There are many reasons for Americans to think about living in the Netherlands. With some of the happiest people to its picturesque cities, more and more expats from the US are living in Holland. We’ve heard back from expats on things they learned during their Dutch expat life. To help with acclimating to life in the Netherlands, we’ve compiled some of the major differences for expats living there.
Read our article on the pros and cons for the differences living in the Netherlands compared to the USA below!
Disclaimer for Living in the Netherlands: Pros and Cons
As a disclaimer, there are differences in living in different places in the Netherlands. For instance, living in Amsterdam is different than living in Rotterdam or Utrecht. In this article, the differences between the Netherlands and USA are broad and may not apply to each city in the country.
Pros of Living in the Netherlands
Happy and High Quality Living
One of the biggest draws of Holland is their happy people and high quality of life. According to the World Happiness Report, the Netherlands ranks as the #5 happiest country in the world. From very friendly people to an extremely good work life balance, it’s no wonder the people living in the Netherlands are so happy.
Very Low Language Barrier
In general, most of the Dutch speak English. Estimates show that around 95% of the Netherlands speaks English, so you can be comfortable knowing that you can communicate with anyone here. It would be difficult to find a place that does not have English signage or accompanying text.
Amazing Public Transit
Public transit in America is not the greatest in the world, so when living in Holland they are completely surprised. The Netherlands can almost entirely be navigated by public transit, whether it be bus, train, tram, or ferry you can get through the whole country. It’s small size means that the transit time from one side of Holland to another would only take 2-3 hours. For quick traveling, a trusty bicycle can be used for everything else.
Cons of Living in the Netherlands
Dutch is Difficult to Learn
Americans regard Dutch as a difficult language to learn. Many Americans don’t even know that the people of Holland speak Dutch or even know that Dutch is a language itself. In this regards, it can be hard to find people to practice with. Technically the Netherlands is a non-native English country, but like the pro listed earlier most can speak English.
Housing is Expensive and Sparse
Finding housing in the Netherlands has been difficult for many American expats. Not only is it hard to find home, but also very expensive once you do find somewhere you want to live in. Since it is such a small and desirable place, the housing market has had a hard time keeping up.
Spouts of Bad Weather
There is occasionally bad weather periods in Holland with cold and rainy seasons. During this time most people stay indoors rather than going out. For an expat, this is not really appealing because you could stay indoors from where they were originally from. The rest of the year is warm and sunny, but those few months of rain will keep you indoors for a bit.
Start Living in the Netherlands Using Schumacher
After taking a look at some of the popular pros and cons of living in the Netherlands, many want to start planning their move. The differences of Holland are definitely bringing more and more Americans every year.
If you are thinking about moving, we at Schumacher Cargo Logistics can help you out. With over 40 years of experience, SCL is a premier moving company. From cars to full households, we can ship your goods door to door from the US to anywhere in Holland.
To get started fill out ourOnline Quote Form and a representative will contact you soon!
Additional Reading
FAQs
One of the biggest draws of Holland is their happy people and high quality of life. According to the World Happiness Report, the Netherlands ranks as the #5 happiest country in the world. From very friendly people to an extremely good work life balance, it's no wonder the people living in the Netherlands are so happy.
Is the Netherlands a good place for American expats? ›
In 2023, the country officially had the highest quality of life index in the world. It is also one of the leading economies in Europe and home to many multinational companies, with English being the language of business. No wonder it is a magnet for expats, with 15% of its population being foreign-born.
How hard is it for a US citizen to move to the Netherlands? ›
As a third-country national who does not possess EU, EEA, or Swiss nationality, you will need a residence permit to stay in the Netherlands for more than 90 days. There are different types of visas, residence permits, and work permits depending on your employer and your specific case.
Do you tip housekeeping in the Netherlands? ›
Do tip hotel staff: Leave 2-3 euros per night for housekeeping when you check out—tip bellhops around 2 euros per bag. Concierge and room service tipping is appreciated but optional. Don't tip in cafes or bars: In Amsterdam, tipping baristas, bartenders, or cafe staff is not customary or expected.
