Moving to the Netherlands? Here are 5 questions you need to ask yourself!

0:00 Intro
1:21 Why are you moving here?
3:47 Is EVERYONE on board?
6:06 What are you willing to part with?
10:49 Financially able to make the move?
14:30 Ready for a completely new life?
Moving to the Netherlands? Here are 5 questions you need to ask yourself before you do! Moving to the Netherlands is no easy task and it's not without some pitfalls. Letting go of everything you have and moving to Europe or Moving to Holland can be mentally draining, physically draining and just down right financially draining!
Tammy and I came to the Netherlands under the DAFT Treaty. How will you be granted a visa to live here? Before you start packing, you need to take some time and think about exactly why you are moving abroad. Becoming an expat is not for everyone, and unless EVERYONE is on board, it can be a bit rough. Life in the Netherlands has proven to be great for Tammy and me. There are pros and cons of living in the Netherlands. So here are some tips for moving to the Netherlands...if it's just moving to the Netherlands for work or moving to the Netherlands to start you own business, take your time and review this video and ask yourself some basic questions (be honest with yourself).
Expat life in the Netherlands is the life we choose!

[@JoeStraw]

I rarely comment but since I'm the second comment on the video - I just gotta share some love, Eric and Tammy! I loved the collaborations with T&T and I specifically love these videos as I daydream of moving to the Netherlands. Thanks for your commitment to regular videos and bringing joy to myself and many others!

[@gilles111]

Also, have you been here before? And not 2 days Amsterdam in a 15 days round trip in Europe but at least a few weeks so you have seen/experienced at least a little bit of the country. Because we aren't one large Amsterdam, don't walk on wooden shoes, and most people don't do drugs. And yes, most people do speak English but our native language is Dutch (and that isn't the same as German or Swedish) and we'd appreciate it when you try to learn (at least basic) Dutch. And if you do come to NL, do you have a place to live? Housing is a real nightmare at the moment, don't think you can stay in a hotel and find a house in a week after arriving here.

[@bart7309]

My husband moved from California to the Netherlands and had his furniture/belongings shipped to Europe. Including light fixtures, music equipment and kitchen appliance's . Better sell or donate your electric toothbrush and blender because the plugs are not compatible.

[@brianmaphar9685]

Hi folks, great content and subject to open some eyes about what it takes to make a decision to leave everything behind and start from scratch on the other side of the world! Really apreciate you guys doing this. It goes both ways. We (my family and I) moved to NA (Canada) from Holland. We went through all the points that you described. From asking the question: Why do we want to leave everything and everyone behind? Why do we want to move to Canada? It's very important to have a clear answer and for everyone to be on board (as you mention). Our kids were 6 and 8 at the time and did have a say in whether we go or not. I asked this question again now, after watching your video, and my now 13 year old son said he had some doubts, moving here. But he is OK moving here, in the end. Dont make a hasty decision! It took us 9 years to finally be able to cross the pond. Dutch saying: 'Ga niet over 1 nacht ijs' In the end we hired a Visa agent who took care of all the legal documents and helped us with pointers of what to do, what to take care. If you are able and willing, I strongly suggest looking into getting an agent. saves a lot of headaches, when it comes to all the legal hassle. We came here without a job and I myself had to go ahead about 1 month before we were moving, to find a place to stay. I was fortunate to find 1, in an area where we would like to start. Again, prep your move, do some recon near the place where you want to start your new life. Is this the place or is it somewhere else? If you already have a job, then it's best to find a place nearby, of course! ANd like to say in your last question: Are you prepared to live a completely new life? That is a very important question. The grass is greener (or it seems), but when you finally there, there are many brown patches. How do you cope with these brown patches, goes a long way if you can adept to your new country and life. LOL, We took our Dutch washing / drying lifestyle and implemented it here. We got rid of the dryer and hanging our clothes to dry. Dutch mentality! saves a lot of $$ in energy ;-)

[@macbosch64]

Really good questions , definitely topics to think about before you go and live in another country. Great video.

[@pebertje]

This may be discussed in another episode, but an important question to ask yourself is: Do I want to live in the Netherlands as a "foreigner", or do I want to integrate into Dutch society. In the first case, that's fine, but be aware that the average Dutch person's knowledge of English is an obstacle to real conversation (by which I mean a conversation that is about something other than asking for directions or what the weather is like). In the second case, learn Dutch. Part of my family is Canadian and I always notice that they assume that with our basic knowledge of English, we can converse effortlessly, which is not the case. This will always be a problem for us. I am sure that if we lived in an English speaking country, our basic knowledge would be enough to speak English fluently within a few years, and to integrate completely. Otherwise, this will also work. To be able to practice, I have written this below in Dutch 😀😀😀😀😀😀 Mogelijk wordt dit in een ander aflevering besproken, maar een belangrijke vraag die je jezelf moet stellen is: Wil ik als "buitenlander" in Nederland wonen, of wil ik integreren in de Nederlandse samenleving. In het eerste geval, dat is prima, maar ben je bewust van het feit dat de kennis van het Engels van de gemiddelde Nederlander een obstakel is voor echte conversatie (daarmee bedoel ik een gesprek dat over iets anders gaat dan het vragen van de weg of wat voor weer het is). In het tweede geval, leer Nederlands. Een deel van mijn familie is Canadees en het valt mij altijd weer op dat zij ervan uitgaan dat wij met onze basis kennis van het Engels, moeiteloos kunnen converseren, wat dus niet het geval is. Dit blijft voor ons altijd een probleem. Ik weet zeker dat wanneer wij in een Engels sprekend land zouden wonen, onze basis kennis voldoende is om binnen een paar jaar vloeiend Engels te spreken, en volledig te inegreren. Andersom zal dit ook zo werken. Om te kunnen oefenen heb ik dit hieronder in het Nederlands geschreven.

