The Winter 2008 Issue contains a.o. the following articles:

HOUSING

Finding a Home

Home is where you feel comfortable… And then there are matters such as financing, mortgages, realtors, rental contracts, zoning plans, etc. In short, there are a lot of issues that come into play when you are looking for a new home away from home. In this article, you find an overview of the processes and decisions involving renting or buying, and who you can turn to for assistance. A more extended list of resources is available in the magazine.
This article is an excerpt of the book Housing in Holland. For more information on this book, please visit www.hollandbooks.nl.

Finding and Financing a House; the Importance of Sound Advice

“When you move to a new country, you don’t know anything about the real estate market, or about the mortgage system. And we certainly didn’t speak enough Dutch to be able to figure it all out for ourselves. We are very grateful for the assistance of our financial advisor, who not only knows the legislative, tax and banking system, but also the differences between the process we are familiar with and the process here. And she can explain it to us in plain English as well!”
“The advantage of going with an independent mortgage advisor, such as Alpha Hypotheken, is that they provide you with information on more than one product. A bank will only offer you their own options. And a large office like Alpha has several offices across the country, so that they always have an advisor who is familiar with – and has ties with – the local banking and insurance market. This means that they know who to contact once you have chosen a mortgage provider.”
Hilary and David Porritt, on finding a house in the Netherlands. For more information on Alpha Hypotheken, visit www.alphahypotheken.nl.

Heritage for Sale 

Have you always dreamed of living in a windmill? Are you looking for a church to live in or to set up office in? Or would you rather have a castle with a moat? If this is what you are looking for, then ‘heritage realtor’ Jan-Willem Andriessen is the one to turn to. He is the only one in the Netherlands who specializes in the sales of ‘monumental’ – both in terms of size and in terms of historical value – and other unique objects.
For more information on castles, forts, county estates and more, visit www.redres.nl.

 LEGAL AFFAIRS

Lessor Must Pick Up the Bill for Most Defects and Deficiencies

Expats tend to agree that, after signing that much desired contract, the issue of accommodation at the new posting ranks highest on their list of priorities. Finding a house or an apartment that will keep everybody happy is a tricky issue anyway; even more so, when one needs to view a property, negotiate, and sign the lease in a foreign country, with very limited linguistic and legal awareness.
To those of our readers who do not benefit from the pampering and professional support of their own, in-house relocation desk and/or those who like to be well prepared and in the know, GMW Advocaten has compiled a brief compendium on the rights and duties of both lessees and lessors.
www.gmw.nl.
 

ART

A House on Memory Lane

Nowadays, Harberink focuses on making replicas of house façades, ranging from Amsterdam canal houses, to traditional Drenthe farms, to French manors. In these replicas, Harberink tries to capture not only the visible, architectural qualities of the building, but also the feel and atmosphere of the period during which it was built.
Harberink tells: “Expats who come to Holland often fall in love with the authentic architecture of the local towns and cities and find it hard to believe that they actually get to live in such a museum piece. They love to be able to take a miniature of the façade back home with them, to remind them of that piece of history they actually got to share.”
For more information, be sure to visit www.jerryharberink.nl.

 INTERVIEW

From the Point of View of… Gary Hays

“I found out the pluses, the minuses, the impact of institutions like the Immigration and Naturalization Services – but particularly how people view The Hague. It became clear that it was time that, on a high strategic level, such as the Chamber of Commerce, Investment Agencies and the Town Hall, the city became aware of the need to make the city and the country more attractive as a destination. Tax machines – or ‘hard factors’ – might not be enough to make a difference in the future. Soft factors – quality of life – make that difference. Expats, once they’re here, like it – but they don’t necessarily anticipate coming here. And that is something the country has to work on.”

BUSINESS

Ernst & Young Netherlands Attractiveness Survey

The Netherlands is one of the most important entry points to the EU, with huge volumes of imports of goods passing through Rotterdam harbor and Schiphol Airport. As a consequence, it is a very attractive location for businesses to set up a local office, or even headquarters. The influx of personnel placed here from abroad is considerable. The flow of investment into the Dutch economy is steady. It has been a pioneer in globalization in many ways.
But, there is of course more to globalization than just the flow of goods. There is R&D, services, marketing, logistics, etc. And for the Netherlands to remain – or become – attractive to businesses in these sectors, it has to start actively improving upon the conditions surrounding setting up a business here. Ernst & Young carried out the Netherlands Attractiveness Survey to find out what makes the Netherlands attractive to foreign businesses and what doesn’t. Its aim is to “provide investors, policy makers and other stakeholders with a unique and renewed insight into the reasons behind the attractiveness of the Netherlands as a location for doing business.”
The article contains more on the outcome of the survey.

