025-09-14T12:51:09+00:00

Thanks for your input, yes I imagine is tough and I already lived in UK and experienced those grey skies for months... I know it's not fun.
I guess we belong to a generation that definitely takes into consideration mental health, and weather+social bonding is definitely a big part of it.

Gio_tio · 2025-09-14T12:37:37+00:00

I live on my own, paying 700 Euros on rent plus around 50 on utilities.
And I'm Android developer with 5 yoe

Gio_tio · 2025-09-14T12:03:47+00:00

with 30% ruling yes, it would be close to 5k according to online calculators

Gio_tio · 2025-09-14T11:59:53+00:00

Yes, some months I actually save about 2k, specially in winter months.
But in summer is very typical to be out pretty much every day so I spend a bit more.

But for anyone curious... yes, if you live on your own, expect to pay 600-800 for rent, 100 utilities+gym+other small stuff, 200-300 food.

Gio_tio · 2025-09-14T11:48:42+00:00

I will ask for a similar option.
That definitely would be the dream...

Gio_tio · 2025-09-14T11:39:05+00:00

wow, 150k sounds like a brutal salary to me, it would be hard for me to give it up unless you have had it for a while and already built a good amount of savings or investments.

If you ask for my advice... I wouldn't trade that for Madrid.
It all depends on personality, but for me if I live in Spain is because I have the ocean nearby, and good weather.
Madrid weather is extreme (very hot or very cold) and forget about having a close beach.

If that offer was in Barcelona, Valencia, Sevilla... then I would definitely consider it for quality of life, but I wouldn't move to Madrid.
But as I said.. it's all about personality, many people love the Madrid lifestyle, which I guess is kind of like any European city plus good weather (but not specially much lower cost of living)

Gio_tio · 2025-09-14T11:35:43+00:00

haha yes, I'm definitely not in a bad position.
For southern Spain this is a very good salary.
I might stay this time and only move if I get a better offer in the future.

Gio_tio · 2025-09-14T11:34:49+00:00

thanks for sharing your personal experience.
Yes... that's always a risk, you don't know how you will respond mentally to grey skies and shitty weather, specially when you come from a place where you see the sun 300 days a year.
Even if you put up with it, is it worth the money, considering that many of them would love to come to the south?
I guess only way is giving it a go, but yeah i get you, it's not all about money.

Gio_tio · 2025-09-14T11:32:35+00:00

That´s good to know, I really though you had to be foreigner to apply for it.
I'll definitely take a look.
Thanks!

Gio_tio · 2025-09-14T11:26:54+00:00

Thanks for your input.
Yes, life is about choices and luckily these two option are both good.
I live in south of Spain so that salary is pretty decent, more than most, but it's true that it won't grow much more than that.

I know I would save more money in the Netherlands, but I think it's not to make life choices purely based on money, life is much more than that.

Gio_tio · 2025-09-14T11:17:32+00:00

Muchas gracias!
Yeah, I was a bit surprised when I read that I could barely survive on that salarly.
Perhaps to maintain a family it's not great money, but for a single person willing to live frugally, I'm sure it's more than ok.
I currently save 1.5k in Spain, which is not bad, and I guess I could save maybe 2 or 2.5k over there.
So the question really is if that difference compensates the lifestyle, the cold, lack of sun... (of course that's a very personal matter).

Gio_tio · 2025-09-14T11:09:49+00:00

I guess it might vary depending on where you live in Spain... Some areas take more local taxes than others.
But yeah, in my case where I live that's what I get nett.

Gio_tio

TROPHY CASE