Cost of Living in the Netherlands in 2020

Hi, thought I'd share mine:

Rent: 1,650/month (2BR, in Amsterdam-Zuid area)
Transpo: 50-60/month on public transport (work is also in the Amsterdam area, with frequent cycling)
Groceries: 30/week (mid 30's living solo, eats out 1/3 of the time which isn't counted here)
Health insurance: 115/month including Dental
Gym: 50-60 on a higher-end membership

I'd love to share how much my utilities cost but the bills and annual tax payments are so scattered that I'm having difficulty tracking them

Hi,
As this is Netherlands, I would encourage people to do their due diligence before engaged with certain commitments. Tax more or less applied anywhere (direct or indirect), some expenses are relatively cheap compared to neighboring countries, and it can be cheaper if one knows how. Would like to share some of my view and experiences as well.

Basic coverage:
- groceries for breakfast and dinner (basic Dutch stuff e.g bread, milk, pasta, chicken, non-exotic Asian with exception of rice) : 150-200 EUR/month for 1 adult person. Kids of course consume less than that, but might be heavy on other expenses.
- Lunch: descent and depending on location can vary between 4 EUR (cold food such as sandwich) - 10 EUR (warm food e.g. soup + main) per serving
- Internet-tv/water/heater(including hot water)/electricity: (Ziggo)70EUR/(Evides)22EUR/(Eneco) 30 EUR /(BudgetEnergie)60EUR. Total 182EUR. I used to lived with my family (wife and 2 kids) approximately total 270EUR
- Buying house: depending on location. I live in Rotterdam 3 km from center. Mortgage for 30 years per month is 1,100 EUR. Plus VvE (building maintence) 200 EUR.
- Renting own apartment can vary from 600 (usually unfurnished or a bit far from center) to 2000 EUR
- Be aware that buying meaning that you are responsible for any tax related to the property. and for my 1,100 EUR apartment/month I should pay 1,100 EUR/year for taxes (and increasing yearly due to house price goes up). And for renting for sure, this numbers is also absorb to monthly payment.
-Insurance, Zilveren Kruis own risk 700EUR. Monthly payment 124 EUR. can be lower or higher, depending on your preference and confidence level.

Transport:
- free with bikes (aside from bike price) or walking
- car: assuming 3 years old car, less than 2,000 cc. monthly road tax 40-80 EUR, insurance 40 EUR++, gasoline (I used to drive 20 km/day) = 120 EUR/month
- Public transport: highly advise if monthly expense is more than 60 EUR, then you should apply 'maand korting' (monthly discount) which can save you up to 40% than normal use (without discount).

School for kids: basisschool (public) 100 EUR/year/kid. International/bilingual around 3000 EUR/kid
BSO (buiten school opvang) or child care after school hours: hourly or daily, depending on each school.

Leisure:
- Income from your own money  , every April you will receive holiday money from last year, July/August tax return, December Christmas 'bonus'
- Gym: basic fit 1 year. 22EUR/month (without any possibilities to unsubscribe until it's due). the more you pay usually more exclusive/better equipment/can withdraw membership anytime you want

Be wise on when and how to book your holiday. booking holiday during children holiday season might double or even triple the price.

Good luck
MR