Moving to Laren Netherlands, Are the people friendly?

[Tri16]

My husband and 3 yr old child are moving from Richmond, Surrey to the Netherlands. We are looking at the village of Laren because we love the look of village and its close proximity to international schools. Does anyone know if there is a good expat community there? I have read mixed reviews on the people being snooty? It is essential for us to be in a friendly, social community since we only have one child. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. We are also considering Bussum and Baarn if anyone has any input on these towns as well?

Don't know about Laren, but I find people in the Netherlands to be polite and friendly. Maybe you should post this in the ex-pat section of Mumsnet instead.

I lived in Hilversum ( next to Laren) for just over 4 years, whilst the area was really lovely to live in I didn't particularly find the people friendly or welcoming. In over 6 years on the Netherlands I made two Dutch friends. There are a lot of expats in the area due to the International schools and media park.

Het Gooi is the most expensive area to live in the Netherlands, but has good transport links and Hilversum has a lot going on because it is the Media centre of the Netherlands and very easy to get to Baarn and Bussum and Laren. You will find you can get away with speaking English as most Dutch people speak good english, so much so I found it very difficult to learn Dutch as people would automatically speak to me in English.

I lived in NL for nearly 9 years. While I made lots of great friends, the culture changed dramatically while I was there. I found it became increasingly right-wing and racist, (or maybe I became more aware of it as my language skills improved). I found that the Dutch in general like the idea they are a very inclusive society, but they don’t live by their own rules. Be prepared to tolerate a lot of unsolicited opinions.

Dutch folk are very direct, but lovely. I don't know that area but in any event you are closer to "home" than if you moved to Wales or Scotland.

I spent a week working in the northern part of the Netherlands helping a friend to run her workshops. I found them unfriendly and they complained that I couldn't speak the language and should go home (all said in English so I had the benefit of understanding them!)

Also ex Richmond and living about 45 mins South of that area. Admittedly more integrated with a Dutch husband & kids born here but still found other international friends through the children and always found the culture open and friendly. As schools are closed Weds afternoons, lots of part time workers and organised activities for toddlers and older midweek as well as at weekends. Never experienced any racism, more astonished questions at present about Brexit but nothing more than from uk friends. Don't know that area specifically (although I do recommend watching the series Gooische vrouwen even if with subtitles for the Dutch equivalent of Sex and the City, very funny). No intention of returning to the UK, it's a great place to live and really happy with the quality of life and schooling so far. PM me if there's anything specific I can help with!

If white people experience racism in NL, then I wonder what BAME people experience.