[@Esther38360]

Ben het met je eens. Veel Nederlanders spreken best wel redelijk basis Engels, zoals je zegt. Maar een inhoudelijk goed gesprek is minder aan te nemen. Leer Nederlands spreken, moeilijke taal maar de mensen stellen het zeer op prijs🎉

[@jessicaparker5204]

Loving the new perspective in your lounge and especially the artwork behind you - let me know more

[@johnveerkamp1501]

I 'M PROUD OF YOU FOR DOING SOMETHING LIKE THIS ON YOUR AGE !!!!!

[@theGoogol]

Dutch being blunt ... confirmed! 😂

[@harrym740]

Drying out clothing and sheets outside in the summer makes them smell so fresh its amazing.

[@alicia.3740]

I am glad that despite the difficult road you have come to live here in the Netherlands, I can see that you are happy here and that is worth a lot. And otherwise we wouldn't have known you, even if it's through the videos. I hope you will be happy here for a very long time.

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

Thank you so much Alicia! Eric

[@alicia.3740]

@@SoultoSoulTravels You're welcome.

[@RealConstructor]

I do have a (heat-pump) dryer, so cheap in use, but I only use it when I do laundry at rainy days. If not, I hang my laundry on a line in the back garden.

[@Siriusly_Sirius]

Can you imagine moving across the world before the internet and even before KZbin?? I remember needing paper maps to navigate around the US for road trips. I still have no idea how I made the drive from Anchorage to Austin back in the early 2000s - in a U Haul truck - without a smartphone. (native Cali boy though!) Thanks for this video, Eric and Tammy. (Heck, thanks for all of your videos! Always have a smile on my face while watching - especially that last one.) I'm seriously considering... ok, I have my mind made up to move to the Netherlands within the next 2-6 years. I'd leave tomorrow if I could. Thankfully my wife has better sense and says "We need to at least visit first". 😆 She's right, but I'd still make the move never having been if given the chance. With that, #2 is very important. I agree with y'all. If your other half is miserable, you will be too.

[@KLKarin-bu2vu]

I did just that, as a teenager in the eary 1980s. I have to admit I was excited to move to the USA, and extatic to move back home four years later. By which time I had to start over again, though, because I lost touch with all of my friends (letter writing is a chore when you're a teenager busy leading your life) and we didn't move back to the part of The Netherlands where I grew up. While we lived in the USA it was very hard to keep in touch with relatives and friends just by writing (transatlantic phonecalls were pretty expensive) and the occasional photograph which would usually end up damaged in transit... People we knew died and had babies and we wouldn't know it until weeks later unless they were really, really close friends and/or relatives. I wasn't really happy in the USA, but I managed. My mother, however, was actually really miserable. It was very hard to make the decision to go back. I think my father always had a little bit of resentment that she couldn't adapt... So I agree it's really important to make sure you're both on board, and one isn't settling just because they don't want to disappoint the other. That won't end well. At least you and your family have sources like Eric and Tammy and other KZbinrs to get information beforehand, and communicating with the ones you leave behind is easier with today's technology. (The down side is, if you see more of your loved ones in videos, you are reminded of how far away they are more acutely and more often!) Bottom line is, though, no matter how well you research the country, you will inevitably end up being surprised by the oddest little things... It's one thing to watch YT videos, it's another thing to actually be here. The reality of the different lifestyle and the different culture. And of course the reality of the fact that all seasons are rain season here.😁

[@connieholley1124]

Never would I ever expected Eric to pick up an item from the curb. Great job Tammy and Eric on the two videos of questions and answers for anyone relocating to the Netherlands or anywhere.

[@winterswijk1970]

🥰,, I really enjoy the video Tammy & Eric!!,, you are two sweet❤❤s.

[@70ed81]

Very true,....Research the possibilities and prepare Well before moving to any country.👍

[@margreetanceaux3906]

Do your research indeed! I’ve seen people complaining about the very long summer days, and the very short ones in midwinter. Our latitude is, figuratively speaking, between Calgary and Edmonton. In other words: way north of the US / Canadian border.

[@Iamsanni]

Yes or comparing to their own country all the time. Adapt is the key word here which doesn't mean you have to dismiss where you come from.

[@maltesetony9030]

Happy haircut!!

[@user-xi6nk4xs4s]

Great one! It will be a long week until the next one.

[@trentfowler2888]

The timing on this is so funny for me! I will see you in Apeldoorn next Friday!! We have the money, are on the same page, have sold almost all of our possesions. Actually getting ready to go has been fun! I am going the DAFT route so I'll be in an AirBnB for a month at least. My wife also spent a month with a photo scanner and we now have everything in digital which is also cool to give to relatives on a USB drive. Why oh why do Americans have an addiction to "stuff"??? The 8 year thing hit home. There's a lot of that. Time for a fresh start. I am actually struggling to fill a suitcase!! P.S. That last video where you abused the waitress really bugged me. :) I used to do that job and here in the US the customer is always right. Big difference. Thanks for your channel, you have helped us a ton getting ready. I hope to run into you and T&T someday.

