"The newcomer to the Netherlands will be forgiven for not knowing what to expect about Dutch culture, after tales of windmills, clogs, dikes and tulips. Expatica offers a whistle-stop tour.The Netherlands consistently ranks among the top places in the world to live and work.Culture and quality living combined make the Netherlands an attractive place for expats, who are an intrinsic part of the country's knowledge-based economy. The Dutch people are generally receptive, curious, cultured, and friendly. English is widely spoken – a survey by Education First ranked the Netherlands as third in the world for English proficiency as a second language – but this can be a drawback for those learning Dutch. With many international companies headquartered in the Netherlands, there are plenty of employment opportunities.
It may be a small country in size, but certainly not in impact. The Netherlands is famed for its liberal social policies, maritime trading traditions, battles to hold back the sea, robust multiculturalism and leading technological communications, making Dutch lifestyle a mosaic of cultural intrigue.
High living standards"
