[karaf]

I am working in London and received a job offer in Amsterdam. What do you think? London is definitely a great place to live but it has its own shortcomings... expensive, girls are tough, but you make good money here

So what would you do?

[Kissinger2014]

Amsterdam is one of my favorite European cities...and I don't smoke or frequent the red light district.

It's comparatively cheap, women are tall and (mostly) in shape because they ride their bikes everywhere, and the city itself is charming.

[rudebwoy]

If money is equal then Amsterdam.

If not London all the way.

[karaf]

I make 100k£ in london, but dont like my job and extremely indirect (they call it polite) british manners.

If i decide i will move to a start up in in amsterdam so i will probably make half of what i am making now but will have prospects to become a partner in 5 years time if all goes well...

[lowside]

50k is okay money in amsterdam. i'd say amsterdam, but i'm biased.

[karaf]

How about the girls? London is a lonely city everyone is single

Sometimes its a good thing but meeting with new people is difficult. How is it like in amsterdam - there will also be a language barrier...

[Kissinger2014]

There will be no language barrier -- unless you're trying to game the Somali refugees. The Dutch speak better English than most British and American people.

[lowside]

in amsterdam it's easy to meet new people. definitely not a city of singles.

there will be no language barrier, everyone speaks english and there are always a massive amount of tourists around.

dutch is important with tight social groups/cliques, or to get connected in the city (bouncers, bartenders, shop owners, club owners etc.) but you don't need it to build a social circle of friends.

[Cattle Rustler]

If you do go to europe, just make sure you don't end up in Vandersexx.

When I was in London, everyone look pissed and busy. In Amsterdam mofos were nice and walked me when I asked for directions.

Not to mention, those turkish immigrants have some good looking chicks. Dutch bitches are pretty hot too.

[Que enspastic]

I think I read that Amsterdam offers tax cuts exemptions to foreigners to attract talent. Anyone got the figures on this ? I'm in London but could work in Amsterdam and eyeing it up.

[Que enspastic]

30% tax exemption from full taxable salary.

[Que enspastic]

30% tax exemption from full taxable salary.

[Helmutnl]

Yeah, check out these articles and reports about the Netherlands tax rules

The Netherlands is a tax haven

The Tax Attraction Between Starbucks and the Netherlands

Quote:

American companies have plowed more money into the Netherlands than any other country in the world — for five years running.

This does not reflect a new fascination with pot or pancakes. It is about the taxes, or lack of them.

The laws in Netherlands shield a variety of profits from taxation, making it attractive for big multinational companies like Starbucks, Google and IBM to set up offices. Even rock stars like the Rolling Stones and U2 have taken advantage of Dutch tax shelters.

The same goes for Luxembourg, Bermuda, Ireland and the British Caribbean countries like the Cayman Islands. Along with the Netherlands, those places rank among the top destinations for foreign direct investment from the United States, according to a review of data collected by the Bureau of Economic Analysis that shows how entrenched tax avoidance strategies have become.

Global authorities are now aiming to close the loopholes that have let such locales flourish and have allowed multinational corporations to legally avoid paying billions of dollars in taxes. On Friday, European Union authorities publicly accused the Netherlands of making a special deal with Starbucks that helped the coffee company lower its taxes, seeing it as potentially illegal state aid.

The financial bite from the European investigations may be limited. American corporations could potentially get credit on their tax bills back home even if they lose their cases, experts said, because the companies are likely to pay back taxes rather than face a fine.

Consider that 15.5 percent of American foreign direct investment goes to the Netherlands, and four-fifths of that goes into Dutch holding companies. Companies like Starbucks often have a number of subsidiaries with varying structures in the Netherlands, in Starbucks’s case with names like Rain City and Emerald City.

Dutch tax system & Taxes in the Netherlands

Quote:

