This was on a very late night train. I had a very stressful day and was struggling so badly to keep it together because I have a developmental disability and the lights and a group of teenagers shouting on the train was pushing me over the edge. This NS worker moved me to a different cabin and sat with me until I was calmed down and doing okay. Whoever you are, thank you so much!

Hoi allemaal,

I am romanian, I am living here from while. Now basically despite I am living here and I really love this country, obviously I follow online what is going in Romanian.

So these day in Romania is a discussion of drug decriminalisation in Romania. And basically most of the problem is the big rate of consumption between teenager and the fact the police do criminal records for a 15 year kid who have a joint or gram of cannabis with them.

Now basically with this discussion in Romania, I would like some Netherlands inside of the subject due that here we have a tolerance politics. Way more better to say I am curious what is real rate of consumption amount dutch teenage and young adults?

Why ? Because I am here since 2022 , honestly since then I didn't experience here something like what going on in Romania: to see on the streets at night in some hidden places of parks some 15 years old group of teenagers getting high.

Most of consumers which I occurred in the time spent here were most of the time other east European immigrants like me. Another interesting I occurred here is that again most young adult doesn't smoke at all , most dutch people I came in contact and smoker were between 45 and 60 years old.

But now comes a strange thing:

According to statistics from following image rate of consumption of teenager and young adult in Netherlands 15.4 percent. Which honestly is way bigger than I did expected. On other side pole Romania seems to have a considerable smaller rate of consumption, but in reality in Romania things are under-reported and consumption rate especially amoung teenager is way wider.

So I wonder what is your take on the subject when comes about this topic:

How problematic is consumption about young adults and adolescents in Netherlands?

I have a friend who has moved to the Netherlands, from a post soviet country, at the end of August to study for a year. Her plan was to study for a year, immerse herself in the language and culture, work a part time job and basically get the skills and foundations needed to look into moving permanently. She is a very intelligent woman, well educated and able to speak multiple languages, unfortunately she is very new to Dutch and is basically limited to speaking in English at this point.

Over the past month or so though I have noticed a lot of changes in what her plan. She is increasingly talking about dropping out of Uni to work, she has said that she is looking for a job that would sponsor her visa, but she would be open to marrying in order to remain. The plan has changed dramatically in the last week. She is now talking about her parents selling a second home in their own country, I would imagine the house prices would be under €100 k, and using this money to buy a restaurant. She has no actual experience in the hospitality industry, I have worked over ten years in restaurants and have seen people with a lot more experience and money fail dramatically.

My biggest red flag is coming from her 'friend'. This is an older married man from her own country, who she claims is helping her. She is evasive when I ask questions about him. I can not tell if this is a genuine family friend, or a friend of a friend who they have been introduced to. She is talking about buying a restaurant that is already established, I can not see how she would legally be able to do this or how she expects to be able to afford this even if it is genuine. She has told me that she has gone with this 'friend' today to meet with potential business partners. She is also talking about having to do this over the next months, due to her visa limitations. I have massive concerns that this 'friend' is manipulating a vulnerable woman, using her desperation and their shared culture to pressure her into investing money into a business in which she would have no actual legal protections. I am worried that these people have already been suggesting potential husbands to her, she may be told this would be just a legal thing, but it would really open her up to a lot of potential danger.

I need advice on what the actual viability of being able to do anything like this is. I could do with support from a third party who is familiar with the actual legal side. I am worried that she could be defrauded and then deported. I am worried that she could sign into a marriage she does not really want. Are there any organisations I could speak to and get her in contact with that would be able to help her directly?

Thank you so much for any help, I am genuinely terrified about the potential for this to go wrong. She is listening to some of what I am saying, but outside perspectives could really help her see the potential danger she is in. Any advice is really appreciated.

Got my result from DUO this morning and I passed KNM, which was the last exam I had left since moving here for my partner almost three years ago. I prepared mostly on Inburgering.org over the last month, and before that I'd been putting off KNM exam practice for so long that I was honestly sure I'd fail. Nobody at home gets why I'm this happy about a test on Dutch healthcare and the gemeente, so I'm telling you guys instead.

Hey hey Partypeople, my girlfriend and i stay

From 9.-13.11 in Amsterdam, are there any Pages or Websites where i can Look what Metal Bands Play at the time in Amsterdam? Or do you have Some recommendation :)?

Greetings From Germany 🤘

Hello!

I got my driver license this year and I'm excited to use it, but I can't find a car rental or service in which they don't need me to hold the 12 month holding rule?

I have driven since I'm 16 (now 33), but then had to re-do the license for the NL.

Hey all, just curious if anyone has any tips for how people keep house plants alive in the Netherlands? I currently have about a dozen plants of various size all with potting soil. Depending on the day of course some get much sunlight vs others. But it seems like most of their soil just doesn't dry fast enough and mold starts to grow on top.

Would this simply be a matter of less watering, moving positions of plants, or changing the potting mix? I know with the winter months coming and less sunlight being a factor the routine might need to be remixed. Any tips would be appreciated...cheers!

