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The Hague
We downsized and generally packed well, but I'd say we should have brought more jeans, running shoes, voetbal cleats. (Items are much more expensive here and there is less selection.)
Left at home? More of the 'stuff' that may fit in American closets (but you really don't use). I continue to weed out clothes that are too big/small/never worn. We find that we like to update our photos/paintings and artwork based on our travels, so we need to downsize some of that. (Tom Frost at Expat Alley wrote a great post about living with less because you outgrow your stuff and have new experiences.) I thought I was being ruthless but I need to be more so as closet/storage space (especially the hanging kind) is at a premium.
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Let the Adventure Begin! is our premium weekly relocation newsletter that guides you step-by-step through your international move. The weekly newsletter begins 8 months before your move and runs through your first 4 months abroad. For US $29.99, you'll receive an e-mail on Wednesday with tips and advice tailored to where you are in the relocation and settling-in process.
Think long and hard about how you would live your life, what kind of life you really want. I chose to transition from working outside the home (US) to working at home (writer), so we wanted an urban, Dutch lifestyle. I actually enjoy wandering up to the shopping street to buy my daily groceries and run errands in the late afternoon. We use public transportation for everything except my picking up the kids from school (20 min. away) 3 days a week when they're in the middle of sports and activities (as they're in high school and have tons of homework). My husband walks to/from work, and we're able to eat meals as a family. My friends who live in the 'expat enclave' near the school 1) have no Dutch friends, 2) don't really speak any Dutch and 3) their husbands are 'ghosts' in their families - never around due to long commutes.
We rent a 'rijtjeshuie' which is basically a 3-story brick 'town house' on a quiet street in a relatively upscale neighborhood, near a popular shopping street that is a great mix of everyday requirements (good grocery store, hardware stores, drug stores, great specialty stores and also fun boutiques and upscale stuff to window shop). It's fairly typical in this part of Den Haag/The Hague, although probably a bit on the bigger side than some.
We were fortunate in that my husband was here 6 months ahead of the family. He used that time wisely visiting neighborhoods and nearby towns to get the 'vibe'. He also spoke with anyone and everyone - where did they live, did they like it, did they wish they lived elsewhere, what did they wish they'd done differently. Through this we made the tough decision that we wanted an urban, Dutch experience, not 'expat suburbia' as if we were counting the days until we left. Then we honed in on the best neighborhoods within easy walk/commute, and went for best layout on a quiet street near (but not too near) good shopping and public transportation. We used a rental agency but we'd done the tough work.
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Factoring in space/square footage, probably a little less. Depends on what you came from and where you settle here. It isn't cheap.
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Guide to Living in The Hague, Netherlands
The Hague, Netherlands: Cost of Living, Healthcare and What to Know About Living in The Hague
Netherlands Forum
Join our Netherlands forum to meet other people living in The Hague, Netherlands.
Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in The Hague.
9 important things for expats to know about healthcare in the Netherlands. Include information about health insurance requirements for residency, prescription medications, emergency medical care, ambulance service and more.
Expats offer advice about everything you need to know before moving to The Hague: what to bring (and what to leave behind), how to find housing and more.
Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats and digital nomads have to say about the pros and cons of living in The Hague, Netherlands.
Expats talk about what it's like living in The Hague, Netherlands: Cost of Living, Healthcare and What Newcomers to The Hague Should Know
Get a quote for health insurance from our partner, Allianz Care.
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Get a quote for health insurance from our partner, Allianz Care.
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Expats from all over the Netherlands share their advice on what it's like to live there and what it takes to make the move a success.
Expats in The Netherlands talk about 10 expat-friendly cities, what life is like there and how to meet people.
Expat moms share their experiences having a baby in The Netherlands - from wonderful prenatal care to the home birth option for uncomplicated pregnancies and everything in between. While many new moms have very short hospital stays, they receive at home care from a beloved Kraamzorg (home nurse) as part of their maternity care, which expats resoundingly say makes all the difference.
Expats who moved to the Netherlands talk about deciding whether to live in urban or suburban neighborhoods, adjusting to Dutch culture, finding an apartment and more.
Get a quote for health insurance from our partner, Allianz Care.
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Get a quote for health insurance from our partner, Allianz Care.
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The Hague, Netherlands: Cost of Living, Healthcare and What to Know About Living in The Hague
Netherlands Forum
Meet other people living in The Hague.
9 important things for expats to know about healthcare in the Netherlands. Include information about health insurance requirements for residency, prescription medications, emergency medical care, ambulance service and more.
Expats offer advice about everything you need to know before moving to The Hague: what to bring (and what to leave behind), how to find housing and more.
Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats and digital nomads have to say about the pros and cons of living in The Hague, Netherlands.
Expats talk about what it's like living in The Hague, Netherlands: Cost of Living, Healthcare and What Newcomers to The Hague Should Know
Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in The Hague.
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