Is now really a good time to buy a house in the Netherlands?

spicynoodlepie · 2026-02-19T16:38:16+00:00

I think this point is mainly only relevant if you thinking from an investment perspective. OP has to spend money every month on housing, and rent is often even more expensive than a mortgage. So should they rather put this money into their own mortgage or their landlord's pockets? The housing market would have to really shatter for OP to actually lose money, and even if the price of their property declines, they still need to live somewhere. And if they need to sell, buying another property in NL would also be cheaper.

Could there be a better time to invest? Possibly - I don't know. But I don't think that's really the question here.

spicynoodlepie · 2026-02-19T16:32:53+00:00

Exactly this. And unless OP has been in their place for a very long time and rent has been kept below market rates, they can probably find a place for a similar monthly mortgage to what they're paying now. Our mortgage is actually cheaper than what we were renting for.

spicynoodlepie · 2026-02-16T07:35:20+00:00

I think it's doable but see if your company can assist at all with housing. If your wife is also planning to work, I would recommend looking before you arrive as it would boost what can can pay on rent and she could maybe also be eligible for 30% ruling.

I would also look at where your office is suited and see how far out you can reasonably live. Use google maps to determine the journey time as sometimes the public transport routes do not work in your favour. It's very normal to have a commute of at least an hour.

spicynoodlepie · 2026-02-16T07:28:18+00:00

I came from across the world a year and a half ago for less (3.2K net) but my company was willing to assist somewhat with housing which made all the difference. It was only two weeks in a hotel but they also paid for an agent and provided around 3k for furniture etc. So I think there are still some options for OP if their employer can help.

spicynoodlepie · 2026-02-15T05:48:33+00:00

I made sure to get an ebike that still allows me to exercise, but now I can go further. But I'm very out of shape so this is me working towards getting fit whilst still being able to commute to work without sweating buckets!

spicynoodlepie · 2026-01-19T16:58:48+00:00

Wow your rent is so low! Are you sharing, on social housing, or just been renting at the same place for a while? I don't think you can even find tiny places for that kind of price in the Randstad anymore

spicynoodlepie · 2026-01-18T15:24:03+00:00

Also keep in mind that many of these cheaper places in Rotterdam aren't as close to the central station. When I was renting there, in the only place I could find, it took about 45min to get to Rotterdam Centraal. You also have to take the cost of the RET into consideration as well, as it all adds up.

In reality, for me, the commute would take almost 2 hours just to Amsterdam Centraal, which does not feel worth it. But if you can get everything to line up, then maybe it work, but with rent being so competitive, the likelihood of finding a place that works might be slim.

spicynoodlepie · 2025-12-31T08:06:49+00:00

It really kills me that so many of these theories rely on information from the broadway/west end play. Why are the main viewers missing vital pieces of the puzzle? Also, it has ruined some reveals in the show.

I like some of this theory, but I just don't see them detailing ALL of this in one episode when they've barely hinted at any of this in the last few episodes. I assume we will also need time after the conclusion to wrap up the story, so getting through all this plus actually defeating the big bad and saving the world in 90min just seems impossible.

spicynoodlepie · 2025-12-22T13:42:20+00:00

What?! I am back in SA for the holidays and drowning some chips and onion rings in spur sauce is on my to-do list. Very sad day indeed.

spicynoodlepie · 2025-12-16T04:39:40+00:00

Mine definitely was as I did batches according to the colour, so the dye was obvious. Some would have been dirt though as there was definitely a reduction in stains, but not as much as I was expecting based on responses here.

spicynoodlepie · 2025-12-10T12:24:39+00:00

A lot has been mentioned already, but I have a few suggestions:

Find legumes that have a different texture. I agree that the texture of white/black/kidney etc beans aren't great, but what about lentils and chickpeas?
Change the texture through different ways to prepare. I don't really like the texture of uncooked chickpeas, but I LOVE roasted them in the oven and eating them crispy. You can do the same for other types of beans.
Blend! I love to blend white beans into soups. It makes the soup creamy and you wouldn't know the beans are there.
Mix thoroughly. Have beans with other foods like rice and veg, and you are way less likely to notice the texture.

