Should Americans Move to The Netherlands?

Should Americans Move to The Netherlands?

Are you an American considering a move to The Netherlands? While it can be tempting to uproot and start anew in this picturesque country, there are a number of factors to consider before making the move. In this video, we'll explore eight reasons why it's probably unlikely that Americans should move to The Netherlands.

We'll dive into topics such as the highly competitive housing market, which can make it difficult and expensive to find a place to live, and the challenges of integrating into Dutch society. We'll also discuss The Netherlands as a less "convenience-culture" based society, and the general lack of space in this densely populated country.

While The Netherlands certainly has its charms, it's important to weigh the pros and cons before making a move. Join us as we explore the realities of life in this beautiful country and help you make an informed decision about whether it's the right place for you.

00:00 Welcome to Woerden!
02:44 Lack of Space
05:07 Competitive Housing Market
07:25 Not a European Vacation
09:07 Challenging to Integrate
11:15 Salary Expectations
12:55 We Love Woerden!
14:14 Not as Progressive as You May Think
16:19 Citizenship Issues
17:35 "Convenience" Culture
19:03 Should Americans Move to The Netherlands? Probably Not.

We're Tracey and Travis, an American couple who moved with our Miniature Husky, Tabasco, from our home in Houston, Texas to the city of Leiden, The Netherlands. We love food, travel, history, and exploring our new home. We hope you enjoy us sharing our adventures all around The Netherlands with you!

If you'd like to see more:
The vlog continues on Instagram! Follow us @tandtgodutch

[BasBrem]

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!

[eamonnbarry]

You two should get a couple of bicycles, and chill out exploring the Netherlands and beyond. There is more to life than big houses, big salaries and big cars.

[johannessugito]

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.

[rmyikzelf]

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.

[vanderquast]

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 😊

[downtimeisnow]

First time commenting. Am stoked you appeared in my YouTube 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!

[daniipeace]

Lets put it like this:
Conservative people (whether they are American or any other nationals) should not move to the Netherlands or actually not move anywhere in the world! People that expect that their surroundings should adapt to their - somehow grown superiority complex - should stay home (and preferably indoors of that home).
Only imagine a Dutch family moving to Texas and insisting to keep speaking Dutch, demand supermarket to start selling Dutch food, candy etc.
And maybe dig into "why certain things have developped the way they are". If Texas would have been a overpopulated state with a similar history as the Netherlands, chances are they would have much more in common. This leads to the statement: if you decide to settle somewhere else, keep your prejudices behind, prepare by thorough investigation out front and know you will have to adapt and that will not be easy, but it is the only natural way to proceed in life!

[Bladel]

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 YouTube 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.

[Hrn]

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.

[dutchboynl]

I am EX american living in the lovely forest of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. I haven't been to the RANDSTAD in 5 years, . I have everything iN need within 15km radius of me.

[nobody_nobody-xc]

1. You need to know at least basic world history and geography to chat with any teenager in Europe
2. In Europe we speak around 3 different languages and english is just a tool.
3. We care about social issues and health.
4. We don't give a shit for your US dollars.
5. We have the best cheese of the world, not processed "cheddar" flavoured rubber.
6. House shortage is a weapon against invasion.
7. Houses are smaller because we love to stay outside and socialize in our cafés, street markets, community centers, we have good transportation, we walk and cycle, we dont use a V8 or a diesel pick up truck to buy a bread.

[meticulousgeek]

As a Dutchie I don't even know what to make of this. Don't come here unless you know what you're doing?

[raffaguitars]

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

[erikzurcher]

"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.

[kristinasumpter]

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

[JDVG]

I am Dutch and left the Netherlands years ago. The one thing I least miss is the weather. It is most of the time not as shown in your video.
Weeks of cloudy and sometimes rainy weather is quite normal in winter and even in summer you can expect days in a row witout seeing the sun. I love living in a place where we see the sun almost every day.

[mdascoota]

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 😊❤

[brianmaphar]

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.

[SoulFullaLove]

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

[davidc.w.]

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.