Income tax in the Netherlands
Even though the wage tax has already been withheld from the agreed gross salary, the latter is also subject to Dutch income tax.
However, usually you need to pay low or even no income tax because the Dutch wage tax is designed as an advance levy to the Dutch income tax.
To download the (income) tax return programme visit the Belastingdienst. Note that the tax return programme is available for Macintosh, Windows and Linux.
Indirect taxes in the Netherlands
› Value added tax (VAT)
On the sale price (usually 21%).
› Taxes on legal transactions
On (almost) every refinancing, disposal, acquisition, restructuring or initial public offering.
› Excise duty (or excise tax)
On goods produced and / or sold within the Netherlands.
› Environmental tax
Includes taxes on energy, groundwater, tap water, waste and fuel.
› Consumption tax (non-alcoholic beverages)
On non-alcoholic and "ready-to-drink" beverages.
› Import duties
- Turnover tax: 21%, 0% to 6% of the estimated value of the goods.
- Customs duty: depends on the type of imported goods.
- Excise duty: on alcoholic drinks.
› Tax on passenger cars / motorcycles
On passenger cars / motorcycles / vans either individually or company registered.
› Motor vehicle tax
Depends on the type of vehicle (car, van, motorcycle, lorry etc.), weight and type of fuel. It falls under the environmental tax category.
› Tax on heavy goods vehicles
On lorries used solely for road transportation of goods (through motorways). The amount depends on the vehicle’s axles and its classification (EURO-0, EURO-1 and EURO-2).
› Air passenger tax
Originally introduced as an environmental tax with little or even no effect (purely economic measure). The Dutch government is about to abolish it.

Wage tax in the Netherlands
Your tax contribution is deducted from your salary every month, and this is important for expats to keep in mind when discussing the contract terms. There is an essential difference between your gross salary and your actual net after tax income. The income calculator can be found here.
Below you can see how the tax brackets are defined in the Netherlands for persons younger than 65:

› 37% on the first 19.645 euros
› 42% on the next 13.718 euros (from 19.646 up to 33.363 euros)
› 42% on the next 22.628 euros (from 33.364 up to 55.991 euros)
› 52% from 55.992 euros and higher
Direct taxes in the Netherlands
› Divided withholding tax
On dividends distributed by Dutch tax-resident companies. Note that it is gradually abolished.
› Inheritance tax Act
- Inheritance tax: on wealth acquired by inheritance from an individual whose properties are in the Netherlands.
- Gift tax: on the value of anything accepted as a gift from a resident in the Netherlands.
- Transfer tax: on wealth acquired by inheritance from an individual whose last place of residence was not the Netherlands.
› Corporate income tax
Applies to companies that are established in the Netherlands and to those that receive income from the Netherlands but are not established here.

[rudebwoy]

Again the money maybe good, but the question is what do you do for fun in Amsterdam.

Yes, I have been and I don't smoke pot or visit brothels.

I would be interested more in how much it costs to go away on weekends.

Although Dutch girls are too my liking.

[JJ Roberts]

London.

Place is a world class city and the most cosmopolitan city in the world.

Plus you can get a return flight direct to amsterdam for the weekend for about 60 quid. Best of both worlds.

[sheesh]

I can't comment on Amsterdam but with regard to girls...Dutch talent is among the top in Europe imho.

[Northern]

(11-28-2014 06:40 PM)sheesh Wrote:  

I can't comment on Amsterdam but with regard to girls...Dutch talent is among the top in Europe imho.

Love their sexy accent

[Dantes]

Make money in London and flight cheaply to EE on the weekends.

[jc6586]

Awesome nightlife + Friendly people + Beautiful women + English friendly = Amsterdam

[apolis]

(11-29-2014 12:29 AM)Dantes Wrote:  

Make money in London and flight cheaply to EE on the weekends.

Making money in London means that you don't have much time to do anything else..

p.s making money, not surviving in London..

Anyway, I won't be the bad guy, have just met a sensual Irish sweetheart,
so come to London, mate!!

[karaf]

Got the offer eur 90k plus 50% bonus
I am also planning to adk for housing

What do u think? London or Amsterdam

If I get 30% tax rule I can live a great life in amsterdam?

[Saruman]

Amsterdam many single women high density.

[Fury]

My only UK experience is Manchester but I am living in the Netherlands so I can try to make a comparison when it comes to the women.

While I did see some hot women in Manchester, there were a lot of excessively make up wearing fatties. Also quite a handful of unattractive women. The problem I noticed in my short time there in Manchester is that the hot women know they look good and are cream of the crop compared to the rest. So yeah, you probably could still talk to them but it will be tedious.

As for the Netherlands (you can get to most of the major cities within an hour by train) it is a really chill country with cool people.
The Dutch women may not be the sexiest European women out there but what I love about them is that they for the most part are all averagely cute. So you see less stunners out here but you see more cute-to-pretty faces on average. They are tall and in shape and easier to talk to than most women I have come across.

[VolandoVengoVolandoVoy]

I think for a major decision like this, you should do your own research, visit Amsterdam, and then decide.
Your decision should really be based on work, and not much else. Both cities have incredible social and cultural opportunities.
Maybe your doubts could be fixed by changing up your social life and how you spend your free time in London. Going somewhere new doesn't suddenly make you a different person. You have to engage in self reflection and change.