Big Fat Dutch Weddings

Lotus-eater

rdchick wrote: »

We even spoke about moving back over there as it's getting ridiculous to own your own home here!

The Netherlands is the most densely populated country in Europe I believe, have you actually looked at the prices of houses over there?

rdchick

Yes, they are rather high but you don't need a deposit over there which is our main downfall... We have decent wages but can't seem to scrape together enough for a deposit! Xxx

euronorris

Lotus-eater wrote: »

The Netherlands is the most densely populated country in Europe I believe, have you actually looked at the prices of houses over there?

Whilst they are highly priced, you get tax back on your mortgage payments from the government (this can be paid monthly or annually, depending on your preference). And a deposit is not required.

Put it this way. On my salary alone, I could afford a one bedroom place in a nice area (nice also means expensive in this case, and close to Amsterdam). In the UK, the same salary, would get the same amount of mortgage offer, but I'd a need a deposit and it would cost me more to repay each month.

So, let's use a salary of €33k. They'd lend €148,500. Net repayments each month would be (approx): €616 pm

http://www.funda.nl/hypotheek/?ref=47328672

UK, that salary is approx 27,500 GBP. Halifax would lend 132,000 GBP. Repayments each month would be (approx): GBP866 pm

Oh, and you need a hefty deposit too.

https://www.halifax.co.uk/mortgages/mortgage-calculator/Calculator.asp?brand=halifax&app=&direction=f&page=10&update=false&mi=10

The type of properties you could get for the money, in each location, are about the same. But buying here in NL is certainly the cheaper option!

Lotus-eater

euronorris wrote: »

Whilst they are highly priced, you get tax back on your mortgage payments from the government (this can be paid monthly or annually, depending on your preference). And a deposit is not required.

Put it this way. On my salary alone, I could afford a one bedroom place in a nice area (nice also means expensive in this case, and close to Amsterdam). In the UK, the same salary, would get the same amount of mortgage offer, but I'd a need a deposit and it would cost me more to repay each month.

So, let's use a salary of €33k. They'd lend €148,500. Net repayments each month would be (approx): €616 pm

http://www.funda.nl/hypotheek/?ref=47328672

UK, that salary is approx 27,500 GBP. Halifax would lend 132,000 GBP. Repayments each month would be (approx): GBP866 pm

Oh, and you need a hefty deposit too.

https://www.halifax.co.uk/mortgages/mortgage-calculator/Calculator.asp?brand=halifax&app=&direction=f&page=10&update=false&mi=10

The type of properties you could get for the money, in each location, are about the same. But buying here in NL is certainly the cheaper option!

Interesting stuff, I've never bought over there, just looked at the prices. Certainly in the areas I've looked at, the houses are more expensive than here, although where you are looking is obviously important.
I knew about the tax back, but forgot about it tbh, I know all my family have mortgages even when they could have easily paid them off.

Tis a nice place to live though and generally more refined and friendly than most of the UK.

euronorris

Lotus-eater wrote: »

Interesting stuff, I've never bought over there, just looked at the prices. Certainly in the areas I've looked at, the houses are more expensive than here, although where you are looking is obviously important.
I knew about the tax back, but forgot about it tbh, I know all my family have mortgages even when they could have easily paid them off.

Tis a nice place to live though and generally more refined and friendly than most of the UK.

I do like it over here.

I did a quick check of 1 bedroom places in the area I live in here (close to local amenities, nice area, and close to Amsterdam), and they were on a par with the prices for a 1 bedroom place in the area I used to live in, in the UK (South East, hour train from London, close to local amenities, *used* to be a nice area). But, admittedly, I could get a much, much cheaper place in some parts of the UK. It doesn't get much cheaper in the the less populated/connected areas in Holland though.

The area I used to live in the UK, used to be so nice. But it was already going downhill from my mid twenties, and a recent visit back there was just depressing! I think I'd rather live in a different area now, if I came back. TBH, I quite like Eastbourne (where my folks moved to), even though I wouldn't be able to earn as much there. OMG, have I turned into an old woman before my time??? :rotfl:

rdchick

Haha thanks guys!

If we moved we would be near Helmond/Eindhoven as that's where he's from.

NEW QUESTION!!!
Got this in an email:

Het bruidspaar heeft aangegeven graag een envelop teontvangen, en nu willen wij u vragen hier creatief mee om te gaan. Wij willen uvragen eens na te denken hoe u op een bijzondere, ludieke, leuke en creatievemanier het geld kunt verpakken. U kunt denken aan bijvoorbeeld inblikken,verstoppen in een taart of cake, 1000 enveloppen in plaats van 1, 100 centen maaktook 1 euro, inlijsten in een schilderij of gevouwen in een 'geld'-boompje. Wewillen het bruidspaar graag samen met u verrassen met een aantalbijzondere 'cadeau's'.

which basically translates to:
The couple has indicated they would like to receive an envelope (this means a money gift which is fine by us!), and now we ask you here to handle creative. We ask you to reconsider how you in an exceptional, fun, fun and creative way the money can packaging. You can think of for example, canning, hiding in a pie or cake, 1000 envelopes instead of 1, 100 cents is also 1 euro, framed in a painting or folded in a 'tree-geld' (money tree). We want the bride and groom together with you with some special surprise 'gifts'.

soooooo

what on earth do I make?! As we are flying I can't be too creative but want to do something fun and special.

I am thinking of doing some bits in the theme of Mexican as they are off to Mexico for their honeymoon.

So, thought about doing a flower bed with little 'tulip' flowers in, each flower is numbered 1-10 as you pick the flowers you get another thing that is Mexican... so I am thinking a mini cactus, mini sombero, moustache, chili pepper... that sort of thing on the end of each tulip and number 10 will be some Peso's for them to spend.... what do you reckon?! Then have to get that through customs! xxx

Lotus-eater

Ahhhhh! This is one thing I hate about the Dutch, all this creativity you have to have with presents and stuff like that.

I think you have a good idea.
I wouldn't give them pesos though, just std Euros. They might have an almost paperless money holiday, or already be sorted for spending money. In fact knowing the Dutch, it's probably already been sorted out.

euronorris

http://www.makingfriends.com/gift_money.htm

http://www.ehow.com/how_4677970_wrap-cash-money-as-present.html

Some ideas above! Have fun with it!

xx

rdchick

Oh wow that's great

and yes. Everything is a ruddy game with the Dutch!! We couldn't open our xmas prezzies without guessing the dutch/english words! Hilarious!

I might ask the bride if they want Euros or Pesos or US dollars... I don't know how close to the border they are going!

Thanks so much for your help though! xxx

lostinrates

Is a pinata too obvious?

I think having thousands of small denomination money in several mutiples of the people attending would be fun for the first half hour, then extremely, extremely tiresome......


Other ideas....hmm....unrolling loo roll and re rollilng wilth five euro notes....but quite poor taste i guess!

Filling a pretty piggy bank they can, use for small change storage afterwards.