Hello,
My husband is currently looking at a job in Holland. We visited Holland from Dallas a few summers ago and found it very charming, however, that wasn't enough time to really form an opinion on living there. We have two kids currently in 3rd and 5th grades. I would love any input you have to offer on Holland (ie schools, churches, weather, shopping, neighborhoods, extracurriculars, etc) so that I/we can make a more educated decision if/when the time comes to decide.
Thanks so much, in advance.
S.
Oops! Sorry, guys...I meant Holland, MI! However, now that I'm reading your responses, I'm thinking of encouraging the hubby to look in holland the country!
What a bummer! I thought you meant Holland as in the Netherlands! I just moved here last week and was going to say let's please meet up!! hahaha. Have fun!
I loved Holland. If you love flowers you'll love Holland. Holland is located so that you will be able to take trips to almost all of northern Europe easily.
The only bad part about Holland is their legalized drugs and prostitution. But those areas are generally in specific areas so good people don't have to be contaminated by them.
When I visited Holland, almost everyone with a high school dipolma could speak english fluently. Why? Because to graduate High School, students had to be fluent in 3 languages (english was one of them) and conversational in two more.
Good luck to you and yours.
Oh how funny! I was set to tell you how lucky you were going to be moving overseas!
Smiles!
Dawn
Holland is very nice, actually. Churches around there....quite a lot on the west side of the state....are predominantly Dutch Reformed or Christian Reformed. But there are other denominations to choose from as well. Very picturesque little town. I think if you wanted shopping at the mall, you'd probably have to drive to Grand Rapids. Holland, I don't think, has any malls. So G.R. or Kalamazoo would be your best bets. Holland has its shops, and it's popular in May for the tulip festival. I don't think I 'd have any reservations about the place. But go online and read up on it. I don't know how strict and conservative people are these days. It might be more relaxed. A couple decades ago it was the case that the residents would not cook, do outdoor chores, or anything on a Sunday.(they could be seen going to a restaurant where others did the cooking instead!). It's just part of the Dutch Reformed tradition/mentality/observance. It's very likely more relaxed now.
Good luck! The west side of the state is really very pleasant, being along the lake. Lovely towns along the coast.
You haven't said where in Holland you will live.
There are international schools in Holland for students whose parents work for major companies. It's like boarding school but they get to do many things together and travel as groups. The kids would come back to the states with more knowledge of the world and ahead of many students in the states.
There are many surrounding countries to visit on your down time (Belgium, Luexmbourg, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden and England (overnight ferry ride).
Good luck to you.
The other S.
PS Amsterdam was the capital of the diamond trade when we were there 20 years or so back. You can always bring back a pair or two of the wooden shoes.
I have read in numerous well researched articles that the education system over there is far superior to the system in America. Same with employment, health care, pollution... (We are talking about Europe, yes?)
http://www.ifitweremyhome.com/compare/US/NL
https://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=netherlands+compared+...
If you are talking about Holland, MI... than here is some city data:
http://www.city-data.com/city/Holland-Michigan.html
Okay, not that I have any advice either way, but are you talking about Holland the country, or Holland, MI as listed on your location??
If there is more opportunity, why not? I have a friend who is an investment banker and purposely moved to Switzerland for the better life Europeans have. They aren't so stressed, the schools are so much better. He left and never looked back. He actually takes a mandatory 2 hour lunch. From what I hear, Holland too can afford you a better lifestyle. Europ is mostly family oriented and their work ethic is very different. Not so stressed as it is here. As for the Red Light District, its called that for a reason. As with any neighborhood, there is always the good and the bad. Good luck.
I have very good friends from there and I have been there many times too. My friends brother and sil live there currently (she has lived there her entire life). I think it is a great place to live. The community is very nice, good schools, great location. Chicago is only a couple hours away too. Lots of nature to see. Great beaches, the dunes are great too. There is quite a bit to do in all aspects of entertainment from museums, outdoors etc. Weather is all the seasons. Holland, MI is an ideal place to raise a family. Good luck
You should edit your title
Holland is an amazing place to raise a family. The schools are strong and the beauty still takes me aback now and then and I've lived here my whole life. Zeeland schools are rated very high but West Ottawa has a lot of opportunity and is rated high as well. (There are also Charter Schools, and private schools) If you can get out by the lake I would HIGHLY recommend that. The atmosphere is wonderful. Shopping is not far. There are the typical Strip malls with Target etc and a mall with not much in it. Grandville is 15 minutes away and has a nice mall. Holland is not nearly as conservative as it used to be. It has gotten much bigger and diversified. Check out Great Schools.com for info on schools now matter where you go. VERY informative. PM me if you have any specific questions.
