Did you know that the Netherlands—a country smaller than West Virginia—houses 18 million people yet offers some of Europe’s most diverse living environments? After over a decade in Europe and 6 years in the Netherlands, I’ve realized that lifestyle considerations are paramount when choosing where to live. Today, I want to take you on a journey through two distinct Dutch cities that could be perfect for American entrepreneurs on the DAFT visa.

We’ll explore Leiden, known as the “Harvard of Europe” and The Hague, the international city by the sea. Each offers unique advantages for DAFT visa holders, with surprisingly different atmospheres despite being just 15 minutes apart by train.

Leiden: The University City with Historic Charm

Transportation and Convenience

Stepping outside Leiden Central Station, you’ll immediately notice how Dutch cities blend practicality with livability. The Jumbo supermarket provides fresh groceries for residents living in the apartments above. Kruidvat—the Dutch equivalent of CVS or Walgreens—offers everyday essentials, while Aldi gives budget-friendly options familiar to Americans.

What’s particularly interesting for DAFT entrepreneurs is the mixed-use urban design throughout Leiden. Commercial spaces occupy ground floors while residential apartments fill the upper levels, creating vibrant neighborhoods where everything you need is just minutes away. This efficient use of space reflects the Dutch approach to urban planning—practical, sustainable and community-oriented—making daily life exceptionally convenient for busy entrepreneurs.

Housing Options in Leiden

Leiden offers diverse housing options at about 15-20% less than Amsterdam prices:

• Canal-side apartments: These traditional homes give you a front-row seat to city life, where you can enjoy coffee on your balcony as boats glide by.
• Historic canal houses: For those wanting direct canal access, these homes let you step right onto your boat for weekend cruises, though they command premium prices.
• Stately residences with gardens: Adjacent to beautiful parks, these are perfect for families or those who appreciate green space within the urban environment.
• Houseboats: Representing Leiden’s most unique living option, these floating homes start around €400,000. With no new berths available, they offer an unparalleled lifestyle combining city convenience with waterfront living.

Business Opportunities in Leiden

Leiden isn’t just about history—it’s also a modern innovation hub. The Leiden Bio Science Park is the largest life science cluster in the Netherlands, housing over 200 companies and research organizations, including Johnson & Johnson. For DAFT entrepreneurs in health tech, biotech or related fields, this ecosystem offers exceptional networking opportunities.

For DAFT entrepreneurs, Leiden also offers a significant advantage: a steady stream of international talent and potential clients or collaborators from the university. What makes Leiden special is how everything essential—markets, cultural venues, cafés, and business connections—remains within easy biking distance, while The Hague and Amsterdam are just 15-30 minutes away by train.

The Hague: International City by the Sea

First Impressions and Practicalities

The Hague offers a completely different vibe from Leiden, despite being just a 15-minute train ride away. Arriving at Den Haag Centraal, you’ll notice the Immigration and Naturalization Service building nearby—a place DAFT visa holders will become quite familiar with. Its modern glass architecture reflects The Hague’s international character as a diplomatic hub and home to over 150 global organizations.

Housing Variety in The Hague

The Hague offers substantial housing variety at about 10-15% less than Amsterdam prices:

• Multi-unit historic buildings: What looks like single-family homes often contains three separate apartments—ground floor, first floor and attic—providing different price points in the same elegant building.
• Classic double homes: Popular with families looking for more space.
• Mixed-use buildings: Professional offices or practices below with spacious apartments above, complete with sunny balconies.
• The Fred: Frederik Hendriklaan, or ‘the Fred’ as locals call it, beautifully blends townhomes and apartments with shops where you can find everything you need just steps from home.

One unique aspect of The Hague is Scheveningen—a beautiful beach district just minutes from the city center that offers a coastal lifestyle extremely rare for a major business hub.

International Character and Business Advantages

For international entrepreneurs, the city’s diversity is invaluable—with nearly 50% of residents having international backgrounds and multiple international schools throughout the city.

The international aspect extends to healthcare as well. The International Health Center provides medical care, dentistry, physical therapy, and pharmacy services in multiple languages, making it ideal for expats from the United States and other countries.

The Hague actively supports entrepreneurs through incubators like Apollo 14, which focuses on impact startups. For DAFT visa holders, The Hague offers specialized resources like The Hague International Centre, which provides streamlined government services specifically for internationals.

For DAFT entrepreneurs, especially those in consulting, legal services, or international business, The Hague provides unparalleled access to global organizations and expat networks. You’ll find specialized international business services here that simply don’t exist in smaller Dutch cities.

Conclusion: Which City Is Right for You?

Here’s the good news: as your lifestyle changes, you can easily adapt. Perhaps you’ll start in The Hague and later move to Leiden. With just a 15-minute train ride between these two cities, you can even live in one and work in the other.

The choice between Leiden and The Hague ultimately depends on your specific needs:

• Choose Leiden if: You value historic charm, appreciate university culture, work in life sciences, or prefer a smaller city feel with Amsterdam access.
• Choose The Hague if: You need international connections, work with global organizations, want beach access, or prefer a more cosmopolitan environment with strong expat support.

Stay tuned for my next article where I’ll break down the actual cost of living in Leiden vs. The Hague, with specific focus on DAFT entrepreneurs who are Gen-Xers.

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Have questions about living in the Netherlands on a DAFT visa? Leave a comment below or reach out directly—I’m always happy to help fellow expats navigate this amazing country!