An expat's view of The Hague

The Hague region has a sizeable international community, estimated at approximately 50,000.

This community includes diplomats, employees of international organisations and companies and their families and people setting up their own businesses. Many are here on an expat basis, working in the Netherlands for a period of two to three years and then moving on. However, a large number of people are here for the longer term and find themselves firmly embedded in the Dutch community.

The Hague is aiming to become an international city, on par with other UN cities like Geneva and Vienna. What does the international community think of the city? What is it like to live in The Hague?

Through foreign eyes

Naturally the city can try to come up with ideas in order to make the international community feel at home here. However, you can also simply ask the foreign residents how they think and feel about the city.

Here some impressions volunteered by current and past international residents:

Christian Lelong, a Mexican working for the Australian mining company BHP Billiton, loved living in The Hague for four years although there are certain things he won't miss.

Billy Allwood, Englishman and director of the international website TheHagueOnline, explains why The Hague is an excellent city for expats while at the same time not always living up to international standards.

Peter Kaiser, American by birth and former Head of Communication at the OPCW, explains why the OPCW chose The Hague for its headquarters – as opposed to Geneva and Vienna – and what he could never get used to in The Hague.