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

Congratulations, Trent!! We hope that you will love it here as much as we do!❤

[@bomhof2002]

Good luck in Apeldoorn my hometown. Its convenient. Not cheapest but certainly no crazy prices like in the west and quickly in Utrecht and Amsterdam with a direct train.

[@clifffan3]

You are my favo expats. Just normal and not acting just beeing yourself thats what I like.

[@lws7394]

They are migrants , not expats. They don't work in NL for a multinational company for 3-4 years , to be deployed elsewhere again .

[@mauriciogiraldoacosta7391]

As a South American that moved to the Netherlands one year ago, I can completely relate what you folks mention in your video. Didn’t you experience going for the first time to an AH with a visa/mastercard card? Oh my god, what an experience! 😅

[@joostprins3381]

It’s easy, a credit card will charge costs, you should know by now that we invented the copper wire, two Dutchmen fighting about a cent.

[@mauriciogiraldoacosta7391]

@@joostprins3381 yeah, now it’s quite normal, especially after you get a local bank account. But the first time you face that is definitely weird.

[@petraleblanc7216]

What a disaster 😂😂😂😂

[@AlexK-yr2th]

I think (not 100% sure) that you need to have the Maestro logo on your cart to use it as a debit/credit card and use in the ATM.

[@RobertKhoe]

Buy your groceries at Dirk, Dekamarkt or Aldi. They accept credit cards. Even American Express.

[@BlueStarDragon]

You two are such a lovely couple. Love your video's. Love your interactions

[@craftyclaira]

The processes are different- thats the hardest. Getting a Sim card in Italy was very difficult! They originally wanted a personal tax code- which I didn't haveyet but couldn't wait as I needed it day 1! In france purchasing a car and insurance was very difficult...subscribing to internet contracts ooooh...so complicated! So the grocery shoping is the least of your worries! Great video!

[@JaapGinder]

As a Dutch I always watch your video's. I remember a video where Eric explained a lot about all the things you had to do and arrange to get to The Netherlands. But seeing this video, it is goor that you put the questions people has to ask themselves before moving to another country, like The Netherlands. And that is a good thing. In the last century a lot of Dutch emigrated to Canada and the US. I know they never asked themselves those questions. Work? Housing? Insurance? Language? etc. They managed, but a lot still live close together as Dutch emigrants. No, not my brother, he was different. he married and got children, build a sali boat and sailed around the world, even to NL, and ended up in Australia. Now living there on his old age. (he is 17 years older than me). So yeah, I wonder what kind a questions they had, but I respect them and both of you, Eric and Tammy. By the way, more family left to Canada and US, some are living is Califonia right now.

[@fvry402]

very nice, Eric and Tammy - Bijzonder leuk, Eric en Tammy, vriendelijk groet ......

[@Rinzwind79]

🤣🤣🤣 Filet American as dip. That had me laughing. Thanks for sharing ^^ Already looking forward to the next video.

[@bertkassing8541]

This is a very good and interesting video. One of the best. Oh boy, there is another one coming? Can it beat this one? I will wait and see :-)

[@freudsigmund72]

this summer the grass in my garden in the netherlans is very, very, very green.... 🌧

[@kucnimajstor2901]

You folks are very brave for moving to another country and starting the new life, you are an inspiration to many, however you did not start from zero because looks like you have tremendous life exp. and knowledge, that is most important, material things nowadays are very cheap and you can get them everywhere. Greetings from Dubrovnik..

[@bramharms72]

When you say "everybody has got to be on board", how important are the close family you leave behind (like your daughter)? I feel you glossed over that a bit. They will be forever dealing with things like the time difference when calling, overseas trips, and general unavailability. Not the biggest things maybe, but an ever-present bother for them when dealing with you.

[@kellyvandijk3269]

Have a great weekend 🇳🇱

[@GewoonFrieda]

Yes we dry our clothes outside in the sun or on lines at the top floor. Beter for your clothes and for the environment. We have always done it that way.

[@kirsa9911]

And now for something completely different..and unrelated..that nailpolish looks great on you!

[@margreetanceaux3906]

So very true: you’re not on vacation, so stop comparing, as soon as possible. The easiest things first (and having done two 3-months road trips through the US, I speak from a little vice versa recognition): it’s kilometres, and so are the signs, your odometer and the maps, so thinking in miles is no use. And it’s Celsius, as is the daily weather forecast, your oven, and your (fever) thermometer. But for everything more serious: the US and western Europe are deceivingly similar - until they’re not. I still cringe about my behaviour 30 years ago, bc I didn’t know that tipping the waitress was not just a gesture, but her income (and she was 8 months pregnant…). So don’t hesitate to ask for the how&why. Things that are completely unthinkable to you, may be not only common, but even expected of you over here (again: and vice versa). Find someone to be your guide! I remember we had a young neighbour from England, who specifically relied on my mom, for questions - and to talk Dutch to her, instead of English.

[@mcoenen8492]

As we have much smaler houses here would you're furniture fit if you're chipping it. Same for American cars with the parking spaces and fuel costs.

