NEVER going back to the USA from the Netherlands and here's why!!!

[@cata-wampus]

As a fellow American who moved to NL over 20 years ago, I completely understand never wanting to go back. I feel so at home here and am still even after so long am very much in love with the Dutch way of life. America feels so crazy to me now. We are so lucky to be here! I just subscribed and am looking forward to more videos. Keep up the good work!

[@DidierWierdsma6335]

I know that i'm 20 years to late with this please forgive me😊 But welcome here in the Netherlands glad to have you and also glad to know that you like it over here thank you👍

[@cata-wampus]

@@DidierWierdsma6335 Wat lief zeg! Bedankt

[@DidierWierdsma6335]

@@cata-wampus graag gedaan en dankjewel ik neem aan dat je Nederlands spreekt en verstaat Catawampus alstublieft corrigeer mij als ik dat fout hebt? Nogmaals welkom in Nederland. Your welcome and thank you Catawampus I assume that you speak and understand Dutch please correct me if i'm wrong? Once again Welcome here in the Netherlands😊

[@cata-wampus]

@@DidierWierdsma6335 Ja hoor, maar wel met een dikke accent. Hoort erbij, toch? :)

[@aNotoriousPhD]

i am planning on moving to NL next year and it is comforting seeing how many people have been glad to make the switch. i am excited, and in a lot of ways kinda relying on this move as im trans and there are more and more calls to genocide people like me, but am definitely scared about leaving friends and family behind. ive spent the past three weeks in NL, between amsterdam, groningen, utrecht, and den haag, and it’s been the best weeks of my life

[@eleanordixon9678]

I live in Delft because our son married a Dutch girl so we came to this amazing little country to watch our granddaughters grow up. American tourists can't believe how beautiful it is here. I don't like Americans saying they live in the greatest country on earth because they just DON'T.

[@eddavanleemputten9232]

I work for a multinational company, a third of our company is located in the USA. As a teenager I went to an international school with at least 35% of the students being US citizens. I’m still in touch with a lot of my High School friends and a large proportion of them are based in the USA. I’ve visited the USA and will do again in the future. I’m European, based in Belgium. What strikes me most about everyone living in the USA is the STRESS. A lot of their lives and/or life decisions seem fear-based. Overtime is ‘t an exception, it’s more a rule. There’s fear of not getting that promotion, not being able to pay medical bills despite having health insurance, fear of going to a doctor. Fear of not being able to pay your mortgage. Fear of not being able to pay for your child’s college education. Fear of violence. Fear of muggings. Fear of the unknown. Fear of anything foreign. Fear of requesting paid leave you’re actually entitled to. Fear of not appearing perfect. Fear of losing whatever you define as your freedom. The stress is constant. It never ends. Even when on vacation, there is the fear of missing out. Another thing that strikes me is the high level of self-medication without first checking if what you’re taking is at all compatible with other things you’re taking, the gobbling of pain relievers, antacids, sleeping pills, medications to wake up, and anti-anxiety medication. It just blows my mind. And the ads on TV pushing the sale of that stuff. It just blows my mind. I love the USA. But I’d never, ever want to live there. It just doesn’t fit my outlook on life. I’m absolutely not adverse to working overtime, I’m ambitious, but I need the security of the labour laws, medical insurance and healthcare system, and higher education system I have where I live… and being able to take my paid days off without feeling guilty. I need the sense of security of not worrying my child is getting shot (or me, for that matter). I need the freedom of knowing I can leave my car, take my bicycle and get to a grocery store within 10-15 minutes… and be safe on a bike lane. Sounds lame, but that’s me. My life is comfortable and I know I can retire comfortably without having sacrificed my health or lots of quality time with my daughter.

[@righteousbyfaithinChrist]

It's like that everywhere. Just depends on where you live and who you are...

[@ronaldb8759]

@@righteousbyfaithinChrist No, it is not. In America is much more fear then in the Netherlands. I hear it all the time from Americans who stay for a longer time in the Netherlands.

[@Bruintjebeer6]

I have friends who moved to the US as expats and decided to stay. He is a CAO from a plant that produces medicine They have plants of money, company shares, a bonus every year, company paid healthcare, a house and a farm in the US and a house in Oxford England. Their house they live most in is in a high scaled suburb People like them don't have to worry about most things you talk about. It is the other 80% of the population who lives like you describe. So it all comes back to money. Poverty is as bad as in some third world countries Healthcare as well.

[@StrawberryPropertyManagement]

Fear is the most commonly used technique to sell anything in the US. Fear of literally anything and anyone, including our neighbors. Fear is the biggest driver of all political campaigns in the US. Fear of “losing” something, whether that be some perception of “freedom”, or whatever else. The gun and ammo industry is huge because they’re selling mainly fear - people must have guns and ammo because they fear for their “safety”. The majority of all this fear is artificially generated through constant marketing both commercial and political. But a lot of the fear is also generated by the constant threat of losing a job, losing medical insurance, losing a home, etc etc etc. Those things are legitimate constant potential threats because the labor laws in most states are very much in favor of businesses. “Right to work” laws are called that to make it sound worker-friendly but are actually against the interests of workers. These laws essentially allow businesses to treat workers as they wish and discard employees without any reason at all. You are right that people are afraid or feel guilty about taking time off work because we’re constantly being drilled that we’re supposed to “work hard” and be ambitious and we’re basically losers if we only want to work normal hours and not always “go the extra mile” or give 110%”. And many people do lose their jobs over taking valid time off, even if the “stated” reason is something else.

