Dutch homes vary from studio apartments (a single room including sleeping area, living area and cooking facilities) to more traditional apartments with multiple, separate bedrooms, and larger houses (detached, semi-detached, and terraced).

With little available space, houses at the lower and middle end of the market tend to be fairly compact out of necessity. How you see this depends on your experience in your home country. Most Europeans comment that housing is expensive and gardens small. Americans used to the spacious properties frequently found there also feel that the rooms themselves are small (particularly children’s bedrooms). They are more likely to require the more luxurious end of the market in terms of decoration, fixtures and fittings. Those coming from places such as Singapore however, where land is also at a premium, may see things differently. Wherever you come from, it is essential to realise that the housing available will probably not be the same as you are used to!

Utilities: gas, water, electricity, phone, internet and TV

The Netherlands has excellent utilities. Practically every home has mains elec- tricity, drinkable water, central heating, fixed-line phones, and mobile phone and high-speed Internet coverage. In urban areas, most properties have piped gas for cooking and heating, mains drainage, and cable TV.

You can also organise your telephone line by visiting a Primafoon shop. Take your passport, residence permit, work contract, bank account number and address.