Lifestyle

The Netherlands blends some of the most liberal attitudes to be found in Europe today with an orderly, structured society. Dutch people are very friendly and speak excellent English because it is taught in state schools. But be forewarned, the Dutch can be blunt and do not mince words when it comes to expressing themselves. The saying “honesty is the best policy” must have originated in the Netherlands, so be prepared.

The ability to not mince words must create a happy society. The London-based Legatum Institute ranked the Netherlands ninth out of 142 countries on its Prosperity Index, which considers economy, entrepreneurship and opportunity, governance, education, health, safety and security, personal freedom and social capital categories.

This is a welcoming country where strangers greet one another and people respect the environment. But the Dutch do more than just talk about the environment. They walk and cycle wherever they go. Amsterdam, for example, is one of the most bicycle-friendly large cities in the world, with numerous bike paths, bike racks and several guarded bike storage garages that can be used for a nominal fee. It is not much of an overstatement to say that Dutch children learn to cycle before they walk.

A very healthy and fit people, over one-quarter of the population are registered at one of the over 35,000 sports clubs in the country. Two-thirds of those 15 years of age and older participate in a sport weekly.

The Dutch also like to have a good time. Whether it is National Day or an international football (soccer) match, Dutch flags and orange banners wave and the party begins, but it is all in good fun and violence is a rarity.

Culturally, the country has a rich history. The Netherlands has had many well-known painters, especially during its golden period of the 17th century, when Rembrandt, Vermeer and others were known as the Dutch Masters. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Vincent van Gogh and Piet Mondrian became masters of the contemporary world of art.

Traditional Dutch cuisine generally is pretty basic fare, but cuisine from the former colonies of Indonesia and Suriname bring a spicy zest to the country’s tables.

Cost of Living

Like anywhere in the world you may move, your cost of living in the Netherlands will depend upon the type of lifestyle you want to have. Even in the least expensive countries your cost of living may be similar to what you left in the U.S. if you want to maintain a similar lifestyle.

For cost of living information, please visit Numbeo, the world’s largest database of user-contributed data, for comparison of costs for selected items sold in San Francisco, California and Amsterdam.