A Cuban woman who moved to the Netherlands five years ago claims she went from living in a basement without ventilation during the pandemic to becoming a homeowner in just four years. Her story, shared in this video posted on TikTok, has generated hundreds of supportive comments, but also raised questions about the authenticity of her testimony.
"I am a Cuban living in the Netherlands, and today I will tell you in under a minute how I went from a windowless basement to my own house in the Netherlands," shares @karlienholanda in the video.
According to what he shared, upon arriving in the European country, he lived “in a windowless basement during COVID with twenty other people; it was dark, damp, and most of the time he would return alone to sleep, so the days would pass more quickly.” He also specified that this phase occurred “five years ago,” when he was just starting his adaptation process abroad.
In that same video, she responded to those who attribute her success to luck or her marriage: “Many say it was luck; I wish it had been. I say it was faith, hard work, and never giving up that got me out of there, not my Dutch husband, as some think.” She added a message directed at those going through tough times: “If you are facing a difficult moment, remember, even the darkest basement can be escaped from.”
The post garnered messages of support. Among the comments, several users described it as an "example of sacrifice and perseverance" and a "Warrior." Another person wrote: "That's right, this video will inspire many." She replied in one of the exchanges: "I believe that everyone who emigrates deserves respect."
Tips for Saving and Stabilizing Your Finances
In a second video, she explained in more detail how she managed to gather the necessary funds to buy her home. "How I bought a house in just four years of living in the Netherlands, here are four tips that no one asked me for but were crucial," she stated.
Among the recommendations shared were to avoid unnecessary expenses: “Try not to eat out, not even for the morning coffee; those small, frequent expenses can wreak havoc on your budget without you realizing it. They may seem insignificant, but when you add them up at the end of the month or year, it turns out to be much more than you think.”
He also advised against aiming for a high rent from the start: “Don't try to live in a super apartment right away; rent in Holland is expensive. Sharing an apartment isn't easy, I know, but it allows you to save a lot while you get established.” With a relaxed tone, he added, “Do like I did and move into a basement, haha, just kidding, not like that either.”
He also recommended conducting a price analysis and cutting daily expenses: “do a little market study to find out where the cheapest supermarkets are, which stores have the best deals, buy a bike so you don’t have to spend on transport.” He explained his personal financial control method: “limit your daily spending account; I kept a maximum of one hundred euros in my daily account. That helped me feel like I didn’t have available money and forced me to spend only what was necessary.”
Regarding her motivation, she stated: “when I saved, I did it almost unconsciously, I wasn't even thinking about buying a house, I just knew that I was alone in an unfamiliar country, without my parents, and I needed to have a big cushion in case something happened to me, that mindset was my driving force.”
He also mentioned that he has worked in various jobs since his arrival. When asked by a user about his occupation, he responded: “Since I arrived, I have had two or even three jobs. My main one is music (I perform concerts with leading orchestras here), and initially, I cleaned houses, worked in factories, and now I'm working in a restaurant... I should clarify that salaries in the Netherlands are quite high.”
In another exchange, when referring to the cost of living in that country, he stated: “The Netherlands is one of the most expensive countries I have been to. But they pay you for it; salaries are high, and if you work, you will see the results.”
Regarding the purchasing process, she clarified that in her case, it was as a couple: "Yes, thank you for the question because I didn’t mention it in the video: It's very difficult to buy a house on your own. I do have friends who have done it, but the most they've been able to obtain is a small apartment... But it's possible if you have a stable job contract; the bank will lend you money and you can buy it alone... the only thing is that when it's just one salary, the bank lends less, so it’s better with two people. In this case, it was my husband and me."
Response to the inquiries
After receiving comments that questioned her story, she published a more recent video showing images from the day she signed for her house. “I am a Cuban living in Holland, and after only 4 years of being here, I managed to buy my little house. The photos you see are from that day, the day of the signing,” she expressed.
In that same video, she explained that she had received some questioning or offensive messages and showed a few examples: one person told her, “You don't really believe that, do you? First, show me your heels”; and another person said that her son was a lawyer and that she was very sure I couldn’t have bought a house in just four years, questioning why I didn’t finally admit the truth— that my Dutch husband had bought it and I was just helping him pay the bills.
In response to those accusations, he stated: “It’s not just that I bought the house and covered 50% of all the costs, but I also created a guide for those who are starting out on this path. If you want to receive it, just comment ‘guide’ and I’ll send it to you in private. Bye.”
The content creator, who identifies as a Cuban emigrant adapting in the Netherlands, shares advice on integration, financial organization, and personal experiences on her profile, with the stated goal of helping others who are starting their journey outside the Island. Her story, questioned by some, serves as inspiration and guidance, bringing joy to those who see in her not only an example but also take delight in watching how, through perseverance and sacrifice, she makes her dreams a reality.
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