Should Americans Move to The Netherlands? 

9:40 Dutch people love to meet new people and make new friends; unfortunately rotten potatoes who don’t want any immigrants exist everywhere in the world… #LoveYourVideos!

You cannot compare salaries just by looking at the numbers. A Dutch salary package includes paid holidays, vacation days and, very important, paid days during sickness. You can be sick up until two years before your employer can terminate your employment. A pension scheme and social benefits when you loose your job. And sometimes compensation for your health insurance. If you add this all up, I think this balances the difference with an American salary.

You are experiencing the typical dip after a period of excitement of emigrating to a new country. After this phase, when holding on💪comes the phase of acceptence and normalisation of being part of a new society 😊

I think the absolute number one priority (apart from finding a house) is learning Dutch. That will a) ease the integration threshold and b) learning a new language changes your mindset. You'll understand the locals better, not just because you can converse in their language, but because that language will alter how you look at life and the world. Just because of idiom and sayings.

First time commenting. Am stoked you appeared in my RU-vid suggested videos. This heartfelt video share resonated: particularly the integration part. I miss community most of all. First year here was the last of the lockdowns. Then I got Covid first time I went into Amsterdam. 🤦🏻‍♀️😄 Anyway... I'm still feeling stuff out, learning and taking my time. All that said, as a Californian Expat, I am 100% glad to be here everyday. I do not miss driving in traffic. I do NOT miss American fast food and Star*uck's on every corner. I do not miss the closed minds and baked-in racism that's come out the closet and erupting throughout the nation worse than a coronavirus. Here's some of what I love about living in NL: - The rain. As a pluviophile: the rain is utter and complete joy. I love how the Dutch bicycle in storms and don't let the wet hinder plans. -I love how people smile and say "Goedemorgen." The simple acts of kindness and the generosity of Spirit I've experienced has been so good for my heart. -Public transportation. Everyone from all tax brackets utilizes it and it's reliable. - New Year's. NEIGHBORHOOD FIREWORKS ARE BETTER THAN DISNEYLAND! ❤ - I love the museums and access to art. -I love that I'm a hop, skip and a jump to many places that I'd otherwise have to try to jampack into a 1-2 week trip. I can take my time. Take the train and go slow. I love SLOW. I could go on and on. My advice is to pro and con list it all. Watch T&T content and absorb the truth and fun stuff they provide. The Netherlands is a fantastic place to live. Acclimate, be respectful/ humble/grateful and above all be able laugh at yourself and you'll do just fine. Thanks You Two! Have a blast in Italy!

we do have a shortage in housing, but not in jobs...

Integrating means adapting. So yes, the language is very important to literally join in. Making new friends later in life happens often when you have children and when they go to school and you meet other parents. Or when you join a club. Mutual interests like sports, drama, music, your neighbourhood’s citizen group or whatever, creates a bond that could easily lead to real friendships. The Black Forest Family RU-vid channel did a great video on income and cost of living between Germany (similar to NL) and the US. Even when salaries are much lower, living in Germany doesn’t put you in financial dept. The Dutch aren’t tolerant, generally. They are OK, or indifferent, as long as it doesn’t affect them. If you want more laissez faire you might be better off in a different part of the NL, like the south. It took Amazon so long to establish themselves over in the NL because there were other online retailers that dominate the market. You’ll not find the US 24 hour shopping culture in the EU because it’s too expensive to treat employees as slaves. You do make a valid point that life in any western culture is hard these days and that reality kicks in when it gets normal. Just like any other relationship. Emigrating is like a divorce and you’ll have to find new happiness elsewhere.

Really good structured vid you guys!

I appreciate your observations and advice. Food for thought

This was informative and useful. Thanks for the great video!

