My husband's company is going to be opening a branch office in Europe. When they do so, my husband is going to be in charge of running that branch office. Currently he is on the team which will select the new location, etc.

Since it is looking like the Netherlands may be the final result, I am doing some research of my own. We are a family of 4 with two boys ages 10 and 5. we will want to bring at least one of our two dogs with us, so I have been happy to read that it is a Dog Friendly place!

I was wondering how the American schools system worked. I assume we pay a tuition? How do we know that the one we select is good? Does anyone have any recommendations or advice?

How will we find housing and an office ? I have used google extensively but I have only been able to find one bedrooms in city centers that are more appropriate for a single or couple. We need something more appropriate for a family of 4 that does not make several million USD a year. Does anyone recommend going through one of the relocation agencies? Is there anything we need to know or avoid?

Last but not Least, what is the best way to get children acclamated to the new culture and location. My kids have never lived outside of the US before.

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

I would tell the company to set up where there's easy access to customers, costs are controllable and you can find local support staff. Flanders is also looking to attract investment, so I wouldn't just stick to NL... in fact the social costs and planned government increases in taxes are prompting business to look at relocating. Not trying to talk anyone out of anything, just make sure that the research is done ahead of time....

I agree, they are doing research right now actually.

The clients they have contracts with are predominately in Graz, Austria and the UK, with more contracts in the future that will involve Sweden, Norway and France I believe. They are trying to find a cheaper, centrally located country. The business branch office will be basically a central point for sending out parts, a small warehouse, and staff.

I will mention Flanders. Thanks

As far as I know, the only school that uses the American system is in The Hague - also a place with a larger than average expat population

http://www.sio.nl/listofschools.html is a list of international schools; yes, you (or your husbands company?) will pay fees and they are listed on each schools webpage. The alternative is dutch education which is of course free, if you plan to stay here for quite a while.

As for housing, every rental and sale through NVM is listed on www.Funda.nl. This shows you everything available through a legitamate real estate business (but not private ads), and you can sort by location, price, number of bedrooms, etc. (or if you like an area but not a house, click the tab Kaart, and it shows other properties in a neighbourhood.)

Hope these two websites further your research a little more

actually, there is a middle ground between the private international schools and the Dutch schools. That would be the partially subsidised international schools. They cost approximately 3500 euros per year at junior school level. I know that these schools exist in The Hague, Leiden and, I believe also in Amsterdam. possibly other cities too, such as Eindhoven or Arnhem.

Hi there. We're relocating to the Netherlands (NL) this summer too.

First and foremost you have to narrow down the city. Think about Amsterdam/The Hague being New York/Washington and Arnhem/Tilburg being Atlanta/Charlotte. Depending on where you settle you will have different costs specially with regards to housing.

Your kids are in primary school age (same as ours - we got three). After age 12 children move on to the Secondary level of The Intl. School. In my opinion the already mentioned Dutch subsidized international schools are your best option. There your kids will be taught in English. In Arnhem for example the classes average 15 student per class. The Arnhem International School is located within a Dutch School building and will cost you around 3000-3500/per kid/ per year (hopefully paid by your employer). To enroll kids must be children of expats or Dutch children that have lived abroad and attended International School elsewhere. I know of one American school in NL but it's near The Hague and that is too far for our benefit (so I don't know the tuition cost, and can help much there, but bet is much much higher than the Dutch subsidized Intl School). The one nice thing I did noticed about the American School (from what I saw on their web site) is that they have extracurricular sports (like schools here in the US). If attending Dutch sponsor Intl.Schools you'll have to find sport clubs outside the school umbrella.

There are international schools in many provinces. We are going to be in Arnhem, but I know there's one in Einhoven too (read somewhere that there a number of Dutch sponsor Intl schools around NL?)

It's common for companies to pay the tuition of their expats' children. Hope that your husband negotiates this in advance (BTW it's also common that companies pay for expats rent, so make sure your husband goes after these before you arrive in Europe).

As to this being your kids first experience outside of the US, you will find many kids on the same boat at International Schools. It will not be easy but they will not be alone. At Intl School kids come and go every year so is easier to meet people. Most likely most friends your kids will make and you make will come from people that you meet in school activities (so make sure to get involve in school activities as soon as you arrive).

I can't say it enough - make sure your husband pursues all that he can get from his company: paid tuition, company car with cost paid (gas, maintenance), paid housing. Europe is very expensive and getting more so for US employees due to the drop of the Dollar.

Google "Expat", "Moving to the Netherlands", "International Schools in The Netherlands", etc. Great information to be found if you spend the time.

I also found that a number of personal blogs written by expats in The Netherlands have useful info.But you may have to read a lot to find the hidden nuggets of info within tons of info that is not useful to you personally.

If you give a specific city where you will live you'll get better advise.

Bring lots of water resistant clothes (it rains all the time in NL), be prepared for many many cloudy days year round. What state do you live now in the US?

Finally make sure to take advantage of NL's excellent location to travel (both in NL, Europe, and Africa). Summer breaks at the Intl School are shorter but they have three or four 10 day+ periods of short vacation during the school year. Perfect times to get a cheap flight to get down to Sunny Spain, Italy, Greece, Egypt, France, etc, etc.

From what I recall there is an American school in Bergen, which is a pretty town and not all that far from Amsterdam, probably about an hour or so by car.
Look in to it.
Don't forget about the AmsterdamExpatCenter if you need help with papers etc.

http://www.amsterdamexpatcenter.com/

For a centrally located country that is pro-business, has low taxes, good international schools and is VERY expat-friendly, I suggest he considers Luxembourg.

I work closely with the Luxembourg government and private organizations that promote Luxembourg as a great business location. I also understand some of the challenges of operating a US-business in Europe. If your husband wants to contact me, please send a PM and I will send you my email address.

Hi!

Any tips on what paperwork to complete?
I am wishing to move from the UK to North Holland.

Thanks!

J.

There's also the International School of Amsterdam (www.isa.nl)

Forgot to say.. we're in Hilversum in t'Gooi where there is a massive Expat community. Houses are plentiful, beautiful forests all around us and not at all shabby all things considered.

We also have 2 International IB curriculum schools which are subsidised by the Dutch Government, one that caters for 4-11 year olds and the other for 11-18 year olds.

First of all, I feel sorry for anyone having to come here. I go to sleep every night wishing I was in my own bed, in my own, large house, listening to birds sing in my own garden.

Second, you need shedloads of paperwork to get a Sofi number, costs an arm and a leg. My paperwork from Finland cost me 13 euros, the stuff from the UK for two people: 66 euros. It ain't cheap, babs, be prepared to be ripped off at every stage. This includes ridiculous taxes like a tourist tax on hotel rooms, it won't be mentioned anywhere, just added to the bill. You ask for a bag in a supermarket and before you know it, you have been charged for it. They won't ask if you want to pay for it either. A room service sandwich where I am staying now costs almost 8 euros.

My advice: unless you have very, very, good reasons to be here, don't bother. And I thought Middle East was the toughest place in the world. Not a bit.