5 things that SURPRISED me about to THE NETHERLANDS 🇳🇱
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 27 ноя 2024
- Hi, my name is Janica and I am an expat from Finland, who has been living in The Netherlands now for 2,5 years. In this video I talk about 5 things that have surprised me when moving & living in The Netherlands.
Do you agree or disagree with me about something? Do you have any experiences regarding these things yourself? Or something else that has surprised you? Let me know in the comments!
I hope you enjoy the video - If you do then please leave a like and comment. Remember to also SUBSCRIBE to join me on more adventures✨🍜🥰💖
💌 Inquiries: Janicasjourney@gmail.com
💕 my Instagram (@janicasjourney): / janicasjourney 💕
🤍 Basic FAQ 🤍:
Where am I from? Finland
Where do I live? In the city of Leiden, in The Netherlands!
How old am I? 27 (when this video was posted)
-------------------------------------------------------------
Music:
Music: If I Had a Chicken - Kevin MacLeod • If I Had a Chicken - K...
Would you be interested in a part 2 for this video?? (I'd still have so many things to talk about!) 😃
Actually it IS very common to take over features that are not original to the rental house, from the previous owner. You just settle for an agreed upon amount, so the previous renter leaves in these features. I did this in my house. I took over the floor, the draping and some other things for 150 euro. If not... then the previous renter is obligated to restore the house in its original state by the rental company.
@@GeorgeSaint666 in Finland I guess it’s more common that the owner/renter of the house installs the floor, and then it’s included as a part of the apartment 😊
I am Dutch, 63 years old, and I would sell my bike immediately if I had to wear a helmet. Then I would go everywhere by car.
Bicycle helmets are very useful for recognizing tourists. They often do strange things on the bike and so if you meet someone with a helmet on, you know as a Dutchman that you have to pay extra attention :-) ;-)
Hahah, true true! I guess it comes down to what you’re used to 😄👍🏼
I sincerely hope you are not too old to learn that Dutch traffic and changing fast. Electric bikes, fat bikes etc, they change the safety on cycle lanes and to think that you can do without a helmet because you've been fine uptil now, is like refusing to wear a safetybelt in a car when it had just become a safety law. I wish you many more safe years on the road and hope you give up your oldfashioned view of wearing a helmet.
@@miepski I appreciate your point of view, but I disagree. Let's not start a discussion about the bicycle helmet. It's unnecessary. I do believe that if there was a bill to make it compulsory to wear a bicycle helmet, a kind of revolution would break out. A large majority of the Dutch population is against this and a political party that would be in favor of the helmet would commit political suicide. But the free choice to wear a helmet is fine.
@@bertkassing8541I find your drma entertaining :-D I am pretty the revolt and political suicide are a big exaggeration. It will not be so dramatic when it inevitably becomes compulsory to wear a helmet when using an electric bicycle. Happy cycling with or without a helmet 🙂
@@miepski You can hit your head in the house too... are you gonna wear your helmet in your house as well, since you can trip over something.
Rental houses and apartments in the Netherlands are usually for long term. They are rented out bare.
What you call floor, we call floor covering (vloerbedekking) and that is not included. Nobody wants to live on used carpet, nor on laminate that has discolored, or even tiles that are not your taste. You can put in anything you want, and if you leave you have to remove anything you brought in. That includes kitchen appliances and even the wallpaper and paint on the walls and ceilings. Even the drill holes for hanging paintings, should be repaired. So the next renter finds a clean and empty house or apartment, ready for their own decoration.
The owner will hire a professional to strip the house/apartment bare and do required repairs, if you don't, and will send you the bill. Those costs can be high! Especially ceilings that have been colored or where wrong paint has been used.
So when renting a house or apartment in the Netherlands, always have a walk through with the owner and have a list of all things that are there, are lacking, are damaged, etc. and have it signed by both, with a copy for both. So there cannot be any discussion afterwards.
Hi, usually I recognize a Finnish accent while someone is speaking English (Kimi Raikonen is a perfect example). But you have a slight Dutch accent while speaking English and I'd never guess you would be Finnish. It's funny. Your English is perfectly fine btw.