As for the size of houses and gardens: we are a pretty small country with a large number of people living in it, so it is impossble to all have larger houses and gardens, there simply is not enough space. Texas is approx 16 times bigger than the NL while the NL has more than 10x as much habitants per square km as Texas. So that’s pretty dense 😊❤

About space in the Netherlands: I live a 30 minutes drive from Amsterdam. The house were we live in is 5 x the size of our apartment in Amsterdam. The garden is about 900 m2. We pay less for our detached house than we payed for an apartment in the city of Amsterdam. We have an unobstructed view and plenty of space around us. Living in the countryside and nice towns to visit in a short distance. It exists. Where you live in Leiden, it is really overpriced.

Very informative video! Things you really should think about before moving. I’m glad you pursued and made it work 😊

Nice to see Woerden in a vid. I spend most of my childhood growing up there 😊. A very good and realistic video.

Dutchie here. Thank you for this realistic reaction. This is the reality in The Netherlands. Enormous housing shortage. There are people in their 30's who still live with their parents because they can'nt find a house. We have to thank our center/right kapitalist government for this. They thought Trickle Down economics would solve this. But it didn't. The rich are only making themselves even richer and nothing trickles down... The people who are very conservative and say to you 'Go Home' however are a minority. Those are our ultra rightwing idiots. The majority is not like that. Learning Dutch is indeed THE way to make friends. Great reaction! ❤

Thank you for posting useful and informative content about NL..You both have such great chemistry..I truly enjoy watching your youtube channel...

All valid points :) I think this would be really helpful for someone considering making the jump.

Your journey is very Interesting to watch. Thanks for this very illuminating video. I hope you'll grow accustomed to this strange country, and that this country will treat you kindly. Greetings from Delft!

This video about moving to Netherlands is the best I've seen. Practical points about the struggles, emotional, financial, etc. I really enjoyed it. Obviously i subscribed! Good luck!

All fair points, and it sucks that you have experienced the "unwelcome" part. I am afraid that though by far the most people will be very welcoming, the group that is negative won't go away. We really need a way to deal with the polarizing effect of social media (the whole world, not just the Netherlands) and fake information. Still hope to bump into you two at some point. Have a great day \o

These are great insights, thanks for keeping it honest guys. I’ve visited Texas only once (Austin) and went to Spain last year and YES SPACE IS DEFINITELY smaller in Europe but it’s not too bad.

Thank you for this. It helped me confirm my decision to move forward with my plans. Because most of this is nonissues for me.

Maybe you received this advice already, but in my experience a very good way to make friends in NL later in live is to join a sport club (i.e. football, tennis etc.). Especially if you take some group lessons or join a team. It asks some commitment, but i believe commitment is regarded very important in friendship here. If it does not feel sincere or like you aren't that invested, it might put people off (because they do invest their time and energy in the friendship). Should you already have some 'warm connections' don't be shy to invite them over, just keep in mind that you also suggest a time and date, otherwise it is likely never going to happen 😂.

Opening hours differ throughout the USA as well. None of the nearby shops in NJ - including Walmart - are not open 24 hours a day. Most close at 10 to 11 pm and open at 6 to 8 am. I’m now in Casper, Wyoming and also the fast food chains like Burger King, McDonald’s and Arby’s close during dthe night. Burger King in dining from 7 am to 10 pm and drive through till 11 pm. Don’t expect 24x7x365 options around the USA everywhere.

Hi T&T, this video from a few months back popped up on my youtube. And I can relate to your points of strongly considering if you make the right decision, moving to The Netherlands. I am Dutch and me and my family took the opposite way, moving from Holland (The Hague area) to NA (not US but Canada, which in many ways is like a lill brother to the States). Our main reason for leaving Holland was your no.1 reason: Space! Both physical (living) space and mental space. We felt that living in the Netherlands was comprising us. Everything is in "hokjes" (boxed in, in expectations from others and in pure physical space). We decided to make the leap across the pond, but it took us 9 years of preparing and saving enough money to cover the first period (4 months) of living in our new country. Now, after 7 years, we have more solid footing, than when we first started. We both have a FT job and kids are settled in their schools; plus we were able to buy a house. All these things take time and money and will not come on their own. But we are still Dutch. Like you mention: be prepared to lose your citizenship, if you want to become a Dutch citizen. which has its benefits but its flaws as well, since you are not allowed dual citizenship. For us, this is a tough decision, here in Canada. But we decide that it is in our best interest to keep the Dutch Citizenship and not become Canadians. Others have to make that choice for themselves when they move to The Netherlands. So for anyone that wants to make the leap: absolutely be prepared as best as you can be. Visit the country, the city or area that you'd like to settle in and be prepared to go somewhere completely else. Go with a plan and have the finances to back up your plan. Like you say: it is not a vacation, it is your life. Time passes bye and all depends how you adapt to your new life. I believe you guys found your new life in "het Hollandse", please keep sharing your experiences.

