Regional differences in the Netherlands

The Randstad is a dense urban area in the west that includes Amsterdam the capital, Rotterdam (the largest port in Europe), The Hague (seat of government and international courts) and Utrecht (a rail hub), and about half of the population lives there.

• It has most of the international, tech, financial and legal jobs and most migrant communities, but it is the most expensive for rent and most crowded.
• Eindhoven (tech), Amersfoort, Arnhem, Nijmegen and Groningen (university) and Maastricht (southern) are active cities with lower prices and good opportunities.
• Cities are connected by dense trains, so many work in one city and live in another.
• And think of living in a cheaper neighbouring city near your work.

In the north (Friesland, Groningen and Drenthe) green spaces, quiet villages and residents described as reserved and independent prevail, and the Frisian language is officially recognised alongside Dutch in Friesland.

• The south (Limburg, North Brabant and Zeeland) is dominated by Catholics, and known for warmth, hospitality, Carnival and rich food such as vlaai and beer, and strong dialects.
• The east (Gelderland and Overijssel) is distinguished by nature, forests and university cities, and religious villages in the Bible Belt (Bijbelgordel) where shops close entirely on Sunday and Christian traditions are observed.
• Social atmospheres differ between regions, so learn the nature of the area you intend to live in.

Standard Dutch (Standaardnederlands) has many regional dialects that you may not understand even knowing the language, such as Limburgish, Brabantish, Groningen and Zeelandic and city dialects such as the Amsterdam accent.

• Standard Dutch is understood everywhere and used in institutions, schools and media, and if you do not understand a local dialect ask politely Kunt u dat in het Standaardnederlands zeggen?
• meaning could you say that in standard Dutch.
• Frisian (Frysk) is a second official language in Friesland spoken by about half a million, and taught in schools there.
• And regional dialects exist in Flemish Belgium close to Dutch.
• You are not expected to learn the dialect, but a few words of it win people's hearts.

Life in big cities is more diverse, lively and open, with mosques, restaurants of many cultures and job opportunities, but rents are high and housing crowded.

• Villages and small towns are quieter, cheaper and have more space, but transport is limited and you often need a car, and social life revolves around the club, church and school and integration may be slower and deeper.
• Rent prices differ between Amsterdam and other places by more than double.
• Most top jobs remain in the Randstad and Eindhoven.
• Platforms for comparing costs are available.
• Choose according to your priorities: job, family, community and budget.

Before moving visit the area several times, talk to its residents, and check transport, schools, mosques, health services and rent prices.

• Read about the neighbourhood on municipal sites and forums, and check the safety situation.
• For those wanting proximity to community the Moroccan, Turkish and Syrian communities are concentrated in specific neighbourhoods in big cities, while in villages the number of migrants may be smaller.
• It is useful to contact local migrant associations before moving.
• And remember that the distribution law may determine the province of your residence in some asylum cases.
• After moving tell the new municipality your address, register with a new GP and inform your children's school.

How many provinces does the Netherlands have?