Moving Abroad

The Cost of Living in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

November 27, 2017 by Karen Turner 9 Comments

After living in Amsterdam for over two and a half years, I was surprised how many questions that I’d get about the cost of living in Amsterdam as an expat. I’ve broken down our monthly expenses in Amsterdam from rent to phone bills in the Netherlands, so hopefully this will help you decide if living in Amsterdam is for you.

…

30+ Things To Know Before You Move To The Netherlands

December 8, 2017 by Karen Turner 52 Comments

We just moved back to the Netherlands. After living in Amsterdam, moving from the United States, we moved to Paris. It didn’t work out and we’re back living in the Netherlands hoping to stay permanently, now in Zuid Holland.

Moving to the Netherlands for the second time has gotten me thinking in terms of stuff we didn’t know when we moved here or that I wish knew how it worked, so I hope you enjoy this remotely useful guide to things to know before you move to the Netherlands.

…

Expat Advice: Moving Overseas for a relationship

January 6, 2016 by Karen Turner 12 Comments

If you’re considering moving overseas for a relationship, you might be wondering is this a good idea? Read this expert expat advice on if you should move overseas for a relationship and if you’ll be happy when moving to a new country for love.

Doing your research is quite important when considering moving to a new country with a Significant Other. These are the questions I thought most about prior to moving and the ones that were most important in my decision to come along.

…

What nobody tells you about being a digital nomad

December 3, 2018 by Karen Turner 8 Comments

It’s been about a year since our lives descended into chaos and we didn’t have a permanent address in any continent. We had just exited the Schengen area as our work visa was up. Within the span of a few months, we had traversed Albania, Belgium, Romania, France, and the Netherlands (3/5 with a cat in tow). I kept wondering what the hell we were doing with our lives. There’s a simple answer: We had become digital nomads.

Maybe now that we’re back in a stable place, I’ve had time to process this hellish period that I put behind me and rarely discuss. These are some thoughts about our time as “digital nomads,” the culture surrounding digital nomads, and how to be a responsible digital nomad. I don’t expect everyone to agree, but it’s based on my experiences.

…

How to celebrate Thanksgiving abroad by an American expat

March 28, 2019 by Karen Turner Leave a Comment

One of the few things that I’ve really held onto as an American living abroad is celebrating Thanksgiving abroad. I hope that this post inspires you a little in terms of celebrating Thanksgiving abroad, no matter whether you’re traveling or living abroad. These are my tips for enjoying your Thanksgiving abroad whether you are living abroad or traveling.

…

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.

…

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. …

Tips for renting an apartment in Amsterdam for first-timers

May 13, 2022 by Karen Turner 50 Comments

I absolutely Amsterdam and I’m so glad that I moved to the Netherlands. Finding expat housing in Amsterdam is hard. When I moved here, I didn’t know how to find an apartment although I’m past apartment #5 already. Hopefully, this helps fellow expats find a room or an apartment to rent in Amsterdam! I include tips for finding an apartment in Amsterdam, rental housing information that you need to know, a free download to keep track of applications, the best neighborhoods to look in, and strategies for finding housing.

…

How to work abroad: Professional jobs to help you move abroad

May 27, 2017 by Karen Turner 19 Comments

Wondering how to become an expat? You need to find a job abroad! Here is a list of careers and advice to help you find international jobs! Finding jobs abroad is much easier if you’re a professional with significant job experience and/or have a Masters/Ph.D. Depending on your career, living and working abroad with the right work experience is possible if you’re trying to figure out how to move abroad. Keep reading for tips from real expats!

…

An expat guide to living in the Hague, the Netherlands, including the cost of living in the Hague

May 1, 2020 by Karen Turner 35 Comments

Considering moving to the Hague, the Netherlands? The Hague has been my home for some months now and after having some difficult decisions on where to live in the Netherlands, my husband and I chose to move to the Hague.

Living in the Hague was right for us for a number of reasons, in particular, its low cost of living (for Holland), central location, and its international community. I got into the cost of living in the Hague, how to find housing in the Hague, the best neighborhoods in the Hague, and what the expat community in the Hague is like.

…