Thanks, very honest view of us: the Dutch, trying to live/survive, without being dramatical! Most of us are happy! 👍🥂🫶👌

Very good, you discuss the rough edges of the Dutch society. 👍👍 We are trying, but it isn't Utopia yet. I hope you will stay happy in NL!

Love to you guys! Just for who you are!!

Very nice synopsis, you guys. For me it'll be 24 years living/working in the NL end of this summer, and I first came here as an international educator. So, I've been around too, but what I hadn't reckoned with was grandchildren. And I have one in the States whom I rarely see but am hoping to spend next summer with...and I can't wait. They grow up while we're gone, as well as the rest of our families and friends who move on with the bigger portions of their lives that we are no longer personally involved with simply because we're here and they're there. You're also spot on about the five-year integration. I had to hire an immigration lawyer because our salary dipped below standard and so my temporary residency was denied when it was up for renewal, which I then legally protested to be able to continue working. Still, I could only do so using my then Dutch partner, now husband's, company tax license. Later, thankfully after I became a citizen, the Dutch tax system insisted that I have my own, my own company and license, as they concluded that my career didn't fit in with my husband's company description. Another issue I hadn't reckoned with. To me such an issue would've appeared absurd in the States, but this is a bureaucratic country. And, yes, a beautifully green one at that too. So, let us know when you're ever in Zeeland and we'll show you around. Cheers P.S. I forgot to mention that I couldn't figure out that saying on, was it a mini manhole? 'Waar rook is, is een klungel aan het werk'. So, I asked the Dutchman, who said, loosely translated, 'there's no smoke without a fire', which is fitting for the theme of what you've been discussing...meaning know what you're getting into before plungeing into it. 😜

Good advice

These are all very realistic and reasonable points, but I also think these apply for almost any foreign country you move to 😉. I think every country has benefits and disadvantages. Making new friends is also hard for me as a Dutch person 😉.

Telling it how it is. You are more Dutch than you think 😉. All valid points. Don’t get offended by people complaining about immigrants. It’s the same principle as with internet trolls. They can’t handle stressful situations in life and take it out on others. You are good people respecting others. You are great role models. Never forget that. ❤❤❤

I live in Woerden and as a follower I realise I could have bumped into you somewhere in de city, and then could have treated you a coffee. Love your videos and hope you enjoy your trip to Rome 😊

I truly hope you both find your way here in the Netherlands.. personally i think you guys are really adapting and no matter where you go.. there always will be.. how to say it nice... people that think they can say anything to everyone.. .. just try to ignore them. I totally understand you miss things form back home.. specially family but also simple things as food etc. Some things can be resolved.. there is an expat store in the Hagua and Wassenaar if im right.. Kelly's ? or something like that. It might help with some cravings but its not cheap. Anyway.. please keep showing more from your life here and Live your life as you want it.. ignore the ignorant ones, they are everywhere across the globe. HUgssss

12:54 I wonder about the cost of living, can you maintain the same standard as you did in the states with the pay cut you had to take?

Good video! It’s like my mom used to say, when I (from Rotterdam) felt like moving to a village: "It’s not like a holiday; check it out on a rainy day in november, at 4 pm". In other words, when you can’t see anything picturesque, because it is dark and gloomy., and your daily commute depends on this one bus, that at the best of times has a twice per hour schedule.

Very good and realistic video, especially in the Randstad situation.

