The morning the lift on my storage bed knocked out my front tooth in Utrecht, my Dutch neighbor didn’t hesitate to help me.
She walked me straight to her dentist’s office, where they immediately took me in — no questions about insurance, no forms to fill out, no panic about payment plans.
They simply treated me because I needed help.
That’s when I knew our 2024 move to the Netherlands wasn’t just a change of scenery — it was a complete reset of what “quality of life” meant for our family.
In Atlanta, this same emergency would have involved frantic questions about insurance coverage and likely thousands of out-of-pocket expenses. Instead, I experienced firsthand how the Dutch healthcare system prioritizes people over paperwork.
I went from experiencing healthcare anxiety to having peace of mind
The stark reality of American healthcare hit home every month in Atlanta: $800 a month for family coverage with a crushing $6,000 deductible.
Our premiums and deductibles were higher than the norm because of our blended-family situation. Every doctor’s visit began with mental calculations about deductibles and coverage rather than focusing on health.
Here in the Netherlands, we pay 140 euros monthly for comprehensive coverage with a mere 385 euro yearly deductible.
Our routine check-ups are free, our prescriptions rarely exceed 5 euros, and the system actually works proactively to keep us healthy.
Instead of struggling to remember when our kids need vaccines or dental check-ups, the Dutch healthcare system automatically schedules these appointments for us and sends reminders.
It’s refreshing to live in a society where our health doesn’t feel held hostage by financial fears.
A 32-hour workweek is actually possible for me here
Running my US-based business from Utrecht has revealed a startling truth: Europeans aren’t just talking about work-life balance — they’re living it.
While my Atlanta colleagues often pulled 50-plus hour weeks, my Dutch neighbors consistently work 32 hours or less.
This culture has transformed how I structure my workday, leading to increased productivity and, surprisingly, better business results.
We’re excited about our son’s education — and it comes with fewer hidden costs
In Atlanta, our kid’s “free” public education came with hidden costs throughout the year: classroom supplies, technology fees, fundraisers, and endless “voluntary” contributions.
Here in Utrecht, our sons’ education is genuinely free, with only modest contributions expected for special activities like field trips.
I’ve found the Dutch approach to education prioritizes student well-being and practical life skills over standardized testing, creating an environment where learning feels natural, not forced.
The walkability and transportation options have given us so much freedom
We traded our $800 monthly two-car expense (car payments, insurance, maintenance) in Atlanta for a €75 monthly investment in public transport passes and bicycle maintenance in Utrecht.
The robust infrastructure here makes car-free living not just possible but preferable, eliminating the stress of traffic, parking, and vehicle maintenance.
Living in a walkable city has also played a huge role in this perk.
We spend 2,500 euros a month on our rental in Utrecht. Although our living space is smaller than it was in Atlanta, the lifestyle upgrade is immeasurable.
Everything we need lies within a 15-minute walk or bike ride — from groceries to schools to parks — eliminating the car-dependent stress of suburban Atlanta life.
Above all, I’ve felt the hidden savings of social infrastructure
My healthcare costs less and our kid’s education is more affordable, but our real transformation has come from living in a society that feels designed around resident well-being rather than maximum productivity.
Running my business from the Netherlands has taught me that success doesn’t require sacrificing life quality. In fact, reduced stress and improved work-life balance have enhanced my business performance.
Although the move required careful planning and adjustment, the rewards have far exceeded our expectations.
We learned that, sometimes, upgrading your quality of life means being willing to completely change your perspective on what’s possible.
For our family, that meant looking beyond US borders to find a lifestyle that aligns with our values. The Netherlands didn’t just offer us access to Europe — it offered us a fundamental reset on what it means to truly thrive.
