If your were to buy an apartment in The Netherlands and didn't want to live in Amsterdam because you don't want to live in a tourist city, Where would you go? Utrecht? Alphen aan den Rijn? Leiden? ? I'm in the Music business (recording) and My wife is a Dental Hygenist. Looking for a fresh start. There is a lot to consider and we're just starting the process. Thanks for your time.

I sent you a PM

I've been to several cities and towns around the Netherlands, and the place outside Amsterdam where I've felt most relaxed (rode a bike every day I've been there, even when stoned and/or drunk! And those who know me will chuckle at that! lol) was Breda. Haven't been for just over a year, but can't imagine it's changed too much.

Other things to that may effect your plans would be your nationality (i.e. rights to work in the Netherlands), you'd need to get a sofi-number (have they changed what that's called), bank accounts, etc.... It's not just as simple as arrive in the city/town of your choice and buy an apartment.

Peace

What was previously known as a sofi number is now termed the BSN (burgerservicenummer)

Having gone through the process of buying an apartment in Amsterdam a few years back,in hindsight I would say it was a relatively straight forward process. You will need to appoint a licensed notary to act on your behalf. I can recall having two meetings,a quite lengthy one to go through the contract which is in dutch and then a joint meeting with the vendor for contract signing!

The process of getting what was then known as a sofi number was also relatively straightforward. The notary rang and organised an appointment date at the government dept dealing with sofi nums,it was out in the large office park you pass on the way to schipol. With a bit of hanging about and a quick interview it took about 40 mins before I was leaving with the certificate of the number!

Similarly,in respect of a bank account I found it helpful that the notary gave me an introduction to a local bank manager and the process of getting a bank account set up was dealt with in one meeting which took about 30 mins.

Doc

Well yeah, otherwise we'd all be living there already. Thanks for the suggestions though. The plan has changed, It's more likely that we would buy an apartment to rent out via City Mundo or similar and visit a few months out of the year, keeping our US citizenship. I don't think as a non EU resident that we'd be able to live there full time or gain employment. I've never been to Breda, I'll check it out soon.
thanks again