[@flitsertheo]

That American car may not even be allowed to drive on European roads if that particular model hasn't been homologated in Europe.

[@hcjkruse]

try parking a truck on the street or in an underground car park.

[@Travis-L6E]

I've been in Germany for 13 years now in Sept. I would like to add to the list, something i've learned over the years and that is to learn to tolerate and accept the things you don't like about being in a new place. i have a good life in Germany and love being here but i wouldn't exactly say its paradise, after 13 years you definitely find things you don't like or agree with but then again no place is perfect.

[@joostprins3381]

When I was a little kid, my parents took me over the world to countries like Surinam, Nigeria, Pakistan. It was an experience never to forget.

[@GabberPinda]

Question 1 was a very good question 😅 But it's not because of the good weather haha.

[@Dutchbelg3]

Nice smooth haircut Eric! You are right: Running from your country is not a good reason for moving to another continent. You might wind up from a set of annoyances to a different but equally difficult situation!

[@palantir135]

The cheapest way to get your clothes dry is to hang them on a line. Clothes won’t shrink that way. Almost everyone has a washing machine at home. Many people do have a dryer too but with these energy prices you think twice.

[@dickwagenaar3684]

In general, comparing the overall workings of the two societies, which of the two ways of living, the American or the Dutch, promotes human well-being the best for most people? I was born in Rotterdam in 1943, we moved to Michigan in 1954. Have lived in the US since then, and this question still interests me, although I know it's very difficult to answer, given that people have such diverse needs and desires and that generalizations miss the mark for the experiences of many people. Nevertheless, what are your gut feelings? . .

[@AnneSpeeFrickus]

Tammy, you automatically said ‘nee’ instead of no! You are really becoming a Dutchie!

[@FoxInClogs]

Eric! I can't believe it! You turned the company hearse in!?

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

lol lol lol

[@flitsertheo]

With the last "customer".

[@Westcountrynordic]

@Soul to Soul travels what do you think of the new requirements for non EU visitors/tourists that is going to start in 2024, which includes having to give fingerprints, have photo taken, giving health details and disclosure of any criminal record

[@cphcph12]

I would like to add one thing to your items to think over: how are you going to find a place to live? It's not easy for Dutchies themselves at the moment.

[@KootFloris]

And: Are you willing to be changed, shift your convictions though meeting new paradigms and a different society? This is an essential part of the soul searching. Come with open heart, open mind.

[@blondeenigma3882]

Spent one day in Amsterdam last month, won't be going back in a hurry. Fed up of loads of electric bikes hurtling past you on every road and down side streets. Did enjoy escaping them with a canal boat trip, that was a nice memory.

[@buddy1155]

I am fed up after one day in the Amsterdam city center as well and I know where to walk without being ran over by cyclists. But that is ONLY in the tourist part of Amsterdam, the rest of the city is actually pretty quiet.

[@Iamsanni]

Who spends just 1 day in a city 😅? Only Americans do that and think they can have an opinion about the town and about the whole country maybe even ;)

[@hcjkruse]

Lesson 1: DO NOT stand in the bicycle lane ever! No not to take a picture.😂

[@DisDutch]

we just love to hear you guys are fellow Disney lovers :) . sometimes we do feel lonely in our love for Disney here in Amsterdam. haha

[@dutchangle229]

Yeah! You'll have to give up on all your power tools and get a new set of wrenches. You won't be able to get any of your furniture through the front door and all your bedding will be the wrong size. #6 How do you feel about having neighbors?

[@dgoeloe]

I through everything into my dryer. My girlfriend on the other hand, does hang a lot. I often say to her, when my clothes are washed at her house: everything in the dryer please!

[@robertfurner1729]

came for a job, from Australia for about 3 years i thought, still here 35 years later with duel nationality best choice of my life

[@AnaryaVhargon]

HIIIIIIIIIIII favorite couple!! Good to see you again. You said you two came for Daft? ... What's daft?...

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

Awww, thank you, AnaryaVhargon! DAFT is an agreement between USA and the Netherlands. Dutch American Friendship Treaty❤

[@frankteunissen6118]

It rains a lot here, yup. We’ve just had the wettest July on record. But here is a nice one to think about: if August is going to be as wet as July was, then it won’t be the wettest August on record, not by a long shot. I can remember at least one August (in the ‘70s, I think it was) when it rained every day and all day on most days. True story.

[@DikTrom]

weer zoals weer bedoeld is, ik kan niks dan natte zomers herinneren uit mijn jeugd, jaren 80. Ik vind het weer perfect zo, zal wel jeugd sentiment zijn ;)

[@SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands]

First Question: Best country in the world, easy question..