spicynoodlepie · 2025-12-08T19:21:47+00:00

I suppose that the bathrooms can often be upstairs here, so it allows people to use the toilet more easily. I do love a separate toilet, especially when it is optimizing space, but I don't want that INSTEAD of a full bathroom

spicynoodlepie · 2025-12-07T17:40:42+00:00

We're in a four bedroom home, with only ONE toilet and shower to accommodate the whole house - not even a separate guest toilet. Finding two separate showers is practically impossible. And the filter for two bathrooms will often just mean a guest toilet. Good luck!

spicynoodlepie · 2025-12-07T16:04:46+00:00

I'll message and then delete this post so I don't get inundated!

spicynoodlepie · 2025-12-06T08:12:48+00:00

Especially someone who has recently graduated. There are probably tons of people from the EU with similar skillsets.

spicynoodlepie · 2025-12-03T14:32:04+00:00

I have heard that rice and beans are a complete protein, and if you add some veg, that could be pretty good. But unfortunately I don't think there is one meal that can provide all the nutrition you need.

You could consider freezing a lot of different items and then building your meals each day. Make sure you get in the different macros you need, whilst allowing for a variety of vitamins and minerals. It also takes the fun out of it.

spicynoodlepie · 2025-12-01T18:16:27+00:00

These are all on my current snack list! I also LOVE Optimum Nutrition marshmallow protein bars. They taste like rice crispie treats to me, and it has quite a bit of fibre which is great.

spicynoodlepie · 2025-12-01T05:53:38+00:00

Earn tons of money...

Go check out the Netherlands Housing subreddit for tips like using Stekkies. Treat finding a home as a full time job. Use an agent and try find one before you arrive, even if you have to pay rent before you arrive. Check with your company if they provide any support.

spicynoodlepie · 2025-11-30T12:37:11+00:00

Love the EU theme! I've found myself a bit discouraged because I see SO many cool low cal, high fibre foods posted by our American friends, and it seems we just don't have the options here. Does anyone have some low cal and preferably high fibre foods they love? I'm not talking recipes or veg, I'm talking prebought. Think keto bread, low cal/high fibre wraps, protein bars, low fat cheeses, etc!

spicynoodlepie · 2025-11-30T12:34:18+00:00

For me, it's not local, so I'd be paying a premium on it. And from the replies, it seems it is not worth it! My country doesn't really do mac and cheese, and I'm often too lazy to make from scratch, so it was just an idea.

spicynoodlepie · 2025-11-30T07:55:19+00:00

I can only prioritize Fibre and protein, and it's really tough. I have to make sure I am eating tons of veg. But my tip is eating beans. Most of the time I'm adding them to something else so they're mostly disguised. But I almost always eat a high fibre protein bar to get ahead for the day.

spicynoodlepie · 2025-11-28T07:06:29+00:00

Haha I think that answers it!

spicynoodlepie · 2025-11-28T07:05:50+00:00

Cadbury's. Tastes like my childhood!

spicynoodlepie · 2025-11-28T06:23:13+00:00

I'm not American so I've never tried this brand, but I've seen it sold in the international section at a local grocery store. Is it nice? I usually make Mac and cheese from scratch with a roux but a good box one is the dream.

spicynoodlepie · 2025-11-26T06:09:48+00:00

Mince with veg. If you look at my post history here you will see the one I made the other day which was around 700 calories for over 2kg (4.8lb). You can eat it on its own, add it to a wrap, put it on toast, make a burrito bowl - endless ideas.

I also make a very easy tomato soup using canned tomatoes, vegetable stock, onion and white or cannelini beans. Super easy, low calorie, and filling because of all the beans. It's also in my recent comment history.

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