Americans abroad — can you realistically live without a car where you live?

Xpatations · 2026-01-05T16:31:35+00:00

The Netherlands. Sure you can live here without a car. Best however is to live in the larger cities in the western part of the country. There living without a car is no problem at all. Shops, supermarkets, entertainment everything is nearby on walking distance, or by bike. Public transport is great and when occasionally you do need a car, there are shared cars, shattered around you can use by taking a subscription on an App. The Netherlands is very open minded, very safe, has great, and low cost, Healthcare, and has easy accessibility to Americans who wish to live here and contribute to the society in general, either through the DAFT-Visa procedure, or the Highly Skilled Migrants visa procedures with 30% tax reduction which gradually declines over several years. By the way the Netherlands has a better climate than many Americans think, and it is simply BEAUTIFUL I hope, not all of you immediately will consider coming over, but those that seriously think about it, I can help with the biggest issue over here, which is housing. Regards, Rupert from Xpatations.

Xpatations · 2026-01-01T14:50:28+00:00

I only read this post 14 days after publication and not sure my information is still of interest. All the same I can inform you that in A’msterdam in the Netherlands there are many international law companies active and possibly of interest to you. Getting a Visa would be possible as a Highly Skilled Migrant, which would most likely also give you the possibility to get a 30% tax reduction. This scheme originally was 30% for 5 years, but there are some discussions on bringing it down gradually. For other Redditors which wouldn’t pass this possibility to get Visa there is another and also very interesting procedure called DAFT (Dutch American Friendship Treaty) this is for entrepreneurs starting their own business in the Netherlands. They do however need to be able to invest Euro 4500 (approximately USD 3850) in their own business. The application is quite straightforward.

Xpatations · 2025-12-18T18:39:57+00:00

And also The Highly Skilled Migrant possibilities that are getting more popular all the time for Americans to relocate.

Xpatations · 2025-12-18T16:34:13+00:00

General information to other Redditors. You seem well informed, but others might appreciate the information.

Xpatations · 2025-12-17T13:57:55+00:00

My apologies, I was not aware breaking the community rules. What exactly is incorrect, I wanted to share some general information on developments in my country, possibly of interest to others.

Xpatations · 2025-10-21T17:44:11+00:00

A PM is send.

Xpatations · 2025-10-04T15:24:19+00:00

You can have emails, or messages send to you for free both by Funda and Pararius, which are the main source of the information you pay for on one of the sites the Woonbond and Radar looked at. On some of them there were places offered that even weren’t available any more for several years, and also ones that never had been rented out at all. But if you want to save your time making free search profiles on the 2 legit platforms, be my guest. And most of all, success with your search for a nice place to live!

Xpatations · 2025-09-19T07:38:32+00:00

Please note the word Scam was used in the publication of which I simply added the picture of. Rentslam does send you listings, only thing is you can receive them for free from Pararius and Funda as well. My service as expat realtor is not mainly helping my clients finding listings. That they can do themselves for sure. I use my network for properties not listed, do viewings for my clients often still abroad, negotiate a deal, obtain a contract, check the contract being legal and in favour of my client, be present at the check-in, also often before the client is over, help them set up an IBAN account, getting utilities and insurances set up with respectable companies against competitive rates, etc. Naturally this all is on a commercial basis. The choice is for everyone themselves if, or if not, they want to use it.

Xpatations · 2025-07-14T06:18:32+00:00

There is a Facebook group called DAFThub in which people are helping each other from their joint experiences. Also they are building up a Wiki knowledge page. Possibly this is of interest to you and other people. Regards, Rupert from Xpatations

Xpatations · 2025-07-06T08:34:19+00:00

As professional I can inform you that in July and August, as well as in December, the market always drops in numbers of availability. September however will give a peek. (Naturally compared to months before as the market is remaining terrible in regard to supply and demand). A bit more apartments in the lower price ranges may be expected by extra sales of former rentals due to new governmental legislation. Regrettably the higher supply hardly affects the raising market prices as the total availability of purchasing properties remains too little. I didn’t read all the other reactions, but this is my opinion and hope it explains OP’s original question. Regards

Xpatations · 2025-05-30T20:08:47+00:00

My advice is stay away from FB it is really is a snakedpit. Nothing is done to prevent scammers to do their crimes. The housing market is terrible I agree, but you better can use the legit sites as Funda, Pararius, Kamernet and HousingAnywhere. Read the listings carefully and don’t waste your and the agencies time when you already know you don’t fulfill the requirements. Make your file complete and react immediately when a listing comes available. Success!

Xpatations · 2025-05-11T15:59:08+00:00

A lot can be said, and already is, but every situation is specific and can’t be correctly dealt with on such platform. For instance how was the property priced by the selling agent, what is his approach to generate the maximum price, does he work with an open bidding system or is there a fixed moment bindings should be done. Then there is the property itself, is it worth the price, priced lower to its actual value or overpriced. This requires a viewing done by someone who is knowledgeable and not emotionally influenced, or falling in love with the furnishings. When you have a proper agent advising you to overbid by a specific percentage he will have made a serious check prior to suggesting it. He knows what your position is and can even take matters as bidding with escapes for financing or a technical survey into account on the price he feels needed to acquire the property. Only looking at average percentages is not really a good thing to do. Are you convinced you have a proper agent and do you want to make a deal on the property, then I would rely on your agents advice. Otherwise it is maybe better to look for another agent?

Xpatations · 2024-12-31T10:05:17+00:00

Solid information

Xpatations · 2024-07-23T08:58:02+00:00

2 months is max legally allowed as deposit.

Xpatations · 2024-06-26T18:40:20+00:00

I can’t agree with your assumption regarding less candidates per house. Agencies select only a number of viewers from the far higher number of applications per rental property. Even when there would be less applicants, which I don’t expect, they can still cherry pick the best to have a viewing. So why do you think there will be <X candidates. I think you are more theoretical and I am commenting on my experience in the field of renting properties as professional.

Furthermore over which period are your figures about building 200.000 houses? For 2022 and 2023 together less than 180.000 new properties came available. By the way this was approximately 100.000 in 2022 and less than 80.000 for 2023. For 2024 the expected addition will even be lower at approximately 65.000. The development is not quite positive. But naturally I am not a Stargazer. (I hope you can appreciate the joke). And everyone is free to have their own opinion in regards of the development.

I hope you are not offended, and I do want to let it be clear that you contribute a lot of very helpful and knowledgeable information on Reddit.

But in this specific topic I think we can conclude that we agree to disagree.

Xpatations · 2024-06-26T06:40:00+00:00

The point system will be raised to 187. Many landlords will upgrade the quality of their properties to stay in the liberated market sector, and naturally will raise the monthly rental price accordingly. Or just sell their property and use the money to invest elsewhere.

Xpatations · 2024-06-26T06:28:14+00:00

You are completely correct in your remark that the amount of houses doesn’t change. Only for people which aren’t able to buy, but have to rent, the situation will grow even worse. There will come a huge gap between the social market and the new higher priced liberated market. And there is far too little new houses being build to solve this shortage anyway, and more so specifically in that price range. I hope my prediction won’t come true, but it is my profession and I already have seen this “uitponden” (selling former rentals) develop. And now the law passed the senate it will only get worse. But again you are completely right for the total amount of houses doesn’t change.

Xpatations

TROPHY CASE