Hahah, yeah i’ve been hearing that. I didn’t use to have much of an accent at all before moving to The Netherlands… it’s purely by accident that it seems to have rubbed off on me 😂
@Ferr I agree.
And let me tell you a surprise, hahaha 🙈... I'm Dutch. Hahaha🤣... I've traveled to Danmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland as a Dutch guy... and people from Danmark, they speak English. Some people from Norway and Sweden speak English very well... But people from Finland?!?! They speak English 'the Finnish' way...hahaha 😍
En Janika of Janica? Wat je naam óók is?!?.... bedonder je jezelf? Of leef je in een waanbeeld? Ik weet 't niet hóór...
Er klopt iets niet. Sterker nog... 'volgens mij gaat 't totaal verkeerd!'
To translate writen above...
And Janika or Janica? Whatever your name is?!?... Do you cheat on yourself? Or are you living in a delusion? I don't know...
Something is wrong. In fact...
'I think it's not going well at all!'
@Ferr I agree with you!!! But I dare to say it, at the same time 😬🙈👍
And before I'm wrong??? Or people tell me so ... without a full proof visible, 'a passport' maybe?
Going to Finland and create content about yourself, showing yourself to speak Finnish and just every Day small talk going in to places and speaking Finnish?? Not some content you made with subtitles... but real Day to Day small talk.
Maybe if you would show all of that, maybe I would apologize...
@@tombeijn6982 aaaah, dude, don't be mean. That was not what I said or implied, at all. Some people do have a real talent for languages and pronunciation, I wouldn't just jump to conclusions.
@Janica, do you speak a bit of Dutch as well in the meantime?
The thing with helmets has multiple reasons:
1. Most countries don't have the necessary infrastructure to keep cyclists safe
2. Drivers have shown to be less careful around cyclists with helmets, and cyclists wearing helmets themselves have also been shown to be less careful
3. Helmets generally don't really do anything for people riding the types of bikes we ride. We use upright style bicycles, not mountain bikes and the like (these people do wear helmets). The difference is there's little risk of falling off your bike and hitting your head on an upright style bicycle.
4. Helmets aren't designed to protect you against colliisions, only against falling. The speed ratings on them shows this fact, making point 3 even more relevant.
5. Wearing a helmet is an added step, which will make stop people from getting on a bicycle instead of in a car. We have enough cars on the road as it is.
And given the fact the Netherlands has the lovest bicycle related injury rate per capita in the world it shows you don't need to wear a helmet in the conditions we have any more than you need to wear a helmet when you're taking a shower (a much more dangerous activity).
Thanks for the insights! Didn’t know about all this 😊👍🏼
And almost all Dutch Car drivers riding bikes by themselves as well. It helps the awareness...
In the netherlands people are used to decorate the house themselfs.
Pick Floors, wallpaper etc.
If you want a fully dressed appartement Thats costly.
Up to 200% of the normal value.
Floor at Ikea are cheap and easy to place.
Saves about €300 rent a month
What has surprised you about The Netherlands? Any thoughts about the things I mention in the video? 🤔❣️
Hi, nice to see u have moved to the city of leiden :) it is my hometown.
It is perfectly fine to wear a helmet if u like to (i would never for a bike tho).
And yes, the children have to do a bike test on their school haha
And i might be mistaken but it is kinda normal to buy the floort from the previous appartment owners. Especially when it is a rental.
Nice video, hope to see more of them. Have a nice day!
Thank you very much, I love living in Leiden! Many more videos to come 😊❤️
Cheap option for flooring is to use IKEA laminate. A couple of hundred euro’s is enough for an average apartment.
That’s a good tip !! 😊
You can buy and rent houses with floor, but they are way more expensive. Then: if the color or type does not fit you, you have to take it all out, and place your own. So, you are better off buying your own floor and wallpaper/paint and curtains: exactly to your liking.
Would love to see a video of you biking around to your favourite spots in Leiden!