You’ll have to come back in October for the Koeienmarkt, one of the oldest in the country. It is on the first Wednesday after October 20th, it has been held every year since 1410. And did you try a Kristaljon? A raisin bun with cinnamon and sugar, with cream butter. It is a traditional Woerden delicacy. About the shop opening times, there is a general rule (do not apply for supermarkets and DIY stores): opening hours, weekdays from 9:00 till 18:00, Saturdays 9:00 till 17:00, Sundays closed, in villages there is also Friday evening (Koopavond) from 18:00 till 21:00 and in cities it is Thursdays (Koopavond) evening from 18:00 till 21:00. Sundays are mostly closed, but there are municipalities where there is one Sunday a month (Koopzondag) when the stores are open, mostly from 12:00 till 17:00. Supermarkets are open every day, generally from 7:00 or 8:00 till 21:00 or 22:00, with the exception of Sundays when they open at 12:00. DYI stores and garden centers are open weekdays from 8:00 or 9:00 till 21:00 or 22:00, Saturdays from 8:00 till 18:00 and Sundays from 12:00 till 18:00. This is a general rule, so opening hours do vary between municipalities, chain stores and mom-and-pop stores. I always check on the website of the store/shop I want to go to for opening hours on holidays and Saturdays.

Travis and Tracey, I live in Australia, and housing is a nightmare here, not enough houses available, we have a big rental crisis, unfortunately it's a big problem everywhere..love your videos😊

Mooie video, i am sorry to hear people still make bad comments. And it makes me sad to hear it still stings. If you ever come back to Brabant , we will make it Gezellig!!

A frank & wise appraisal.

the big joke is everyone in the world thinks we are liberal.. we are not. most Dutch people are reserved and conservative, but reasonably tolerant And about making friends: you can make Dutch friends here, but it's not easy, the Dutch language/culture/reservation is really a thing.

Very realistic and nuanced; as a Dutch person I totally understand your points

I lived abroad half a year and I didn't miss Holland. I went back to my family and friends ànd the places/memories of my youth. The space here is limited which was not the case in earlier days. Americans think big. More opportunities in the States I gather. Hope you feel welcome here!

Just realised that I haven't seen new uploads for a time. I hope all is fine. I miss your uploads and views about your lives in the Netherlands. Hopefully till soon again 👍

Well, like it or not, you're becoming Dutch. Finally a video where someone gives their opinion the Dutch way: this is the way I see it, period. I'm not a fan of video's where people constantly qualify their meaning with lots of sentences that all come down to the same thing: I don't want to offend you. You're just sharing your feelings, it won't offend me. I also won't like you anything less for it, even if I disagree. I hope you'll find a home here!

every move is hard even a move to Belgium will be hard for us. But I hope you can live a happy life here in The netherlands 🌷😘

Buncharted did the maths on income and spendings and even though they make somewhat less here in the Netherlands, they spend less too... certainly on things like health insurance, internet and cell phone coverage (and they probably do not even have those bundled yet so they could save more). No, you can not wake up at 3:14 am and walk to a store and buy whatever you think you need. We Dutch tend to be asleep at that time ;) Still: you can get pretty much everything here when the shops are open. And it is not as bad anymore as it was 30 years ago when all shops were just closed on Sundays. Supermarkets are open every day from 7 am to 10 pm and that should be enough for everyone to get their groceries in. As for making friends: most of that happens at school, at work or at the various sports and leasure communities. As for the trolls... I feel sorry for them actually. If they think they could afford the place you live in, or could do the work that you do... but usually they are the kind of people who have little to no education, and a low paying job because of that. We EU countries have some strict restrictions as to who can work and live where. Same as the USA really. I just could not go to the USA and expect to find a job there and a house and all, and the same is true for the reverse. If you are from outside the EU and have a job here, it means they could not find someone within the EU to do that job for one reason or another. Before a company can employ someone from outside the EU, they have to prove that they have searched hard and long enough to try to employ someone from within so... But it's facts like these that the trolls just do not know, or are terribly misinformed about. I live in the more liberal Rotterdam but I work in the surrounding villages like Albrandswaard, Barendrecht and Ridderkerk and these three have more in common with countryside USA than the Netherlands to be honest. Ridderkerk is in fact in our bible belt. And as a mail carrier, I can certainly see that by the kind of mail people recieve. Lovely small towns though ;) Have fun in Rome. Keep doing what you are doing and stay amazed at this wondrous place us Dutchies call home.

