Lifestyle: Living, Leisure, Work and Wellness

european-elections
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European elections: 23-26 May 2019

The European elections take place between 23 to 26 May 2019. Voting day in the Netherlands is on 23 May. Will you vote as well? Here's how to vote. Anyone aged 18 or over can vote. It is also possible to vote by proxy, in another municipality…
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Haarlem & Haarlemmermeer Housing & Education Event 2019

All you need to know about finding a home and education in Haarlem & Haarlemmermeer Planning to rent, let, buy or sell a house? Wanting to know more about the Education system in the Netherlands and in the Haarlem & Haarlemmermeer…
Dakkas
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Comedy on Top of Haarlem

The Haarlem Comedy Factory moves to ''the Roof of Haarlem'', De DAKKAS, with an excellent international line up and guests from abroad, a view on the skyline of Haarlem, a private terrace and a bar. What else? Don't miss it! Get your tickets…
connecting or NetworkingRachel Smets
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Connecting or Networking.

If you want to create a lifestyle doing what you really love, do you practice networking? If you are connecting with people, how is it helping you? As I was speaking for the Women Economic Forum in Portugal (WEF, Tomar) last week, I gained…
Haarlem Comedy Factory April
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Haarlem Comedy Factory April (in English)

Enjoy a great English spoken Comedy Night in Haarlem with upcoming comedians and new material by established comedians from the international scene. Bring your friends. Online tickets cost € 10 p.p. Remaining tickets (if…
expat languagehttps://pixabay.com/photos/man-squad-group-woman-success-3365371/
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“Expat Language”: What do YOU call yourself?

Expat, third culture kid, trailing spouse, international, what language do you use to describe yourself or your situation? Do you identify with any of these terms? Do you choose not to? Or perhaps you’ve struggled to find a term that describes…
Speeltuin
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Best Speeltuin in Haarlem.

What kid can resist a good playground? Luckily, we can find in Haarlem safe and fun Speeltuins to let children play outside and enjoy the sun. After visiting with my son most of the Speeltuin in the city, I thought it could be useful for mums…
Tax Return
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Free Income Tax Return Seminars April 2019

During the two Income Tax Return Seminars on April 13th, our business partner Vincent van Wijngerden of GVN Adviseurs/Expat Taxes will present information about how to file your taxes in the Netherlands, for private individuals and small companies.…
Octoberhttps://pixabay.com/en/users/FrankMagdelyns1-2783371/
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Things to do in Haarlem this April.

Spring has finally arrived to Haarlem! April in Haarlem is full of events for the whole family to enjoy, from the Flower Parade to King's Day, from a comedy to a drink... there will be something for someone. Tax sorrow time? Nope! expatsHaarlem…
solohttps://pixabay.com/users/free-photos-242387/?tab=about
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Why you should travel SOLO.

Have you ever considered travelling solo? Do you think it’s lonely? If you have this or any other concern, then this might change your mind. People ask me ‘Why are you traveling solo? Aren’t you lonely? Scared? Is it safe?’ It…
Earth HourNagy Arnold
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Celebrate Earth Hour in Haarlem.

Recently I had a chance to observe the day of silence on Bali. Local people didn’t leave their houses, didn’t speak, switched off the TV and didn’t use mobile phones for the entire day. Later they started to play with fire, but I’d…
childrens books
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Children’s books too (re)read as an adult.

My friends are having children. And I am happy for them. I am also very happy for myself. Not only do I get to be the cool in-law uncle who spoils them without worrying about bed times and healthy meals, but I also get to buy them books. Children’s…
CoffeeSeemi Samuel
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I am against 'meetings with coffee', and this is why you should be too.

New acquaintances often begin with coffee. Who knows what this meeting will turn into: a new project, a strong friendship or even love. Unfortunately, there are only 24 hours in a day, and you have to choose how to spend your free time,…
Christoph Paulik
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Frans Hals Museum - Hal Noise! Frans Hals, Otherwise.

The Frans Hals Museum is a museum with two locations, Hof and Hal. While the collection at Hof focuses on the Golden Age, Hal displays mostly contemporary art. Both locations draw inspiration from Hals and take a fresh look at his works. ©…
dental carehttps://www.pexels.com/@fr3nks
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What You Need To Know About Dental Care For Expats In Haarlem.