Thank you for the lovely idea! 😊❤️
As would I! It's my favourite town in Nederland
I find it so funny that though you fairly recently moved to the Netherlands, you do speak english as a real dutchie :)
Haha, i’m honestly not sure how i’ve managed to pick it up a bit by accident 😅
@@JanicasJourneys hahahaha well anyways, great video😄👍
@@royklein9206 thank you! 😊
Selling your floor to the next person is fairly common though and is almost always an option when moving :) but some people have bad taste so I have made people take out their floors before if I didn't like them, just to improve my home to my liking and I would just take the floor to my next apartment when I moved. It's not that difficult to lay your own floor, especially click laminate, you can do it yourself in a day or less, and in my opinion not that expensive (300-600eu). It's quite fun to do too ;)
The helmet thing is a bit weird still, all the points the others in the comments made are valid, most bike paths are separate anyways and car drivers really watch out for bikes and give them the right of way frequently, but I myself have had a serious biking accident and many of my friends had too, but they were never caused by other traffic, just by being young, dumb, and or drunk. I always wear a helmet on a electric bike or on a racing bike because of the added speed and because people in cars are not prepared for fast moving small traffic and you can get overlooked. I feel when you are going much faster than an ordinary bike a helmet is wise to wear, else don't do anything stupid and you'll be fine. Like trying to cycle anyways when Super drunk or racing your friend down a hill without hands on the bar (that's what landed me in the hospital when I was 16, bad idea lol)
But: if it makes you feel safe on a normal bike too, wear the helmet. It's up to you. Yes you can get some looks but ultimately it's your choice, and you will just be extra safe ;) because we don't doesn't mean you also have to
It's the "bishbosh" for me 😅😁
Bike helmets are like those orange pool floaties... Very practical when you're learning, but unnecessary when you know how to bike/swim 😉 In a country with poor biking infrastructure where you only ride your bike a few times a year it might make sense. But we got (some of) the safest bike-lanes in the whole world and are used to biking at least 5 days a week (to school and back) from a young age. That makes a big difference 😇
Back in Finland I rode my bike to school pretty much my whole childhood and the infrastructure for it is very good (similar to the one here), but there everyone wears a helmet. I think the difference is tho that the finnish people love to follow rules 😂 as here people are more freedom lovers 😊
I am dutch, moved to a rental house. (previous renter was old lady that died, floor also died).
Laid a cheap wooden floor for €1500 on 100m^2
I think riding a bike without a helmet is common in most other countries too. Great video! Planning to explore The Netherlands ths May 😊
That might be the case. In Finland almost everyone wears a helmet 😄 How fun, wishing you a great trip!
The safety on the bicycle also has to do with the fact that everyone is cyclist: also the people driving in cars are cyclists, they know how cyclists think in particular parts of traffic and can better predict what cyclists will do, that makes it more safe as well.
You definitely have a bit of a Dutch accent when you speak English. I don't hear much of a Finnish accent in it. That's not a bad thing!
Regarding helmets: I've read some studies about wearing helmets when biking. It turns out that people wearing helmets tend to take more risks, because they feel safer with a helmet. So they bike faster and more recklessly. Because of that, they end up having more accidents. People without helmets tend to be more cautious, so they don't end up in accidents that often. But if it makes you feel more comfortable, it's definitely okay to wear one.
Also, I loooove Finland!
P.S. Don't forget to visit the province of Friesland, with its lovely small cute towns and the Wadden Islands, one of the most beautiful nature areas in the country!
What a hassle to move the floor around! We are looking to move somewhere else in Europe and the Netherlands seems like a nice place to live so this was very useful!
I know right. 😅 glad to hear you found it useful! Netherlands is a great country where to live 😊
But you always get the floor you really want without having to place your furniture on the same place as your predecessor.
Either carpet, Laminate or PVC will be installed pretty fast.
Only for expats that often use short term rent contract it is less convenient and they could look for spaces that have existing floors.
You made me smile about the bicycle helmets. 😁. Since the country is flat, and has indeed many bicycles, not much happens accidentwise with bicycles.
