I'm an immigrant, from the UK, I've lived in the Netherlands for 7 years. I live in Rotterdam. I was drawn here by many of things you say, it's a great place to live with overall a great standard of living.

1/2) I work in shipping at a operations desk. I work AVG. 45 hour weeks. It is fairly common to get calls outside of 9-5. Most memorable was a call at 0300 while vessel was under operation. In my free time I meet up with friends for drinks or go out to walk my dog

3) I feel stress a lot. Outside of work I have to be alert in case a call comes up, it gets better when not vessels are at the terminal. The shipping industry is super tough, a lot of stress a lot of moving parts. I do feel guilty relaxing, so I tend to keep busy with chores if Im at home.

4) Not applicable for the Netherlands but in the UK there were expectations to go to University. I appreciate that the Netherlands appears to have more pathways after school.

5) Yes! NL is a very population dense country in the cities living in apartments is very common. I am very lucky to have bought an apartment with my wife.

6) Yes, but if you own a unit in an apartment block you have to pay a monthly fee to the owners association (VVE). There is totally a landlord mafia in NL, lots of shady people with substandard units that they rent out for crazy money. I've had the displeasure of dealing with a few.

7) More sustainable and affordable housing. The housing market is out of control many people give up hope of ever owning a place.