Doing Business in Utrecht
By Arjan Enneman and Bart van Meijl

Utrecht is an international and very attractive region. Research has shown that Utrecht is, after Amsterdam, the 2nd most attractive city in the Netherlands. As a central meeting point, the city offers businesses based in and outside the region plenty of opportunities. 77% of the residents speak at least three languages. Because of the high educational level in the region – Utrecht has the largest university in the Netherlands – there is a lot of knowledge available. The development of Papendorp has attracted big companies such as Daimler Benz, Hewlett Packard en CapGemini, and more are following.
The city is currently one of the fastest-growing economic areas. By supporting individuals with starting up their own business and offering international companies an opportunity in the area, Utrecht is focusing on being the number one creative and innovative region in the Netherlands.

COLUMN

Cold Turkey
By Monique Brans

“Hi Honey, I’m in the car with the agent and saw this incredible place, but you won’t believe the size of the oven. We can just about toast our bread in it. Can we live without our turkey for a couple of years?”
When expats come to the Netherlands to find a temporary home, they soon realize that choosing a property means choosing a specific lifestyle. Driving around and viewing various types of accommodation often brings out the personal aspects of individual lifestyles, but one thing stands out… the need for a sense of stability of family life. And what is more homey than the smell of a roasting turkey at Thanksgiving or Christmas? Being away from home brings out the need for continuity even more and can influence which property a family chooses to rent.

INTERIOR DECORATING

De Schatkamer CityLife
A Treasure Trove for Your Interior
By Connie Moser

A schatkamer is a room full of treasures, and the name certainly describes what you will discover inside of De Schatkamer CityLife. For the past 10 years, Cynthia Verresen-van Kuijeren and her husband Ger have been the genius (she creative, he financial) behind the concept, starting in Alkmaar and moving on to include shops in Haarlem and The Hague.
Their core business is furniture; their formula includes good basic pieces, specializing in teak and oak. In addition to standard sizes, custom-sized, made-to-order pieces are available, but one important aspect of the company’s mission and vision is environmental impact.
For more information, visit their webshop: www.schatkamer.com.

COLUMN

Funny You Should Ask About Home…
By Shirley Agudo

Home. Ah, yes, home. That elusive place, somewhere on the planet, where our roots are… But that’s the problem, we’re expats, and our roots have spread far and wide. Where is home now? We’ve branched out, so to speak, and it appears that we now have many homes.
“Nothing wrong with that,” you might say. Well, in essence there isn’t. In fact, I’d submit that it’s an advantage, especially for our children who grew up abroad.
But despite their worldliness, I submit to you that there’s a slight problem with the elusive concept of ‘home’ as it relates to expatriates. Yes, it’s wonderful that we, as expats, have more than one home, if you consider the various places where we’ve hung our hats – some of them quite exotic… The issue I’m talking about is a ‘home base’, if you will, and the intrinsic value of keeping one.

HOUSING

Design Out of the Box
By Connie Moser

What’s in a name? Everything to do with ‘design out of the box’ – a unique concept developed by interior design company Doob Design, who market their design processes with a range of do-able doob solutions for transforming living, working and business spaces.
People often assume that interior design is unaffordable, pre-determined by a designer’s ego and only available for the select few. After meeting with Doob’s creative director Frank ter Horst, and general manager Toni Scriven, any preconceived notions or misconceptions you might have entertained will disappear. They are accessible and enthusiastic, and provide transparent quotes. Ultimately, they are only happy when their customers are satisfied both with the process and the final result.
You can find more about Doob Design on www.doobdesign.com.

CITY PROFILE

Utrecht – Where the Future Begins
By Diane Lemieux

Utrecht, in the physical center of the Netherlands, is quietly becoming the heart of Dutch cultural diversity and modern urban living. This 2000 year-old city is brimming with talent and innovation… a great place to experience the future.
Utrecht is a young city; a full 20% of its population is made up of students attending one of its institutes of higher education. Almost 60% of the working population has a higher professional education or academic degree. Says Hans Sakkers, Head of the Department of Public, International and Subsidy Affairs: “The city’s ambition in the last few years has been to develop its programming to cater to this highly educated population – to be internationally oriented and offer a high quality and wide variety of cultural programs. Everyone knows what’s on offer in Amsterdam, for instance. The thing with Utrecht is that we are quiet about what we do, but there are several cultural niches that have an international quality and are well worth the visit.”
For general tourist information on Utrecht, visit: www.utrechtyourway.nl

TAX

Tax Consequences for Home Owners
By Frederieke A.D. Geluk-den Hartog

Many expats who come to the Netherlands have heard about it. The attractive tax rules that apply to the financing of a home. Certainly in these dire financial times, it is good to know exactly how they work. And what are the consequences should you leave the country again?
In this article, Frederieke Geluk goes into these questions. She defines the term ‘own home’, and then goes into the consequences of selling your home. Furthermore, she explains the options that come into play in the case of emigration, and looks into international rules and regulations.
www.bdo.nl
Frederieke.den.Hartog@bdo.nl