Having grown up in both the US and the Netherlands, I understand that there are some things that I would miss about the US But I also miss my Dutch home. A bit if both please

Live in Michigan for the last 50 years and go back to my homeland every year ,miss alot from Holland. Would love to go back but my kids are in the US

Even as a native Netherlander it's hard to make new friends. We're just like that.

Hey welkom to the netherlands. So at this time it's not easy to come to the netherlands because of the house shortage, but if you are looking go live in the smaller cities, it is cheaper, more space and don't forget it is a small country so by car you can drive it in 3hrs. So every city is close by. The east is usefull because you have space close to germany, 2 hrs away from belgium en 1.5 to most big cities. And it is the most green. Keep informing you doing great🙃. Have a nice weekend

One big difference between The Netherlands and Korea that you mentioned is that Korea is all about convenience. You can get most things next day delivery and they are super nice and professional about it. Maybe I should make a response video about Korea. Sounds like fun!

Very good to hear the not so positive points, I wellcome it, thanks!! The Dutch always like to say "we should be happy to live in this country, because....", while there are lots of points where you can be equally as good or better of in other European countries. All the best from Duiven!

My husband and I are wanting to start a business in the Netherlands and this video has helped a lot! We know what city we want to place the business, but we don’t quite know what city we want to live in. Any suggestions

Learning Dutch makes a lot of things a lot easier

I like the closing shot on the swings. Way to get your cinematography on.

Is kamernet a legit site to find apartments in the netherlands?

"To survive is to convive". If you don't understand this concept and believe that "competition" is the best way to survive, then don't emigrate to the Netherlands. I believe that solidarity (with the poor, underprivileged, or the sick) is the biggest difference between Europe and the US. Europeans earn less because they choose to contribute to the lives of the less fortunate as a matter of decency.

Great video as always. If you're interested, Money and Macro did a comparison between the US and NL economy wise and their conclusion was that (comparing all costs, benefits and salary) you actually have less to spend in the US! This is (as you already mentioned) due to healthcare cost, social welfare, schooling etc. That said, all your points are valid of course;-) Culture and living are different from country to country. For example, I love Ireland very much, but it wouldn't be a great place to live for me due to my background/what I'm used to. That said, it really sucks that you had to deal with housing scams etc. I think I've mentioned it in a comment before, but living in the Randstad is the worst of NL imo. It's expensive, loud/offensive here and there + indeed not that much room. Ppl in general are less friendly (just walk on a bicycle path in Amsterdam and you'll get cursed at!) You really should hang around in the East a bit more and you'll the massive differences. Cities like Zutphen, Deventer, but also the smaller villages like Laren (Gelderland) or Doorweth: the atmosphere is different. Also, in the countryside (especially the Achterhoek, Drenthe, Friesland ao) you'll likely find the space you've been looking for.😉 There are many nice ppl who would have no issues to have you in their friend-group. You're just in the more difficult are of the country. Keep at it!💪I do hope you'll find your own nook/niche and will feel more at home. May home-sickness be a thing of the past! Do you think that the convenience culture that you're used is positive or negative? Does it impact your stress level or work/life balance? Hope your fertility journey is still going well!

