Lifestyle: Living, Leisure, Work and Wellness

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Choosing a primary school in Haarlem

The process of picking the perfect primary school starts a long time before your child actually heads off for their first day. In the Netherlands, kids start school shortly after turning 4-years old and the application deadline will be 12 months…
hometown boscotrecase
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Let’s talk about hometowns: Boscotrecase, Italy

Capitals, cities, towns, villages, neighbourhoods. We all come from somewhere and it’s time to meet each others' hometowns and who knows, we might put some new places that we have never heard of on our bucket list! In this post, we hear from…
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Intensive mothering: the concept fully explained

Have you ever heard of ‘intensive mothering’? It could be a term relevant to all mothers in 2020 – as it has been quite an intensive year, right? Though, it is actually a concept that was introduced in the 1990s. Read on to discover more…
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Let's talk about hometowns: share your story!

Capitals, cities, towns, villages, neighbourhoods. We all come from somewhere and it’s time to discover each other’s hometowns – who knows, as a result we might put some new places that we have never heard of before on our bucket list!…
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Dutch coronavirus response: survey for internationals

A new survey aimed at internationals living in the Netherlands about how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting their daily lives has been issued by ICAP, the International Community Advisory Panel – which is an initiative put together by four…
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Experiencing gratitude even in tough times

It is mid-November and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. With the trials that 2020 has brought us so far, it has been a tough year – though, maybe we can still take a moment and find something to be grateful for. If you wish to welcome…
Consumers Association: Asian cars much more reliable than EuropeanMatthew Ronder-Seid
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Asian cars most reliable says Consumers' Association report

The most reliable cars come from Asia. At least, this is the result from the annual research investigation of the Consumers' Association (Consumentenbond). Mini is the only European car brand in the organisation's 'reliability top 10'.  Research…
Sint Maarten 2020 in HaarlemSven Brandsma
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Sint Maarten 2020 in Haarlem

Every year, children sing songs at the door during Sint Maarten on 11 November. This could increase the chance of coronavirus spreading, though the chances are reduced when everyone is careful and follows the guidelines. The celebration can…
Dutch unemployment rate slightly decreased in September, but more jobs will goOlia Danilevich
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Dutch unemployment rate dips in September, but more jobs could go

Despite the economic impact of coronavirus, the official Dutch unemployment rate fell from 4.6% to 4.4% between August and September, national statistics office CBS published this October. CBS makes known that in total, a further 2000…
Cabinet tightens up measuresMarkus Winkler
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Cabinet tightens up measures to tackle coronavirus

On the evening of 3 November, prime minister Mark Rutte and minister Hugo de Jonge announced new measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus. In addition to extending the current measures, part of the package of new measures…
Drivers: Uber lets algorithm decide whether employees are firedVictor Avdeev
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Drivers: Uber lets algorithm decide whether employees are fired

With the taxi app Uber, automated systems would decide whether or not to detain drivers. Four former Uber drivers went to court in Amsterdam on 26 October. They say Uber is firing employees through automated systems, their lawyer…
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November happenings for Haarlem's 775 years

This month our November events are fully focused on the fantastic occasion of Haarlem celebrating being a city for 775 years! Haarlem’s calendar for November has at its heart the fact that the city has a big birthday happening this month!…
Haarlem 775royalty free (event logo)
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Haarlem: 775 years!

On 23 November, in the year 1245, Haarlem received city rights from Count Willem II. That means that this month marks exactly 775 years since Haarlem could call itself a city. The festivities that were planned had to be curtailed due to the…
Haarlem corona numbers 21-27 oct
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Coronavirus in Haarlem: latest numbers from the RIVM

The total number of Haarlem residents that tested positive for coronavirus over the last week was 553. The figures were announced in the new weekly update from the RIVM. A total of 67,542 Dutch people received confirmation that they are infected…
break free with a bananaroyalty free (author's own pic)
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How to let go of limiting beliefs

Your challenge is to shut down the monkey mind in order to break free from your limiting beliefs. Your dream is to wake up to a life + career + relationships you love. You want a lifestyle that has other people saying: wow, you're so lucky! What…
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Kids who give a helping hand to be honoured: call for nominations!

