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So, we made it to The Hague (Den Haag), The Netherlands and I have been loving it, both professionally and personally.  Here's our personal blog: http://longnion.blogspot.com.

This is part 2 of my series on moving to, and working in, Holland.  Did you miss part 1?

How difficult is it to move to Holland?

In short, quite difficult, but clearly not impossible.  What do you need?

1. a job.  I don't know how it would be possible without a job lined up, and coworkers who help a lot
2. a passport.
3. patience. The various government agencies make for lot's of red tape!  ugh!
4. guts.
5. plane ticket.
6. place to live, preferrably fully-furnished, as many apartments are in Holland.
7. a willingness to ask a lot of questions.
8. The phrase, "Spreekt u Engels?", to ask if they speak English... over 70% of Dutch people do!
9. A GPS device - I liked the TomTom we used for the first month.
10. Internet - I used Ziggo, but it was quite difficult to set up since their website and phone system is only in Dutch.  I had to bribe my coworkers to come over and help out a few times.
11. I willingness to walk and take public transportation.  Between walking, trams, trains, and busses, I see no need for a car.  And with all the walking, I already lost probably 15 pounds in a month and a half!
12. Tolerance of other cultures and of lot's of change.  I work with Dutch and Danish people, and one guy from Madagascar.  We are constantly learning new things about cultural, language, food, musical, and other differences - and it's open my eyes to worlds I never knew existed.
13. Warm clothes and walking shoes.