Not the first person who mentions this: the way you apply realistic point of view, combine complaint with nuance and compromise; these are very very Dutch traits. Just like many other viewers, I do hope you end up staying, but only if you think it will in the longer run keep your quality of life improved. Having had a US salary and Dutch salary (for the same job and title) I know the difference between the two. I like that you pointed out what you potentially can get back out of it. Often overlooked are both the adjusted cost of living and income levels as well as "how much money do i get over the back of someone else". Income and salary, especially as I stayed in San Fransisco seemed so ridiculously stark in comaprision with whats right outside the building. A lot of it felt like a zero sum game, and honestly, the math usually didnt work out unless others were gamed out or even scammed out of their money. After experiencing all that, apart from the social benefits, I got much more ... understanding of the lower salaries. This of course also completely disregards that i was working 60hs+ a week with basically zero vacation days vs 32h and 30 vacation days and unlimited sick days here... The onyl other thing I'd like to recommend is: try to find at least one Dutchie who is willing to switch to Dutch by default speaking to you. We have a lot of expats in our friend group, but they only truly became a part of it after being able to speak enough of the language. There are plenty of Dutchies willing to force you and everyone around them to respond to you in Dutch...! Either way, see you next Saturday! ❤

Fair assessment. Also it rains a lot. And while your salary will be 3/4 of that in the US, a (small) car will cost you 1.5x as much, so you will have to learn to ride a bike (in the rain). Your neighbors are part of your Dutch life. If you are used to burning leaves in the spring, without regard for your neighbors, Nederland is not the place for you (You'll live, but it won't be gezellig).

I wanted to comment as another American who moved to NL, about the same time as you, around the same age as you, and also from Texas (Dallas)! What you said is all very true. My wife and I live in Noord Brabant and even here, affordable housing is hard to find. Personally, for me, convenience culture has been the most difficult thing to give up. I'm reminded of that now that I'm waiting to exchange my drivers license; it's been almost 6 weeks and I think it will take at least another month. In the US, I was that guy shopping at 10 or 11pm at night. I took a Dutch language course with a woman from Japan and we both lamented on how much we miss 7-11! To other Americans who are Dutch-curious: come visit! Especially if you are considering a permanent move, it's worth it to save for an exploratory trip before committing to move. The smaller towns are just as nice as the big cities and the language barrier really isn't that high for a temporary visit. The final thing I will add, is that it's okay to go back home. Part of being human is making mistakes and sometimes those mistakes are big and cost a lot of money. You aren't a failure if you move and eventually decide you want to go back. Nobody thinks less of you; you aren't flawed. Often, it just isn't a good fit and that's fine. Be kind to yourself in the same way you are kind to others. Gezellige dag en hebt een fijne week! 🇳🇱🥰🇺🇸

Excellent vlog, T&T! Another consideration before packing your life up and moving abroad is that if you have children, please be sure to think about what they might go through as well, especially in the first several months. It will be hard on them, being uprooted from everything they know, friends and family that they will be leaving behind, and adapting to a new way of life.

All depends on which enviremont you fall into in terms of occupation and background. You're adapting your own cirkels. Even the Dutch themselves have differences. I know several Americans who have seen and lived in different European places and they all confirm that The Netherlands of all E.U. countries is the most 'american' relatively spoken. I have to add that most of them are musicians and artists of all kind and most are intellectual leaning.....

Space depends where your live in The Netherlands and what you can spend for a house.

In the late 90s-2004, i lived in Roermond, Maasbree and lots of time in Amsterdam. Best time of my life.

From Texas to Amsterdam I moved ..best decision I ever made..love it it's amazing

Salary expectation, to be fair, how many hrs did u work in the states and how many hrs do u in the Netherlands, and did u have paid vacation days in the states, sick days, so if you take it into account, it's pretty good to stay here, although it can always be better

I'm curious, why did you not mention the health care system at all? You have friends who have experienced the Dutch health care system, and I gather you also have experience with the Dutch system. This could be a huge attraction to Americans who can lose everything after having to pay hospital bills. For me, I would never consider moving to the US for that reason alone, although there are plenty others.

you can always move back ?

