Meeting South Africans

I am from Kempton Park.. JHB... but 11 years ago.. had a stop off in the UK for around 9 years. Met my BF online and moved to Holland to be with him... Howzit!!!

Hi folks,

I'm a multimedia communicator (writing/radio/photography/digital media, etc) who's still stuck in Jo'burg, though I'm planning to get out soon!

Would you girls mind if I sent you some questions about life in Amsterdam? I've visited a few times, though I've never lived there, and need to know about those 'nuts-and-bolts' before I move.

One of the things that really scares the cr*p out of me, is the high cost of accommodation! Are salaries relatively higher in order to absorb these costs? And the apartments seem so damn small there - I have no idea where I'd put all my stuff... ;-)

I'm an older guy, in my 40s - though I don't behave or feel like an "older guy", and I love the vibe of a city like Amsterdam. I know how vulnerable women are to creeps and stalkers on forums such as these, so please let me assure you that I have no creepy intentions! If, at some future time (when I'm hopefully settled there), we were to meet in Amsterdam for a laugh and a beer or milkshake, that would be great, but I'm not looking to hook up!

All I really, honestly want, is for someone to advise and guide me. And it really helps when that person comes from the same place as one does! By the way, I was born in Durbs (Yay, Durban North!), although I've spent most of my adult life in Jo'burg now. And, as for Kempton, I was there the other day, as I have frequent dealings with Emperor's Casino. I went to see Nataniël's show - what an entertainer.

That's me - hope you'll give me a shout-back soon!

My actual name is Tat, by the way (short for Matthew).

Sorry Tat...

I have actually never been to Amsterdam...

but you will not find South African size flats/homes in Europe for "working man's" wages shall we say.

regards

Hi Eliserasilva,

Thanks for the swift response! Fear not; I hadn't expected to find truly "SA-size" homes. I'm already living in what I thought was a small townhouse (about 100m²), which I thought was preparing me for the 'Amsterdam Experience', though I'm reading about apartments that are 27m². ??? I couldn't fit my TV in there!

I was hoping that I might board, at least initially, with an older couple in the outlying suburbs; a couple that had extra space in their home because of the "empty nest" thing. Have you heard of people doing that? And where would one advertise for such a space?

Thanks!

Tat

Hi Chantelle!

Still looking to meet up with people? I am in the den Bosch region, maybe we could meet for coffee?

Hi Chantelle,

I've also just moved here. Where are you based?  My family and I are based in Sittard.

Leigh

Hello Fishwife, I am in Maastricht, do you wanna catch up sometime? I am not originally from SA though

Hi Chantelle,

I live near Maastricht...nice to meet u

Hey all! I live just outside Maastricht, living here for the last 19 years, ridiculously long! Looking forward to meeting / chatting with other SAffers / expats / english speaking folk!