Monthly Archives: January 2017

Blogs, Uncategorized

Buying an Apartment in Denmark

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Tired of paying a huge amount every month for the rental of your apartment? Well, we feel you. My husband and I just moved here January last year. And since he was an off-shore consultant that time, we didn’t have to worry about the rent. But after his contract ended, we decided to stay here for good and that means we have to get our own place.

We started looking for apartments and we were dumbfounded by the cost of renting one. Those that are in the city center cost around 11-13,000 DDK for a tiny 1 bedroom apartment and the deposit fee is 5 months minimum with no guarantee of return even if you give back the apartment in an amazing condition which sadly happened to our friends.  I am sure there are prices that are cheaper but it is extremely hard to find one.

So my husband and I just decided to buy our own apartment instead. A friend of ours offered us a room to crash while we are looking for our own, and we are extremely grateful because it gave us more opportunity to save up for the downpayment.

We will move into our new place this February and we are beyond excited! If you want to buy your own place as well, here are the things that we did.

Here are the steps on how to buy your own apartment/house:

1. Check out websites and start looking for the house/apartment you want. You can’t believe the number of apartment listings we check out every day. We tried to filter our search but it didn’t help that much. We have decided to go for ejerleglidhed, minimum of 2 bedrooms and within Gladsaxe Kommune, but the options are still so many! But do not be bothered, the more options the better! Just be very patient and enjoy the experience. 🙂 Here are some things we ask the real estate agents every time we check and apartment. a. How old is the apartment b. are there schools and grocery nearby c. heating d. common fee for the building.

Here are the websites we checked out.

Home.dk

Danbolig
Mæglercomaniet.dk (this is where we got our apartment from)

boligsiden.dk

boliga.dk

edc.dk

2. Start searching for banks. This may seem like an easy process. Not. It is really not that easy to find a bank that will give you a low down payment because you are an expat. At least this is based on our experience. They have this fear that expats can just leave and they’ll be in big trouble so they will always ask for a bigger downpayment, more than what is mandated by the law which is 5%. But I have some recommendations for banks as well. Ours is Arbejdenes Landsbank in Herlev, they are beyond amazing, really! You can also try Jysk and then another expat recommended Nordea as well. Surprisingly, they gave him an amazing deal. The bank that really asked too much from us was Danske Bank. But I am not discouraging you from checking them out, although if I were you I will manage my expectations.

Here are the requirements you are required to give the bank.

  • Yellow card/CPR number
  • residence card
  • payroll slip (3 months)
  • recent bank statement
  • insurance (if applicable)

3. Get an approval from the Justice Ministry. If you have been here in Denmark for less than 5 years, you have to send an email to the Justice Ministry asking for permission to buy a property. But don’t be worried. This step is actually really simple. Once you have decided which house/apartment you would really love to buy, tell the real estate personnel about it so they can ‘reserve’ the property for you and send an email to the Justice Ministry stating what will you be using the property for and attach your yellow card and residence permit. Wait for 2 weeks and you will get the decision.

4. Meeting with the bank. You have to meet with the bank that you have chosen and discuss the terms of your loan. This will be a long and grueling meeting so come prepared. Also, ask all the questions that you can think of to you loan handler, it will really help you have more idea of what to expect in the months to come. Oh, in this meeting you will discuss whether you will go for a fix or variable loan so start learning more about these two now and decide which do you think is better for you.

5. Get a lawyer. Your lawyer will process everything for you and make sure that you get the most out of the deal. The lawyer will also make sure that you are getting your money’s worth because he/she will do a thorough background check of the property and advise you if this is a good buy or not. If you have a lawyer and then the deal will not fall through because the bank for some reason declined it or something, your lawyer will make sure that you will not be held responsible as well. I know that getting a lawyer here in Denmark but we found a really good one but cheapest price possible. The usual price for a lawyer here is 10,000 DKK. We got ours half of that price. 🙂

Here are the details of our lawyer. Kindly tell him you were referred by Hannah, so he will give you teh same rate as he gave us.

Jeppe Steen Hansen, Advokatfuldmægtig

T: +45 50 78 20 70      

M: jsh@mettehojberg.dk

And then, you will wait…Just wait for the turnover. ❤

I hope this helps. 🙂 Feel free to comment if you have any question or if you need help. 🙂

 

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Blogs, Uncategorized

Hyggeligt Winter

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Oh well, it’s winter, and you live in Denmark, the wet and windy land of the Vikings. It’s so dark and gloomy outside, and you think, there are probably thousands of white walkers ready to eat you alive. But in reality, you really just don’t feel like going out. But you want to avoid winter depression, so what will you do? You can’t go all Elsa and say ‘the cold doesn’t bother me anyway’ because it does and it will bother you.

Don’t worry, I got your back. This bubbly and loud little Filipina will teach you how to survive winter in Denmark, the Danish way. How? Well, it’s all about the word ‘hygge’. (Please don’t ask me how to pronounce it. I can barely pass my Danish language class.lol) There will be extremely no need for you to go out and risk having frost bites.lol

How to have a hyggeligt winter.