[@Bruintjebeer6]

@@StrawberryPropertyManagement a lot of fear in the US is also based on the overall attitude of US society A friend of my had a mole her back yard. The children were not allowed to play with their friends in the back yard because she an her husband were scared that a kid would get hurt because of a hole in the grass and the parents would sue them for millions. That same summer a bus got an accident and over 100 said they had been in the bus and got hurt. The bus was empty when it happened. Someone sued McDonald's because they had obesity from eating their junkfood and a lady got arrested because she pulled a rack in the supermarket and lay under it so she could sue them. It was the third time it happened so they got suspicious I am a very down to earth lady but even I am scared in public because I know when people are angry or drunk there is nothing holding them back from reaching for their gun. It happened twice to me and out of the blue. First in New Orleans by a stranger who did not get his way and the second time at Grand Island after a gard game. We were with 20 people. We were playing for money First game my partner won and second game I won. One of the man did not like it and had been drinking and went for his gun. My eyes are everywhere when I'm in public and I'm on high alert. I inform first where I can and cannot go when I go out on my own. Something I never do in West and North Europa. I also understand the paranoia for the police.

[@Semmy27]

It's called the American dream, because you have to be asleep to believe it - George Carlin

[@ingridwatsup9671]

😂😅🤣😂😅🥲🤣😂

[@catharinaforbes-boeren82]

It’s more the American nightmare!

[@Bruintjebeer6]

Just read your comments. That is hilarious and so so true

[@Max-hw7xl]

immigrants like Elon will scream at you for saying it, when done screaming about immigrants

[@ingridwatsup9671]

Yes you are becoming Dutchies. Good on you for having this view on your old homeland. The cars and lawyers didn’t shock me, the rows of medications did. Now I understand your flue reaction here and why it was hard to just let your body take care of it by resting. We missed you, so glad you came back (sooner?). Will we get an update on US food you had? Take care.

[@rikakemme]

There is a Dutch pop song from 1982 by Het Goede Doel called België about a guy who wants to emigrate but finds fault with every country he considers. It contains the line "And as for America, that country isn't real", and I'm reminded of it every time you two talk about the US. Also, your grandson is insanely adorable. And Tammy is the most beautiful woman in the world.

[@AnagramGinger]

Dutch people enjoy visiting another countries, but there is nothing like coming home after a few weeks of being abroad. No matter how good of a time I had, once I get out of the plane I’m always happy to be back.

[@OP-1000]

I already have that driving back from Germany. You drive across the border and it instantly feels/looks different.

[@xerxescroes2281]

Well. I left the Netherlands for the USA and I have no regrets. I like the Netherlands but I love the USA.

[@gilles111]

That's why I always fly KLM, getting onboard, be welcomed in Dutch and have a coffee as soon as possible is the best way of ending any trip (and the business trips the most)!

[@theon9575]

Me too! I love to travel and often go away for work or holidays. But coming home, every time, a beat of joy in my heart as the airplane's landing wheels touch down on "EIGEN BODEM!" ❤ Like the Pope I want to kiss the ground when I disembark. 😂 Last time, I was walking from the plane behind 2 old Dutch ladies on the way to Baggage Collection, and when they saw the sign Duanes, I overheard one saying "Hè hè, meid, EIGEN TAAL weer!" We Dutch are among the luckiest on Earth. So we complain all day every day about things in dit kikkerlandje....LOL

[@JustBadMeAndI]

Not me, I am hooked on Asia, my girl is Indo, traveled extensively, and, although The Netherlands is one of the best places to live/work in, there are places where life is more human friendly, like less of a rat race, and, a lot more pleasant temperature-wise.

[@randyhorn872]

Soul to soul travels great guys. I was born in California, Hollywood hills to be exact, and I've been living outside of Rotterdam for almost 40 years now. Everything you said about American culture is so right on. After three days visiting my family in California I'm already getting frustrated with all the external input, stressed out people, and unintelligent comments about the world. Getting on that plane sitting in your seat returning home I always take a deep breath thinking " I've made it through another American experience." " Let's go home." So your KZbin story rings with truth and makes me laugh because it is so true. Thanks. Keep up the good work. Tot ziens. Groeten Randy van Heenvliet Nederland

[@lime7253]

Hallo Randy.l also moved to Amsterdam 20 years ago and now l moved to Delft. Love Holland....

[@aislingbooks]

Hi Randy! I was born in West Hollywood, which was then called the LaBrea Hospital, later West Hollywood Hospital and yet sadly no longer exists. We're a rare breed - ha! Groetjes van Zeeland

[@spvdijk]

Nice words: "Let's go home".

[@nadinevandewater348]

Hello, nice to see this video and listen to you.

[@johnhendriks4085]

Glad you are back. I like to watch your videos. But you are back much sooner than expected

[@EstherWijsbeek]

Nice to see your back!😘🙏

[@MichelBaek]

Welcome back! We are happy to have such wonderful people like you here. And oh yeah… CONGRATULATIONS WITH 8K SUBSCRIBERS! 🎉🥳❤

[@ingridwatsup9671]

I’ll second that: Congratulations on the 8k subscribers. The more, the merrier 🎉❤

[@joostprins3381]

Lived in Nigeria, Pakistan and Suriname and am happy to live here in the NL. My parents used to live for almost 60 years in all kind of countries (European too) and even though my father worked for Dutch companies and had the benefits of it they loved being in the middle of no where but in the end they say it is no where as good as here in the NL. So count your benefits and enjoy it.