So many valid points! My husband is Dutch and I am Australian. It helps a little with having friends ect, I have a Dutch last name so that also helps. We find paying so much for healthcare here is tough after living in Australia. Definitely working in my profession here is almost impossible, I have many hoops to still jump through! And the integration is sooooo tough... Really enjoy your videos ( been a subscriber since near the beginning) Best wishes Amanda

When you compare salary, do you also compare cost of living? Meaning housing, insurances (particularly health insurance cost) food etc? In the US you get taxed less. I think it really depend what area in US you compare with which area in NL. Generally speaking you don’t move for the money to NL (from the US), from other European countries it can be a benefit. Cost of having multiple motorized vehicles is much higher in NL vs US. And a free standing spacious house in a nice area is pretty much unaffordable in NL or you both need a very high paying salary. But that is due to limited space and housing market. The houses are build more to last though and build less to “show how big it is” while it’s actually not, just wide and not deep. Personally I settle for a well build bricklayed house any day over the wood and dry wall ones.

I have a question regarding there being both progressive parts of NL and conservative ones. Even the most conservative NL community is still subject to Dutch & EU laws, right? So there would still be, for example, safe access to abortion, LGBTQ rights, and common sense gun laws, right? The same can not be said for many US states that are majority conservative.

Thanks for the heads-up. How are you dealing with having to file US taxes (given the US and Eritrea are the only countries in the world that impose citizenship-based taxation)? I've heard horror stories about expats having to pay tax preparers thousands to keep it all straight.

Think you nailed most of the good reasons not to move to NL and in particular, the biggest one being the lack of space and housing.

You adept well you are going to make it 👍👍👍

I couIdn't heIp but smiIe when you were taIking about 'convenience' .. when I first arrived in HoIIand in the 70s, peopIe food shopped daiIy (groenteboer, bakker, sIagerij, meIkboer (toetje) en sIijterij) because there weren't those Iarge American refrigerators avaiIabIe .. maybe just a tiny 'koeIkastje' if you were weaIthy.😁 I moved back to CaIifornina after 5 1/2 years, but decided to move to Virginia in the 80s and got the shock of my Iife when I discovered that even in America, their stores cIosed on Sundays and didn't even stay open aII night.🤪 Came back to The NetherIands in 1989 and have been here ever since. I suppose you're right that most peopIe make their friends when they're young or through their work, but I must not have been much of a sociaI butterfIy, maybe because I worked with the pubIic on such a grand scaIe that I was pIumb tired when I got home (indeed to my tiny apartment). I've Ioved wherever I've Iived though, each cuIture I've touched and every Ianguage I've attenpted to speak. I never experienced homesickness .. not that I didn't miss my famiIy/friends/country, but because I aIways knew it was avaiIabIe to me. I'm oId now so maybe that's not reaIIy true anymore. In any event, I Iove watching other expats share their experiences. Have a great Iife for as Iong as you choose to stay here. P.S. what kind of work do the two of you have? 🌹

About the salary part… how is the cost of living in the Netherlands 🇳🇱 compared to the U.S. 🇺🇸? Because that could also set off the difference in salary.

The honeymoon is over? I've lived here for 45 years (originally from Wichita,KS.) and have gone through several phases. The first is always euphoria, the beauty of the country, the bike culture, the good health care, the liberal outlook of most people, the old European architecture, the museums, the cafes, etc. Slowly you realize that you are a foreigner and you will always be a foreigner (I was fortunate to have acquired Dutch citizenship 25 years ago when it was permitted to hold two passports). i speak fluent Dutch, but I am still a foreigner. You have to be able to live with that, integrate as best you can, My social life has always revolved around the ex-pat community, but certainly not exclusively. I had terrible homesickness for years and probably would have moved back to the U.S., but my child was born here and her father was not interested in leaving Amsterdam. When I'm outside, I hear so many Americans (or Canadians) moving around the city, and they're not tourists. Somehow I feel a resentment about that, maybe because I feel Dutch and many Dutch people complain a lot about all the foreigners/immigrants in their midst. You are right, the reality of living in the Netherlands is complicated and it takes years to realize where you are and what it means. I enjoy your blog, keep it up!

You are nice people; feel welcome in Flanders too.