[@iLoveWoerden]

Why are we emigrating from South Africa to The Netherlands? 1. I have almost nobody left here at least in my city. South Africa is big. The only friends I had in my city either moved to Cape Town or to the Netherlands! Travelling to Cape Town where my one friend stays, is 2 days and 2 nights drive. Flights are expensive and it is a 2 hour flight. Driving to my other good friend left here takes 1 hour, but we don't see them much. And my other friend just emigrated to NL! My mom died 9 years ago, actually most of my family I were close to have died or emigrated. I have a sister in the UK which is a lot closer for me to visit if I stay in NL than here. Staying in SA means I will probably never see her again. She has friends in NL and sometimes travel to there too, so we'll definitely see each other. 2. My husband got a job in NL that is a very good offer and better than his current one. He starts 1 Feb 2024 3. I can understand 90% of written and spoken Dutch as I have always been good with languages and I speak Afrikaans which is a language derived from Dutch so there are a lot of similarities. I also have the willpower and preserverance to learn writing and speaking Dutch and understand that it may take a while. Understanding the language already makes me feel less foreign I can put on a Dutch show and am able to follow it, sometimes I don't even translate Dutch Webpages to English and just keep on reading it in Dutch as I sometimes understand all of it. 4. It is a country where my dog won't have to be quarantined for months when she gets there. We are working with a company to help us get her there smoothly, but from then on things should be okay. My yorkshire terrier has been crate trained as I was afraid she would chew my childs toys or pee where my kid crawls or that my child would get bitten. So my dog has been brought up this way so to always be with us, always indoors, knowing how to communicate to us that she needs to go outside to pee. My fears of her being aggressive were totally unfounded, she is the sweetest thing ever and will never bite but it was my first time getting a puppy while having a baby so I was fearful. My dog doesnt stay for hours in the crate anymore and never gets closed in it, but this process has made for a yorkie who is 1000% suited to apartment life even if there is no garden. We don't have a doggy door and we keep no doors open for her to just go out, it is not neccessary as she lets us know she wants to go out by her mannerism and if it is very urgent she will even bark! We will have a good enough budget for a little house with a garden in Utrecht, according to the makelaar, but even if that is not available then we will have no worries about whether my dog will adapt as she is not running around wild even now in SA where we have a huge garden... 3. We actually use the garden very little. Which is sad, but true... we aren't outdoor much. It just isn't safe. We live in one of the safest neighbourhoods in my city. The City is also considered a good City in SA. The country is just this dangerous. We don't walk around in the streets. We are afraid to open our gates. We don't pull down our windows for beggars. If there is a strange car in the street we wonder if we need to call the security company (who will take 20mins to arrive in any case as little to none of the companies here care about doing a good job). We have so much sun here, but we are indoors the whole time. I am very much aware of Netherlands having a lot less sun and a lot more rain as well as colder temeratures. But will my daughter get the freedom to drive her bicycycle outside? Yes. Will be be outdoors more with the possibility of actually getting more sun than being indoors all the time? Probably, not during all months, but overall I think we may. 4. My daughter. And my family. And myself. My daughter is white. She had no part in apartheid. Not one us were involved in apartheid and we don't care what the colour of a person's skin is. Now, if a person has a bad character then we don't want to be around them and I always teach my daughter don't look at pretty faces or colours look at what is inside as appearances doesn't make for a better or lesser person. Yet the racism towards whites are very much real and "kill the boer" is very much applicable just because she is white and speaks Afrikaans. She is beautiful, sunny, loving and very, very bright. If you are white, highly skilled, intelligent and have money because your parents have good jobs and do well then you are hated even more by many. Not by everybody. But by too many. This country is so politically messed up that there is no way out... it tries to show a picture of a rainbow nation, but the only rainbow nation is in colour, there is no unified nation. Different cultures are very much mainly still seperated from each other with discrimination running rampant. The opportunities in South Africa for my daughter is extremely poor. New laws dictate that 2 out of 3 people employed in companies must be non-white. No matter the skills, abilities. What is most important, is colour. My daughter is gifted, nobody should get to put a ceiling on what she is allowed to achieve if she works hard and earns her place in a company based on her ability and skills for the job. Even at universities there are rules for university selection for many professional jobs for instsnce psychologists and doctors... a certain percentage has to be non-white. When I wanted to study clinical psychology 10 years ago, I didn't get selected. My professor told me don't worry there were only space for 2 whites it doesn't mean that you are not good enough it is just that difficult to get selected for you. I then got selected for a different psychology masters degree and achieved a distinction for that masters, but where I could get selected was a degree that does not enable me to practice as a psychologist. It is not the correct type of degree for what I wanted to do. I don't work in the field I studied in, as a result and I still think I would have made a good psychologist. I even think of one day applying to study clinical master's in NL even though I will probably already be in my 40's when that happens (I'm already 37). For my daughter to work hard and study at one of the best universities in the world while being allowed a fair chance... well that is priceless. The world is her oyster. 5. South Africa is a sinking ship. Just google the value of the rand compared to $ or €. And it is getting worse. Corruption is very high and we also pay very, very high tax... but you don't see where the tax money goes to as we don't have electricity (just yesterday we had 8 hours of load shedding), our water is full of sewage as the sewage pipes are leaking into the rivers and not getting fixed as they have no money (funds just seemed to disappear), also there are water shortages oh and just now the other day in Johannesburg central there were a massive gas explosion due to infrastructure not maintained. The roads are ripped apart, the aftermath looks like something out of a horror film. More and more of this is coming as this ship is sinking. We are not staying until we are drowning. We are getting out. Thank goodness we are highly skilled immigrants. Oh and imagine if most of the highly skilled workers leave? Goverment just ignored warnings that a national health insurance will not work in SA and they are setting it in motion. They reckon there will be higher tax for those few tax payers already paying so they will sponsor the medical fees of those who cannot pay and the goverment will manage this fund 😂😂😂 We know what they do with funds. Private insurance will not be allowed to pay for services the national insurance is supposed to pay. That is if you can afford private insurance after the money you would have had for your usual medical insurance will now be going to the goverment health fund where all the money will be pooled together and distributed from there. There is no way that will work, not in South Africa where absolutely everything else has been managed so poorly and now there is another honey pot (money pot) for a corrupt goverment to dip their fingers in? I won't be contributing to that. Will be in the Netherlands long before that. 😅

[@ThirstyTunaTaco]

GRRRR Why do i ALWAYS have to sit back and relax while i could watch this while walking in the park, riding my bicycle or rowing my boat? I DONT WANNA RELAX.😂😂

[@joostprins3381]

Btw, we Dutch are always complaining about our country, in the mean time forgetting we are living in a good country.