[@ronaldbiver523]

Iam Dutch, used to live in Groningen, I live now in Melbourne Australia. I still speak fluent Dutch and English and I have Dutch & Australian friends here in Melbourne. Love your show and good luck living in the Netherlands. Iam a subscriber to your show.

[@jeroenrat6289]

21:50 Indeed a beautiful picture of those mountains, something that we don't have here in the Netherlands. Just to bad the picture also shows a big empty parking lot.😅 🎵"They paved paradise to put up a parking lot"🎵🙊 . HOV lane. I forgot about this, but we had that too the early '90 we called a 'carpoolstrook'. Experimental but didn't last long though, maybe that why I forgot. But, probably as a result, we have the 'spitsstrook' now, an extra lane that is normally closed ❌ but opens up during rush hour.

[@vintagelover2099]

what a cute baby, that is a good reason to go back to America, but welcome back. And yes, you are becoming very Dutchy. I like it. I have been in the hospital , It was an emergency, my heart was not doing well and I had pulmonary embolism. But then you are so greatfull you live in the Netherlands. When I was on cardiac monitoring, there was pretty much all the time a nurse around to check on you. I think they did a very good job there, and also with getting my medicines when I went home, the insurance company takes care of everything. I am so glad that I live here. I hope that one day I will here you talking more Dutch in your video's. But watching it is a treat. lots of love from Putten

[@hannytierlierblaauw192]

Welcome home. Love the pictures of your grandson. Congratulations

[@Natas1302]

O Tammy, that cutest little grandson looks so much like you! 😍 Gefeliciteerd 🥳!!

[@Hensepens64]

You both are a valuable addition to our country. Welcome once again. Glad you like our country so much (even when also we have our flaws).

[@AlexK-yr2th]

I been to the US quite a few times and I find it really beautiful. You have it all. It is just such a shame what is done with it. As prejudges as I am, The Netherlands is not perfect, not even close, but just a common sense society and when you (can) fit in, it can feel like almost perfect. And you realize that when, as a Dutch, live in other parts of the world.

[@steveserrano198]

I noticed from this video the two gas stations are from Pasadena California? My wife and I moved to Amsterdam from Pasadena CA two months ago. Before making the move I watched multiple videos; I really appreciate the great information both of you have shared.

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

Hi Steve! Yes, they were in Pasadena! Thanks so much for watching our videos!! We hope that you will enjoy living here as much as we do!

[@steveserrano198]

@@SoultoSoulTravels So far we love it..Rotterdam is still on our weekend travel list. Thanks again.

[@nickstar0074]

What a lovely couple! And such great ambassadors for our little country! Good to hear you feel welcome and at home here ❤

[@skippynoah]

Nice surprise as i did not expect you to be back that soon! Wow, what your life has changed in 1,5 years in The Netherlands….. Who would have thought you would be fed up in the US after only an hour? Great video, great points and for sure you both had a nice time with your family and newborn even though you were ‘harshly’ reminded of the reasons you have moved to Europe.

[@DomingoDeSantaClara]

I've always thought the sueing culture in the US was crazy, in New Zealand we don't have that right, and I can happily say I don't want that right.

[@hyppyp]

Nice to have you back!

[@ewoudjan]

i can remember you did vlog wherin you complain about the lack of selfmedication in the netherlands. now you realize that you not made of surgar and a little bit of rain can not hurt you.

[@skippynoah]

Exactly! Things can change very fast.

[@EyesOfGehenna]

About the medication commercials, it's not legal here in the NL to advertise prescription drugs at all.

[@sim-one]

🌷🇳🇱You’re Dutchified! 😄 It was fun watching this vid. Welcome back, congratulations on your gorgeous kleinzoon and get ready for a lovely Dutch spring guys. 😉🌷🌱

[@marjakeizer9580]

Welkom terug en van harte gefeliciteerd met de geboorte van jullie schattige kleinzoon.

[@jennienoppers210]

Great you ate back already! i ecpected yiu to be away for 6 weeks! Welkom thuis!

[@weertangel7231]

Got here through someone who reacted to your video and love the positive attitude u both have and how informative it is, especially for a dutchman like me who has never been to the States. So keep it up :)

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

Thank you so much for checking us out!!😊

[@Lilygirl283]

Welkom back guys...❤️

[@pietschipper324]

welcome back safe and sound, thanks for sharing the photo of your adorable grandson, what a doll !

[@nobodynone]

Welcome back home in the Netherlands and congratulations with your new kleinzoon, I hope that people who are always wining about the Netherlands see this video and be grateful that they live here and not in the USA. 👍

[@MLWJ1993]

Congratulations, he looks so cute & adorable!

[@DidierWierdsma6335]

Great to see both of you again Eric and Tammy it has been a while. Also congratulations🎉 with you're grandson awesome news WOW i hope that he is healthy and happy of course?😊 Other than that welcome back and as always a great video keep up the great work👍 En nog een prettige dag toegewenst.

[@DidierWierdsma6335]

@@MrChrist1972 Onze flag hangt correct Christ. Blauw Wit en Rood horizontaal welke land is dat?

[@theMusicWellOrg]

Thanks you two, for the idea of the channel, your honesty, sweetly self-effacing humor (public restrooms 😂), and many practical observations. Hubby & I kommt in Juli naar Rotterdam (het Natuurisch to see the ancient whales & learn about Doggerland)! Keep up the beautiful work!