In my modest opinion the country must have at least 50 million bicycles. 😎
You look much prettier without a helmet, I might add. 🥳
Very interesting video Janica thanks for sharing all these infos ♥
Thank you Dana! ❤️
People in the Netherlands often live in a rental house for a long time (often more than 10 years). So buying your own floor does make sense.
Very nice vlog! Good sugestions! 👍
Thanks so much! 😊
Hi Janice) great video and interesting fun facts about Netherlands ) hunting apartment is crazy in Berlin too😅I’m totally get into your point😊
Hi Anna, thank you! Yeah, the apartment hunt can get pretty crazy, I can imagine it’s difficult in Berlin too! 😅
@@JanicasJourneys I also like traveling - welcome to my channel too🙂
They told me that in Germany you often have to bring your own kitchen when you buy or rent a apartment in Germany but I don't know if it is true.
@@51bikerboy it’s true for old building )- but in new building more often kitchen is already exist🙂 and also people try to sell their kitchen next Rentner and new person usually buy because it more convenient and cheaper)
Biking, the test is not about biking but about traffic rules. We are almost born on bikes, it’s as natural as walking for us.
Point is, most floors are carpets, they tend to get dirty and we don’t like to sit in another ones dirt… So get rid of it…
I think the people there are pretty tall, but maybe that's because I am not tall. So I guess you are out and about in a t-shirt there in Holland because it is so warm compared to Finland. Wish you all the best in your new home country!
Thank you! Yes, the Dutch are very tall! 😄 haha, maybe not in a t-shirt but it’s definietly much warmer here 😊
That dog is cute and funny. For sure make a part 2.
… already planning for the next one! 😉
Actually the reason why nobody buys bike helmets is because of safety (counter intuative I know xD) . As in, our country is so safe, it's not needed to wear one, because the change of an accident is many times smaller then in countries where the helmet is needed. Mainly due to the amazing infrastructure. But also because speeds aren't that high. Also most people grow up without helmets so it's hard for the government and other agencies to get us so far that we do use the helmets. Though there are rules changing now, since january 1st it's actually mandatory to have helmets with all fast driving bikes/scooters/motors and so on. So maybe soon it's also there for e-bikes. Though I do not think it will be normal for just, normal bikes.
Good it becomes mandatory for speed bikers & scooters! Thanks for sharing your knowledge. 😊
1. Selling you floor to the next person renting the apartment is pretty standard.
3. Helmet law's achieve 1 thing: it stops people from cycling. The chances of hitting your head when falling when you are riding a normal(upright ) bike are slim to none.
It's totally normal putting your own flooring into a rental. Here people don't rent for a few weeks or even a year but sometimes for ten, twenty or even fifty years. So why wouldn't you put your own floor in, the one your like and not what someone else likes? I rent an apartment and there was already flooring here that I like but if I had told them I hated it, the last person living here would have taken it out. Same with curtains, lamps etc. Selling the floor to the next renter IS common IF they like it, otherwise you HAVE to take it out.
The fact we don't wear helmets here is because of the infrastructure. Most accidents happen between cars and bikes but because of all the seperate bike lanes here the chance being hit by a car is pretty small. Also helmets give a fake feeling of safety. 'Oh as long as I'm wearing a helmet I'll be ok'. Uhm, no. Not wearing a helmet will make your far more aware of what is going on around you and you'll be more careful.
This is funny. I live in Leiden and visited Finland on a business trip... And a rental apartment w/o flooring is not very common tbh. I am sure you have been there already, but a tip from me would be to visit Naturalis in Leiden.
Thank you for all about Holland if i say which country is better in nature finland or Holland i think Holland is a beautiful country from gazipur city bangladesh
I think The Netherlands has more beautiful cities, but I like the nature in Finland more 😊 although the Dutch nature is also beautiful!!
There is no such thing as too much safety; if you feel like wearing a helmet please buy one.
That’s true! 😉
The ones with helmets are tourists, regonize tourists on bikes, the ones with helmets
Haha true!! 😂
Carpet is relatively cheap and easy to install.
3. I think wearing a helmet is weird. The countries who do it show they have no bike culture or infrastructure.
Surprised that Finland requires a helmet, being quite advanced in boke infrastructure (compared to other countries).
