The family has moved from us to the Netherlands; The quality of our lives raised

The morning that the elevator took out on my storage bed, my Dutch neighbor did not hesitate to help me.

I walked directly to the dentist’s office, where they immediately took me – there are no questions about insurance, no models to fill them, and there is no panic about payment plans.

They simply treated me because I needed help.

And that is when I knew that our transfer to 2024 was not just a change in the scene – it was a complete reset of what the “quality of life” means to our family.

In Atlanta, this same emergency involved feverish questions about insurance coverage and are likely to be thousands of expenses outside the pocket. Instead, I directly faced how the Dutch health care system gives people to people on paperwork.

I moved from the experience of health care anxiety to peace of mind

The blatant reality of American health care achieved the home every month in Atlanta: $ 800 per month for family coverage with a discount of $ 6000.

Our premiums and discounts were higher than the base because of our mixed position. I started visiting each doctor with mental calculations about discounts and coverage rather than focusing on health.

Here in the Netherlands, we pay 140 euros per month to comprehensive cover with a discount of 385 euros only annually.

Our routine examinations are free, and rarely our recipes exceed 5 euros, and the system is actually proactive to maintain our health.

Instead of struggle to remember when our children need vaccines or dental examinations, the Dutch health care system automatically touches these appointments for us and sends reminders.

It is refreshing to live in a society in which our health does not feel hostage due to financial concerns.

Working week for 32 hours is already possible for me here

The US administration in the United States from Utrecht revealed an amazing fact: Europeans are not only talking about the balance between work and life-they live on it.

While my colleagues in Atlanta often pull for 50 hours, my Dutch neighbors work constantly 32 hours or less.

This culture has transformed how I organize a practical day, which led to an increase in productivity, and is surprising the results of better business.

We are excited to teach our son – and come with less hidden costs

In Atlanta, the “free” general education of our child came with hidden costs throughout the year: classroom supplies, technology fees, donation collection, and endless “voluntary” contributions.

Here in UTRECHT, our children’s education is really free, with only modest contributions to special activities such as field trips.

I found that the Dutch approach to education gives priority to the well -being of students and practical life skills for unified tests, creating an environment in which he feels learning of nature, not forced.

We have given us a lot of freedom and transportation options

We have traded our monthly expenses worth $ 800 (car payments, insurance and maintenance) in Atlanta for a monthly investment of 75 euros in public transportation and bicycle maintenance permits in Utrecht.

Strong infrastructure here makes cars -free living not possible but better, eliminating traffic pressure, parking lots and vehicle maintenance.

Live in a city can also walk a big role in this feature.

We spend 2500 euros per month on the rental of us in Utrecht. Although our living space is smaller than it was in Atlanta, the upgrade of the lifestyle is countless.

All we need is within 15 minutes on foot or cycling-from grocery stores to schools-to eliminate car-based stress in the life of Atlanta in the suburbs.

Above all, I felt the hidden savings of social infrastructure

My health care costs are lower and teaching our child more affordable, but our real transformation came from living in a society that feels designed about resident well -being instead of the maximum productivity.

The management of my work from the Netherlands has taught me that success does not require sacrificing the quality of life. In fact, low tension and improved balance of work has strengthened a practical performance.

Although this step requires careful planning and adaptation, rewards have exceeded our expectations.

We have learned, sometimes, upgrading the quality of your life means being ready to completely change your point of view on what is possible.

For our family, this meant looking beyond our borders to find a lifestyle that is in line with our values. The Netherlands not only allowed us to access Europe, but also offered us a basic reset on the meaning of prosperity.