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

Hi Rebecca! Thank you soooo much for your generosity! We are deeply honored and touched by your gift! Have a great time here in Juli!!❤

[@sailingspark9748]

I am biding my time till I can leave the US. Right now I have an elderly mother who I am taking care of. She will not leave her grandkids, but I can't leave her in the care of my sister. Soon as she has passed, I am out of here. I have family in Goes and the few times I managed to visit, I loved it. I cannot wait to call it home.

[@jolandadewolf2486]

Gefeliciteerd met jullie kleinzoon. . Limburg has hills, and just over the boarder you have Germany or Ardennen. And mountains And it;s only 1,5 driving. Welcome back to the Netherlands

[@opoxious1592]

Congratualtions with your newest (small) member of the family!🎁👍🏻

[@fionaek]

Good to have you back!❤

[@yvonnebirch6026]

I am glad you feel so at home in the Netherlands ! Nice to see you back on your channel ! I guess you missed the snow on the mountains ? Congratulations with the beautiful grandson ! 🇳🇱💕🌷

[@jennyvoorhaar9547]

Good to have you back 😊 Your kleinzoon is adorable 🥰 Looking forward to more soul to soul travels ❤

[@SwirlingSoul]

Congratulations to the mom of your beautiful grandson, and to both of you as Grandparents as well. I am SO glad you still love the Netherlands when you went back to the USA. It's very nice to hear how happy you are here. I can just see you walking the weekly market... getting some cheeses, some nuts and veggies... It's just so comfy to do that, and I don't see that happening in the USA. Not without car. The distances..... that too must've made the gas guzzling monsters become so expensive. We may pay a lot for the gas here, but the distances are nowhere near the same as the USA. If you drive two hours, you'll be in my home in Emmen,.... if you drive two hours in the states, you might not have reached the store yet! I am SO happy to be close to things like, dentist, hospitals, GP doctors, but also bakeries, for fresh bread.... It makes life so much easier, so much less worrysome. And for the life of me, I cannot understand why the USA makes the choices it makes, when it comes to infra structure. Would the USA not be a lot richer, safer, and more efficient if they took a leaf out of the European Book here and there? I think SOME cities are starting to change, but I bet it will be a while! I hope your grandson will get a chance to come study here and stay with his grandparents while he does so in ...oh, seventeen years or there about? I'd start teaching him Dutch as a second language. ;-)

[@jokiep65]

Nature is beautiful and the people in California were very friendly to me, just a few weeks ago. Traffic in my rental-car was okay also. Yes, the billboard-advertisements are crazy, but this Dutchie loved the s p a c e everywhere.

[@dennisfaintuch4420]

Gefeliciteerd met jullie kleinzoon. en natuurlijk ook papa en mama.

[@miran4471]

Wow! Welcome back !!!😘🌷

[@dustinbranham9746]

Love you guys. Your back and forth cracks me up. I want to move from the US to NL mainly to leave car culture behind. Have you noticed that some Americans are more naturally inclined to walk places or use transit or bikes, while most Americans still grab the car keys each time they go somewhere? I have a few friends here in the US (emphasis on "few") who are walkers and don't naturally reach for their car keys, but man they're few and far between. Thanks for the good content. Keep up the good work.

[@secretjulia]

Van harte gefeliciteerd opa en oma

[@hummel3479]

Hello Tammy and Eric, i,m from Roermond in the Netherlands and i want to say that the US is a beautiful country and that the people over there have to come together and solve some problems like the two party system and the health insurance, homelessness, labour laws etc. Than it would be a great place to live. The Netherlands is far from perfect and we also have to solve some big problems like high prices for housing and food and the much too immigration . There is no easy way to solve this unfortunately. Love your vlogs and your views on many issues. Groetjes

[@carolientjejosefientje1684]

Hi Hummel, I'm from Posterholt! Nice to see a fellow Midden Limburger here! I agree, our small country is far from perfect, but compared to the US it's not so bad. Very nice to see our country from a different perspective through Tammy and Eric's eyes. I have lived abroad myself (US, France, Switzerland) but now I am very happy over here.

[@trevorbrianhassell]

Fout , Nederlanders zeuren te veel......we hebben het goed hier...en zolang je nooit buiten Nederland gewoond hebt ..weet je ook niet beter

[@sutreB]

​​@@trevorbrianhassell Als je de verbeterpunten niet ziet, kan je het ook niet verbeteren. En immigranten voorrang geven op mensen die al jaren op een wachtlijst staan is echt wel kwalijk. Dat wachten heb jij duidelijk niet meegemaakt.

[@junipermeisje6300]

Oh there are definitely flaws in the Netherlands, and I do complain a lot (like many Dutch people do) but it took me all but one week in California (feb 2020) to realise how f*#>!d up the USA is. All these issues mentioned here, and more. In many ways, it really is a developing (third world) country. So yes I can imagine 28million (or more) American’s wanting to come to the Netherlands. Anyone who lives here, understands that would be a huge problem though. The US won’t change if everyone with a decent world view leaves. I hope the US will get some mayor insight into its problems, and will want to change them, instead of run from them. But then again, the US population all stem from immigrants who ran away from their problems in Europe (or Asia), all but the few native Americans and the black slaves transported there. So I guess running away is second nature to them.