[@buddy1155]

We might not be THE best country in the world but we are definitely in the top 10 with countries like: Zwitserland, New Zealand, Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Denmark etc.

[@FrensTimmerpens]

20 yrs ago….yes

[@buddy1155]

​@@FrensTimmerpens unemployment was 6.9% in 2003, now it is 3.5% GDP per capita was 35K in 2003 now it is 58K. What was better 20 years ago? listening to FVD again? they pull "facts" out of their ass.

[@mrtoobs]

Do you go to a laundry every time...?

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

Every time!!!👍🏻 yes we do 😀 Eric

[@Iamsanni]

Would be too much hassle for me! (And too expensive). We rather do stuff ourselves/at home I guess

[@D0G_CN]

you forgot to mention that kitchen apliances and washer or/ and dryers done come with a house, you need to buy them yourself. i just wanted to point that out to you 👍

[@Gamingmadirocks]

It depends on where u live in the Netherlands it May already be furnished or not.

[@D0G_CN]

@@Gamingmadirocks true, but it's not likely here and surely not common like in the states...

[@ronschuddeboomdigiscoping3693]

Ter Apel , a little village relatively close to Amsterdam offers free housing and public transportation to newcomers …😉

[@8alakai8]

i moved to amsterdam from australia at 3,5 years old my dad is dutch and mother born here and at two her family whent to australia i learnd dutch pritty quickly at school but at home we speak mostly english till i was lik 8 years old for kids its not that hard if they go to school they will learn dutch and all the kids can speak english

[@DidierWierdsma6335]

Your father and mother are both Dutch why did you need to learn Dutch? I myself am Dutch and still live here in the Netherlands but if i ever decide to emigrate i would always teach my children Dutch language period no Matter what. Other than that welcome back to the Netherlands. Welkom terug. En nog een prettige dag toegewenst😊

[@8alakai8]

@@DidierWierdsma6335 my mother did not speak dutch back then only english and as my where thinking i would learn it at school and i did

[@Brera011]

Long time no updates. What happened?

[@connievanlewe7762]

Cash is such a cutie😘

[@buddy1155]

Moving to an other country is a lot easier at a young age: - You haven't accumulate a lot of possessions. - Your closest family is on average younger and more likely to visit you, - You have less ingrained habits. - building up a new social network is easier. - In general young people are better at adapting to new situations

[@solardemos4384]

When I moved to the USA from the Netherlands I gave all my precious stuff to my family remaining in The Netherlands.

[@DidierWierdsma6335]

Please return to the Netherlands America nowadays is not that great anymore unfortunately. Our country is not perfect but it's still way better than America the so called land of the free it's not far from it. Alstublieft kom terug😊

[@solardemos4384]

@@DidierWierdsma6335 Maybe when I retire. My career is here now so is my family. Only my aunts and uncles still in The Netherlands. Starting a new career in another country was tough for me. I don’t want to go through that process again.

[@koolade76]

UK to NL as a career move, things that no amount of guides/research can tell you. 1. Healthcare is really complicated and insurance doesn’t cover everything. 2. Making friends is very difficult. 3. NL is expensive, I was expecting approximately 20% difference I was very wrong. 4. Housing is problematic. 5. Health & Safety doesn’t exist. Positive things you can cycle to most place, people are polite everyone says hello, very low crime.

[@MTGPLS]

Sorry, Health & Safety doesn't exist?! What kind of strange company do you work for?

[@user-to7vf5zf6o]

Your getting quite adjusted to the Dutch habits 😂 do not talk about you income or what you have. Love you channel, it gives me a new perspective on dutch society !

[@gerardsmits4778]

No guts no glory 💪, moved to Sweden from Rotterdam 5,5 years ago. Will i stay here for the rest of my life no no, create your own movie, be proud of yourself 😎

[@davidfaasse9697]

hallo "lieverds" hoe gaat het met jullie Nederlands? Hebben jullie ook een inburgerings curses gehad? Altijd leuk jullie weer te zien.. mooie kleinzoon hebben jullie, Trotse opa en oma. gaaf hoor. tot ziens en horens

[@lws7394]

#6 Can you get along with english, or a languague you master , or do you need to learn the language in short notice ...

[@gilles111]

#6a, are you willing to learn the language of the country you just moved to? If not, because you believe the foreign language is good enough "because almost everybody speaks English over here" - most people are willing to answer your questions or talk to you when you at work but won't invite you to their homes or to a pub etc.. Learn the language (don't have to be fluent in 3 months)...

