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.
How is the Netherlands economy compared to the United States? ›
Comparison In 2022, Netherlands ranked 20 in the Economic Complexity Index (ECI 1.1), and 6 in total exports ($674B). That same year, United States ranked 10 in the Economic Complexity Index (ECI 1.41), and 2 in total exports ($1.95T).
Is the Netherlands a good place to live in? ›
Quality of life: The Netherlands is known for having a high quality of life, with excellent healthcare, education, and infrastructure. The country is also very safe and clean, with a low crime rate. Tolerance: The Netherlands is a very tolerant country, and foreigners are generally accepted and welcomed.
How big is the Netherlands compared to US states? ›
How big is the Netherlands in comparison to the United States? Its pretty tiny compared to the USA, it would fit into America roughly 237 times.
What US state is most like the Netherlands? ›
Holland, Michigan
Holland, Michigan shares the mood of precisely where you would expect: the Netherlands. Dutch Village is a must-see for anyone who has ever dreamed of a Danish getaway. While you're there, check out the only authentic, working, Dutch windmill in the country: DeZwaan Windmill.
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 the Netherlands The richest country in the world? ›
It has the world's 11th highest per capita GDP (nominal) and the 13th highest per capita GDP (PPP) as of 2023 making it one of the highest earning nations in the world.
Is the Netherlands richer than the US? ›
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.
Is it cheaper to live in the Netherlands or the United States? ›
United States is 16% more expensive than Netherlands. Apr 2024 Cost of Living.
How cold is Netherlands in the winter? ›
In the Netherlands, the coldest months of the year are December, January and February. On the coldest days, the average lows reach 0ºC (33ºF) and the average highs are between 5ºC (42ºF) and 6ºC (43ºF).
Safety and Security. The Netherlands is one of the safest countries in the world, with low crime rates and a strong police presence. The country has a well-developed system of social services and a strong social safety net, which helps to prevent crime and support people in need.
Does 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. If you're employed, your employer will pay a small percentage towards medical coverage as well.
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.
How long does it take to drive across the Netherlands? ›
Traveling by car
Cities like Utrecht, Rotterdam, The Hague, Delft and Leiden are just an hour's drive from Amsterdam. And the trip from Amsterdam to Maastricht in the south or Groningen in the north takes just a little over two hours.
How tall are the Dutch compared to Americans? ›
A land of giants, the Netherlands is the loftiest nation on Earth: the average height of a Dutch man is 182.5cm; a Dutch woman 168.7cm. By comparison their American counterparts measure 177.1cm and 163.5cm respectively. It wasn't always this way.
Is it cheaper to live in the Netherlands or the US? ›
United States is 15% more expensive than Netherlands. Apr 2024 Cost of Living.
Can I live in the Netherlands as a US citizen? ›
If a person is not a national of an EU country, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland, they can live in the Netherlands provided they meet certain conditions. And they need to hold a residence permit.
How hard is it to move to the Netherlands as an American? ›
If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen: You need to have a strong reason to want to move to the Netherlands. You will have to acquire a temporary residence permit first, live in the Netherlands for five continuous years, and then you will become eligible for permanent residency.
How hard is it for a US citizen to move to Netherlands? ›
However, when you wish to emigrate or move to the Netherlands you are required to obtain a residence permit and, when this option becomes available to you, you can apply for a permanent residence permit. U.S. citizens who want to work in the Netherlands or simply live here are required to apply for a residence permit.