[@trevorbrianhassell]

@@sutreB Kijk hier begint het al ...immigranten voorrang geven het huizen te kort is is vanaf de jaren 80 ..maar daar gaan we de immigranten die NU komen de schuld van geven.... Lekker makkelijk ....en vooral redelijk DOM

[@GerardusSmit]

I was was born in Aruba from Dutch parents. Only went to Netherlands, to visit family. I wish now that I lived there instead of USA. Love watching you program.

[@viderethevaccinatorfromhol7536]

May i say,. Welcome Home darlings. Welkom Thuis. And again CONGRATS with the newborn.

[@iamsuzanne73]

Good to see you back online! Missed your videos. Your grandson looks very cute ❤

[@neelz401]

Great to see you back, you two are awesome 😉

[@justadutchman5169]

😳 Woow.. Glad you’re here. You’re very welcome, love to have you here. 🫵🏼👍🏼🫡👊🏼✌🏼🇳🇱

[@xippix1]

I've been following you since the beginning, and Eric you look so much better and healthier now. The Netherlands is doing you good! (Tammy always looks good :) )

[@irmanoordzij-keizer5052]

Hé guys, i’m dutch but lived in Southern Germany for 2 years. But if you miss the mountains, please go there. Bavaria is a beautiful province. But even Sauerland and Mosel river ( only 4 hour drive) is so beautiful. But Holland has nice places too, Friesland and Limburg. But I’m sure you have discovered a few beautiful places here. Nice to hear you appreciate to live here although it’s a huge difference with California. I know because I went there a lot, have family there.

[@choonbox]

Drenthe underrated. So many forests and rustic villages.

[@HolgerJakobs]

Actually, the Sauerland mountains are called the highest mountains of the Netherlands, although they are in Germany. Just because so many Dutch people go there on holidays.

[@frankteunissen6118]

Bavaria is not a province! It’s a “Land”, a state of the Federal Republic of Germany 🇩🇪.

[@HolgerJakobs]

@@frankteunissen6118 Wenn man von München und vielleicht Nürnberg absieht, ist Bayern sehr viel Provinz. 😃

[@SilviaVanThreepwood]

I went on my dream trip to Disney World, Orlando, last september. The thing that surprised me the most was the bad quality of the food! Like, ANY food! Inside the park and in the real world. Everything looked and tasted fake in some way. I had a Mickey Mouse cupcake with purple frosting on it, and the frosting had that disgusting aftertaste of additives... I bought a packet of fruit pieces every day in the hotel, that was the only "real" food I had access too.

[@paulvanhooijdonk4626]

Nice to see you two back! Welkom thuis :). And Yes, Mountains are awesome, that's one of the reasons why we like to travel

[@IesKorpershoek]

Welcome back. I'm Dutch. lived several months in Fort Lauderdale every year for the last 30 years. In the last 10 years, so many things have changed for the worse in many aspects of life. Last November we decided to end our condo lease and not go back. We are going to discover Europe. I recognize everything you talked about. Traffic is absolutely the worst. We paid $ 3,50 a gallon for gasoline.

[@Nitzpitz]

The gas price is twice as high in The Netherlands, but everything is nearby and public transport is great too. We pay up to €2,00 for a liter (gallon is 4,2 liters)

[@AnagramGinger]

@@Nitzpitz the price may be twice as high, but the distances are way longer and traffic is much worse. Also the cars are twice as big and I don’t think they have very strict regulations when it comes to emissions. In the entire Netherlands you can reach Germany with half a tank of gas. That doesn’t work in the US. Half a tank would get you to the next village and maybe back, but there’s just no way of reaching Germany.

[@Nitzpitz]

@@AnagramGinger yes, Americans have large cars that take a lot of fuel and longer distances, all true. Glad I live in The Netherlands

[@Blackadder75]

@@Nitzpitz yes, mr and mrs Soul did not explain that too well I think in the video, although they hinted at it, they just didn't give the numbers... but the reason the lower gas prices in CA compared to NL are a problem is because you need FOUR! times as much gas in a month, because everybody is driving an oversized SUV and everything is 2-5 times further away. So here in the Netherlands, we can just drive a lot less and afford the higher gas prices. (and our government actually DOES improve the roads all the time, we have some of the best in the world, if not the best.) edit: sorry for the repeat, I didn;t see JP had already covered all these points in their reply 30 minutes ago

[@miralt]

@@Nitzpitz i learned it's 3,8 liters to a gallon. Still a high price.

[@conniemendeszoon9789]

Welcome dutchtie, missed you guys, and YES, Tammy is a Beauty. Can't wait for the next video❤️ And congrats Grandparents

[@peterlooije7888]

Wow ! i didn't know it has ingrained it such an extended way ! ( especially the medical/drug-thing and the sue-addiction-thing ) I have to admit : it really amazes me that Americans (and Californians : of all places ! ) migrate to Holland and are just happy to be here. it just brings me to a point to reevaluates my points view . Like your channel ! Keep up the good infotainment ! Cordial greetzzz from a fellow citizen !

[@JohnVKaravitis]

We applaud your decision, and, actually, are quite grateful for it!

[@dukedool9490]

Thank you Eric and Tammy I always enjoy your video , it make me missed my old place in Rotterdam 😢 Love you guy’s.

[@unforgettablejazzfusion5546]

I was one of your early followers, always lovely to hear your stories. So, I expect you to apply for naturalisation in some years! :)

[@dr.gstreadmilltechnician7997]

For a Dutch guy wanting to flee this sinking ship (in a way, because I reckon it's going to be terrible everywhere) it's really fun to see your perspective. 😁

[@misterbd9641]

Subscribed and thumbs up. You are a very nice couple.

