When
moving to a different country or a city, you'll probably spend hours looking
into its environment, safety, size, neighborhoods, and all other things you
find important before making the final decision.
Among
other things, the Netherlands is known for its party culture and liberal
government. Of course, that makes it a country where young adventurous people
fit right in. However, many people move to the Netherlands with their families
or start their families there.
That
brings up a question - is the Netherlands suited for everyone, and how do
family-oriented people fit in the Dutch culture?
The
Netherlands is an excellent place to raise a family since it's a stable country
with outstanding educational and healthcare systems and child-protection
programs. In addition, it is considered very safe for its citizens.
According
to a study done
by Numbeo, the Netherlands is the number one in the world
regarding quality of life. This makes it one of the happiest nations in the
world, where they rank at number four.
The
Dutch education system is highly developed, ranking in the top ten countries in
the world for higher education. That led to the Dutch being the third most
educated nation in the world.
Furthermore,
the Dutch government pays special attention to children's rights and
development. The KidsRights
index
ranks countries by how protected are children's
rights in these categories:
- right to
life;
- right to
protection;
- right to
education;
- right to
health;
- enabling
an environment for child rights.
According
to this study, the Netherlands is the fourth in the world regarding protecting
children's rights.
When
you consider these stats, it's safe to say that the Netherlands is one of the
best countries in the world for starting and raising a family.
When
choosing a family-friendly city to live in, there are a few things to keep in
mind, like:
- overall
safety;
- public
transport quality;
- the
closeness of schools;
- playgrounds
for kids.
In
the Netherlands, one of these cities will be your best choice as they have all
of the above.
Utrecht
has everything you might wish for to live a peaceful, family-oriented life. It
has combined more than 20 schools, preschools, and colleges, making the
education of children vast.
There
are tons of activities for the young ones, like the KidZcity, a huge play area
with rides, horse carousels, and other activities. In addition, there are more
than a dozen parks and other open spaces for walking and playing. It's also
packed with cultural and entertainment museums, like the Miffy or Speelklok
museums.
For
the parents, there are numerous relaxing and exciting activities, like the
canals. With a beautiful view, and multiple cafes and restaurants, it's a great
place for spending your weekends.
The
country’s capital has content for each one of its residents. With more than 200
primary schools, 21 international schools, and 31 secondary schools, your kids’
education will be in safe hands.
The
Vondelpark is one of the most popular children's playgrounds, and there are 30
parks in total for you to choose from. The Amsterdamse Bos is another very
popular location for walks, biking, or jogging.
In
Amsterdam, you can also find a zoo, numerous museums, take a canal tour, and
many other cultural and entertainment activities.
It’s
truly a city that is made for absolutely everyone.
Rotterdam
is another great choice for living a family-friendly life. It's one of the
biggest cities in the country, located in its southern part. It has an
excellent transportation system and is well-connected to the rest of the
country.
It
has close to 50 schools, including 19 international schools. One of its most
appealing locations is the Rotterdam Miniworld, where you can see the entire
city in miniature figures.
Regarding
outdoor activities, you can visit the Fun Forest with various activities like
monkey bars or lianas. Parks, street art, minigolf court, cinemas,
theaters…literally anything you might wish for.
With
more than 500,000 people, Hague is the third biggest city in the Netherlands.
As such, you'll find access to 20+ schools on all education levels, and there
will be a school close by no matter which neighborhood you choose.
There
are many children-friendly activities to do in the Hague, like the Sea Life
Scheveningen sea world, the Kijkduin beach, or the Drievliet Theme Park, which
is packed with rides and playgrounds.
With
more than eight parks, multiple cycling roads, and cultural and entertainment
choices, it's the perfect place to start a family.
Haarlem
is a city just outside of Amsterdam, and it's becoming more popular by the day.
Although Amsterdam is an incredible city, it's a bit more crowded than the rest
of the country. So for people that like to stay close to the capital but avoid
the crowdedness, Haarlem is a perfect choice.
With
nearly 50 schools, preschools, and universities, you won't have to worry about
signing your kid up. On a free day, you can take them to the Meneer Paprika,
where you can grab a coffee while your child plays around.
Regarding
playgrounds, there are many options to choose from, like the Natuurspeeleiland,
Speeltuin het Paradijsje, or de Glasblazers.
Nijmegen
is one of the smaller towns on the list, with around 170,000 people. As such,
it's an excellent place for people that prefer to avoid the big city noise and
crowds. In addition, it's very family-friendly, with plenty of activities for
the young ones.
The
Spoorpark and the Nijmeegse Vierdaagse are the most popular parks for the kids
to play around. You can also visit the Nijmegen Zoo, Hoge Veluwe National Park,
or the Nijmegen Museum, with various interesting exhibits.
Last
but certainly not least, Leiden is another fantastic option for family life.
Like the rest of the Netherlands, it has an excellent public transport network
and multiple schools nearby; it's very safe and much cheaper than Amsterdam.
Leiden
is also known for its breathtaking canals, so taking a ride is a wonderful
activity for the entire family. You can enjoy nature in one of the many parks,
like the Heempark, or Leidse Hout Park.
And
if you'd like for your kids to have a more educational experience, you can take
them to the Kinderboerderij where they can learn about Dutch culture and play
around with domestic animals.
The
Netherlands has a reputation for being one of the happiest countries in the
world, with a well-developed system and a welcoming culture for every
lifestyle. With hundreds of thousands of people moving there each year, it's
one of the most desired destinations in the world.
However,
with so many people coming in, finding housing in the Netherlands is becoming
more complex. If you also have a hard time finding a house or an apartment, you
can always leave that to us.
Simply choose the city where you'd like to live, your criteria, and your
budget, and we'll find a neighborhood that will fit all your needs.
Find
your ideal corner in the land of tulips, and watch your young ones grow happy
and carefree.
