There are on the Internet several websites about expats in The Netherlands that I am sure you’ve already checked if you are moving to The Netherlands (or Nijmegen) to work or study. That is why I won’t be as specific as what you’ll find out there. But here are some personal tips and comments regarding the most important aspects to live here in Nijmegen:
1. Find your home
2. Get your BSN number
3. Transport
4. Bank account
5. Insurance
6. Phone
7. Learn dutch
8. Pronounce ‘Nijmegen’.
1. Finding your new home
Be patient. Sometimes in Nijmegen there aren’t many flats available. Prices for a two bedroom apartment aren’t lower than 900 €/month. Check them at funda.nl and be aware: number of rooms usually include the living room. Deposit is usually one month. If you need advice, try to contact a makelaar (Real State agency).
For shared flats and rooms in Nijmegen, check these two groups on facebook: Rooms | Kamers in Nijmegen and Rooms | Housing Radboud University. There are also several Dutch sites like www.kamernet.nl or www.kamertje.nl.
Which areas are better to live in?
Well, probably you won’t be able to choose because of the few offers there are. Nijmegen’s downtown area, near the river, is not very big -you can walk it through in less than 5-10 minutes-. Outside the city center there are several neighbourhoods very quiet and residential. One good option is to come and stay in an airbnb room while you take the time to know the city and find a flat for you. Nijmegen is a safe and nice place to live in, but it’s true that some nice areas are the ones surrounding Nijmegen’s city center: Oost, Bottendaal, Galgenveld, and, of course, the Centrum.
Another option, if the price is your priority, is to check residential towns or areas nearby like Malden, Wijchen or Lent. Many dutch who work in Nijmegen live there. I suggest that if you are new in the country, you should go as close as possible to the center, otherwise you’ll feel a bit lonely at the beginning.
2. Get your BSN number
The BSN number is the first thing you need if, for example, you want to open a bank account. To obtain it, you need to have proof of address, so always take your flat or room contract with you, also your ID.
The BSN number is your fiscal number. You’ll need it for almost everything you do here.
How to get the BSN in Nijmegen? You must arrange an appointment online or go yourself to the Stadswinkel and they can set an appointment for you. The Stadswinkel is located in the heart of Nijmegen, very close to the koningplein, the library and the Lux. The day you have the appointment and you enter the building, ask for help if you don’t understand Dutch, because you’ll have to get a number through a machine. Usually there is a security member helping people, but also you can ask it to the woman in the desk. Once you have the number, they’ll call when it’s your turn. They’ll be very fast and helpful.
3. Transport
Bike: First thing, get yourself a bike (fiets in dutch). Life changes for good with a bike here. This is a country where bikes are like cows in India: sacred. Always buy a second-hand bike because despite that they are sacred, they are also stolen. You can have a bike without gears for less than 50 €, I think. I bought my granny bike with gears for 250 € (maybe it was too much). You can always negotiate the price or at least, try to ask for a free lock. ;) Be careful with the brakes: some bikes here only have fixed breaks, which are the ones that work with the wheels. Check if the front and back lights work and, of course, try the bike before buying it. Some shops with second hand bikes in Nijmegen:
- Oost: Wheels Tweewielers Sint Annastraat
- Oost: http://www.fietskeldertje.nl/
- Oost: http://www.sloostweewielers.nl/
- Station: http://www.rijwielshopnijmegen.nl/
- Centrum: http://www.ramtweewielers.nl/
Train: The Dutch train network is really good despite some last minute delays and other suddenly cancellations. You should download the app ns.nl, and always plan your trip with it. The app 9292 is THE BIBLE: everywhere you want to go, it’ll tell you all the combinations you must do (train, bus, walk…), anytime.
Public transport is expensive but make sure you get the fantastic OV chipkaart card. You can get discounts like, for example, the one I have. I pay 50 €/year and I get 40% discount when I travel outside pick hours. Be careful: Always check in and out in the station’s vertical machines until you hear the beep! Otherwise you can get fined or overcharged.
4. Bank account
Open a bank account is not difficult as long as you have a work contract or the BSN. ABN Amro, for example, lets you open an account if you still do not have your BSN but you do have a work contract. Be careful with credit and debit cards from abroad banks: Sometimes VISA won’t work when buying in the supermarket, for example.
The Netherlands have a very specific payment method called iDEAL to make online purchases. Your Dutch bank will give you this little device to operate online. It’s a safer method and you just need to put your card in it, write your password and follow the given instructions online.
5. Insurance
As far as I understand, The Netherlands have a public/private management of the Health system. That means that long-term care is covered by the state, but short-term care is paid for by mandatory private health insurance. It is mandatory that you purchase your own private insurance. The basic quote is 100 € per month, and we have it with Hollandzorg.com They’ll send you an insurance card and you’ll have to go and register with a doctor near you. Compared to our own system, the Spanish, this one is really different for us and we believe it wants to create a dissuasive effect to avoid primary health collapse. People with fewer resources get help to pay this private quote by the Zorgtoeslag.
6. Phone
When we went to get a Dutch phone number they told us we had to be here for at least half a year to obtain a monthly contract. They suggested us to buy a prepaid SIM card. We use Lebara. In the Centrum of Nijmegen there are some Phone shops.
7. Learn dutch
For my experience I know it’s not really affordable or easy to learn Dutch here in Nijmegen. Anyway, and despite they probably speak better English than you, it’s wise and respectful to make an effort and try it.
1) Radboud in’to languages: It is the official language school from the Radboud University. It takes 10-15 minutes cycling from the city center. The schedules are good, and the classes are good too. It is a UNIQUE opportunity to meet people in your same situation that can end up being your best friends in Nijmegen. The problem is the price. If you aren’t a student or work in the university, you pay full price, which is minimum 600 € for curses that don’t last more than 3 months.
2) De Opstap: This is a non-profit foundation that provides all kind of culture, sport and language courses. I am attending one right now. One lesson a week, during 25 weeks, for less than 200 €. The problem is that there is just one course now, in Nijmegen Lent, and it’s on Monday morning. https://www.deopstap-nijmegen.nl.
3) Taal Café Nijmegen: Attending the Taal Café has been one of the most beautiful experiences I have had in Nijmegen. A group of Dutch volunteers sit in a table with people who are learning Dutch and they talk about different topics. It has been nice to go there because you spend time with people from literally the whole world, even refugees who have just entered the country. The sessions are held in the Biblioteek. Check their facebook page for more info.
8. Pronounce ‘Nijmegen’ properly
And last but not less important: learn to pronounce Nijmegen. The first lesson of Dutch is that the syllable IJ is ALWAYS pronounced AI. Don’t read it as it sounds and good luck ! ;)
Life in Nijmegen 