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

Thank you so much, Mister BD😊

[@TheStarTux]

Leuke video! Welkom thuis 🙂

[@marcwilbrink4357]

Welcome back! Congratulations on your kleinzoon!

[@margreetanceaux3906]

Lovely video, nice topic, interesting. And now that you’re saving on gas ;-) maybe an occasional trip to the Ardennen, Eifel, the Jura, even the Alps… hills and mountains are not that far away…

[@dirkdemeirleir264]

Missed you! Glad you are back!

[@winnypeters4176]

Welcome back! Missed you 2

[@SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands]

Just come to Overijssel and look at the Lemelerberg :) Or go to Maastricht, plenty mountains :)

[@nerina97]

yeah, internationally those are more like big hills / 'grote heuvels'! But for Dutch measurements those are mountains hahaha

[@wimschiphorst8541]

We, Dutchies, call them mountains.😂. But those areas are nice to walk and bike.

[@barryvandertas2234]

A Dutch mountain is a Dike.

[@RickDangerousNL]

About the gasoline and prices. What also doesn't help is that Americans seemingly all want to drive cars with HUGE engines.. like at least 3 liters. While over here car engine are usually a lot smaller. So the gas may be cheaper over in the US, but the fuel consumption is probably a lot higher.

[@Hansse]

Hi guys, Thank you for another!!! very entertaining video and congratulations with your "kleinzoon"😀👏👍. He has is very lucky to have such wonderful grandparents. Greetings from a cloudy Amsterdam.

[@rianvandenhoof4124]

Van harte gefeliciteerd met jullie kleinzoon. I like your video`s. Make me appreciate this little county even more. Crowdy but still in some kind of organised way.

[@vanderquast]

So great to hear and that you are back in Rotterdam 😊 Looking forward to your new vlogs.

[@ozymandiascakehole3586]

I get what you mean about the mountains, I feel like bilbo sometimes when he says: I want to see mountains again gandalf, mountains! But then again you don't really need to drive far to get to the some more hilly country. I believe the Belgian Ardennes are like a 4 hour drive. I drove to the dordogne a week ago and that place was beautiful, very historically important stone age place. Can recommend.

[@Greyhound53200]

Many years back I visited the USA. My first general impressions: breathtaking nature (visited many National and State Parks) and friendly and curious people - as long as you don't bring religion and/or politics into the discussion. A total annoyance however was the flood of commercials interrupting the actual tv program. A wake-up call I got when visiting a big Walmart stumbling upon a section where all sorts of guns, knives and ammo was sold - amidst the things you would expect in a supermarket like food and clothing. I was horrified!

[@aww7056]

I guess you can see who or what runs the us....big pharma, weapon industry and other multinationals . And the government is one of the stakeholders...so they dont care for its citizens . it shows around the whole country .

[@jwenting]

'A total annoyance however was the flood of commercials interrupting the actual tv program." you mean the program interrupting the commercials...

[@Greyhound53200]

@@jwenting Yeah, that's closer to the truth!

[@Astrid-cn9qv]

Hi guys. You are still in Rotterdam and still on KZbin. Adding new family and KZbin family. Its always great to see you both. I still live in Spain as a Dutchie and you are the only link to my country....but you are a link with a foreign twist. Love you guys. Wishing you a million subscribers. Xxxx Astrid

[@lubosduda9227]

Right back at ya! YOU guys are the best. I'm so happy someone from the US does videos such like this one, where they point out some of the really weird things that the rest of the planet sees are very very wrong with the US (like the pills, amount of time people spend behind the wheel, etc.) And since I'm interested in Netherlands, your videos about NL are also much appreciated.

[@diedertspijkerboer]

The one thing that I would like to go to the US for is the natural parks, which are amazing and stunning.

[@james-p]

As an American (who lives in Southern California where this video was), I often recommend our parks to my European friends. They are the best things we have in the US. Especially the Grand Canyon. You can look at pictures, but nothing can prepare you for the experience of looking almost 2Km down at the river, and looking out to the horizon over the Canyon, and as far as you can see, there are no people. It's stunning. And then there are the Sequoias, Mammoth Caves, Yellowstone... PS: I love visiting the Netherlands!

[@jandirkvanleeuwen]

Welcome home, Eric and beautiful 😘 Tammy. You're doing so well, total respect 👍. To my humble opinion you've made the best decision of your life to move here. Enjoy life in the Netherlands, Europe and anywhere else 👍

[@Weener927]

LOL, Welcome back! You're really becomming Dutch;-) Complaining about the traffic, taxes, being blunt/direct etc. etc. I stated this before, in the comment section: try out the City of Groningen. And visit the Northern part of Drenthe, which is the best place to live and work according to a survey, by the University of Utrecht and the Rabobank. And take from there a trip to the south, passing along the villages of Haren, Onnen, Noordlaren, Zuidlaren and ultimately to visit the very pittoresk village Anloo. And please visit in the month of May, when all the tress turn green, meadows full of flowers etc. Trust me, after you've visited that areas: you'll state > we will never go back to the Randstad.

[@bertbouwhuis]

Congrats on your grandson, lovely to see that ! And welcome back to our lovely country.

[@jolanda.c]

Welkom terug! Gefeliciteerd met jullie kleinzoon.

