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  • Member Type: Expatica Member
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  • Last Update: November 10, 2012
  • Joined: March 21, 2011

halfdutch

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  • Forum Posts(94)
  • halfdutch
    halfdutch replied to a topic in the forum Legal Problems in the Netherlands:
    HappyBird said:Nobody feels "bad" about what a textbook reader says in the textbook. I have never be able to finish reading your comment every time because I'm tired of reading things that only the writer wants to show off what he/she tries to show off.
    I...  more    HappyBird said:Nobody feels "bad" about what a textbook reader says in the textbook. I have never be able to finish reading your comment every time because I'm tired of reading things that only the writer wants to show off what he/she tries to show off.
    It's worth investing the few extra seconds to try to finish them. I learn something useful pretty much every time he posts in this forum.  
    • November 10, 2012
  • halfdutch
    halfdutch replied to a topic in the forum Housing in the Netherlands:
    We are renting a three-story, 4-bedroom house (unfurnished, but including kitchen/fridge/microwave/stove/oven, blinds, floors, light fixtures, etc.) not far from Zaandam for around €1100/month. I did the discussions in English, even managing to get t...  moreWe are renting a three-story, 4-bedroom house (unfurnished, but including kitchen/fridge/microwave/stove/oven, blinds, floors, light fixtures, etc.) not far from Zaandam for around €1100/month. I did the discussions in English, even managing to get them to lower the price, and paid no broker fee. The place was listed on Funda. It's definitely possible if you put your mind to it. The train from Zaandam to Amsterdam comes every 10 or 15 minutes, and takes a little over 10 minutes to Centraal station. It's really a pretty easy place to be and much overlooked by expats.  less
    • March 14, 2012
  • halfdutch
    halfdutch replied to a topic in the forum Relocating to the Netherlands:
    JDATL said:Thank you for the reply! I actually sent you a private message as well. My biggest questions are related to my status once the KM permit goes through. Can I keep my USA bank accounts and how will this change my status in the US?
    There's no reas...  more    JDATL said:Thank you for the reply! I actually sent you a private message as well. My biggest questions are related to my status once the KM permit goes through. Can I keep my USA bank accounts and how will this change my status in the US?
    There's no reason you can't keep your bank accounts in the USA, especially as your wife is staying behind so you'll still have a US address.
     
    Assuming you're an American citizen, the only relevant status you have in the US is you tax home. With a work permit you are eligible to claim the foreign earned income exclusion under the bona fide residency test, but in practice the tax treaty will probably cover you anyway.  less
    • March 14, 2012
  • halfdutch
    halfdutch replied to a topic in the forum Americans in the Netherlands:
    The spam links are still active in neend's message and apprentice's quote of same.
    • March 14, 2012
  • halfdutch
    halfdutch replied to a topic in the forum Business and Finance in the Netherlands:
    Will they speak English during this appointment?
    • February 14, 2012
  • halfdutch
    halfdutch replied to a topic in the forum Housing in the Netherlands:
    It's double glass, but always feels very cold — getting anywhere near the window is like standing next to an open freezer.
    We're renting this house so I am not that excited about installing a fan, but I agree it seems like a good idea.
    • February 14, 2012
  • halfdutch
    halfdutch replied to a topic in the forum Dutch News:
    Personally, I say that as long as people are still speeding, the fines are not high enough.
    • February 14, 2012
  • halfdutch
    halfdutch replied to a topic in the forum Legal Problems in the Netherlands:
    If I were your boyfriend I would become quite alarmed at hearing you propose that I not share in the parental rights over our child. I would assume that you are planning something.
    However, it really is under your control, as you have to approve the recog...  more    If I were your boyfriend I would become quite alarmed at hearing you propose that I not share in the parental rights over our child. I would assume that you are planning something.
    However, it really is under your control, as you have to approve the recognition form that gets signed at the gemeente. If you don't do that, and you're not married or in a registered partnership, I don't think he has any power to override your decision at that point. At least that's how the official explained it to me when my girlfriend wanted to stay home and let me do the paperwork alone since she was very exhausted in the late stages of pregnancy.
    If you are sharing parental authority, that doesn't give him the right to take the child away from you and move to Colombia without your permission, for example. What in particular are you worried about?  less
    • February 5, 2012
  • halfdutch
    halfdutch replied to a topic in the forum Legal Problems in the Netherlands:
    I think he answered your question: If the employee quits the job, then the employee no longer has the right to live in the Netherlands. This should be something of a disincentive.
    If you are asking whether there's a way to prevent someone from quitting th...  more    I think he answered your question: If the employee quits the job, then the employee no longer has the right to live in the Netherlands. This should be something of a disincentive.
    If you are asking whether there's a way to prevent someone from quitting the job no matter what, I think you need to visit one of the forums that specializes in the slave trade.  
    • February 5, 2012
  • halfdutch
    halfdutch replied to a topic in the forum Housing in the Netherlands:
    mrfook said:
    I only did my shower room ceiling and haven't needed the radiator on in there since.
     
