What is life like in Holland?

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CbopXB

I spent a semester abroad in the Netherlads (Holland) two years ago. It was the best time of my life. I also have plans to move to Amsterdam also. I think that if you move to Amsterdam it will be a great decision. The entire country is absolutely beautiful and very clean. It is the law to recycle and everyone living in the Netherlands must recycle. A lot of people have this image that Amsterdam is dirty, because of the Red Light District. That is not true. The city is amazing. There is so much to see and do in Amsterdam. The architecture is amazing. There are tons of museums, cafes, clubs and bars. Also, Amsterdam is very close to a beach so you can enjoy city life one minute and the next minute enjoy the ocean. Or it is very close to small little towns where you can enjoy nature. You will never get bored! The Netherlands and the rest of Europe have a great train system so you can go all over the Netherlands and Europe in short time. Af for the people, the Netherlands is a melting pot of different cultures and the Dutch are very tolerant and nice people. If you have problems with the Dutch language, it is not a problem because English is widely spoken. I definetly think you should go for it!! I wish you the best of luck!!

Azriel

My husband is Dutch and I love the Netherlands. Amersterdam is a big beautiful vibrant city, full of history and interesting sights.

In your initial visit, I urge you to go out and see as much of the whole country as you can. There is so much more to the Netherlands than just Amsterdam. Cities like Utrecht, Delft, Breda and Nijmegen and smaller towns in the country side will give you a full picture of the beautiful country. The whole country is quickly and easily traversed by train. The majority of people even in small towns speak English so not knowing Dutch is no barrier to traveling throughout the Netherlands.

Re: The UnDutchables - It's an hilarious and very accurate book. You should definitely read it.

Remember, you only get offered one cookie from the cookie tin, so eat it slowly and savor it! LOL!

wytchy1

I have been there quite a few times and Amsterdam is a great place, and English is spoken by most people. You need to visit before you move. Just like anywhere else, you have the good with the bad, but if I ever have enough money I will definitely make Amsterdam my second home! Go visit and have fun!

ambernova

Amsterdam is a great place, especially if you appreciate art, international community, career opportunities, and nightlife. It's full of tourists and English is spoken by almost everyone. Just opposite the Magna Plaza (a shopping centre in downtown A'dam) there is a square in front of the Bijenkorf and Madame Tusseau where in the daytime it's filled with street performers and food peddlers. There's also many cafes to sit down and relax. Amsterdam has a wealth of museums--Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum to name a few--and public transport is relatively easy and fast. You will enjoy riding boats in the canal on sunny days and 15-minute train rides that can already take you to different cities and communities in NL.

However, the not-so-pretty things about A'dam include the fact that it's hard to tell the red light district from a normal shopping street in downtown A'dam if you're not experienced, and that it's not easy to drive around because the streets are so tiny. It's a great place to walk and drive, though. Also, don't go into a "coffee shop" if all you want to do is just to have a "clean" cuppa--these places sell marijuana.

If you want to know more, go to your local bookstore and look for this book called "Undutchables" by Colin White & Laurie Boucke--it's so funny and yet so true. That's your best bet on learning about the Dutch before you arrive here, and it is sooooo worth it! I spend hours a go if I start reading--even if I've seen it before.

panda

I lived in the Netherlands for 7 years. In the North. I loved it for 2 years, hit culture shock big time and hated the last 5 years. I could not adjust to the values of the people. the need to conform, the need to voice an judgement, the crowd in the streets, the pride in tolerance when in fact it's just laissez-faire until an issue concerns them and then it's intolerance 100%!
Amsterdam is probably different because of its international flavour so good luck. it is a beautiful city so I really hope you'll enjoy it.

SAHM3

I don't know about Holland, but I lived in Ireland for almost 5 years and it was awesome. I would recommend living in another country, it gives you a whole new look on life. What's important, what's not. You see how driven Americans are, but yet how great it is to live here as well. You'll find things you will like more and some you'll hate.

You will need to see about work visa's or work permits first off. They can be very hard to get depending on the country. Now with the EU expanding it's even harder. Of course you'll need to learn the language as well. They do not speak alot of English over there (I've been to Amsterdam before).

Good Luck, you should go!

Andrew

In Amsterdam there are lots of parks - mansions - castles - there are coffee shops where you can buy ' space cakes ' cakes that are full of pot . you can buy marijuanna in the coffeeshops - i am not much of a drinker so there is the option for me in having a good time. There are lots of tulips - its gorgeous place Amsterdam - a port that is half a century old and full of adventure - mystery - history - culture - nightlife - and on the Continent - in Europe - with people from all over europe and the world there. Have a great life when you become a dutch citizen -

vineto

Life is good in Holland. Short distances, because the country is small. Good history and historical places. People are friendly and speak English very well.
But the people look open and the society as well, however the dutch can be strange. If you want to know how strange go and check a book cold " the undutchables" It is written by two foreigners and the have their view on the Dutch society. How they shop, how they eat and what they eat, who to behave at a birthdayparty and so on....

DIDI

If you want to really know what life as an expat is to live in Holland, check out what all the expats have to say (and some dutch). www.expatica.com

Read the forums; it will give you a frank picture.

Do read the Undutchables book. It's a great summary of what you are getting into.

Things you do have to do when you get there:

1. Learn dutch. if the govt doesn't make you (which it will try to do), then you'll need to learn it if you want a better paying job - regardless of your actual experience which doesn't really count all that much unless you want to be doing exactly what you are doing now at a lower level...

2. Learn to ride a bike. That's the best way to get around. Esp if you live in Amsterdam.

3. Get used to the lack of space. The dutch call it "cosy". In other wards, very cramped.

4. Every one will be in your business. You have to get used to people asking you very personal questions about everything. They dont hide here. you'll have to get used to the dutch "directness".

5. Lack of good food. Unless you enjoy spiceless food, well there's not a whole lot of variety here.

6. Stores mostly closed on Sunday and not open late. Needs some getting used to.

But really, it can be fun and it's a very laid back lifestyle. You also can't beat up to 30 days holiday..

But why do you want to become a citizen? chances are if you are american (or even not) you can't keep your current citizenship. If this is not a problem for you - then you have to wait 5 years before you can apply (unless you are married to a dutch person then it is 3 years). Check the IND website.

marlynembrindle

Be prepared to cycle around more than using any other transportation, though we were there in the late 70's, there may be more cars in use than than.

Get a pair of wooden slippers-I kid you not-they do wear them. I was awakened in our downtown hotel to what I thought was horses going by only to elarn later it was someone in wooden shoes-sharming but boy I bet they are hard on feet!

We were on a 5 country farm tour and I got information written in Dutch and had a friend living near us back in the states who transposed it-my point however is, be sure an check out how the dikes are made-phenominal! Actually I mean how the additional land is created/reclaimed. What a feat of engineering! marlyne B

artvds2708

Why do people who wanna come to Holland, always talk about Amsterdam ??
There are a lot more places that are way better then Amsterdam.
But I guess that is the stereotype image you have over Holland.....Amsterdam,Red lights, Tulips, Wooden shoes and Cheese.
Well my advise : have a look around at Google or Yahoo, and maybe you will find another place that you might like.
I know you will, because Amsterdam ain't all that !!!

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