How do you move your life and your work from the US to the Netherlands? Guests Jana Lynne Sanchez and Bethany Quinn have both made the move, and they co-founded GTFO Tours to help other Americans do the same.
Listen to learn about:
Why the Netherlands can be an ideal destination for self-employed and entrepreneurial Americans.
The unique Dutch visa that’s only available to Americans.
How to find housing in a highly competitive market.
How Dutch schools set up children who don’t speak Dutch for success.
Practical steps to plan for a move to the Netherlands.
Links and more info in the show notes
The Netherlands feels familiar to people because so many people speak English, and there are a lot of things from American culture that come from Dutch culture – Jana
The real question that everyone needs to ask themselves is, what do you want your life to look like? What kind of a country do you want to live in, and what kind of a country do you want your kids to live in? – Bethany
Useful Resources
Funda (house hunting platform)
Production Team
Host and Researcher: Casey Kelly-Barton – We’re Moving to Europe
Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas – Unscripted Creatives
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[0:03] Introduction to the We’re Moving to Europe Community
[1:47] Welcome to the Episode
[2:18] Meet Bethany and Jana of GTFO Tours
[2:40] Their Backgrounds and How They Met
[3:52] Why They Chose to Move to the Netherlands
[4:52] Starting GTFO Tours and What It Offers
[6:20] Early Success and Tour Launch
[6:38] Why Americans Are Attracted to the Netherlands
[7:37] What Is the DAFT Visa and How It Works
[10:27] Income, Freelancing, and Family Considerations
[12:13] Entrepreneur Visas vs. DAFT
[14:06] Dual Strategy for Spouses and Work Options
[15:09] The Housing Challenge in the Netherlands
[16:32] Schooling, Taxes, and Administrative Hurdles
[17:54] 30% Tax Ruling and Planning Ahead
[18:56] The Bureaucracy of Moving and Starting Over
[19:25] Keeping US Jobs and Managing Time Zones
[21:08] The Reality of the Dutch Housing Market
[22:56] Misconceptions About Rent and Pitching Yourself
[23:44] Budgeting and the Role of a Makelaar
[25:07] How Bethany Found Her Apartment
[26:02] Alternatives to Living in Amsterdam
[27:35] Picking Cities Based on Lifestyle and Needs
[28:53] The Housing Crisis vs. the US Context
[30:15] Reasonable Timelines for Moving
[31:57] How Complexity Affects Your Timeline
[33:07] Downsizing and the Cost of Moving Furniture
[34:12] Don't Wait Too Long to Move
[35:24] Life Vision and Family Considerations
[36:01] Debt, Financial Mindsets, and Cultural Differences
[37:23] Building Community in the Netherlands
[38:02] How to Make Connections as an Expat
[40:24] Surprising Benefits of Living in the Netherlands
[41:51] Bethany on Dating and Emotional Balance
[42:58] Closing Remarks and Where to Find More Info
[43:34] Outro and Credits
Want to move to Europe and don’t know where to start?
I launched the We’re Moving to Europe Community to help you can explore your options with experienced guidance, support from others who are planning their own moves, and expert insights along the way.