HOUSING

Create a Sense of Home Abroad

Rofra Home offers a living concept that is known in the Netherlands for its trendy, yet classic furniture that is exclusive, yet affordable. When you enter one of their 16 stores, you immediately feel that one of their foremost aims is to create a sense of home. The furniture and accessories are purchased in Asia, America and Europe, contributing to a wide variety of one-of-a-kind furniture that is made exclusively for Rofra Home.
No matter the origin of an item, you will always recognize the signature trendy, yet classic style. And, for a personal touch, you can have the furniture adapted to your own personal wishes. It is clear that the mix of trendy, yet classic – and exclusive, yet affordable – is a success. Almost 30 years after director Frans Schimmel opened the first store in 1979, there are already 16 Rofra Home stores in the Netherlands.

For more information visit: www.RofraHome.nl

LEISURE

Warm Up to Winter
By Suzanne Schreve

With warmer temperatures, retreating glaciers and less snowfall each decade, every year winter seems to be something that occurs somewhere further away from home. But instead of travelling across several borders to find that snow-capped mountain or steaming mulled wine, Suzanne Schreve went out and found you four winter retreats in the Randstad.
Join their trip, which takes you to Snowworld, climbing an ice wall, cheese fondue, and a frozen bar...
www.snowworld.com
www.globeoutdoor.nl
www.xtracold.com

EXPAT SERVICE

Welcome to the Netherlands
By Diane Lemieux

The Netherlands is active in attracting foreign companies and workers to the country. Its success is evident from the influx of migrant workers – an inflow that has forced the government to modernise its immigration policy. Procedures are being streamlined, decisions made more quickly. However, a successful policy entails so much more than the speed at which visas are arranged. Monique van Bergen, founder and director of Segment Relocation and Expat Services is striving to influence the approach of both companies and the government in welcoming expats to the Netherlands.
Segment offers its services to Dutch and foreign companies who bring in foreigners to work in the Netherlands. They offer a variety of tailor-made packages which can encompass the whole process, from the moment an expat is selected overseas, to when they are settled in their new job and home.
For more information on Segment Relocation and Expatriate Services go to: www.segment.eu/english or contact Monique van Bergen at m.vanbergen@segment.eu.

ARCHITECTURE

Het Strijkijzer: Living on Top of the World

“The first couple of minutes my guests totally forget me,” Barry van Someren laughs. “They stare outside, amazed.” Barry lives in one of the luxury apartments on the 39th floor of The Strijkijzer, the highest residential high-rise building in The Hague. “When the view is clear, I can see Rotterdam,” he points enthusiastically, whilst 125 metres below him trams and trains come and go and people crawl like ants around train station Hollands Spoor. “The location is superb, it couldn’t be more central. Within a minute I’m in the centre of the city, and I can go anywhere I want by public transport.”
For more information or to visit one of the decorated model homes, visit www.hetstrijkijzer.nl/english.

EXPAT LIVING

At Home in Rotterdam
By Diane Lemieux

Rotterdam is a city like no other in the Netherlands. For one thing, it is cosmopolitan, with its wide boulevards, skyscrapers and eclectic mix of modern and historic architecture. Yet, among the cities in the Netherlands, Rotterdam is not the first place that comes to mind in terms of choice to live in. But to residents, it is a well-kept secret.
The Expat Desk in the World Trade Centre is designed to be a first stop for expats with questions about any aspect of living in Rotterdam. It offers the facilities of a one-stop shop for registration procedures. But the goal of the Expat Desk goes much further. It also offers a friendly face and comfortable office for all other questions new residents may have. They provide information on many aspects of life in Rotterdam including education, housing, registration and legal issues, as well as sports activities and cultural life in the city.
www.rotterdam.nl/expatdesk

LEISURE

Maastricht and the Province of Limburg
By Shirley Agudo

This is the seventh in our series of ‘travel tips’, with excerpts from the new edition of Here’s Holland, by Sheila Gazaleh-Weevers, with Shirley Agudo and Connie Moser. For more information about this guide to travel and life in Holland, see www.heresholland.com.
The province of Limburg in the very southeast corner of Holland is too often ignored or forgotten as a really fine travel destination. Beautiful rolling hills in Holland? Yes, they’re here. German/Belgian influence with a French touch? Got it. Far away? Not really. After all, nothing in Holland is more than about four hours away at the greatest distance. So, for those otherwise-long winter months, it’s the perfect getaway.
For more information, visit www.vvvmaastricht.nl.

EXPAT SERVICE

Kelly’s Expat Shopping
By Connie Moser

Everybody has to eat, but what are you really hungry for? Often it is those special ‘foods from home’ whereby memory and craving whet your appetite for the things you miss. A visit to Kelly’s Expat Shopping in The Hague will have you stocking up on life’s essentials. And not to name drop, but their vast array of product listings reads like a culinary who’s who!
www.kellys-expat-shopping.nl

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