The Dink Network

I may be moving countries

July 10th 2011, 08:03 PM
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merlin
Peasant He/Him
 
I may have the opportunity to move to a different country soon; my choices available are Dublin, Ireland; Amsterdam, Netherlands; London, UK; and Zurich, Switzerland. Right now, I'm trying to figure out how this works. I would be exempt from US tax up to a certain amount, but this can be more depending on living expenses.

For my general knowledge, could one of you kind people who actually live in one of these countries attempt to answer a couple of my questions?

1) How much is, say, a lunch at a restaurant? Not fast food.
2) Do most people drive to get around? What is the cost of public transport otherwise?
3) How much is car insurance? It probably varies with location, but on average?
4) How much is gas/petrol/diesel?
5) Here, we have water, electric, and natural gas utility companies. The city has its own sanitation utility, consisting of garbage/recycled pickup and sewer access. How does this work there?
6) What kind of (broadband) Internet access is available, and how much does it cost? Similarly, what would you say an average single person pays for mobile phone service?
7) Is healthcare provided by a national socialized service, or by private entities? Is health insurance a requirement, or provided to everyone?

Thanks.
July 10th 2011, 08:20 PM
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Mrgantoe
Peasant He/Him Cuba
I'm simply a distraction. 
I can kinda help for Dublin I lived in Ireland before moving to a-merry-cay..

Dublin is very high tech because it's on the receiving end of belgiums and uk's tech boom so cars are a transportation option but I'm sure you can walk to get the basics groceries,essentials and the such. A meal for a typical lunch well hmmmm the Irish don't call it lunch we call it drinking hour well it would be 14.00$ in American currency that is were your moving from correct and in Ireland there are wonderful people and one of the languages is English so you don't have to learn gealic.
July 10th 2011, 10:58 PM
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Tal
Noble He/Him United States
Super Sexy Tal Pal 
"A meal for a typical lunch well hmmmm the Irish don't call it lunch we call it drinking hour"

Merlin, your decision has been made.
July 10th 2011, 11:01 PM
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Mrgantoe
Peasant He/Him Cuba
I'm simply a distraction. 
Aye we were born with guineas in our hands and green dye in our blood .
July 10th 2011, 11:25 PM
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Striker
Noble She/Her United States
Daniel, there are clowns. 
Wow, those are some pretty cool places, or so I hear. A few friends have told me that Zurich is a bit dull though.
July 10th 2011, 11:59 PM
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Mrgantoe
Peasant He/Him Cuba
I'm simply a distraction. 
That reminds me you said choices is it for work.
July 11th 2011, 07:25 AM
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Skull
Peasant He/Him Finland bloop
A Disembodied Sod 
You must list Finland as an option so I can give you advise!
July 11th 2011, 08:21 AM
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Godley
Peasant They/Them
 
Come to India, dude.

I live very VERY comfortably in Rs. 10000(200$) a month.
July 11th 2011, 08:41 AM
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SabreTrout
Noble He/Him United Kingdom
Tigertigertiger. 
I'll get back to you on your individual questions when I have some time, but London is a very expensive place to live in most respects.
July 11th 2011, 08:42 AM
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Godley
Peasant They/Them
 
India for the win.
July 11th 2011, 12:25 PM
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schnapper
Peasant He/Him Heard Island And Mcdonald Islands
Let us save our effort and just lie down and die. 
I heard Amsterdam has the best parties.
July 11th 2011, 12:50 PM
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Godley
Peasant They/Them
 
It is legal to use Cannabis in Amsterdam.

Also in Amsterdam, you will find some of the best Brothels.

And brothels are the best way to boost up your stats(and maybe your wood as well.)
July 12th 2011, 01:52 AM
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merlin
Peasant He/Him
 
I've decided on Ireland, but the Netherlands is still an option in the back of my mind. I figured I'd ask here for more information about it because this is the most multicultural board I know of where people still kinda somewhat (maybe not) know me.

As far as drinking and/or other things go, I don't need to worry about it because I don't partake in any of it.

Skull, it's kind of funny you mention Finland. I got a job offer a few months back to go to Norway and work as a graphics developer. Norway isn't Finland, but it's pretty close. Obviously, I didn't take it, though I probably should have.

Mrgantoe, what does "caipitiúil ar an chuid is fearr" mean, exactly? The best I can do with my elementary Gaelic is "capital of the better portion"...or something. Is it like, "best of the best"?
July 12th 2011, 02:40 AM
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Skull
Peasant He/Him Finland bloop
A Disembodied Sod 
You... didn't... take... that... job... offer?!

