Pros and Cons of Living in Utrecht

"Expats in Utrecht appreciate the city's vibrant cultural scene, with its many museums, galleries, and theatres. They also enjoy the city's rich history, with its many historic buildings and monuments. The city's diverse population also adds to its charm, with people from all over the world living and working in Utrecht. The city's excellent public transport system makes it easy to get around, and the city's many parks and green spaces provide a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Finally, the city's friendly locals make it easy to settle in and feel at home," explained one expat.

"The Dutch are very outdoorsy and I love that. They cycle everywhere and any time there is sun, no matter what the weather, you will find them out basking in it. It's the cycling culture that I have completely fallen in love with. I also enjoy how environmentally friendly they are. Most companies will reimburse employees 100% of their travel expenses as long as they use public transportation. The bikes take people most places and rarely do you get a plastic bag with your shopping purchase unless you pay extra for them. Most people carry their own vinyl bags for shopping or stuff purchases in a large purse, backpack, or bag. Time is also appreciated. Employees get, on average, five weeks of vacation in addition to the many many holidays. The average work week is 36 hours and an astounding number of people work four days a week. Healthcare is also affordable and easy to come by. Everyone must be covered by law. The government also gives generous childcare aid and maternity and paternity leaves are recognized," said one person in Utrecht.

"Of course, the language is challenging. It really does make all the difference when you speak the language. However, I would have to say that the biggest challenge is making friends. You really do have to start all over again from scratch. Thanks to the International Women's Club I joined, making expat friends has been easy and I've met some wonderful women. My Dutch classes have also proven to be great sources for friendships. But my only Dutch friends were those of my husband and, even then, they are still very much his friends and not so much mine. To meet more "locals" I joined an all-women Dutch singing group. The girls are lovely, but it has come to my attention that friendships here are valued much differently than in America. It is very American to have tons of "friends" that, in reality, are better described as acquaintances. The average American has several "best friends." Doesn't that sort of defy the meaning of "best friend". Because, there can really only be one best anything. In The Netherlands, once you have build up a strong friend base of 5 or so people, there is no longer a need for anymore friends. At a certain point, the Dutch aren't looking for any new friends. Because of this, they're much more difficult to develop friendships with. After several months in the group, I'm still working at it. But I have observed that once you break in, they are loyal friends for life. Something I think very few Americans really know about," explained one expat.

"Expats in Utrecht often find the language barrier to be the most challenging aspect of the local culture. Dutch is the official language of the Netherlands, and while many people in Utrecht speak English, it is not as widely spoken as in other parts of the country. Additionally, the Dutch culture can be quite different from what expats are used to, with a strong emphasis on politeness and respect for others. This can be difficult to adjust to, especially for those who are used to a more relaxed attitude. Finally, the cost of living in Utrecht can be quite high, making it difficult for expats to find affordable housing and other necessities," said one person in Utrecht.