Haarlem’s very own children’s mayor, Quinten de Lange, is calling for nominations from the city’s residents to nominate Haarlemmers aged between 4 and 12 years for the chance to be rewarded for acts of kindness or dedication they have…
Major job losses are imminent at and around Schiphol due to coronaBen Koorengevel on Unsplash
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Major job losses imminent at Schiphol due to coronavirus crisis

Due to the coronavirus crisis, about half of the jobs at and around Schiphol are at risk of disappearing in the short term, the NOS national news website reports. There are about 35,000 job at Schiphol, says the FNV trade union. In addition,…
Tonight winter time 2020 started and clocks moved or have to be set one hour back again. Which means that until your system adjusts, it will feel like you can get up an hour later.
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Time change in the Netherlands: winter time 2020

It is official: winter time 2020 has started! Overnight our clocks went back an hour as daylight saving time came to an end. This means that today it feels like we have an 'extra hour' and no doubt your system will need to adjust. It also means…
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Cycling with kids in the Netherlands

Dutch kids grow up on bikes – and it is never too early to get them out on two wheels. Until they are old enough to cycle on their own, they will need a little help. This post outlines my experiences of cycling with kids in tow. Living…
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Uncertainties of global mobility for expats during a pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has basically impacted all aspects of life including the way we work and travel. We are living in times of great uncertainty. In this blog post, I shed light on the global mobility trends 2020/2021 and how the pandemic…
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The Netherlands ranked best place to grow up by UNICEF report

According to a recent UNICEF report, Dutch kids come out top in a league table of well-being outcomes across 41 of the world’s richest countries. Though, there is always room for improvement. UNICEF’s Innocenti Report Card 16 – ‘Worlds…
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Dutch coffee quirks

Yes, it is official: the Dutch drink an awful lot of coffee. However, the coffee landscape in the Netherlands brings with it unique experiences and traditions. Read on to discover more! Coffee – one of life’s simple pleasures enjoyed…
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Tips for communicating with your kids

Trying to get your message across in a busy household takes work. Getting your children to listen to you is another mountain to climb. Remember that it is a two-way process and learning to honestly talk to each other can really help. Clear conversations…
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Haarlem happenings in October

The autumn agenda has some seasonal events taking place in October in Haarlem. The calendar is dotted with art, food, performance and perhaps some spooky happenings. Don’t forget to follow the guidance in compliance with RIVM guidance and…
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Post-career break: how about a returnship?

Calling anyone considering going back to work after a career break, whether that be after having had children or following a move abroad. If you are ready to make decisions and take action, be sure to consider all options. Did you ever think…
Rachel Smets jumpingroyalty free (author's own pic)
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Manifest anything you want

Every day, every moment, every second, we are determining our reality. We have the power. We have control. Would you like to wake up in a good mood every day? Monday or Sunday would be equally fun because you're doing what you love every…
SMaSH Beer
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SMaSH Beer Packet Taste Test

We are proud to present the first ever expatsHaarlem beer review! In this article, we will be reviewing a SMaSH beer packet from Beerwulf. Let's meet our testers From left to right: Nick, Cyriel, Andrew, Martin Andrew is an Australian…
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Agatha Christie books you should read (and read again)

During these recent strange times and periods of uncertainty, I have found myself going back to the comfort of Agatha Christie’s classics and, again, the 'Queen of Crime' did not disappoint. In March, when lockdown hit and it was clear…
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A healthy dose of nostalgia

Is there actually such a thing as a healthy dose of nostalgia? Most expats will be familiar with those pangs of nostalgia that can hit at any moment. Being overcome by a nostalgic fog can have both its positives and negatives – it can be triggered…
Green-roofed bus shelters in HaarlemArianna Ardia-Wenink
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Green-roofed bus shelters in Haarlem

Two bus shelters at the Verwulft in Haarlem have gone 'green'. Since 7 September, the bus shelters have been installed with eco-roofs and are topped with plants. Residents of the surrounding houses can now look out onto a mini garden. The plants…