[@ppligt-bekker1451]

HI dutchies!!😃good to see you back home

[@sabaidoodkorte820]

Congratulations! I hope you have had a great time with your grandson and family. Good to see you back in Rotterdam again. 😊

[@agathahofmann6977]

gefeliciteerd!!!

[@nerina97]

Welcome back! In the Netherlands we have a lot of traffic asocials as well, more commonly known as 'verkeershufters'. But when there is traffic it doesn't delay you by 3 hours or maybe I understood you guys wrong). The high occupancy (?) vehicle lane is a good idea though! It stimulates carpooling, which is really beneficial with that lane. Question: I see trucks on different lanes. Is that usual over in the USA? In the Netherlands they shoudl drive on the most right lane, or if the road is splitting up, then on the right lane after the split. Besides that my jaw dropped at your pictures of aisles with selfmedication stuff.

[@oDiiJei]

Great vid guys! Love seeing your content. i'm also from Southern California but I have my eyes set on eventually coming to The Netherlands. You guys serve as great motivation and I really appreciate you sharing your perspective. All the woes you mentioned in this video and previous, I can relate to. I've only had a short visit in The Netherlands but I've spent a lotta time in Germany and Switzerland. Everything from public trans, medical policy, city design, education policies, biking infrastructure, workplace culture etc. has me thinking SoCal isn't the place for me. Hopefully I'll be on my way soon. Until then, and certainly after, I'll be watchin you guys. Just gotta live vicariously through you til I step off that plane!

[@ronnie9187]

Hope you can fullfill your dream. I am a dutchie living in Switzerland and knowing Germany also pretty well. All three countries are great to live. The weather isn't as good as in California, but also not as bad as somethimes mentioned. There are however local cultural differences between the countries. Netherlands and Switzerland are less formal and Germany is more formal in communication for example. Netherlands is the most easy going, but all three countries live pretty much by the "agenda". Salaries are the highgest and taxes the lowest in Switzerland, but cost of living is also much higher generally. The housing market is a problem in all mayor cities in Europa, Zürich, Münich or Amsterdam are all three very expensive. In the Netherlands however there is a shortage of houses everywhere not only in the big cities. Bike infrastructure however is the best in the Netherlands, but public transport is the best in Switzerland (however in all three countries are excellent in comparisment with the US ). Nature is the most beautiful in Switzerland, with its mountains, lakes and forests and you are very quick.y in southern Europe. Even the southern part of Switzerland, Tessin, is just two hours from Zürich by train, but the weather is already much better, situated south of the Alps. English speaken is excellent in the Netherlands, but also in the Zürich area, a little less in Germany. If you need any more information for if you don't know where to settle, just drop a line. Cheers, Ronald.

[@oDiiJei]

@@ronnie9187 Nice to meet you Ronnie and wow thank you so much for sharing your perspective. May I ask you what made you decide to leave for Switzerland? Most of my time spent in Europe was in Switzerland, so I have a massive bias towards that country. If I were to move there (Zurich) I'd have a network of friends to support and engage with. It may sound counter intuitive, but I don't want that "safety net", if you will, to allow fear for moving elsewhere. I completely agree about the nature aesthetics. Of all my travels it's the most beautiful place I've seen. Everything I saw between traveling from Lugano to Zurich and Basel looked like a postcard. Public trans there and Japan were the best for me to use as a foreigner. What makes me lean toward The Netherlands is probably because of the weather and biking infrastructure. I'm not the biggest fan of snow if i'm honest LOL, and I was amazed to see how much accommodation there was for different modes of transportation. When I think about moving about a city now and especially in old age, the option to walk or bike sounds really appealing. While I am trying to learn both Dutch and German, though I'm also learning a new skill for the job that'll open doors for me to move, the fact that English in The Netherlands is common place is also a plus. I think it's only fair that I adapt to the local language but being able to fall back on my mother tongue is def great so The Netherlands is great for that. I know you're not too far from your home country but what are the things you miss and don't miss about home? What are the things you like better in your new home city in Switzerland? Take your time to respond, it's no rush and no worries!

[@ronnie9187]

@@oDiiJei Hi Skywen, nice to meet you. It is perpaps a difficult choice and if you are young, why not just go to live for a year in both countries ? The job market is great in both countries as well. For my case, I used to « interrail» a lot when I was young. For just around 200 dollars you could travel for a month trough the whole of Europe. On one of those trips I was hiking in the mountains (Zermatt) where I learned to know my Swiss wife, and moved to Switzerland over 20 years ago, long story short 😉. I am working in the Zürich area, and also living there. If you are flexible and don’t want to live exactly in the City, it is very easy to find a place to live. I myself live in Aarau, half an hour by train from Zürich and is a very relaxed old small town. The forest is just 5 minutes walk from my home, smaller mountains within 30 minutes reachable and the big guys a little bit over an our. The weather, yes you have definite more snow in Switzerland, although in this little country the differences in weather are quit big, because of the mountains. It is more windy in the Netherlands, and heavier storms are also much more common. Transport. Especially in cities like Basel, people use trams and the bike quit a lot. It increased last decade especially I think, because of the e-bike. You can live easily here withouth a car if you want. But the biking culture in the Netherlands is surely another level compared to Switzerland. For that even my little town has two light rails that connect me fast and easily to all towns around Aarau. The strange thing is that I don’t miss that much from the Netherlands, except for friend and your own culture. For example if I talk to Dutch friends and we steal some jokes from “Jiskefet” or talk about a book, or sports, then you have that same kind of identity or cultural past. If I am with Swiss friends and family, they have other references then I have, and then you can miss the humor or the context of something. I used to live in Utrecht and I miss a bit, living in a small town, the rich alternative culture with its many little bars, cafes, restaurants, life music. That is still available, but not in walking distance anymore, thats more the choice between living in a larger city or in a smaller town I presume. What is nice is the sea. You are always, wherever you live, within an hour at a beautiful beach in the Netherlands. It is enriching, to live abroad. You get more aware of the fact that a country is much more then just the image. Netherlands is more then tulips and joints and Switzerland is more then cows and banks. Much more. You also look different to your own country with that extra distance. And as you say, in 8 hours, one night with the night train, or 1 hour with EasyJet, I am back in my old home, which I do every year at least one time. However, somethimes I feel not completely Dutch anymore nor Swiss. That is thing I heard more from people that emigrated.

