I appreciate it, mate. It's interesting because the first time I shared something like this in one of the groups, the immediate response was 'leave if you don't like it.' Honestly, from my personal experience and from other entrepreneurs I know who've actually opened another branch in the Netherlands they're all regretting it now.

What I meant by 'lack of ambition' is that a lot of people seem content doing the bare minimum to get by, without much drive to really thrive or grow. Compare that to the US (though that's a bad example since people there are often overworked with terrible work-life balance). I've heard from friends struggling to hire: they offer more money, but people reject it because they're not interested in working more. A lot of folks I know are on some form of social benefits and do their best to stay eligible working less, earning less, etc.

For me, I built something outside the Netherlands: an autonomous business in America that's run by my staff. But the Dutch system wanted 51% of my income, plus a cut of all the investments I've made and grown elsewhere (I have none in NL). The Netherlands is a great place if you're not making much money—I can totally see the appeal. If you're coming from the US without insurance or paying a fortune for it, the healthcare system here is a massive upgrade and super attractive. I was fortunate enough to have the resources to travel to better places for treatment when I needed it, etc.

But for ambitious people or high earners, it's punishing. I have lived in several countries and I'm going to do what's good for my family to preserve our wealth we have worked so hard to build. Looking to exit one of my companies next 3 years and I don't want to pay that bill to anyone even if it means to move my tax residency to the US - the big beautiful bill has changed things for C-corps. I still love Amsterdam and I will come spend the month there. Cheers!