First Week in Amsterdam: So Much to Do and See

It’s officially been over a week in Amsterdam and so far, it couldn’t have gone any better. After a 5,000 mile journey, we are finally here! We had no trouble finding our Airbnb and checking in. It actually went much smoother than we thought it would go. The apartment we are staying in seems to belong to a cultured and intelligent couple with possibly a medical background. There are medical supplies and books throughout the house. They also have a great record collection and a keyboard I wish I could play.

It’s a two bedroom apartment so we should’ve asked someone to come stay with us this first month. That would’ve been fun! The hardest thing to adjust to in the apartment so far has to be that there is NO TV here. We have to use the iPad and laptops and have missed out on so much programming. Rick and Morty, Grey’s Anatomy, Football.. tons of stuff. Honestly, we have so much business to handle that we shouldn’t waste time on TV anyway so it’s ok.

That brings us to a whirlwind week of handling our VISA and finding a place to stay. We took off a half a day to stay in with Iggy and got a prepaid phone SIM following our first real estate appointment. We went with 27 Huis Real Estate B.V. after finding out they are featured in over 10 episodes of House Hunters International. Our agent’s name is Roos (Rose) and she’s been nearly perfect. Anyone looking for a real estate agency in Amsterdam needs to stop their research at 27 Huis. Later, we’ll write about renting in The Netherlands compared to the US. It’s been quite different than any time we’ve ever rented before.

As soon as we got our SIM, we set up our appointments with the Gemeente and IND. The Gemeente is the city municipality that you must register with if you plan to stay in the Netherlands for any extended period of time beyond the 90 days allowed by visiting US citizens. There, you acquire your BSN number; likened to our Social Security Number. You must have a BSN to get a bank account and health insurance among other required assets of Dutch living. Because we didn’t yet have a permanent address to register, we had to go back when we sign our lease for a new apartment.

It’s so hard to believe that you have to sign a lease and pay a deposit for a new place BEFORE you’re sure the government will let you stay. That means that if our DAFT VISA isn’t accepted, we lose our deposit and have to go back home. Crazy! Anyway, we both now have a BSN number and are ready for the biggest step left ahead of us.. our VISAs. Victoria will be filing for a DAFT (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty) which is an entrepreneurial visa that allows US citizens to start a business and live in the Netherlands. We will write more about the specifics, but that is how we are able to move and live here. I’ll have to file a spousal VISA that lets me stay with her while she runs her business.

I’m going to help her when I can, but my main task will be researching locations and the proper procedure to open a bar in Amsterdam. I’m really looking forward to traveling around the city and finding the best place possible. I’ll also be required to take Dutch classes. My five years of German studies in high school and college will help tremendously since Dutch is a Germanic language. Victoria has been working hard at creating marketing material to acquire clients. She’s really been kicking ass and I know she’ll do great.

Our IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Services) appointment is next week. That’s where we’ll turn in all our paperwork for our VISAs. My paperwork is 89 pages compared to her 36! I guess they trust business owners more than random spouses. Makes sense.

The best and most important news we have to announce is that WE HAVE FOUND AN APARTMENT! Yes, not only did we find it in time but it is perfect. It’s three stories and our own place from the ground up. The walls are concrete and there’s even a rooftop terrace. Iggy may have some trouble with the narrow Dutch stairs. Dutch stairs are very steep; like 5 or 6 inches deep. He’s pretty careful when it comes to his own safety so he should be fine. It’s also furnished which means we save a ton of money. We got lucky because finding a place to live in Amsterdam with a dog, and especially furnishing, is a tall task. Roos really came through for us.

Aside from handling all of that in the past week, we had a little fun here and there. We’ve eaten out a few times including Bull and Dog. They have outstanding fancy hot dogs and some of the most delicious-looking shakes you’ve ever seen. The Red Light District is is one of our favorite places in the world. During our bachelor and bachelorette parties, we brought all our friends here and met a few new friends along the way. We’ve tried to visit them a couple time to no avail. Hopefully, we see them soon.

I’m getting long-winded so I’ll stop here. Be on the lookout when we post articles breaking down the detailed process of applying for a Dutch VISA and finding a place to live in Amsterdam. If you like what you see, give us a follow on social media @TwoMixers and share with your friends!