[@flitsertheo]

Learning the local language is very important. For example even if the civil servant speaks English he will still hand you over a document in the local language and no, there is no English translation available. If you want to stick to your own language it is probably a sign that as they mentioned you are not really "onboard" for moving abroad.

[@AlexK-yr2th]

Very helpful video. This is what expats/immigrants should put out there more. Looking forward to part 2. Next haircut should be a baby's behind. No more shampoo, no more barber, no more wondering if your hair looks ok. No fear of rain or after wearing a cap. I predict that soon we see you Dutch style 😜.

[@ikke5212]

😉😊

[@only1dutchgirl]

When you're moving here, don't call the Netherlands Holland, skip Amsterdam and try Rotterdam :-)

[@mmaMandersODC]

See that you're living nearby ;) In case of medical emergencies you can go to Sint Franciscus hospital: Eerste hulp post (EHBO) they also have a pharmacy. In case you want big trash handled, yes you make an appointment with 14010 then you can put it next to the sidewalk ( what I know of once a year it's free of charge) Regionally trash is handled differently. There are several M-drives just ask google ;) About middle names depends on family-habits and religion: Catholics have their baptised-names. Halloween sides with the catholic festivities of 'Allerheilgen' (all saints) and 'Allerzielen' (all souls) Sinterklaas is the predecessor of Santa Claus. You're completely right avoid all discussions about 'zwarte Piet' About being direct towards people you're completely correct ;) however it also depends on the region you encounter people.. Wishing you a happy life overhere & you're doing a great job battling the language. In case you've got any questions just let me know ;) grtz xm

[@helenehuydecooper3534]

Met some Americans trying to purchase a few coins for a carousel in the zoo. Using American Express. Well, that didn't happen. We are not a credit card oriented country.

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

Always amazes me…lol lol 😀

[@sungeigerong1]

😮Dutch bureauracy, taxation. Very important.

[@dutchyjhome]

You know what, these guys are right! Do not just get on the plane an accidentally get off here in The Netherlands. This country must be an absolute well considered choice since any country you go to will be different in about everything, even the European countries can be very different up on each other. Take your time in your current country and by all means get prepared all the way in your current country all about the new country you'd like to live in. So learn the local language, learn the local culture, learn the local eating habits, convince yourself about the fact that religion is of no significant meaning here at all and that we pay allot of tax here in several taxes every year again over and over again and do not complain about these taxes. So get informed years before you even want to set step on Dutch (European) soil ! This really is a very different country that what you are used to and please understand that you are new here (not us !) and you very much need to integrate in our society and not the other way around ! Do not expect us to keep on talking English to you when it becomes clear that you are here for the long run. Not gonna happen ! You're welcome here if you'd want to become Dutchy. Wanna stay foreigner then accept to be treated like a foreigner and you will have no access to the true Dutch society, you will not make Dutch friends easily (Barely) and you'll easily become lonley in a foreign country, until you accept this new country as your own new country and integrate all the way!

[@flower_power]

Oh how funny, the washing. I have a wasmachine and a dryer. But only underwear, towels, kitchen and bedding stuff is put in the dryer. I think the dryer is not good for my nice clothes. But when I look at you, you look fine😂

[@wimschoenmakers5463]

Yeah... Instead of the Netherlands, I would choose a sunny country with lots of palmtrees! 🏖️

[@michielvdvlies3315]

cheese...and chocomel? ;-)

[@antiqueinsider]

A lot of these issues are very different if you already live in an EU country!

[@Iamsanni]

Not so sure..In Italy for instance a lot of things are different form The Netherlands

[@aislingbooks]

Dutch News NL just had an article about the varying reasons why expats are moving here: 1) relationship 2) work 3 ) school 4) retirement w-self sustainability. 5) asylum seekers

[@gert-janvanderlee5307]

Expats and asylum seekers are two completely different things.

[@aislingbooks]

That's a given, Gert. But I was listing the various reasons individuals immigrate to this country, and seeking asylum is a legitimate reason for being in the NL. Would you rather I say refugees?

[@gert-janvanderlee5307]

@@aislingbooks Migrants is the general word. Those can be devided in groups like asylum seekers, work migrants, expats, refugees.

[@aislingbooks]

Dank je wel, Gert ❤️

[@Paul_C]

Regarding any car: Does it fit on European roads, and, a Mercedes might be nice in the USA, here they are a dime a dozen...

[@buddy1155]

A Mercedes is a luxury car in the US, in Europe it is a taxi.

[@mcoenen8492]

And can you pay the fuel here for an American car 😉

[@Paul_C]

@@mcoenen8492 of course, then again from the south there are a few options where to get your petrol from. Anyone needs to get food, be that Luxembourg, Belgium or Germany. 😉

[@RickDangerousNL]

Yeah, if you drive something like a Ford F-150... just leave it in the US. It's way too big and parking will be a nightmare. Not to mention the fuel costs.

[@jimiwhat79]

People that come to NL spreek Nederlands I hate having to speak English in Dutch shops. People in English speaking countries would also expect people to speak English.

[@ZaimoZaragazzo]

Think twice or more counts for EVERY single country to move and live.

[@arnoldbreuer]

Maybe this video is a good reason (not) to move to the Netherlands: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJ3EdIZ8itZ7e9k

[@johnveerkamp1501]

YOU DON'T NEED MATS TO BY COME HAPPY IT'S ALL BALLAST !!!!

