Enjoying family life

You are at your best when your partner and children are having a good time as well. As traffic jams are practically unheard of and both the cities and villages are safe and laid-back, professionals as well as their families enjoy the work-life balance. As one executive put it: 'this is the first posting where we have been able to enjoy breakfast with the entire family'. Once you and your family have lived in the Maastricht Region, you will carry fond memories of having lived the good life. The amazing surroundings and the culturally-rich city-life assure a high quality of life for both nature lovers and city dwellers. With playgrounds, swimming pools, sport clubs, parks and special schools teaching music, drama and other arts, the neighborhoods provide plenty opportunities for kids to be inspired or have fun. Often children can attend school within walking or cycling distance and safely commute to friends or sporting clubs by themselves. They do not have to be taught about independence and freedom, they live it.

 

Pregnant women and mothers with young children

Finding your way has proven to be a challenge for pregnant women and mothers, with young children. A good meeting point for this group of newcomers is Maastricht International Playgroup: an English-speaking, non-profit group of expatriate and Dutch parents, carers, and parents to be (www.mip.f-sw.com/). In the health section you will find more information on pregnancy, birth and professional care for babies. Apart from daycare and in home childcare the Netherlands has another option for toddlers. From age two, children can go to 'peuterspeelzaal' (toddler play school). Links to various options are listed on the right.

Nursery

Plenty of day care centers and little waiting time. Key players in this sector are MIK and Humanitas, both certified in professional care. MIK, nursery and after school care centre, offers it services on 80 different locations. Humanitas offers 12 day nurseries and 17 after school care centers in the Maastricht Region. Like MIK, Humanitas organizes many activities, from street dance and swimming to a fanfare course.

Kids

Children can safely commute to friends or sporting clubs by themselves. And there is plenty to do and discover for toddlers, kids and teenagers. From learning how to bake a traditional 'vlaai' (the pie of the region) in the old city center of Maastricht, to camping in the Ardennes, playing in one of the many playgrounds in the area, learning about underwater life at the aquarium in Liege, or taking a street-dance class at Kumulus. For kids this is the place to have fun and to grow up safely.

Dog Taxes

Do you have a dog? Dog taxes works with a system of registration and tax assessment.

Child Care

Plenty of day care centers and toddler play schools with little waiting time.