Hi all,
I am a Dutch-Turkish man that has moved 1.5 months ago to Belgium from Turkey. I'd like to share my experience with Belgium. As the topic headline already states, it has not been easy-peasy, even for me as a Dutch person.
The reasons I came to Belgium:
- Could not find accommodation in the Netherlands.
- We thought it'll be beneficial for our children to raise learning multiple languages at once.
- As there are some good locations close to the Dutch border, we could visit our family and friends in the Netherlands.
- We heard that there are tax advantages.
- Overall living costs are cheaper.
- They speak Dutch, and it looks somewhat like Holland.
After I came, I observed that Belgian culture is very different than Dutch. Not in a better or worse way, but just different. So I got to get used to that. I am an adaptive person, so that has not been a problem. I will list the things that are really horrible.
The difficulties I have experienced in a very short time:
- In order to get gas, electricity, and internet, I would need a Belgian bank account. Even to get a bank account at a regular bank, I had to wait for approx. 2 weeks for the investigation. Come on, I am Dutch, I have money, and I rented a house. Why do you treat me like a criminal?
- To be able to open a bank I had to have a 'Rijksregisternummer', which I can only get after an appointment at the 'stad Hasselt'. Well, the closest appointment was after 30 days. I have been to stad Hasselt to explain that I will have to wait at least 30 days for the appointment, just to be able to get gas at home. It was freezing cold. So I ask in a kind way if there is any other solution, so I do not freeze to death. The lady working there interrupted me repeatedly and did not even bother to listen to what I was telling.
- As a Dutch-Turkish person, I feel treated very strangely. Everywhere I go. I am not saying that I have been treated in a racist way, but I felt that they are looking down on me, and trying to treat me like someone in need of them when I explained that I moved a while ago. That is what I felt. I have been in many places around the world and become a judge of men throughout the years. I know how people act and feel.
- After having sorted out the bank account, rijksregisternummer, and heating (that was the hardest part -thank God I didn't die), I had to apply for the internet. Did it, but needed a Belgian phone number to do that. Purchased a Belgian SIM card from the company "MobileVikings" and topped up with "unlimited" minutes, but instead of being unlimited it was pretty all-limited. After a call of 17 minutes, I could not call anymore.
- Alright, so I applied for the internet, and the closest date they can come to install was after 34 days. I had to reschedule after a while, and could only choose another date that is after 26 days. So it is going to take approx. 40 days for me just to get internet at home. I am giggling from frustration right now. Come on guys, there is a huge problem here.
- Separating waste is another problem. They have like 3-4 types of waste that has to be put into special bags that are sold only at specific places.
- Google is another problem in Belgium. Let's say that you are looking for a car. You have this website called autoscout24 with tons of crashed cars and scammers. Then you have tweedehands where most cars are again crashed or are sold only for exports or their parts.
I can make the list longer and longer. Living in the Netherlands is much easier (although there are other hardships with taxes and so on) compared to Belgium. The bureaucracy in the Netherlands make things go very slow compared to other countries, but Belgium is much-much worse.
These are just my observations. I am sorry if I do annoy anyone.
