Life is so short, seize the moment

Friday I lost a good friend unexpectedly, he was 36. It just proves life is short and we should seize the moment. I refuse to let anything stopping me from reaching my goal. I will move to Amsterdam and I will be successful. No if's, and's, or but's about it. I am determined!

Visiting Amsterdam in a few months

Going on a 10 day trip to the Netherlands in Late November. Hopefully I will be able to really hammer down where I want to live in Amsterdam. My short list includes De Pijp, Jordaan, Oud West, Bos en Lommer or even De Baarsjes.I have spent some time in just about every area of town and these feel like they could be home. I have been in touch with several makelaars (rental agents) and plan to visit with a couple of them. I'm focused on finding an affordable apartment that is on a lower floor. If I do need to run back home to grab some equipment I refuse to walk up five flights of Amsterdam stairs. I'm also open to a flat share for my first six months, but would need a rather large room. We'll see how everything pans out, no need to worry yet.

Peace

I bought my plane ticket!

So I cashed in some of my Continental miles and bought a one-way ticket in Business Class to Amsterdam on Lufthansa. Flying via Frankfurt with a two hour layover. If immigration is anything like I remember from last summer, it will take every bit of that to make my connection.  269 days, 20 hours and 50 minutes till I leave for the airport!

Peace

Maybe time will fly by now!

Starting a new job Tuesday to help pad the wallet and take up some of my free time. From all of my research it seems the reason most people fail is money and I refuse to join the ever expanding list. I'm determined to make the business and living in a foreign country work. Since I will now be able to almost double my cash reserve, I see no reason for it not to work. I may be tired when May rolls around but I'm sure adrenaline will kick in a keep me going. I'm ready to grab the bull by the horns!

Peace

A quick update

Well a lot has gone on in the last 6 month. I am still in the states as I have postponed my move. I was offered an extension on my contract I couldn't refuse. So, I'll be moving May 16, 2012. I really wanted to be settling into my flat about now, but alas I'm not. I will be over for a couple of weeks around Thanksgiving to arrange a few things. I plan to meet with a couple of makelaars, letting agents, while I'm there. If I find a place I can't pass up I plan to sign a lease. I have a couple of friends who have showed interest in paying me to house sit, go figure. So it could work out to beneficial for all parties involved. I also plan to find an accountant that will be able to supply the necessary papers for my application. The last thing I want to accomplish is to look at a few offices/store fronts. I don't plan to let it just yet, but I need to fit it in my business plan. Hopefully two weeks will be enough to get everything done, fingers crossed.

Peace

How I plan to emigrate to The Netherlands

Being from the US it's almost impossible to move to Europe. That was until I found out about the Dutch American Friendship Treaty (DAFT). It allows Americans to move to the Netherlands by starting a business an investing at least 4,500 euros. Here is a website from a guy that has done the move, some good info.

Also here is the text of the treaty itself. The site is ran by an American immigration lawyer in Amsterdam.

Peace

Finding reasonably priced accommodation will be key

After searching through several websites, finding a "cheap" apartment is tough. I had several people tell me it would be damn near impossible to find anything for less than €800 and they are right. When you take in account that you might have to pay upwards of €2000 just to get keys seems strange. I guess it's one of the differences in our countries. If I am going to do this, I need to do it right. Time to start pinching pennies a little harder.

Peace