Rotterdam, The Netherlands Report of what it's like to live there - 09/28/06
Personal Experiences from Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Background:
1. How long have you lived here?
7 years.
2. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Moved with husband, worked in local company.
3. Travel time and best routes to this city from Europe or the US:
Seasons are weak: summers cool, winters wet, no real best or worst time to travel. Contrary to popular belief, quite centrally located in Western Europe: Paris 3.5 hour by train, Cologne 3 hours, Brussels 2 hours.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
in the city almost exclusively apartments, farther from center townhouses with small gardens. Space is at a premium. Commute times can be very short to over an hour. Amsterdam is considered commuting distance.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Availability: good. Choice in groceries may not be as wide as in U.S. or Germany for that matter, but food including some ethnic stuff (Turkish, Asian, Italian) is readily available. Price level feels neither particular cheap or particularly expensive in European context.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
None.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Most international fast food chains are present, so is a number of nice restaurants, including one or two with Michelin stars. Recommended ethnic cuisine: Indonesian.
Daily Life:
1. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Not easy to find and expensive, especially if working.
2. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Credit cards are accepted at department stores and the like though less widely used than in US (not in supermarkets for example).ATMs are widely available. Most everyday spending by residents seems to be done by debit card.
3. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Yes, at least a Scottish church is there.
4. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
Newspapers: available with reasonable delays, TV very readily available since most English-language content on local TV (comedy, films)is subtitled rather than dubbed. CNN etc. is there also.
5. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Very little, English goes far.
6. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Not more than in other big cities, probably less. Most metrostations and the like have elevators etc. for the disabled, curbs are largely accessible, traffic lights for pedestrians often have audible signals for hearing impaired.
Transportation:
1. Do you drive on the right hand side of the road or the left?
Right.
2. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Safe: yes. Affordable: not bad. On time: so-so.
3. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
No rugged terrain whatsoever, so no need for jeep. Cars are expensive locally because of taxes, so check if you can import one tax-free when moving there. Service for most European and Far-Eastern brands is available, less for American cars. Gas is relatively expensive and parking space scarce, so small is beautiful.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Quality good, cost relatively expensive.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
3. What is the best way to make phone calls back home?
Pets:
1. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
Don't really know but assume so since the Dutch keep lots and lots of pets, especially dogs wich are allowed in most shops and restaurants...
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Yes if they have an EU passport and are willing to learn some Dutch, hardly otherwise.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Quite relaxed in generally, except at banks, major law firms etc.
Health & Safety:
1. Pollution index (Good, Moderate, Unhealthy, or Very Unhealthy)?
Moderate. Towards the industrial areas (petrol, chemical), it seems a bit more unhealthy.
2. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Petty crime (car broken up by junkie) is quite widespread but one feels generally safe in most areas of town.
3. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
None.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
at least two international schools (one American, one international part of Dutch school). No personal experience since kid was small when living there.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Not cheap but available with generous opening hours that enable full-time work for moms without the benfit of a nanny. Our experience with the quality of care was excellent.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Quite a lot of foreigners in general, hard to determine how many are expats in the classical sense. A couple of multinationals are headquartered here, so quite a few probably.
2. Morale among expats:
Ok. Probably doesn't qualify as plum assignment in terms of quality of life but generally civilized.
3. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Definitely good for singles as Amsterdam is only an hour away. Good for families in the sense of being able to combine work and family (see daycare).
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Netherlands are in general very tolerant of gays / lesbians, though Amsterdam probably has more of a scene.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
There weren't any during our time there (until end of 2004) but a few unpleasan tendencies seem to be cropping up lately.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Some great museums (art!), boat trips in harbor, interesting architecture.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Souvenirs: flower bulbs, cheese and paraphernalia
9. Can you save money?
Yes if you stich mostly to Rotterdam. It's rather no-nonsense, businesslike, more a place for working than for hanging out. No if you blow it all on the weekend in Amsterdam...
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes, has a great time there.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Rock-climbing equipment.
3. But don't forget your:
Bicycle!!!