Netherlands would be a good place, considering half of the Dinkers live over there.
July 12th 2011, 04:26 AM
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Godley
Peasant They/Them
 
Dont take Holland(aka Netherlands) if you dont know Dutch.
July 12th 2011, 04:14 PM
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Simeon
Peasant He/Him Netherlands
Any fool can use a computer. Many do. 
Dont take Holland(aka Netherlands) if you dont know Dutch.

Why? Most people you'll meet will be able to speak English well enough to communicate. Not the old folks but it's hard to find a young Dutch person who's unable to understand your English. Their pronunciation and vocabulary may vary however.
July 12th 2011, 04:37 PM
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Simeon
Peasant He/Him Netherlands
Any fool can use a computer. Many do. 
I must say I live in the east of the country, not near Amsterdam (although for American standards, I live very close to Amsterdam). Here's what I know from around the country:

1. Generally, 10 - 20 euros is what you'll see in most restaurants. Then 20 - 30 euros is getting expensive. This is just for the main course. Desserts are below 10 euros. Fast-food can still add up to 10+ euros for a meal and the whole package. Of course, in Amsterdam you may end up paying for the location of the restaurant significantly. Restaurants have their menus outside with prices as well so you can decide before entering the restaurant.

Eating out is generally done in the Netherlands with others for enjoyment, not as a replacement of cooking your own meals (like in major world cities where you can get a decent meal for a decent price). You can live on restaurant meals here of course but that's not the custom.

2. In Amsterdam there's plenty of public transport to get around, many people commute to and in Amsterdam after all. In the rest of country many people commute by car and public transport as well. Public transport is preferable as there are often traffic jams (as in daily, often, most of the time when commuting). But that depends on where you work - i.e., if it's easy to get to a company or not.

3. I don't know, I don't have a car yet.

4. I just checked and gasoline is 1.6 - 2.00 euros and diesel is 1.3 euros. This is per liter, not gallon. The taxes make the prices so high.

5. We have a sewage system, thankfully There are various companies that you can choose for your water, gas and electricity. I'm not aware of regional constraints in Amsterdam (i.e. that you have to pick a particular company) but you'd need to look into it. Our country is small so these companies don't limit themselves to a particular city or anything. Even Amsterdam doesn't have a million people lol Garbage collection is done by whatever company works in that region.

6. We have ADSL which is fast enough for online gaming, browsing the web and so on. UPC ( http://www.upc.nl/internet/ ) has packages with monthly prices of 25, 35 or 50 euros in addition to the monthly prices of 17.05 euros for TV and radio. KPN ( http://www.kpn.com/prive/internet.htm ) also has something in those ranges: 25, 35, 45. They often try to sell you a package for TV, radio, and internet combined so you'll be their customer "forever", so to speak because many people won't bother with the hassle of switching companies. But you can choose services from multiple companies if you want (subject to regional constraints, not all companies operate everywhere to my knowledge).

Phone subscriptions are often 20 - 30 euros per month, possibly in addition to the costs of the phone.

7. Healthcare is provided by various private entities and having healthcare is mandatory in the Netherlands. Some examples are FBTO, Achmea and Interpolis. Not sure how it works for expats.
July 12th 2011, 10:49 PM
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Mrgantoe
Peasant He/Him Cuba
I'm simply a distraction. 
Your a little off Merlin it means tal's the best
July 14th 2011, 12:15 AM
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merlin
Peasant He/Him
 
Simeon, Thank you.

Mrgantoe, I don't believe you.
July 14th 2011, 06:52 AM
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Skull
Peasant He/Him Finland bloop
A Disembodied Sod 
Mrgantoe, I don't believe you.

It think it actually means something like "capital for the best" or something. Dammit, I gotta get back into Ire. Mine is in terrible rust.
July 14th 2011, 08:28 AM
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Mrgantoe
Peasant He/Him Cuba
I'm simply a distraction. 
Hehe good job. First step to becoming a better ireshman.
July 15th 2011, 01:34 PM
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Tal
Noble He/Him United States
Super Sexy Tal Pal 
"Mrgantoe, I don't believe you."

Now that just hurts!
July 16th 2011, 01:01 AM
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Mrgantoe
Peasant He/Him Cuba
I'm simply a distraction. 
He's right I lied I just wanted to see if he could speak gealic probaly should of just asked because now I look like an idiot .