About Write Now: Our Story of Expat Life in the Netherlands
We still remember the first week after we landed in the Netherlands. Between hauling suitcases up a narrow Amsterdam staircase and figuring out which bin the plastic went in, we realised something important: nobody hands you a manual for expat life here. Not for registering with the gemeente, not for decoding Dutch directness, and certainly not for surviving your first Dutch winter. That gap — between arriving and actually feeling at home — is exactly why we started Write Now.
Our Mission: Making Expat Life in the Netherlands Feel Like Home
Write Now exists to give English-speaking expat families honest, experience-based guidance on Dutch life. We’re not a tourism site, and we’re not a relocation agency. We’re the friend who’s already been through it and can tell you what actually works.
Why We Started Writing for Expats
When we arrived, we wasted months on outdated forum threads and contradictory advice. We wanted one place where practical questions — how to register with the gemeente, how to find a huisarts, how to explain Sinterklaas to a confused toddler — got clear, tested answers.
What We Promise Our Readers
- Real experiences, not recycled press releases
- Honest takes on Dutch culture, including the awkward parts
- Practical checklists you can act on the same day
- Content kept current as rules and traditions evolve
What We Write About: Dutch Culture, Family, and Everyday Adventures
Our editorial focus sits where Dutch culture meets family life. That means traditions, transport, schools, and the small daily puzzles that fill an expat parent’s week.
Sinterklaas, King’s Day, and Dutch Traditions
From the arrival of Sinterklaas in November to the orange chaos of King’s Day in April, we explain what’s happening, what to expect, and how to join in without feeling like an outsider.
Bakfiets Life and Getting Around with Kids
The bakfiets is more than a bike — it’s a lifestyle upgrade for families. We cover buying, renting, insuring, and actually steering one through Dutch rain.
Schools, Healthcare, and Bureaucracy Made Clear
We break down the Dutch school system, health insurance, and the paperwork that comes with the gemeente, so you spend less time Googling and more time living.
How We Work: A Team of Expats Who’ve Been There
Our editorial team is made up of expats and long-term residents who test advice ourselves before publishing it. We share personal stories and invite reader contributions so the content stays authentic and current.
Meet Our Team of Writers
Our writers come from different countries and different phases of Dutch life — new arrivals, settled parents, and long-term residents who’ve watched the Netherlands change.
Our Editorial Standards and Review Process
Every article is fact-checked, dated, and revisited when rules shift. If something changes, we update it rather than leave you with stale advice.
How to Contribute Your Story
We welcome guest posts, tips, and corrections. If you’ve cracked a Dutch code the rest of us are still puzzling over, tell us.
FAQ
Is Write Now only for families?
No — families are our core focus, but anyone navigating expat life in the Netherlands will find something useful here.
Do you cover cities outside the Randstad?
Yes. We write about life across the Netherlands, from Groningen to Maastricht, not just Amsterdam.
How often do you publish?
We publish regularly and update older articles whenever Dutch rules or traditions change.
Can I suggest a topic?
Absolutely. Reader suggestions shape much of what we write, so get in touch through our contact page.
Write Now is a conversation, not just a blog. Whether you’re bracing for your first Dutch winter or you’ve survived a decade of Sinterklaas surprises, we’d love you to join our community — subscribe, comment, or share your own expat story with us.