    Have you had moisture problems? Our bathroom is kind of chilly but it's already got puddles forming under the windows that I sop up once a day, comple...  more    mrfook said:
    I only did my shower room ceiling and haven't needed the radiator on in there since.
     
    Have you had moisture problems? Our bathroom is kind of chilly but it's already got puddles forming under the windows that I sop up once a day, completely drenching a bath towel. I'm constantly cleaning mildew off the tiles. I'm worried that if I do anything more it'll turn into a rain forest in there.  
    • February 5, 2012
  • halfdutch
    halfdutch replied to a topic in the forum Relocating to the Netherlands:
    We are renting a place that was listed in Funda. The landlord was willing to give us a flexible lease period (minimum stay of 9 months) and we did not pay any fee to the agent.
    • February 5, 2012
  • halfdutch
    halfdutch replied to a topic in the forum Relocating to the Netherlands:
    WyGal said:I live in mormon country, I am use to everything being closed other than the bars and gas stations on Sunday. No problem there at all. Thanks for idea of checking the recipe cards in the stores. I will use them to learn how to cook with what I have available. Transformers: What wattage do you use the most and how many do you use?
    If it requires a transformer, leave it at home.
     
    Check the appliance carefully. There is always an indication where the power comes in, either on the plug (if it's a large one with circuitry inside), or on the appliance itself near where the power plug attaches. ...  more    WyGal said:I live in mormon country, I am use to everything being closed other than the bars and gas stations on Sunday. No problem there at all. Thanks for idea of checking the recipe cards in the stores. I will use them to learn how to cook with what I have available. Transformers: What wattage do you use the most and how many do you use?
    If it requires a transformer, leave it at home.
     
    Check the appliance carefully. There is always an indication where the power comes in, either on the plug (if it's a large one with circuitry inside), or on the appliance itself near where the power plug attaches. 
     
    If it says 110-240V (or anything that includes a range over 200) then bring it.
     
    Otherwise, it's more trouble than it's worth. Transformers waste a lot of power (and electricity is expensive here) and they fail and cause fires more than they should. It requires some understanding to know which type is appropriate for which applicance; choose the wrong one and you could destroy your appliance o...    less
    • February 5, 2012
  • halfdutch
    halfdutch replied to a topic in the forum Relocating to the Netherlands:
    osita said:
    There are Asian shops in West Amsterdam.  There is the Zwarte Markt in Beverwijk at weekends which sell everything from all over the world (and the only place to shop on Sundays, because everywhere else closes).  
    Things have come along way towards civilized opening hours. Supermarkets in Amsterdam and other large cities are almost all open on Sunday now from 10am until 8pm. In just about every town there's at least one open for a few hours, and even in some small towns they're open all day.
     ...  more    osita said:
    There are Asian shops in West Amsterdam.  There is the Zwarte Markt in Beverwijk at weekends which sell everything from all over the world (and the only place to shop on Sundays, because everywhere else closes).  
    Things have come along way towards civilized opening hours. Supermarkets in Amsterdam and other large cities are almost all open on Sunday now from 10am until 8pm. In just about every town there's at least one open for a few hours, and even in some small towns they're open all day.
     
    In Beverwijk where the Zwarte Markt is, the huge Deka Markt on the other side of the tracks is open all Sunday afternoon, as are the other shops in that complex (such as Praxis, the Home Depot-type place).
     
    However, the Zwarte Markt is still the best place to go shopping on Sunday, I agree with that!  less
    • February 5, 2012
  • halfdutch
    halfdutch replied to a topic in the forum Relocating to the Netherlands:
    osita said:contact Uitzendbureaus (we dont have an equivalent in the UK).
    Sure they do — I found work through a few of them when I was living in London. Here's one that might be familiar: http://www.randstad.co.uk/
    • February 5, 2012
  • halfdutch
    halfdutch replied to a topic in the forum Netherlands Soapbox:
    mrfook said:
    I've seen ads on dutch tv for mobile phone software (I think it was called friendfind) where if you had someones number you could see exactly where they are. What if a slightly disturbed,jealous ex wants to know what the ex is up to and this stuff is freely available?
     
    This can only work if:...  more    mrfook said:
    I've seen ads on dutch tv for mobile phone software (I think it was called friendfind) where if you had someones number you could see exactly where they are. What if a slightly disturbed,jealous ex wants to know what the ex is up to and this stuff is freely available?
     
    This can only work if:
     
    A) you get physical access to their phone to install a software component and make settings changes, or
     
    B) the phone's user explicitly gives you permission.
     