[@loocro]

A good additional channel to inform you about moving aroiund in the the Netherlands is 'Not Just Bikes'

[@oDiiJei]

@@ronnie9187 Ahh yes I'm sure that feeling of distance with identity will come no matter what when emigrating. I hope that you and others can find a peace within that, and can see that as something that's super unique to your story. It takes a great deal of courage to uproot your life in such a way. Whether it's overseas, or a train ride, the culture and network will always hold something new to explore. You make a great point there, maybe I should try to live in those countries and see what i like most LMAO! I guess I felt so settled on The Netherlands because of the biking and lack of snow. But who knows how I'll feel once I've lived there for more than several months. I mostly stayed in Lugano a few months for a dance job about 10 years ago. Until I met up with friends in Zurich and Basel, there were lots of moments of feeling isolated since I don't speak Italian. English speakers didn't seem all that common, and understandably so since the city seemed to be a holiday spot for various neighboring countries of Europe. So the German region of Switzerland would be my choice but I think about the snow! LOL This Cali boy is not built for the snow!!! LMAO Idk though, maybe I'll adapt, we'll see I guess! That's very encouraging that the housing market sounds like it's less barrier to entry. I hear over and over how it's a massive problem in the Netherlands. Thanks for driving that point home because that's a massive element to consider. Do you feel like you'll spend the rest of your days in Switzerland? Also thinking about being close to the beach would be a point of familiarity for me and life here in SoCal. That would be very nice.

[@willemsaedt9464]

Welcome home and congratulations with your grandson😃👍

[@fragwitz8898]

Now my question is , did you notice / get irritated by those things before you moved the netherlands? (like the billboards , since traffick is everywhere including not using blinkers or crossing full white lines)

[@joannewink7101]

Glad your back! Beautiful kleinzoon🥰. I am happy you are Dutch😉

[@eddys.3524]

Nice to have you guys back !!! The gandson looks great, btw... Congratulations. I hope you will be able to submerge your family in the Dutch way of life soon.

[@joopspeth6483]

Gefeliciteerd met jullie kleinzoon!

[@damouze]

Your grandson is adorable. Congratulations! I was in Ohio a couple of years ago and I was surprised by the amount of pain medication that is available over the counter in the US, especially since many (if not most) of them are only availble on prescription in the Netherlands and the EU in general. I noticed the very prominent display of Naproxen in your picture. That is an opioid derivative! I was prescribed this once and was given specific instructions on how and when to take it. Exactly twelve hours apart and with just a little water, nothing else. And since I got the first oral dose just after 1pm, it meant that I had to stay up until 1am to take the next one, and so on. In my humble, and definitely not medical, opinion, this should not be an over the counter drug.

[@AnnaKaunitz]

I have to correct you there. Naproxen is a so called NSAID - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug - and absolutely not an opioid derivative. Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Classification is the system, maintained by the WHO, that classifies all medical prescriptions, all countries and doctors use it. NSAID is under M which is Musclo-Skeletal, as in Antiinflammatory and antitheumatic. Any opioid or derivates are under N which is Nervous system The pharmacology are completely different and their uses differ. Naproxen is prescription free in most countries, very commonly used for menstrual pain, no need to make life more difficult and expensive for girls and women by restricting the availability. Also used for migraines and other medical problems. Badly treated pain is also not acceptable. Overwhelmed doctors don’t have time to evaluate every single problem each patient might experience. Your entire health care system would crash within hours if you had such restrictions. That’s why some medications are prescription free, the evaluation process is rigorous.

[@fizzfizzbang]

Naproxen isn’t a pain medication, it is merely an anti inflammatory. Some “brand name” versions like Aleve also include a tiny amount of pain killers but just straight generic naproxen sodium doesn’t have it.

[@Dirk-van-den-Berg]

The only painmedication that is available for almost free is paracetamol, highest dose 200 mgrams. Available in any larger supermarket. Everyone in Netherlands knows the painmedication, often advised by GP's assistants.

[@susantaylor147]

Hi there, I'm English and emigrated to the Netherlands when I was 18! I live in South Limburg and it has a lot of hilly areas to enjoy! A lot of cyclists 🚴‍♂️ 😳 come here for the hills! It's called 'Heuvelland ' Valkenburg, Epen etc ! I love your positive attitudes! 😀👏👏

if you like mountains come to slovakia and visit Low and High tatras great places for hiking but we can offer much more (as every europe country) you should definitely travel more around Europe there are many different places and you will for sure fight some places which will be close to your heart :)

[@jackvandersluis1723]

Welcome back Dutchies! Great travel report! Loved it! 👍