WHY WE LOVE THE NETHERLANDS (american expats in the netherlands)

In this episode, Michelle and Alex rank the 8 things they love most about living abroad in the Netherlands (after being American expats in the Netherlands for about 7 months).

Episode 32 · Filmed on January 16-17, 2023 · Rotterdam, the Netherlands

📸 Our shooting gear:

📸 Our in-house gear:

00:00 Introduction
00:54 Trains
01:32 Bread and cheese
02:54 Being outside
03:42 Aesthetic
04:20 Food quality
05:19 People
06:05 Surinamese food (and food review)
08:30 Safety
09:26 Wrap up

#expatlife #netherlands #cultureshock

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WHO IS BUNCHARTED?

We're Michelle and Alex, a travel-obsessed American couple living abroad in the Netherlands.

In 2020, we quit our jobs to travel the world, and... yeah, that didn't happen. So in 2022, we decided to make an even BIGGER change, packing up our lives (and our cats 🐈), moving from Austin, Texas, to Rotterdam, in the Netherlands. Subscribe for new videos like this every week!

[atropatene]

What I love about the Netherlands is that my young child can take his bike and go visit a friend without me.

[harmen]

If you like the bread, then try some from an artisinal bakery. The supermarkt bread is nothing compared to that.

[RezzurectionMs]

Im from Sweden and i LOVE the netherlands, people are more social and loving and caring. They are chill af and so kind! In sweden everyone is so grumpy and antisocial and depressed because of the weather and the culturale mix sweden doesnt have. Netherlands is all love and a bit better weather than sweden but that makes a big difference for a swede like me

[Snowshowslow]

It's really nice that you enjoyed the poor weather half year in the Netherlands so much 😁 Just wait for when the sun comes out and everyone flocks to terrasjes, beaches and festivals 🌅

[mariannahanley]

I’m Dutch, moved to Canada in 1968. I’m still homesick, but moved to Canada because more room for us after the war we didn’t have to many places to live. But yes I will always love my country. So nice to listen to you both. I wish you guys lots of luck. Take care and have fun.

[ShirleySenpei]

I'm glad to hear you like living in the Netherlands. I'm Dutch so it good to hear that people that moved here from other countries like my country.

[marcwilbrink]

Thanks for another great video. When I lived in the US, I could only stomach potato bread, as it was the least sweetest I could find.
As someone who works at the NS it's great to see that trains made it to your top 8!

[shantiaccount]

OMG I am so glad you talk about the bread! There’s a huge difference between American and European breads. In fact, there’s a really good article that just came out about the big difference in European breads and how people find it less invasive into their systems. And it’s because European breads are fermented longer in rising process of the dough. Also, I am loving that you’ve upped the videos and are focusing intently on the Netherlands. It’s my home country, but I’ve been away from it for way too long so it’s nice to see all the things that you were discovering and enjoying. Subscribed!

[El-Rico]

Lumpia (loempia) was introduced in the Netherlands from Indonesia, a former colony (and as some of the people of Surinam have ancestors in Indonesia, this is why they too have lumpia) The Dutch had several trading posts/fortresses in Taiwan and encouraged the Chinese from the mainland to permanently settle there. Some of these Chinese took the trip to go to Batavia (now renamed Jakarta). Those Chinese spoke Hokkien, and had a specific name for spring rolls: lunpia, which is how the word got spread to Indonesia, the Netherlands and Surinam.

[LisaKokx]

I spent a short few months in the US and I absolutely missed my bread and cheese, my sense of safety, my ability to go somewhere without a car, and people being more genuine. So yeah, great list.

[StevanOutdoor]

Nice video. You kept an open mind and that's great. I think being open minded is a bonus most Dutch have.

[KraKra-Ah]

The first few seconds I watched your video I had this big smile on my face. It was like watching spoof of all other Americans doing such a video. Michelle was so naughty when Alex started to fiddle with the microfoon. Michelle has this And the moustache on Alex cracked me up. I could stop watching that thing. But you are serieus and I realized how extremely fluently this video went. Just two people in front of a camera. Did you guy made a script. Amazing. Very professionally done! Not one time you guys were lost for words. No uh's or uh huh's.. Very well done..

[vanderquast]

Nice to hear you enjoyed The Netherlands thus far. Even when you haven't experienced the greatest time of year here; spring is coming with fresh green, blossem and tulips 😊🌷and the whole nation comes out of there houses 😉

[rachelwindsor]

Fijn dat jullie het naar jullie zin hebben! Ga zo door. :)

[Wielie]

Another great video. Hopefully you will enjoy your new home for years to come. How about cycling? Done that yet? It’s something I like the most next to the public transport and good infrastructure 👍🏻

[FrankHouwelingBoskoop]

Nice to end the day with some good vibes. Thanks for sharing! :)

[porschedoc]

Please try the sourdough Bread from Jordy’s Bakery…..first the white, but do try the ‘meergranen desem’…..that is whole wheat sourdough……you will love it!

[squarecircle]

A typical type of bread is "fries roggebrood". You may not have seen anything quite like it (except perhaps in germany). Its easy to miss as a foreigner because its packaged in a plastic box, oftenly. I recommend trying it if you haven't yet. If you try to eat it, I recommend eating it with butter (no margarine, but actual butter) and one or two slices of belegen gouda cheese. Its very delicious and really fills you up a lot more than the white bread (although that is ofcourse also very delicious!). I really like your video, and im really happy you guys are having a good time in the netherlands! :)

[amyloriley]

Fairytale towns. You haven't seen fairytale until you have been to these two places. It might be a bit touristic though.
1. Bruges, Belgium.
2. Efteling. This is a fairytale theme park in the Netherlands. Rumors suggest Walt Disney visited this park to get inspiration for building Disney Land. What inspired him? Go there and find out!

[hallo]

As a dutch citizen from Amsterdam i would recommend you guys try out the morrocan cuzine in the west side of amsterdam osdorp its very delicious i think yall would really like it