Wine and cheese on a candlelight eve. On a night when my husband and I want to distress, we sit on the sofa or just in any corner of our house and just have an amazing time drinking wine and having cheese. This gives us the time to talk about our day, which means mostly me ranting about the weirdest and smallest thing possible. My husband finds it cute, so it okay.

Movie and Popcorn. But most likely Netflix. We catch up on our favorite series together. If you are a deeply emotional person like me, though, be warned and choose carefully what you want to watch this winter. I always end up crying and getting really sad. I mean, Ragnar Lothbrok died, Glenn’s eyes popped, Monica died, etc. etc. Will that not make you cry and depressed more? sigh.

Candles and soft music. This really relaxes me and my husband. We just lay on the couch and just talk. Talking to someone you are really familiar with can make you really cheerful and excited about everything. Candles and soft music can mean sexy time for some…sooo… ermm… do whatever you please.lol (NOTE: this is a wholesome blog)

Snuggling/Cuddling the dog/husband. Whichever is applicable. 🙂 

Invite friend over for some drinks in your place. Don’t worry, they will always think that this works for mutual benefit. They will NEVER think that you are inviting them over just because you are too lazy to go out, but you also want to have fun. Although if they are really your best friends, they probably already know that just don’t want to go out in the cold winter night.  

Whatever you choose to do, always remember that hygge is about the atmosphere. (Or so I was told) Remember to create an atmosphere that is warm, cozy and really just fun. You do not have to go overboard with the music, the food, and wine. Hygge is not about being fabulous and loud, it is about being chill, calm and just the feeling of warmth radiating from the hearts of the ones you love and want to spend time with. ❤

Have a hyggeligt evening everyone. 🙂

NOTE: If you have more tips to share, feel free to comment. ❤

Announcement, Blogs, Events

The Probing Wife X Colourpop GenSan

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Hey everyone!

I would like to greet all of you a happy new year! Allow me as well to open this year with a great surprise for all of you! The Probing Wife is now officially in collaboration with Colourpop Gensan!

And with this collaboration comes an amazing surprise for all of you. We will give you a 5% discount on the lipstick of your choice and will even give you some lipstick for free!

Want to know how?

Here’s the mechanics.

5% Discount Deal

  1. Like the Colourpop Gensan Page
  2. Upon ordering, use the promo code : PWXCG
  3. You will immediately get a confirmation of your order with discount included

Get Free Colourpop Lippies

  • Simply comment the shade you love and end it with the #colourpopgensan
  • Tag a lipstick addict friend as well. 😀  Yes, you and your friend will win the shades of your choice!

The lucky winners will be announced by the end of the month. Yes, you read it right. I said winnersssssssssssssssssssss. ❤

Good luck! ❤

NOTE: Discount is applicable for items in regular price 🙂 ❤

Blogs, Uncategorized

Tips to Fight Winter Depression

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Having been born and raised in the Philippines, dealing with the harsh winter here in Denmark is tough for my husband and I. But we never let the winter blues get us. Through the years we have come up with some ideas that truly helps us fight the depression brought by winter.

Here are our top tips to fight winter depression.

  1. Go for a walk. I know this sound silly considering it is winter but taking even a 30-minute walk can truly help. It helps you keep your mind clear of negative thoughts and gives you time to breathe some fresh air. Also, this has been proven by studies to be really helpful in fighting winter blues.
  2. Engage in winter activities. Even if it is cold, there are still a lot of outdoor activities that you can do. Try skiing or maybe ice skating. There is an open- air ice skating rink in Frederiksberg Runddel, so try it. I’m sure you’ll have fun. But if you are like me who has issues with balance, errm maybe you can just sit back, relax and enjoy watching people fall.lol
  3. Go to the gym or do yoga. Winter is no excuse to be fit. If you hate outdoor activities because it is too cold, then go to the gym. I am pretty sure you’ll feel warm and energized there.
  4. Keep Warm. Make sure that you are well covered when you go outside. I know that it is not so fashionable but, never ever sacrifice your health for the sake of fashion, else you’ll feel more depressed when you get sick. 
  5. Take a short trip. If Copenhagen becomes too depressing for us, my husband and I take short trips to Malmø or even just in Helsingør. I know these places are equally cold, but going into a different environment helps us clear our minds, as well spend some quality time with each other.
  6. Hygge. I know you are all too familiar with this word already, but if you really don’t feel like going out, get a blanket, play a soft, relaxing music, light a candle, watch a movie or read a book. Try to make your room as relaxing and cozy as possible and simply enjoy life’s little pleasures.

I know these tips seem really basic, but that is the thing with winter depression, even the small things can mend it. These small things can really do wonders.

Another tip that I really want to share is this, ACCEPT THAT IT IS WINTER. It is cold. It is windy. But it’s not all that bad. You are in Denmark, the happiest place in the world. 🙂 Look around you, for sure you will find a reason or two to be happy.

This too shall pass, so just enjoy it and make the most of it.

P.S.

Here are some of the things that you can also do.

  • Hang out with your friends and family
  • Drinks Vitamins
  • Eat Healthy
  • Visit Museums and Parks

WARNING: Don’t let the white walkers get you! ❤

Disclaimer: My husband and I are not psychologists or anything related to that. These tips are just based on our experience. 🙂 We hope that this can help you as well. ❤