What is the downside of moving to Netherlands? ›
The Netherlands has a high cost of living, which includes everything from accommodation, groceries, and services. On average, the cost of living in the Netherlands is 10.7% higher than in the UK. Owning a car is particularly expensive, with high road tax and expensive repair costs.
Is Netherlands friendly to foreigners? ›
Dutch people are very direct and open in their communication style. People from other countries and cultures may interpret this directness as being rude. But that's far from being true. Most Dutch people are actually extremely humble, welcoming, and friendly towards foreigners.
Why are Americans moving to the Netherlands? ›
The Netherlands offers many benefits for American expats. It's especially attractive thanks to the 30% tax ruling commonly known as the “30% facility.” This special tax break is applicable to certain qualified persons relocating to the Netherlands for work.
Is healthcare free in the Netherlands? ›
Does the Netherlands have free healthcare. The Netherlands has universal healthcare, but the government requires all adults living or working in the Netherlands to have basic insurance. The basic plan will cost € 100-120 out of pocket.
Are Americans welcome in the Netherlands? ›
The Netherlands welcomed 240,000 American travelers in 2021, a decrease of 9% compared to 2020. This is almost 4% of all incoming tourists to the Netherlands (total 6,3 million). In number of visits, USA is the fourth most important country of origin for the Netherlands (after Germany, Belgium and France).
How much is a house in the Netherlands in US dollars? ›
Housing costs in the Netherlands
| Cost | Amsterdam | Rotterdam |
|---|
| Renting 1 bedroom (per month) | $1,513 (USD) | $1,062 (USD) |
| Renting 3 bedrooms (per month) | $2,465 (USD) | $1,719 (USD) |
| Buying (per square foot) | $628 (USD) | $323 (USD) |
Type of highly skilled migrant with the right required amount (gross per month) for 2024
| Type highly skilled migrant | First residence permit highly skilled migrant/European blue card |
|---|
| Highly skilled migrants younger than 30 years | € 3,909.00 |
| Highly skilled migrants 30 years or older | € 5,331.00 |
| European Blue Card | € 6,245.00 |
1 more rowWhat country is easiest to move to from USA? Portugal, Malta and Spain are some of the easiest countries to relocate to from the United States. Americans can either gain permanent residency or apply for citizenships via each country's Citizenship by Invest programs.
Can you drink tap water in Amsterdam? ›
Is the Tap Water in Amsterdam Safe to Drink? Yes, the tap water in Amsterdam is safe to drink according to international standards. According to many Dutch people it's among the best in Europe. The local water provider Waternet continuously monitors water quality to ensure it meets high safety standards.
Do you seat yourself at restaurants in the Netherlands? ›
Sit with the crowd and enjoy your meal. In fact, most of the Dutch clientele think it is gezellig to seat themselves at the table positioned 10 centimeters from yours, despite you being the only customers in the restaurant.
Is living in the Netherlands cheaper than the US? ›
United States is 12% more expensive than Netherlands. May 2024 Cost of Living.
Is the Netherlands The Best country to live in? ›
The Netherlands ranks highest for quality of life in 2023
According to the most recent findings from Numbeo, the Netherlands ranks #1 for quality of life based on several factors including cost of living, crime rates, healthcare, commute times, and environmental pollution.
Is the Netherlands richer than the USA? ›
Both Netherlands and USA rank in the top for wealth. The USA ranks first in disposable income and household wealth, which is around $176,000 USD. Taxes are generally lower in a capitalistic society as well. The USA however ranks near the bottom in social inequality of wealth, between the rich and the poor.
What does the Netherlands have that the US doesn't? ›
Everyone in the Netherlands has healthcare, no matter if you're rich or poor. If you have money, you pay an affordable monthly premium and deductible. If you don't have money, the government will make sure you have healthcare no matter your income. In fact, you can get a fine if you're not insured.
