Hi
I am a muslim of Indian origin ( Currently living in UK ) who is looking to take up a job offer in Hoofddorp.

I've heard that Netherlands is quite a racist place when it comes to Asian / Muslim people. Is this true?

Also, is it easy to get halal meat and Indian groccery in Hoofddorp?

Regards
Irfan

Hi,

Its quite a good place to live.
You can get halal meat and u can get Indian groceries in Amsterdam or Amstelveen which is closeby.

Regards,
Fazal

It's not rascist here at all, just some twat politians that like to have cameras pointing at them. Don't be afraid at all!
Hoofdorp is comfortable but quiet. If you want to live somewhere exciting, go to Amsterdam. Otherwise Hoofdorp has everything you could need.

Thanks guys for posting your replies.

My work place will be in Hoofddorp so can you recommend any good area to live near by so that can do some research on rental. I wont have a car initially so would need to commute via public transport.

How far is Amsterdam or Amstelveen from Hoofddorp? Is it easily commutable?

THanks
Irfan

It depends on what kind of house you r looking for. I work in amsterdam and I stay in hoofddorp in an apartment.

Amsterdam and Amstelveen are about 40 mintutes by public transport.

Amsterdam is about 25 mins by train, longer by bus. Amstelveen is about 25 mins on the bus 300 (snelbus). You probably won't want to drive in Amsterdam even when you do get a car (there is almost no parking anyway). www.9292ov.nl - bookmark it on your computer

www.funda.nl is the website for researching rentals (choose Huurwoningen and type in Hoofddorp). If you know the location of your employer, you should be able to find nearby property on the map (kaart).

Thanks for your replies everyone.

@fazpower

I am looking for a 2 bed apartment in Hoofddorp or nearby.
As you are living in Hoofddorp, can you give me some idea about the rentals there?

The rentals might be around 800 - 1000 euros for an unfurnished apartment.


Check the following links

http://www.recourt.nl/ (This is the agency with which I have taken the apartment)

http://www.funda.nl/huur/hoofddorp/

Life for muslim is always being hard in Europe. Iam also Indian but non muslim living in Amsterdam. I have found that dutch white people are better than whole europeon. They r nice, welcoming and broad minded. but its better for u if u live muslim dominated areas of Amsterdam like osdorp and commute everyday to hoofdorop. or if u find any muslim dominated areas in Hoofdoorp. As far halal meat shop is concerened THERE R MORE HALAL MEAT SHOPS IN NL THAN CARS HERE. good luck mate....

Why move to 'muslim dominated' areas? Just move whevever the hell you like mate - pick an area you feel you can live in comfortably. You don't have to cluster together like scared sheep or something in fact that's exactly the opposite of what you should do - integration goes both ways.

Hi Everyone..

Thanks for your replies. I have lived in differnent countries and with different people whole my life. I prefer integration and like to live in a place which i feel comfortable.

To be frank, Some of my best friends are white & black guys. We are good friends but we still respect each others religion & their privacy.

But saying that, i have come across people of all colour who just hates one another and thats what i am trying to avoid. I dont want to end up in an area where racial integration is not tolerated. Thats why i am trying to find an area where people dont look funnily upon others who are not like them.

On other note, Can anyone tell me if there are any masjids / prayer halls around Hoofddorp? I prefer to pray friday prayers in the masjid

Thanks
Irfan

There are several mosques in Hoofddorp. Dont worry about that.

you r right Mr veldrin. He is free to choose where ever he want to live. That was my suggestion , to live in muslim dominated areas coz there is some reason and the reason is that, situation will be different if some incident happens in NL. For example, On Queensday, a white dutch guy drove his car on suiside mission try to kill royal family ending up killing 6 civilians. The man was white. Wat if the man was brown/muslim. Iam sure there will be riots between whites and muslims in NL . It's not written on my face that iam indian/muslim/non-muslim, at the end of the day iam brown. For white man in high temper or emmotion, brown skin is muslim . Thats y i suggested him to live in muslim areas. Though, in my first post i mentioned that i have found dutch white people more nicer,welcoming and broadminded . Rest up to him.. the whole country belong to him...

Welcome on board and welocme to NL. Hoofdorp is new modern town, buit not much happening there. If Amsterdam is too busy, or too expensive for you consider Haarlem, very nice place and lots of expats there. Many small places around if you prefer them. You can find place that mathces your need here. Expect a small place to live though, space is scarce here.

Good luck and let us know if you need more help.

Well if you want a quiet life with nothing much going on in the evening - Hoofddorp will be fine for you.
May I suggest Bos en Lommer,Amsterdam (near Sloterdijk station)
Its only 20 mins to Hoofddorp by train and only 15mins cycling to Amsterdam centre.
Its largely muslim but there are a lot of different nationalities there. Its colourful and there are a few bars,restaurants,shops etc.
It had a bit of a rough reputation but its really not bad at all...and the rent will be cheaper than many palces in Amsterdam or Hoofddorp(I always thought Hoofddorp to be really expensive)
Good luck.

Thanks everyone for all your replies. I have now started searching for a 2 bed flat to rent and has come across a place in Amstelveenseweg - Amsterdam. I have posted some question in regards to this area in Housing section ( http://forum.expatica.com/Amstelveenseweg-Amsterdam-t114150.html ) .
It will be nice if the local experts here can give their views about the area in that thread.

Thanks for all your help Guys / Gals

Regards
Irfan