ABOUT
Rossella is Italian, she comes from Sicily and has lived in the Netherlands for almost 4 years now. She has lived there already in 2013. Before that, she was in Spain and between 2015 and 2019 she spent some time in Milan.
Moving to Rotterdam
When did you move to Rotterdam? Why?
The first time I moved to Rotterdam was for love. The story ended and after a while I moved back to Milan, Italy. I missed Rotterdam during that period so I decided to move back.
I love the city and the country. There are many work-related opportunities, the environment is very multicultural. I found my home here and I am very happy.
What is Rotterdam famous for?
Rotterdam is known because it is very modern. The city center was bombed during World War II and then it was rebuilt in a very modern way. There are Cube houses just like in the photo down below. It is also famous because of its port, which is the biggest in Europe and the second biggest in the world.
What surprised you about life there when you first arrived?
It is a very organized country, everything works perfectly and there are many work opportunities. It is a place where personal space is important and work-life balance is a real thing there. As said before, I enjoy living here because of the multiculturality, which makes culture blending possible.
How to find a job in Rotterdam?
LinkedIn is where you find most of the job posts if you are looking for an office job. I always suggest agencies like Undutchables.nl , or Abroad Experience International Recruitment for this purpose because they focus on non-Dutch speakers.
For other types of jobs, Dutch might be needed and talent.com can be a very good point of reference. Also, because of the port, if you have any knowledge in the naval field, there will be opportunities for you.
How did you find an apartment?
Rent is different city by city. Amsterdam is the most expensive one and right now you find nothing decent for less than €1900 per month. Rotterdam is a bit more affordable but it is still around €1600 per month anyways. One of the most famous website to look for an apartment is funda.nl
How did you get set up? (phone plan, bank ..)
Here everything is very straightforward. You just need to have the right information. I moved, I found a place to live (nowadays is a bit more complicated but it is still possible) and I called the City Hall to register and obtain my BSN which allows me to work in the country. At the same time thanks to this ID you can open a bank account and start your health insurance. The only thing you need to do is calling the offices and get the appointments. Everything is quite fast and simple.
Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance?
Nope, as I said it is enough to be registered to the City hall and get your BSN at that point you can check the different healthcare agencies online and ask for prices. Often your employer will provide you with some information and a discount rate if you register there.
You need to be proactive but it is easy. After that you can look for your General Practitioner. Many health agencies provide you with a list of GPs in your area and again you need to call and ask if they have enough space to take you as a patient.
You need to be proactive but it is easy. After that you can look for your General Practitioner. Many health agencies provide you with a list of GPs in your area and again you need to call and ask if they have enough space to take you as a patient.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Rotterdam?
It is another difficult question. This country is very expensive and Rotterdam is too. I would say that €2500 net per month is the minimum to have a decent life, paying for rent, health insurance and grocery. the rest will allow you to have some fun.
Living in Rotterdam
What are the main differences between Sicilians and the Dutch?
It is a hard question, because at the end of the day people are people right? Probably the main difference is in our first approach. Sicilians are louder and extremely welcoming. Dutch people take more time before warming up, but they are friendly.
What should people consider before deciding to move to Rotterdam?
Cost of living overall, this is the same for the whole country. Rotterdam gives you possibilities but you need to put in an effort. Having a good level of English will definitely help, but learning Dutch is important as well after a while.
Do you need to speak Dutch to live in Rotterdam?
You don’t really need to, but I believe speaking the language of the country where you live always has benefits. Also it depends on how long you are planning to stay. To fully understand a culture and be really integrated, in my opinion, you need to speak the local language at least at a basic level.
What are your favorite things to do in Rotterdam specifically?
Rotterdam offers a good variety of museums and artistic and cultural events which I really like. It is a big city, for the Dutch standards, so you have a bit of everything.
Did you feel safe as a woman?
I feel totally safe. I have been going around with my bike since ever, and I never felt scared or in danger.
When’s the best moment to visit?
I would suggest June or September. The weather is mainly good in those months and the days are long.
Where is the best area to live in, in Rotterdam?
It really depends on your budget and needs. If you have kids, if you live alone and so on.
It is not needed to be in the city center, but all the areas around it are very good. A good area to start is Blijdorp. Rotterdam Noord is also nice. For families I would suggest Kralingen or Hillegesberg.
What are your favorite restaurants and bars in your area?
There is a very nice Italian restaurant called Tosca in my area, not the classic Italian, this is why I like it. Also for a good pizza I suggest Old Scuola and Angelo Betti. Other good places of different cuisines are Little V, Supermercado, Destino and De Pijp.
Final Thoughts
What does the future of the Netherlands look like?
I hope the cost of living will stop rising because that’s a big issue. Otherwise I see this country getting more inclusive, open minded. I believe there will always be more opportunities for international people also because of Brexit. I have talked to many people who thought of going there or were living there but they switched to the Netherlands because of Brexit.
Are there any experiences there that you are particularly proud of
I am proud of being here. To have been able to create my present and my future. I bought my apartment, I have my circle of friends and I speak a bit of the language. I have a job I like and that allows me to live the life I want. I guess it is a lot to achieve on your own.
Was it easy making friends and meeting people?
Making friends as an adult is never easy. I socialize at work mainly, pandemic didn’t help of course. Thanks to my project, Going Expat, I have the chance to meet other expats and this is nice but it needs a lot of effort to make these relationships become friendships. So be ready to spend a lot of time alone you move abroad!
What has been the hardest aspect of living in Rotterdam or the Netherlands?
I don’t find anything hard, I am too happy to complain. I mean, of course there are things that are not always perfect, but not that hard. I miss the sun in winter, but I got used to it.
Can you tell me something about local culture that people might not know?
It is common to say and think the Dutch are cold and rude. They are not. They might be a bit shy in general. They are direct so they call things by their name and do not go around and around before making a point. There is a respect for the space and privacy of others that I haven’t seen anywhere else.
The Dutch complain about the weather a lot and it is a very common conversation to have among young people. Dutch people in my opinion are humble, they do not show off what they have.
The Dutch complain about the weather a lot and it is a very common conversation to have among young people. Dutch people in my opinion are humble, they do not show off what they have.
What are your plans for the future?
Stay here. I am planning to keep on working for corporate because I want to be safe and not risk too much on my economic situation since this is a very expensive country. And at the same time I am investing in my project Going Expat to help and support people moving abroad. My Instagram is here.
Thank you Rossella for sharing your experience of Rotterdam with us! I agree, living abroad means spending time meeting new people, and to me that’s the best part! I’m wishing you lots of success with your Going Expat project! All the best 🙂
