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
Happy and High Quality Living
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.
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.
Is the Netherlands a good place for American expats? ›
The Netherlands offers expats a high quality of life, with a low crime rate and friendly locals. However, as with any foreign country, it also has its own rules, regulations, and processes, which can be difficult for expats to get used to.
Is the Netherlands a good place to live and work? ›
Whether you're moving for work, education, or just a change of scenery, the Netherlands can be an exciting and rewarding place to live. With its friendly people, rich culture, beautiful landscapes, and thriving economy, it's no wonder that the country is a popular destination for expats from around the world.
How many Americans live in the Netherlands? ›
More than 31 thousand Americans in the Netherlands.
What is the cost of living in the Netherlands? ›
A. The cost of living in the Netherlands can vary depending on the city and lifestyle. On average, a single person may spend around €800-€1,200 per month on accommodation, food, transport, and other expenses. Students can expect to live comfortably in the Netherlands with a monthly budget of INR 86,000 (€952).
Why is the Netherlands quality of life so high? ›
1. High Quality of Life. The Netherlands is a great place to live, with a high standard of living, good healthcare, and a strong sense of community. The Dutch value work-life balance, leisure time, and social connections, which all contribute to a high quality of life.
Why is the Netherlands' crime rate so low? ›
Furthermore, the Dutch punitive system generally favours rehabilitation over punishment and considerably less criminals reoffend after serving their sentences than in other countries. In fact, over 20 prisons have closed in the Netherlands since 2013 due to the dwindling number of incarcerated convicts in the country.
What is the average price of a house in the Netherlands? ›
The average selling price of a house in Q2 2022 was 448,000 euros. Starting in 2024, the housing market in the Netherlands experienced a notable resurgence, with house prices picking up momentum despite the previous year's challenges.
How much money do I need to move to the Netherlands? ›
The cost of living in the Netherlands for a single person = ~ €1,782 per month and ~ €21,384 per year. Average cost of living in the Netherlands for a student = ~ €1,250 per month and ~ €15,000 per year. Cost of living in the Netherlands for a family = ~ € 4,102 per month and ~ €49,224 per year.
The Netherlands, like other European countries, is part of the Schengen Agreement, which means that American retirees are allowed visa-free entry into the Dutch country as tourists or for business purposes up to 90 days. If you plan on a longer residency, you will have to apply for a permit.
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.
What is a livable salary in Netherlands? ›
According to living wage calculations for various regions in the Netherlands for 2023, the estimated living wage for a single adult ranges from approximately €2,000 to €2,500 per month. For a single adult with one child, the living wage may range from around €3,000 to €3,500 per month.
What food is the Netherlands known for? ›
Traditional Dutch food is meat and potato or fish based for dinner and bread and cheese based for everything else. Beef stew and stamppot are two of the more common, hearty Dutch meals. Raw herring and other North Sea fishes are commonly consumed as well.
What is the racial makeup of the Netherlands? ›
Ethnic groups
Dutch 75.4%, EU (excluding Dutch) 6.4%, Turkish 2.4%, Moroccan 2.4%, Surinamese 2.1%, Indonesian 2%, other 9.3% (2021 est.)
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 does an average house cost in Netherlands? ›
What is the average price of residential property in the Netherlands? In the second quarter of 2023, a single-family home cost approximately 434,000 euros.
How much is house rent in the Netherlands? ›
According to Numbeo, average prices for renting in the Netherlands are currently between €810–1,020 a month for a one-bedroom apartment and between €1,250–1660 a month for a three-bedroom apartment.
Are groceries expensive in the Netherlands? ›
Cost of food and drink in the Netherlands
Staple foods are not overly expensive in the Netherlands. General supermarkets such as Albert Heijn or Plus stock a good supply of everyday foods that are typically less expensive than specialist stores.
According to the most recent World Happiness Report for 2024, the Netherlands claimed the sixth position among the world's happiest countries.
How much are the Netherlands taxes compared to the US? ›
Again according to the OECD, the country with the highest national income tax rate is the Netherlands at 52 percent, more than 12 percentage points higher than the U.S. top federal individual income rate of 39.6 percent.
Is the Netherlands The Best country to live in? ›
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. Denmark and Switzerland came in second and third respectively, rounding out the top 3.
