While I always try to look for the positive in life, I will admit that a part of me has a hard time turning not-so-great things around — an aspect that didn’t serve me well when I first came to live in the lowlands.
Honestly, I did not expect how many surprises awaited me. These are some of the things that, well, truly haven’t grown on me over time despite my best efforts.
Perhaps you won’t agree — and that’s okay! But remember, it takes courage to be honest, even about matters of opinion — and you can share your opinion in the comments below. 👇
This was quite a shocker to me. My preconceived idea about the Dutch was that they’re law-abiding citizens, with everyone following the rules, and no one dared to stand out for ‘thinking outside the box.’
And, oh boy, was I wrong. 😱
Take parking, for example. I know parking doesn’t come easy for everyone, but the first 10 times I saw a car go directly over the sidewalk just so they could sneak into a parking spot without too many manoeuvres, I knew things weren’t quite like I had imagined.
READ MORE | How people park their cars in Amsterdam is downright terrifying (video inside)
The story continues because once the driver manages to park, it’s clear that they do not care much about tyres (no matter how expensive they might be!) because they leave them perched precariously on the sidewalk gutter.
Everybody knows that it is an excellent way to preserve them. 👀
The fact that the possession of marijuana is decriminalised in the Netherlands is forward-thinking.
It means everyone is free to do as they please, and this all sounds very nice — until you find your nostrils invaded with sickly-sweet fumes when you turn a corner on your way to the supermarket. 🤢
When I go to the park with my son, and he is happily playing on the swings or going down the slide, the last thing I want for him to smell is weed.
READ MORE | Is smoking weed in Amsterdam legal? (+ 7 best coffeeshops!)
As far as I know, smoking it in public spaces is forbidden, but that does not seem to stop many people (just another example of the rules being bent).
This is one of the most contentious points for internationals in the Netherlands, but like everything in life, it depends on what you compare it to.
In my case, I enjoyed universal healthcare in Spain for free (which you pay for with your taxes, obviously), but there was no extra health insurance necessary.
In addition, if you need to go to a specialist, you can just book an appointment without a referral: think routine gynaecologist checkup, paediatrician, etc. 🩺
READ MORE | I had a good experience with the Dutch healthcare system. Am I the only one?
When I arrived in the Netherlands, it was not easy to wrap my head around having to go to a GP for everything and only getting paracetamol prescriptions (Which I can buy from the supermarket, thank you very much).
The bottom line: I will never get used to the Dutch healthcare system, period.
What is up with the cost of daycare in this country? 💰 Sure, when your child turns four, education is free and awesome, but what do you do for the first four years?
Applying for childcare allowance (kinderopvangtoeslag) might help, but only if you qualify.
Also, what if you have more than one kid? I see families with two or three children running around, and the only possible explanation I can think of is that they are all millionaires.
READ MORE | Toeslagen: save money with these allowances in the Netherlands
It is easy to see why almost no one uses daycare five days a week.
Much like a game of Tetris, you desperately need to find childcare for your 32-hour workweek, padding it with a day when the grootouders (grandparents) can help out and, of course, make use of papadam (a day when the dad should take care of the kids).
Without these extras, having children is not sustainable for the common middle-class family.
Obvious? Maybe. Still important? For sure! While people have different standards for measuring a country’s quality of life, for me, the weather plays a huge part in that assessment.
Although I don’t mind the cold, the extreme humidity (my hair has gone from straight to what’s happening?), the savage wind, and constant, out-of-nowhere rain make it very hard to adjust to the Dutch way of life.
READ MORE | 11 TikToks that perfectly describe Dutch weather
Needless to say, throwing in a bike amid that madness is complete insanity — I have seen some pretty nasty falls, ouch! The weather is a hard pass for me.
As a result, I spend much more time indoors than I would like. 🏠
Now that it’s off my chest, I remind myself that life is all about balance. The benefits of living in this land outweigh the drawbacks. Still, the life of an international in the Netherlands can be undoubtedly hard.
What are some of the things you would not miss if you left the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below!