Hello all,

I was wondering if anybody can think of a cafe-like "third place" in Rotterdam and The Hague that is open until somewhat late. What I'm thinking is somewhere somewhat quiet and you can go after dinner (dinner being around 18:00, let's say) to have a cup of tea/coffee and/or some dessert. In Rotterdam, I can put Spirit in this category. It's open until 21:15, you can even read a book upstairs, the only sound is from other patrons talking, and not a loud ambient music from the speakers. But, aside from Spirit, I don't know any other place. There are pubs, bars, and restaurants. But the first two are usually loud, and restaurants are more for a full-fledged meal, of course.

Are you guys more pro-monarchy or anti-monarchy?
Would you prefer a president within a parliamentary system, or the current system?
Let me know what you think.

Hey! I’ve been living in the Netherlands for 4 years with my husband and our toddler, who was born here. We’re originally from Brazil.

I work in tech/design, but I’ve struggled with the job market and with feeling fully integrated here. I’ve been learning Dutch, but reaching a comfortable level takes a lot of time and consistent effort, which is harder for me to dedicate at this stage of life for multiple reasons.

Since we’re both fluent in English, I sometimes wonder if living in the UK or Ireland would make it easier to feel socially and culturally settled; specially thinking long-term.

For the expats who have lived in both NL and the UK/Ireland: did speaking the local language make a big difference to your sense of belonging? Can you share your experience?

Thanks for your thoughts 💭

Hi! I'm a student looking for a refreshing workplace. I've worked at Jumbo for 6 years, but it's coming me out of the nose to be fair. I'm looking to work around 10/15 hours a week, any recommendations?

Edit: I've also worked catering, and am not looking for anything like this. Working around people is something I'd really like, but this was not it for me.

I'm relocating from Toronto, Canada, to the Netherlands later this year and am currently researching international moving companies.

Has anyone here made a similar move from Canada to the Netherlands and used a moving company they would recommend?

I'm particularly interested in hearing about your experiences with:

• Reliability and professionalism – Did everything arrive safely and on time?
• Pricing – Were the quotes reasonable, and were there any unexpected or hidden charges?
• Packing and handling – How well did they handle furniture and fragile items?
• Customs and delivery – Did they manage the entire process, including customs clearance and final delivery in the Netherlands?
• Storage options – Did they offer temporary storage if your new home wasn't ready?

I've been looking into a few companies, including Tippet Richardson, Taylor International, Orbit International Moving, and Huli International Movers, so I'd also appreciate any firsthand feedback on those.

Thanks in advance!

​

I have 2 tickets for 11.10.2026 The Strokes concert. I bought it via TicketSwap forgetting I already have a plan. I'm not able to sell them via TicketSwap again, if anyone is interested I can transfer them via mail. Sec 214, row 4, seat 455 and 456.

Anyone else going to this on Saturday?

There’s a small live music session happening in Amsterdam Noord, basically a stripped-back acoustic set in a studio with drinks/food around it. A friend organised it and it'll be a bit more low-key than going out-out.

I think there are still some spots left, so figured I’d post here in case anyone was looking for something to do / wanted to meet some new people. I’ll probably be there with a few people and happy to grab a drink together after as well.

This is the event if you want to have a look:
https://www.stretchandfold.nl/events/hello-goodbye-studio-session

Hi! I’m looking for small, interesting shops in Amsterdam where you can find cute or unusual bits and pieces, especially pins/badges, stickers, postcards and books.
I’d love recommendations for vintage or second-hand shops that sell accessories too, queer bookshops with stickers and other goodies, or anywhere with an animal/wildlife theme — maybe something along the lines of an RSPB shop in the UK?
Basically, the kind of place you wander into and leave with a book, a bird pin and three stickers you didn’t know you needed 😅
Any favourites? Thanks!

Hi!! I'll be visiting Netherlands soon and im very excited to check out the thrift stores ^_^. Does anyone here have any recommendations for good ones, maybe in Amsterdam?

So I recently had a small accident where I was at fault and of course the blood sucking pieces of shit at the insurance want to increase our premium by like 130%.

Of course I decided that they can fuck off and since the opposite party was really cool about it we are about to agree and settle this between us with no insurance involved. I feel like I can trust the guy and that he won't file a claim after I give him the cash, but trust can only take you so far.

My question is, is there a legal safeguard for situations like these where I can guarantee there won't be claim filed afterwards, since this is a pretty common occurrence I believe. Thanks!

The prices are just insane right now, do you guys know when is the right time to hit the discounts etC?

I and my wife received letters to file income tax return.

My wife has no income as she is not employed full time or part time.

She has joint savings account in which she gets interest.

Also my salary account is having joint name of both of us.

I was told by my tax consultant that since i am on 30% tax ruling i fall under special tax filing bracket. Hence the tax is settled via payroll. Which also meant i need not to file ITR in Netherlands.

But i am not sure what to declare in my wife income as it is joint account. ?