Biking is not dangerous. Cars are dangerous.
I think the reason why people wear a helmet in Finland is because the Finnish people LOVE rules and regulations 😂
Sometimes it's madetory to remove it. When it is alowed most of the times people do sell it to the next renter.
I didn’t know it’s sometimes mandatory, how silly! But i’ve also come across several cases with people wanting to bring it with them 😄 luckily not everyone tho!
@@JanicasJourneys I speak from experience, we had "laminaat" through the whole apartment. We had to remove it. Then we used the best pieces to put flooring in some rooms when we bought our new home. It's even crazier. Someone told me once, that there was a new kitchen installed in a home, when the person needed to sell (unplanned) the new owners wanted to rip out the fairly new kitchen. Because it wasnt their taste in design. She then decided to take the thing with her. If i remember correctly, she put part of it in her parents house where it was over due. And a few cabinets in her own stotage place for extra stotage. So yeah, some are crazy.
@@anniek4681 hahah oh wow! That is crazy!! 🤯😂
In most cases Floors are sold to the next renster If They like iT.
Infotainment you Can uninstall iT and bring iT with you to the next.
Paying someone to remove iT for you???
I never heard Anyone do that in my 53 years.
Get a Floor starts at €2 per square meter. Thats costly?
Or walk a round of 'de Singel' in Leiden!
big fen ❤
Good points 😊👍
Glad you think so! 😊
Great video :)
Thanks! ❤️
watch NotJustBikes, why we do not wear helmets
I’ll check it out!
We don't like wearing helmets, but perhaps they will get mandatory someday in the (far) future, because they would be useful. I knew one person who died in an bike vs car accident where with a helmet she would probably have lived.
Wearing helmets would lead to more accidents. Right now biking is very safe so if nothing else change wearing helmets would have a very minimal impact.
However when wearing protective gear people will always take a lot more risk. In this case the addition of a helmet would cause an increase in accidents and deaths which is much more significant
I’m sorry to hear about that! 🙁
Typically Dutch answer to the question "What do you think of my trousers?" is "Nice, but it's a pitty they didn't have them in your size!"
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I'm in my late 50s and I have never worn a helmet while cycling. If they passed a law to mandate it, I would simply ignore it, and I bet most Dutch people would, which is why no politician is going to even try. I guess maybe all this is a bit irrational, but it has to be said that cycling is pretty safe here, partly because there are many bike paths that are separated from the car lanes, and partly because people driving cars are very aware of the presence of cyclists, so they are a lot less likely to crash into them than drivers in most other countries.
There are big cultural differences between the east and the west, and between the south and the west of the country, in language and way of thinking, helmets? On a bike? My daughter learned to bike at 3 years old, she might have had a helmet than...but I'm not sure.. these electric bikes, those people wear helmets.
We HATE helmets. ;) It's great to bike in summer, NOT wearing a helmet. Don't let the bike haters take that freedom away from us! Freedom makes people happy.
Didn't you visit Efteling ?
I have visited twice! I can make a video about it next time, would love to stay in the hotel there too 😊
Don't tell people that there is much more outside of Amsterdam. We don't want all those tourists like in Amsterdam. Let it be our little secret.😊
Hahaha true 😇🤫
Bike helmets. We have learned how to bike.
Helmets....whahahaha!
😂😂
IS TOCH LOGISCHE JE TOCH JE EIGEN VLOERBEDEKKING.
Just buy a helmet somewhere else and be safe!
Since we have a lot of electric bikes the accidents are more severe and harmful. Most Dutch don't "feel" that but they should!
Anne
That’s true, i’ll think about it! 😊
A floor is cheaper then a new Kitchen wink to Germany wink wink
If you need a helmet for your own safety, how dangerous are you to other cyclists and pedestrians?
😂😂 it’s just a cultural difference!
@@JanicasJourneys It's a free country, but when I see speed cyclists or speed pedelecs with a helmet at a speed that I would indeed advise a helmet for, I wonder how they take care of the safety of others too.
You speak very good English, but with a light Dutch accent. But your from Finland. 😅