1. Where are you from?

Argentina & Ireland

2. Where are you now?

Utrecht

3. What made you decide to move to the Netherlands?

After living in Argentina, England and Dublin in the space of 5 years, the birth of our son at the end of 2018 changed our priorities. We want him to have the best possible life in a country where he’s welcome and where he can feel at home.

4. What do you think was typically Dutch about your move?

The efficiency! We love when things are predictable and logical when they need to be but still surprising sometimes. That sums up our move.

5. What do you find typically Dutch?

This is a tough one, there are many things. The New Year’s Eve firework madness was surprising and now we know “typically Dutch”. Kokos brood and soepballetjes are two typically Dutch things that took us literally 2 seconds after discovering them to get behind! But bicycles ruling supreme is at the top of the list (they say logging into Marktplaats.nl and looking for a used bakfiets).

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

Our move was complicated by our son being admitted into hospital for a few days the day before flying out of Ireland. But we were able to reduce some of the load from that complication because EMG had our backs with everything that needed to be arranged here in The Netherlands.

7. What would you have done differently?

I would’ve packed less stuff to bring with us. In the end we didn’t use the contents of 2 of the 6 suitcases (2 cabin sized, 4 large ones) before our things arrived from Dublin.

8. What has been the best part of your move?

Getting that lovely feeling that this is a place where we see ourselves settling. Feeling welcome and happily embracing as many local customs as we can. And that the country in general and Utrecht in particular are stunningly beautiful helps a lot, too!

9. Any last tips and tricks?

Pack as lightly as you can for the days before your things arrive and don’t move much stuff from your home unless it has sentimental value. Living out of suitcases for a month might sound terrible, but it’s so liberating. And one look at all the beautiful and unusually-themed shops, you’ll be wondering why you moved that generic vase aunt Mildred got in a car boot sale because “it goes great with you sofa”. You’ll want that vase’s space for something unique from an equally unique shop.