Recently, ECA International released its list of top 20 most livable cities for European expats. Four out of the 20 top cities were found in the Netherlands with The Hague, Eindhoven and Amsterdam all being in the top 10. Quite obviously, this country is a highly attractive destination for those wishing to relocate. But why? In this article, we’ll dissect the good (and the bad) of the Netherlands so you can decide for yourself if it’s a good destination to move to.
Almost everyone speaks english
One of the hardest things about expatriation is communicating with the locals. Often, the language barrier is so wide that expats are put off certain countries.
If you're a native English speaker and want to move to a European country where people are fluent in English, then the Netherlands is the perfect place to be. The Netherlands ranked first on EF's list of the world's largest ranking of countries and regions by English skills.
While legal documents, signage, and many other things are written in Dutch, if you're struggling, pretty much anyone you flag down for help will have proficient enough English skills to assist you.
Expats get the 30% regulation
If you're recruited from out of the country for a job and meet certain requirements, then you'll get the 30% ruling. Basically, what this means is 30% of your salary is tax-free for the first 60 months you reside in the country. So this can make your salary very attractive.
There's a booming tech industry
Many people regard the Netherlands as the new Silicon Valley. As of 2016, Amsterdam ranked third in EDCi's European Digital City Index for 2016. What this means is Amsterdam has a thriving scene for startups and scale-ups.
So for expats who are struggling to find jobs in the tech industry, Amsterdam can be a very viable place to establish their careers.
It's a great place to raise your children
Childcare is very affordable in the Netherlands. In addition, the Dutch education system is excellent and it's very easy for young children to integrate. But this is not only true for early education. The Netherlands' higher education system was also ranked 10th in the world by UI.
Transport infrastructure is outstanding
Chances are, you already know that the Dutch get around mostly by bike. This means that not only will you spend less on costs like fuel and car maintenance, but also you'll live a healthier lifestyle.
For long-distance travel (such as your work commute), the train system in the Netherlands is great as well. For the most part, trains are punctual and very affordable. There are also plenty of transport subscriptions for you to save even more. The Netherlands ranks highly in many categories of travel in the EU.
On the other hand, housing is incredibly difficult to find
Although the Netherlands seems like a fantastic country to call home, it does come with its drawbacks.
In the last few years, the country's been in a housing crisis and shortage. This means that not only is it incredibly hard to find somewhere to rent, but landlords will also result to unscrupulous practices to trick vulnerable expats.
And if you want to stay in the long term, this means purchasing a house will be a challenge as well. Most properties sell for more than the asking price and have tough bidding wars between potential buyers.
The cost of living is high in most places
If you do manage to find housing, expect to pay upwards of €1,000 for a 1-bedroom apartment in the Randstad area, which includes major cities like Amsterdam, Leiden, The Hague, and Rotterdam. In Amsterdam, 1-bedroom apartments typically go for over €1,200 a month.
It can be hard to make friends
While the Dutch are friendly, some expats do feel like it's difficult to break into Dutch social circles. With some perseverance, it may be possible. But for many, they end up feeling alienated from their host country's society. The good news is, there are always ways to reach out and make friends with fellow expats. That way, you can find people you have things in common with. You might just be able to form a bond with people who are going through the same situation as you.
