Naija_lastborn: well that's a good news, Student visa is much easier than Family Reunion.. Did you by chance attend the Kwaku Festival in bijlmermeer?

skylane: Pls nldrs,Iv always wnt to study/work abroad since. Of little age,any pereon to sponsor me there? Promise to paybak with interest,God bless u

p.desmond:


Yes you are right. Well no I didn't attend that because I was doing some touring. I was in Bijmer Arena last few days, that's were Ajax Football Club is.

Naija_lastborn: May God help you

skylane: amen God bless u sir

Naija_lastborn: Pls dont address me as Sir oo,just a normal guy like u

skylane: am used to such titles weda small or big i adress. Dem dat way

Naija_lastborn: well God is the only sir I know

skylane: abeg o don't adress God sir o,its a man's title o abeg,he's to be adress my lord oo pls sir

ajidesola: pls frnds i need info on hw i can study there in Netherland,info's on all d necessary requirement, nd d amount it is going to cost me,pls God bless u, u can also email me @ Ajidesola@gmail.com

dacascus: HI,
I am looking at possible relocation to Amersfoort In the Netherland, I will appreciate tips and living standard available in that area please.

missyjolanda: Hello,

dustydee:
Excellent, like the way you broke it down. What I don't understand is this: my wife sometimes gets invitations to apply for jobs in the Netherlands, why is that so given the job situation? Is it that there is skills shortage in some displines? She's an Engineer.

missyjolanda:

Many Dutch managers, directors, recruiters etc use Linkedin very seriously..as a matter of fact, they dont like it if you have none.Its their way of snooping (Dutch are very intrusive) and getting to know you.