Roughly 25.7% of the Haarlem population are foreign expats. There's many important aspects to take care of when you move to a new country and dental care is no exception. Looking after your teeth is important and, fortunately,…
TAX
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Free Income Tax Return Workshops 16 March 2019

During 2 Workshops on Saturday, 16 March 2019, at 1,30 PM and 3, 00 PM, our business partner Melvin van Jaarsveld – van Loenen of NAHV Belastingadviseurs will present information about how to file your taxes in the Netherlands. There will…
https://www.pexels.com/@gratisography
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How to Learn Dutch for (almost) Free

When moving to the Netherlands, we didn’t know any Dutch. In less than 3 years, we reached the level enough to pass the Inburgering exam, understand the incoming post without referring to a dictionary and have basic conversations (which is…
healthhttps://pixabay.com/users/rawpixel-4283981/
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MANAGING A HEALTH CONDITION ABROAD.

It can be extremely stressful when we or someone we love becomes ill abroad. As well as the (very normal) physical and mental turmoil of illness, we often find ourselves dealing with additional challenges that are unique to international life. At…
MarchexpatsHaarlem
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Things to do in Haarlem this March.

EVENTS, EVENTS & MORE EVENTS! From a Kids Carnival to a Dutch Language Café, a free Tax Income Return Workshop, an Artificial Intelligence Lecture, a Comedy in English with award-winning comedians to the Monthly Drink. March, we do it…
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Brexit Newsletter for migrants.

Below is the transcript of the newsletter that is being sent out to British nationals living in The Netherlands. British nationals are strongly advised to create a DigiD account so you can have an electronic version of your tempory residence…
change your lifehttps://pixabay.com/users/alexas_fotos-686414/
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How you can change your life for the better.

Are you waiting for great things to happen to you, or are you CREATING great things? I believe in creating your life and achieving your dreams, and not waiting for life to just happen to you. Instead of having excuses ''I'm too old, I'm…
https://www.pexels.com/@teodor-savin-192072
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Making Your Home More Accessible in Haarlem.

At least 70,000 new homes will be built in the Netherlands in 2019 according to NVM, the Dutch estate agents association. It is not clear how many of these houses will be accessible. What is clear is that up to 45% of people with mobility limitations…
multilingualhttps://pixabay.com/en/users/readyelements-8569947/
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Planning a Multilingual Family

Living away from the home country, I didn’t need to take a decision on whether my children are going to be raised multilingual, it is just meant to be so. At home, we speak Russian, Ukrainian with some friends, English with non-Russian/…
new expats
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Things all new expats need to know in The Netherlands.

I can gladly say I have been living in Haarlem for 5 years, I decided to reflect on my time here. I decided to compile a list of things I wished I knew before I moved here.  Of course, everyone’s experiences may be different, but I hope…
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Passing your Inburgering

Inburgering (integration) diploma is needed for some nationals to have the right to live and work in the Netherlands, to obtain a permanent residence permit, to apply for a Dutch passport. There are exceptions and exemptions, in order…
February
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expatsHaarlem Events February 2019

expatsHaarlem organizes various nice events this February, from a Dutch Language Café, to a comedy, a photo walk and a drink. And we have a surprise for you: discounts for members only! Here's the overview of our events this February: Wednesday,…
friendshipshttps://pixabay.com/en/users/rawpixel-4283981/
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Maintaining friendships as an expat.

To give full meaning to our life, we all need to connect with other people. Certain relationships accompany us through life; others enter and exit as each chapter opens and closes. No matter the type of friendship and who it involves…
CanadaJulie Smile
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Our 6 weeks in Canada with a baby.

Canada, a country of big cars, big buildings, big distances. We came here for a big vacation of 6 weeks with our little one-year-old daughter. For us, it’s a country of our first intercontinental travel, first travel experience outside Europe.…
canal© Siebe Baarda
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Things to do in Haarlem this February.

February in Haarlem has various events and things to do for the whole family. On Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 February, Haarlem becomes the happiest city for the weekend with Geluksroute. Explore the city streets to find hidden gems, street performances…
Jet Laghttps://pixabay.com/en/users/geralt-9301/
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5 Ways to Recover from Jet Lag easily.

After a 24 hour journey including 3 flights, long layovers, a ferry, a train, a bus and a car ride, I arrived on the Sunshine Coast, Canada. With a 9 hour time difference, I experienced the well known and expected Jet Lag. If you’re a…