You forgot to mention the weather! 🤦‍♂️ The looooong winter months, where you go to/from work in darkness. Ugh. The many days where you don’t see the sun. Very easy to get the “winter blues” or SAD( seasonal affect disorder) in NL.

Having lived abroad I found that it’s always hard to befriend locals. They already have their circle of friends and relatives, and they don’t want to invest time in a friendship with someone who may move away in a few years.

It is true that finding a house in The Netherlands is hard. But America does also have Dutch homes 😮. Like Amityville yes, the scary house with its past. In The Netherlands these types of houses still exist also in the North East of the Netherlands or in older towns 😇👍🏽

What about cityzenship/New couple loan for new place and marriage?

seems to me a normal way to get into the living in our country, takes time and time will tell .. if you cant get used to certain things you will leave again, or you find yourseves getting the hang of it, loving life here. The world is the world, make of it what you want. But be grateful for what you got.

Always a challenge, I know, but hold on!

About the Dutch being loyal to their childhood friends. I don't have any friends from my childhood anymore. Probably cause I moved to Amersfoort and certainly because it didn't feel right anymore. Now I have friends here in Amersfoort. And still making new friends. Even though I am 44 now. So it is possible! Don't give up

Discrimination is always there. I have seen enough and it goes way back in time too. Went through a couple. As for moving here, I think that you should know what kind of life you want. I enjoy hearing American expats because I have been here a while. Good luck to all. Love your friends Eric and Tammy.

Yes, as a Dutch person I have had expat friends, but at some point they always leave so you also need to make new friends, which is hard. That's why we do not invest too much in those relationships. Sorry. I hear a lot of complaints on that part, but this is the reason and you need to learn to acknowledge that point of view. Besides, we distinguish hugely between friends and acquaintances. As an expat, you need to keep dat in mind.

I can only speak for myself, but I'd love to make expat friends. So if you're an expat in the netherlands and you read this; lets be friends!

both sides of my family left the Netherlands after WW 1, if I were younger I would definitely move back, I'm sure my great grampa would be re- considering his decision right now

About #4.. i think many Dutch people would feel like to feel i as a honor to have the luxuary to call you friends in their lives. I know for sure I would.

Most expat video's on youtube are like "oh it's like heaven here in the netherlands" , so I'm very happy with this video. I love my country but like every country it has it's pro's en cons and people that want to imigrate here should be prepared for that. About housing: it's a small country we simply don't have enough space for huge houses and gardens.

Americans should totally move to Europe or any other continent and why America is becoming way to expensive i do not want migrate to America myself no offence. I have heard many story's of Americans that have moved to another country or continent say it was the best thing that they ever did. And please don't get me wrong i do not hate America America is or was a great country but it's getting way to expensive over there especially with this whole inflation thing that is happening now world wide also healthcare in America is not that great once again way to expensive unfortunatly. Once again i do not hate America the people over there are very welcoming and generally very kind love them but unfortunatly the politics over there sucks. Other than that a great video keep up the great work T and T 👍 En nog een prettige dag toegewenst😊

I moved here alone, it is not for the faint of heart! Housing is no joke. It’s almost 2 years and I just feel like I’m settling in. It is so different than most of the US so people should know what they are getting into. Living in high density areas has it’s ups and downs.

You do need to learn Dutch. We are happy to talk english to you! But for the last part, that last step Dutch is a big help! Moet Dutch people are very kind (and direct). You Will Find the nicest people in the east and South.

On ‘Challenging to integrate’ -> ‘they won’t let you into their friend group unless you speak Dutch’ Do you expect your new Dutch friends to speak English? Or are you planning on learning and speaking Dutch? Can you please explain why you are expecting your new friends to speak English and why it is not the other way around (you learning to speak Dutch)?

If you deside to do the inburgering. It's much harder than you think, start early with it.

Also consider this: in the Netherlands you can’t find a McDonald’s on every Main Street, don’t have a Walmart nearby and cant buy Starbucks coffee in 20 places in every town.