Why We Chose The Hague

We wanted to choose where to live, not just stumble into it.

We had just spent nine nonstop months on the road in our RV, never really pausing long enough to breathe, and Tucson was on the radar but only for the winter. Then the pandemic hit, my income all but disappeared, and suddenly we needed a place to land. Tucson felt like it chose us more than we chose it. We bought a house, settled in for five years, and fell in love with the desert life.

The mountains became our getaway when summer heat felt oppressive, and every spring the cactus blooms filled the air with a sweetness I’ll never forget. Quail darted across the streets like little crazed lunatics, lizards sunned themselves on the walls (we named every single one of them), and outdoor adventures were always waiting just beyond our front door. For all its surprises, Tucson became home.

But eventually it was time to move on, this time with intention. We wanted to choose where to live, not just stumble into it. And instead of another U.S. city, our eyes moved across the ocean. We didn’t want to live in the suburbs, especially since we didn’t speak the language, so we narrowed our search to larger cities. That’s how we found ourselves watching every walking tour video of The Hague.

Here are the reasons we chose this city.

Language Classes

Schools were the biggest factor in choosing The Hague. We needed a place where the girls could learn Dutch, and The Hague offers more of these programs than most other cities. By chance, our rental ended up right across the street from the language class our youngest can walk to every day.

International Community

The Hague’s large international community was another draw. With so many diplomatic embassies here, the city naturally offers diverse restaurants and specialty grocery stores. I recently started teaching myself how to cook ramen, which led me into the Amazing Oriental store. The first time, I was so overwhelmed I walked right back out. On my second visit, I ventured back into the aisles with screenshots in hand and finally found what I needed.

Number of Rentals

Being a larger city, The Hague has more rental options than most Dutch towns. Of course, that comes with higher prices, but the wider availability gave us room to find something that worked.

Dense Dutch Living

We wanted to experience the dense, urban Dutch lifestyle, walkable streets, cycle-friendly neighborhoods, and everything close at hand. After years of living in apartments, duplexes, single-family homes, and even the suburbs, we were curious to try something new. I’ve already started recognizing people in our neighborhood shops. Nate dreams of living on a boat someday, and I’d love a cabin in the woods. For now, we’re tucked into a compact neighborhood with sidewalks and bikes at our front door. How else can you know what you love unless you try?

No Need for a Car

After years of car dependency in Tucson, we were ready for a break. In The Hague, the network of trams, buses, trains, and bike paths makes it easy to live without one. Car-sharing programs exist here, but reviews are mixed. If we ever need a car, we’ll likely buy one with cash when the time comes.

Kid Friendly

We also wanted a kid-friendly environment and in the Netherlands, that feels like everywhere. Children here walk and cycle to school on their own, flood the grocery stores at lunch for bread and cheese, and fish along the canals after class. In the city center, you see groups of kids exploring without parents hovering nearby. It’s simply part of Dutch life. Be home when the streetlights are on, right? We’re trying to build the kids confidence so they feel comfortable wandering out without us.

The Beach

One of the biggest bonuses: the beach. We had never lived near the ocean before, and this move gave us the chance. The North Sea might be freezing for my American blood, but it hasn’t kept us from spending hours in the sand and waves. This summer alone, we’ve made plenty of memories by the shore.

A Little More About The Hague

The Hague is known as the international city of peace and justice, home to the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court, and even the Permanent Court of Arbitration (which I only learned about recently).

Haagse Bos, one of the city’s many parks, was once used to launch rockets at Allied Forces during WWII. Today, it’s just one of the green spaces we’ve enjoyed exploring.

The Royal Family calls The Hague home, and the city itself is full of parks, dunes, and even Highland cows and goats. With over 50 museums, there’s no shortage of culture either.

We’re still learning every day, so if you know something we should add to our “new home” list, I’d love to hear it.