missyjolanda: Hello,
I have lived in the Netherlands my entire life. So I know it well. For anyone trying to go to the Netherlands a fair warning:
First:
Housing:
if you do not have either business income to show for, a job, are not connected to someone or have lots of cash (to be able to put 6 months in as an extra deposit (normally 1 month), to get housing is a difficult task. Especially for black people, even worse for Africans.
- When you say that you are Nigerian, you may notice many doors not opening, due to the very negative propaganda there is about Nigerians (but mind you, many white people that catch a flight to Lagos to do business, are Dutch), Ghanaians dont have that much negativity attached to them other than them being "African" . For black people of any culture it is very difficult to obtain housing..unless you meet the requirements above, than with private rentals it may still be down to the preference of the owner, but with realestate agents, you will have less problems (ofcourse because you will pay, higher rents,have to show more income, etc)
-I have known many friends who have just been able to receive public housing (via the public system (cheaper, opportunity to receive subsidies, lease protection,etc), and this after 10 years of struggling..from room to room, overpriced private rentals etc.
- Dutch people like their peaceful neighborhoods. africans talk loud and have loud music in their opinion. This is also why you see more Nigerians gravitate to the housing complex in the "ghetto" Bijlmermeer. They call it that because many black cultures live there. Over the last years, they have done a great deal of refurbishing, building expensive housing to gentrify (increase numbers of white people) that area, as its close to a very important businesshub " Amsterdam Bijlmer Arena". So many houses in that area arent even offered through the public system anymore.
- So if you didnt come in through your job, wife/girlfriend or family, than know that you have a very difficult time ahead. Well more than the former that is.
For cost of living comparisons use this site, prices are quite accurate: http://www.numbeo.com
Jobs:
- Right now is a very bad time for black people to find a job. Even highly educated white folks are struggling.
- Technical engineers, It engineers are still in high demand. The biggest chances you will find are in IT, but mainly software/application/game development or Project/Information managers (experienced, with references)
- You will notice that increasingly employers (most often for the better paid positions, but the middle companies are getting a taste for it too) are using a very intrusive system of investigating your resume up to 10 years back (by using agencies to very everything about you)
- No matter how good your papers are, in the end many are taken in by your personality. Its very subjective..but thats the way it is here.
First, many Nigerians, will either own their own businesses in the following areas:
-clothing
- barbershop/hair-/nailsalon
- grocerystore
-import/export
- transport related business (parcels, cars, taxi, etc)
- gypsy cabs (= very illegal, but very much an accepted practice in the Bijlmer (Amsterdam)) among black cultures
- handy men
(these are the most common and visible choices)
Second, or have Jobs in:
- restaurants (in the back)
- cleaning
- hotels (cleaning, washing)
- security (once they have the official papers)
- warehouses (orderpicking, etc)
But even obtaining these jobs is very difficult, because you are up against many with clear and reference experience. A person who came in through his white wife, had to struggle for years with temporary jobs via agencies here and there, untill just recently a company he has worked for for years fihas finally decided to offer him a contract for 18 hrs a week as a cleaner (this will probably make him 500-600 euro a month). Sounds alot? Wel not in the Netherlands it isnt. But because they are together, he atleast brought something in.
There arent many of them but you also have those that are in:
- bookkeeping/accounting
- in hospitals (doctor/lab)
- IT
(I have worked in big international companies..have not seen one general manager, project managers, sales manager, marketing managers,etc of any african descent other than Caribbean (Suriname, Antilles) and most of the time that was me..But africans..none.
Third, or you will see Nigerians simply go back and forth on business visa for all kinds of business relating to Nigeria's main products (Cars, etc).
The jobmarket is crazy now here, many are losing their jobs. Still the highest group able to get jobs are whites. But even in their group the unemployment is high. The news does not reflect this. I once had to accept a minimum wage job, out of straight desperation. What i noticed is how stressed practically 95% of the staff was when the owner dared to be late at one point with the payment of the salaries. Everyone was in straight panic..(white, black..the lot). Many are living on their last paycheck. BUT their is still much wealth...yes, usually with those 50 years and up.
Starting a business is fairly easy. In an hour your business is registered, and within 1 week if all is well, you can have a business account (the ones with a residence permit ofcourse) (Many even within a day).A bookkeeper is 700-1000 euro a year on average. But renting a premises is way more difficult (unless you have cash to show for), and usually a minimum of 5 years lease. Some will accept 1-2 years. However many things will cost money, so dont go in without advice from chamber of commerce and a good bookkeeper.
If you are hard worker, resourceful, on time, stick to agreements, show integrity,and have tough skin, you have a chance. (and some cash too).
Many nigerians that claim or have shown to have "made it", had their (white) European spouse blowing wind in their backs (husband or wife),
The rest is grinding like anyone else. (I have seen those that made it through the grind..they "made it" for real. But its a tough tough road.
Relations:
- As I said, say you are Nigerian, you will receive all the negative consequences in the minds of people. People here are not vocally racist in general. Usually covert and some overt in their practices. (either behind your back..or making derogatory jokes they feel you should think is funny)
- Ghananians and Nigerians (the biggest African group) usually do not like one another. Each side speaks badly about the other away from them. Up close they tolerate on another..some are even friends.
- I have heard Nigerians say they were from Ghana just to not deal with the BS from people.
- If you are the kind that can live a quiet life, work hard, be tidy, and be like the Jones"s..than you can have a good life. The ones that can't usually live close to their people.
- Many Nigerian friends have moved away from Netherlands due to the covert racism..
Healthcare:
will cost atleast 1300 euro a year on average
Public transportation (tram, metro.bus):
atleast 50-70 euro a month for one person travelling daily within one zone. Train is more expensive (http://www.ns.nl).
or get a loadcard like many, nameless/anonymous is 7,50 personalized is free (they can track your every move, but you can also take subscriptions with this one). Buses/trams/metro, will deduct 4 euro's per ride as a minimum, and then deduct the fee of the ride (so a minimum load of 4 euro's is always required)
- trains 10 euro,minimum load at all times. (otherwise you cant even take the train)
Safety
- Police is racist, so you have to deal with a rough attitude on average when you are black
- Be prepared to get asked for your papers often as a man
- However if you are just living your life, you will not see them
- Here people are not so afraid of the police, so the police can receive a big mouth too on occasion. It depends on where you are stationed.
- Many things happen..burglary, rapes, all kinds of stuff. So safety has definitely deteriorated. In one year alone in my street many dangerous situations occurred and I live in a fairly nice suburban neighborhood. I felt more safe in Nigeria actually.
Groceries:
on average a family of two can do with 120-200 euro a month. If you are going to eat stews/soups every day. Be prepared that this is costly..even bought once a week. the 200 is more average..120 is really maybe one person or 2 people cutting it very close..Palm oil here is about 5 euros..A kilo Yam is 10 euro. Beef about 12 a kilo, chicken is about 6 euro a kilo.
Netherlands has nice roads, very structured, lots of bureaucracy, no corruption on a civil level (usually on a higher one), if you know the rules their are many ways to obtain recourse. If you dont have money you can hardly move around an average trip from suburb to city, will cost you 3-5 euro's oneway, smaller cities (about 50-60% of that), unless you live near a citycentre (usually all you will need is a good bicycle, and condition).Jobmarket is tough, minimum wage is about 8,50 per hour. Speaking Dutch language is required to obtain a job. English is spoken..but will be harder to obtain jobs that way. But try to speak their language, and you will score points. But still speak just English when you are there for 2 years or more..Than they will dislike that. They consider that lazy.
My advice: do a basic course, will cost about 36 euro's. For instance via.. http://www.2speaklanguages.com
No matter what Europeans want to speak their own language in your country, but you have to speak theirs in their country. Just learn to play the game in your favor.
Miscellaneous
-Try to get another account than a yahoo..for instance gmail.
- Do not sollicit for private information over the internet
- Do not give your id to anyone over the internet, or ask for it just like that
- learn about basic customs and laws in The Netherlands. They are very high on that.
- Do not Try to chat women up online (facebook etc)
Personally:
- I know the rules and regulations, i grew up in this nation, worked hard, paid hard. It is NOT a paradise. For the last few years I have been one of the few black people you see commuting towards their jobs. I have really noticed this.Only those that have a job, working both of them (couples)..can make it here or those willing to share discomforts.
- I personally say, build your lives in Nigeria. While you are moving away, whites/asians are coming in..before you know it..you will be begging them for a job in your own country. Dont allow this, by having your sights on sodom (because that is what Europe is). I have seen too many get wicked from staying here..cheating family, friends just to survive or their own wicked reasons.
- There is good, there is bad..but definitely not perfection. But hey, some would still rather give their last arm to come here, rather than build their own country.

So that's it

1nforonke:

Hi MissyJolanda...thanks for this information. How integrated would you say the Nigerian community is, most especially for a newcomer. Which areas do you have more Nigerians, Nigerian restaurants, Nigerian media. As this was how i blended into where i am at the moment. I will appreciate an insight.

megastu: @missjyolanda,

Your post so rightly captures life for a Nigerian in The Netherlands.

I would however say that Bijlmermeer has really transformed from what it used to be. I was really impressed the last time i saw it.

rafcrown:
How can I get any kind of job in the Netherlands?ANY JOB AND IN ANY PART of the country.I am officially qualified to work.

meetlekan:
************* there's work available in grave yard as a security here in sa.

Is dat WASHING DEAD BODIES?
Or is dat Night watch for dead people turning into ZOMBIES?

worry359:


Is dat WASHING DEAD BODIES?
Or is dat Night watch for dead people turning into ZOMBIES?

meetlekan:
. My brother na both they available if na to they wash them he they ,if na to security them that one self they but I will advice him to take washing own because some of those dead body do goo Night club and if you instead not to allow them out they gonna bit such person.