living expenses in the netherlands?

Question

sorry, i know i've asked this question before, but im really confused about how much a normal standard life for two adults costs in the netherlands, and i know this is not very polite but may i ask how much you inside netherlands are living with? are able to saving each month? how much you're expending on grocery, bills, clothes, rentals etc?

Answer 1

In this country people are not open about their income and costs compared to people in other western countries. I don't know why, it must be our Calvinistic nature not to discuss money stuff.

A while ago I compared my income and costs of living with friends in the USA. That was interesting. In the Netherlands we pay a lot more for rent or mortgage, a bit less for clothing and food. Way more for gas. Our cars use way less gas so that is about the same. Rentals are about the same here too. In general the west (Randstad) is more expensive then the north-east.

People with low income often get help from municipal governments (Wet Algemene Bijstand) or get bonusus in their health care costst (Zorgtoeslag). The group with a mid-income is relatively larger then in the USA.

Our income/Tax system is different. It's progressive: you earn more, you pay more taxes. In general we pay more taxes then in the USA but our government spends it different too: We do have a (by miss-use declining) public social security system which use to be one of the best in the world. We also use to have a good public health care system but they privatized that and it is getting more expensive each year (so that is actually a hidden cut back).

So above and beyond it is hard to compare the USA with the Netherlands.

Answer 2

Living Expenses In Netherlands

Answer 3

I can only give you the expenditures for a typical Dutch student (as I am..I can send you my budget, but rather through PM, if you're interested). Be aware of the fact that expenses on housing/cars, etc. really vary in the Netherlands, so that there can be large differences. Equally important: what are the savings you want to build up, etc. So your question basically is contingent on a whole bunch of other factors...
Anyhow, for food/drinks and stuff, some €350,- a month should be more than enough if you don't eat out and know where to shop...

The Dutch just like their privacy: people think they are either too "rich" or too "poor" way too soon, so they rather don't say anything to prevent other people judging them.

Answer 4

As the other person answering, I would never talk about my personal income and spending pattern with total strangers, but I have looked up what the gouvernment seems to think is needed at least to live from.

If you have no job, for a long time, you get a monthly pay of less than € 600 a month, and when you live alone you might get a bit extra to pay the rent, that will be less than € 250 each month.
So in total you may get up to € 850, but if your rent is low you are supposed to be able to live from less than € 600.
I would find that hard, but I have met people doing that and even saving a few euros each month. So they could go out for a few days in summer or could replace the fridge with a new-bought one when it should break.
You get more if you have a not-earning partner and/or children.

A job offer in a newspaper this weekend offered € 4000 before taxes for someone starting as lawyer specialized in international law.
That may be about € 3000 after taxes, but he will still complain that he can barely manage from that little.

All amounts named are monthly.

Answer 5

hey kim

I've asked that question a zillion times on various dutch forums and never succeeded to get a proper answer.
like one answerer said dutch are not keen to talk about their income even though its harmless but for some unknown reason they refrain from sharing their knowledge with people although it would cost them nothing, nevertheless I respect that though i cant see whats wrong with helping others maybe its part of the famous "going dutch".