    Any other way to do this would be taking advantage of a bug in the phone's software, and would therefore be illegal (thus not advertised on TV) and would only work on a small number of phones (thus not viable to advertise on TV).  less
    • February 5, 2012
  • halfdutch
    halfdutch replied to a topic in the forum Relocating to the Netherlands:
    osita said:
    USA: you need a tourist visa
    American citizens can enter the Schengen area visa-free. You only need a visa if you intend to stay longer than 3 months, or to take up employment or certain other activities.
    • January 24, 2012
  • halfdutch
    halfdutch replied to a topic in the forum Americans in the Netherlands:
    jbaltrus said:I understand but this is not what I asked. If I only work in the Netherlands, I get taxed for it, there is probably tax treaty so I don;t get taxed twice. What I am asking is: is there any law in the Netherlands that would tax me on exisitin...  morejbaltrus said:I understand but this is not what I asked. If I only work in the Netherlands, I get taxed for it, there is probably tax treaty so I don;t get taxed twice. What I am asking is: is there any law in the Netherlands that would tax me on exisiting accounts in the USA, such as real estate (my house), 401k and money in US savings account?
    Yes, if you live in the Netherlands, you're required to report the contents of your overseas accounts and pay 1.2% of the total value in tax every year. I don't know whether that includes accounts which have a tax-advantaged status in the US, such as IRA and 401k.  less
    • January 24, 2012
  • halfdutch
    halfdutch replied to a topic in the forum Netherlands Soapbox:
    nerissa said:And what's with colleagues walking by while you're preparing lunch at the office (or eating it) and randomly telling you to eet smakelijk?!
    The other day I was walking down the street eating a roti roll and two teenage girls yelled at me in u...  more    nerissa said:And what's with colleagues walking by while you're preparing lunch at the office (or eating it) and randomly telling you to eet smakelijk?!
    The other day I was walking down the street eating a roti roll and two teenage girls yelled at me in unison to eet smakelijk.  
    • January 24, 2012
  • halfdutch
    halfdutch replied to a topic in the forum Relocating to the Netherlands:
    Nothing will be cheaper than APO mail if you have a way to swing that.
    I moved a lot of stuff — my old books, clothes, etc. — by sending it normal USPS mail from the USA. Even at regular Priority International rates it was cheaper than a moving company f...  more    Nothing will be cheaper than APO mail if you have a way to swing that.
    I moved a lot of stuff — my old books, clothes, etc. — by sending it normal USPS mail from the USA. Even at regular Priority International rates it was cheaper than a moving company for that amount (a handful of boxes). I labeled it as household goods and it was rubber-stamped customs exempt by the Dutch authorities, and arrived in a week. If I could have sent it APO for 15% of the price I would have been a happy camper indeed!  
    • January 19, 2012
  • halfdutch
    halfdutch replied to a topic in the forum Relocating to the Netherlands:
    Having also lived in both cities, I tend to agree with pixtix on pretty much every point.
    • January 18, 2012
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Personal Information

  • Gender: Male
  • Birthday: January 6, 1969
  • November 10, 2012 5:02:24 AM CET
    in the topic Permanent VVR and Dutch Nationality will change to 7 Year? in the forum Legal Problems in the Netherlands
    HappyBird said:
    Nobody feels "bad" about what a textbook reader says in the textbook. I have never be able to finish reading your comment every time because I'm tired of reading things that only the writer wants to show off what he/she tries to show off.

    It's worth investing the few extra seconds to try to finish them. I learn something useful pretty much every time he posts in this forum.

  • March 14, 2012 2:38:21 AM CET
    in the topic Is finding an apartment really that bad? in the forum Housing in the Netherlands

    We are renting a three-story, 4-bedroom house (unfurnished, but including kitchen/fridge/microwave/stove/oven, blinds, floors, light fixtures, etc.) not far from Zaandam for around €1100/month. I did the discussions in English, even managing to get them to lower the price, and paid no broker fee. The place was listed on Funda. It's definitely possible if you put your mind to it. The train from Zaandam to Amsterdam comes every 10 or 15 minutes, and takes a little over 10 minutes to Centraal station. It's really a pretty easy place to be and much overlooked by expats.

    This post was edited by halfdutch at March 14, 2012 2:38:21 AM CET
  • March 14, 2012 2:31:50 AM CET
    in the topic Accepted the Job...Now What??? in the forum Relocating to the Netherlands
    JDATL said:
    Thank you for the reply! I actually sent you a private message as well. My biggest questions are related to my status once the KM permit goes through. Can I keep my USA bank accounts and how will this change my status in the US?

    There's no reason you can't keep your bank accounts in the USA, especially as your wife is staying behind so you'll still have a US address.

     

    Assuming you're an American citizen, the only relevant status you have in the US is you tax home. With a work permit you are eligible to claim the foreign earned income exclusion under the bona fide residency test, but in practice the tax treaty will probably cover you anyway.

  • March 14, 2012 2:15:38 AM CET
    in the topic How to recover the information of an unlisted telephone number? in the forum Americans in the Netherlands
    The spam links are still active in neend's message and apprentice's quote of same.
  • February 14, 2012 1:39:56 AM CET
    in the topic M Form wrongly calculated by the tax office? in the forum Business and Finance in the Netherlands
    Will they speak English during this appointment?
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