[@gino_58_nl24]

Nice video but say apartments are small is not right. I think the are normal and everyone knows that in the USA all must be big and check other European countries and you will see its just standard here. And if you want bigger than it cost you more.

[@MusicJunky3]

Do you know where the Dutchies are !? No,..not Scandinavia and no not Germany...!

[@PE3FS]

Think its time you learn Dutch

[@pvb3666]

The miserly Dutch have thriftiness down to a science 24/7 believe me, and not in a good way! The dryer is not purchased or being used much if at all because it uses electricity. For many it's a way of life, a constant focus on not spending money!

[@marcusfranconium3392]

Other qeustion it are you prepared to local cuisine . AS some things might look or sound similar in the united states , but in europe its where they invented those foods and are served as they should be . Like asparagus , Green asparagus not done a blasphemy , Fish , like you said in a video Mackrel you where told was a horrible fish , and when you ate it you loved it . The same with tortillas , spanish tortillas are a completely different thing from the ones in mexico and united states. ( i do recommend to make a spanish tortilla they are wonderfull) or the meaning of the word spicy , where spicy means hot in the united states , it means , spiced in other countries. Indonesia has tons of spicy food but the sambals are the ones that are added for flavour and a bit of a kick , as the purpose is to taste the food and prevent spoiling . And some sambals are realy spicy as you discovered with one of those food testing jars. Food is quite an important part and higly discussed and argued over between nations like germany , netherlands denmark . France is not even in the equation . or beers where germany and belgium hold the crown . Also the bizarre foods of each nation , Germany has Brotgen Met , ( Raw pork ) dutch belgians germans swedes danes and norwegians all love pickled haring . France eating escargo ( snails ) Frog leggs . , coastal regions Raw seafood , italians have a ton of weird splean like sandwiches, literaly magot infested cheese in southern italy that is banned from the rest of the EU , scotisch hagis All regional created foods due to the way of preservation . or created by accident . Tons of foods that are so old the origins are lost . like blood pudding sausages . bleu cheezes . liquer , beers. wines . as europe has many wines and all different . to what is available in the united states.

[@Gamingmadirocks]

As some one who has been think about mpving out of the us and going to the Netherlands or japan it harder then most think. 1. Learing the language at least basic 2. Make sure u understand that the things u loved in the us may not translate well in another country 3. Dont take alot of things from your origin country with out knowing it legal in said country that u go to. 4. Make sure ur tech can run in said country 5. And finally dont take ur cultural experience in ur country and change that countries culture

[@Marcusdeniet]

Everybody gets paid per month here... bud we are masters at budgeting....#dutch

[@hendrikjebos5564]

Moving to the US? There is only one answer to this question: Don't. 😂

[@remc0s]

If you want to live in the Netherlands, we require you to eat friet speciaal, salty liquorice and herring fillets with diced onions. If you fail the test, we dump you into the North Sea.

[@19wladimir56]

I have been wondering you praise our bread every time, but I know from my father after the second world war allied troops dropped American and Canadian bread it tasted amazing; what happened after a while to your American Bread. Too artificial ?

[@paulwusteman9963]

You don't seem to have done any research or made any enquiries at all about where you are going or who is supposed to use what tracks and what parts of the roads. Ignorance isn't bliss after all!

[@MarceldeJong]

11:49 look at mr and mrs moneybags over here! Clearly the 0.1% So interesting, so many Americans who come here say that the bread here is so much better. Houdoe is a very Brabant way of saying goodbye. I’m not used to hearing a Rotterdammert say that. Keep it up please 😊

[@DidierWierdsma6335]

Hey Eric and Tammy i have a question it's unrelated to this video please forgive me but is everything okay with T and T they have not uploaded a video in a while? Related to this video thank you both of you for choosing the Netherlands both of you are more than welcome over here. Other than that a great video keep up the great work Eric and Tammy👍 En nog een prettige dag toegewenst😊

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

Hi Didier!! They are doing great! We just had dinner with them last night❤ They are both busy with their jobs!

[@DidierWierdsma6335]

@@SoultoSoulTravels I see thank you both of you for the answer.

[@Chris-jq9fm]

Why all this soul searching? You sound if your regretting things

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

Hi Chris…the soul searching for us was not if we want to come over or not, but, at the time we were about to leave everything we knew behind and it was scary for us. We were just talking with friends last night saying this was the best thing we have ever done in our lives…absolutely no regrets…none! Hey thanks for watching and thanks for commenting. Eric

[@Chris-jq9fm]

@@SoultoSoulTravels Hi Eric. I moved to Germany from the UK in 1973 with a suitcase, but a job in my pocket. As I had no German I had to work as a busboy. It was hard and I had many a dark night. But I survived and am all the better for it. It set me up to later go to some of the most god forsaken places in this world and not get phased. JFK airport on a wet afternoon, Moscow during a revolution, Jakarta during a power cut and I even got into a taxi in Beirut. I now have to face the prospect of becoming a grandfather. Those hard days of 1973 has set me up for anything. Keep the faith and enjoy you life. As President Regen once said, "May the Force be with you". That Force is anything you want it to be PS One of the nicest places I visited was the Mark Hopkins in Ca. And I'm the only person I know who has stood on Cannery Row in Monterey.