Where are you from?

I was living in Paris, France

Where are you now?

I now live in Amsterdam

What made you decide to move to the Netherlands?

I had an opportunity with my work, and was really interested in living in a smaller, yet very dynamic (socially, culturally) city. I had come here previously, and I always liked the festive and friendly atmosphere, the architecture, the canals…

What do you think was typically Dutch about your move?

After I decided to move and Expat Management Group started to help, everything went quickly, smoothly. We had efficient, straightforward exchanges, which was exactly how I expected Dutch people to be : after one month, I had signed a rental agreement, after two months, I’m settled in my new place, and all the administrative procedures are dealt with.

What do you find typically Dutch?

My answer is full of clichés, but it is why we (anyone from a foreign point of view) find this “typically” Dutch : the landscapes here are very characteristic (whether the countryside flat lands with windmills, or the city narrow houses along the canals), of course, the travelling around the city on a bike, and the flower markets.

If you were to rate your complete move, what would the rating be?

I’d say it was perfectly designed so that I felt secure and accompanied, didn’t lose time, and yet had to do things on my own so that it really felt like I was making the move (if everything had been taken care of without me, where would the thrill of moving abroad be?)

What would you have done differently?

I would have come earlier 😉

What has been the best part of your move?

The best part is the day when all the furniture has been delivered at my new place, and I started almost instantly to feel “at home” within a few hours, still knowing I had so many new things and places to explore.

Any last tips and tricks?

Do not hesitate to make the move, and with Expat Management Group, it is so much easier and reassuring.

Just take a bit of time to walk around the city to decide which area you would fit in the most, as it is important to find a district that matches your expectations and each one of them is different.

Try to get information on the city you are targeting, on the internet, in guidebooks, from people you know have been there, but don’t take everything as the truth, go see for yourself, and don’t try to cover everything : it’s also good to have a bit of surprises !

On the practical side : weeks before departure, make a list of all the things you have to do / think about, with a schedule, as there are a lot, and some have to be anticipated (moving, travelling, registrations, various contracts termination,…).