Expat Life

Renting an apartment in the Netherlands: Your insider guide by an expat

January 3, 2019 by Karen Turner Leave a Comment

It’s almost my fourth year in the Netherlands. We’re on our fifth apartment in the Netherlands after a lot of moving around. These are my tips for finding an apartment in the Netherlands for foreigners/expats and I hope that they help you find a flat (or house) to live in!

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The best yoga studios in the Hague with yoga classes in English

February 14, 2019 by Leanne Claire 2 Comments

The meaning of the word ‘yoga’ is ‘to connect’, to connect to yourself completely. If you are looking to re-connect to your body and mind, then the Hague has a plethora of yoga studios on offer. To help you choose your place of practice in the Hague, I have taken a range of classes and reviewed a few of my favourite yoga studios in the Hague that offer classes in English!

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What to know about buying eyeglasses in the Netherlands as an expat

January 15, 2019 by Karen Turner 2 Comments

It is the worst feeling realizing that you finally need to wear glasses. As someone who stares in the depth of my computer screen for hours on end daily, I had an inkling that it was time to get glasses. I had glasses some years ago in the United States, but this was my first experience with the Dutch system for eyeglasses. I include tips for buying eyeglasses in the Netherlands, information on how eyeglasses work with your health insurance in the Netherlands, and the average cost of eyeglasses in the Netherlands.

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How to make money on the side: 15 crazy and creative ways to make money

January 15, 2018 by Karen Turner 4 Comments

If you’re trying to make travel (or any other financial goal) a priority this year, you’re probably thinking, “I need to make more money.” With a wedding party and travel coming up, I hope that my entrepreneurial spirit will teach you how to make extra money on the side starting this month!

Saving money each month is one part of the equation, however a clever side job that makes you extra money might be enough to treat yourself to a vacation, a shopping trip, a new apartment, or even a spa visit.

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Prince’s Day in the Hague: Events and Tips for seeing the Dutch Royals

January 23, 2019 by Karen Turner Leave a Comment

As a recent immigrant to the Netherlands, I’m not yet over my obsession with the Dutch Royal Family. They’re so normal yet fascinating. One of the best days of the year as a visitor to the Netherlands or as a resident of the Hague is Prince’s Day as it’s our chance (as plebs) to see the royal family in their splendor in person. This past Prince’s Day, I saw Queen Maxima in person and it was great. These are my tips for attending Prince’s Day in the Hague with a brief explanation of what happens on Prince’s Day.

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How to make new friends as an expat: Tips from 3+ years living abroad

November 1, 2018 by Karen Turner 3 Comments

It’s funny: It’s been over three and half years since I moved abroad, however restarting my life last year multiple times in two cities (Paris and the Hague) reminded me how isolating expat life can be. I don’t always write about my personal life, but it’s hard making friends as an adult, especially as an expat. I’ll be including some tips for making friends as an expat.

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7 Ways to Get the Most Out of Living Abroad

April 18, 2016 by Karen Turner 19 Comments

Before we begin, let me say moving abroad is not easy and although everyone loves to write about the benefits, it’s not a fairytale. It’s especially hard if you’re moving to a country unemployed like I did, but whether you can get a job depends on a lot on your field, qualifications, visa, language skills, and the country itself. These are the seven things that I wish someone had told me a year ago to make moving abroad easier. …

The coziest brown bars in Amsterdam to drink like a local

February 22, 2019 by Karen Turner 1 Comment

One of the best things to experience in Amsterdam is a cozy brown bar. As a resident of Amsterdam, I experienced many of Amsterdam’s charming cozy brown bars and I hope that this article convinces you to experience a brown cafe in Amsterdam!

These classic Dutch cafes are known for their gezelligheid (a Dutch word that can be loosely translated as a feeling closest to cozy or homey). These bars are known for their large amounts of brown wood, okay selection of Dutch beer (I won’t oversell the selection), and quiet that you can’t often find at modern bars. Although the staff will most likely speak English, there’s nothing like experiencing a drink in Amsterdam like a local!

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13 Interesting Dutch Spirits & Liquors You Must Try In the Netherlands

July 15, 2017 by Karen Turner 27 Comments

Wondering what people drink in the Netherlands? This post is an in depth introduction to alcohol in the Netherlands. Today, my husband and bring you an article that is over two years in the making: 13 different liqueurs and spirit drinks that you should try in the Netherlands.

When I’m visiting a new place, I love to try to try the local food and drink specialities…. and beyond Heineken and jenever, most people don’t know what to drink in the Netherlands.

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Where to find the best American food in the Netherlands

September 1, 2020 by Karen Turner 19 Comments

As an American living in the Netherlands for a couple of years, I’ve been missing American food a lot. More of a passion project than a real project, I’ve been compiling my favorite places to buy American food in the Netherlands to help other American expats living in the Netherlands satisfy their cravings.

I’ve been living in Amsterdam and the Hague, so I’ve done my best to include other places, however, please let me know if you have any other favorites for me to add to this list!

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