Where should I live in Europe?

The Dutch are friendly, but mind their own business. Think of them all as introverted compared to your average American being highly extrovert. They are also very direct - they're just about proud of that trait-. That's handy once you learn to appreciate it as they'll tell it to your face, instead of behind your back. The expat moving from such a place to the USA would complain about people having a fake smile, faking friendliness, even inviting them over without actually wanting them to show up. etc. and not appreciating them being honest at all. It's cultural, as the expat: adapting to the local culture is on you. \[FWIW: I've had teams I managed around the globe, some expats we sent there, and locals whenever we could find them - adapting to culture is hard - I know first hand\] Making friends in the Netherlands is hard. the reason is that they tend to make friends for life. Not seeking more acquaintances. By the time the get older, they'll have a full set of friends and as true friends use time, most just won't have time to get more. Staying in an expat groups and not being employed: you have very little chances of meeting locals. Take a look at hobbies and try to meet people in such a context. And learn Dutch, if you don't, you're sending a loud signal you're going to be back on the other side of the ocean soon, so why would anybody put in the time and effort to make friends with you ? \[remember: they go for long term, close, real friends\] Weather is what it is. But all along the north sea there is a VERY moderate climate. Winters are relatively warn and summers are relatively cool. (E.g. Compare it to NYC or DC or so: winters are significantly less cold, and summers are significantly less hot than either of them\]. It's not southern California if you seek that ... you'll not find it in Europe. If you more more to the south, winters get warmer, but so do summers with being unbearably hot. If you more more north: the reverse happens and on top you also get depressingly dark winters. Finding a job without knowing local language is always a challenge: try a large multinational company, a high tech one or so. Just one example: ASML is the largest company in Europe, it's HQ is in Eindhoven, NL, AFAIK they use English extensively internally - but your competences will need to weigh up against locals who've highly respected degrees etc.). Alternatively: seek a job where your native English speaker status is an asset (e.g. writing, editing, ...). \[FWIW: I'm not from the Netherlands, nor from the USA - not trying to defend not offend anybody\]