"Just do it!" is what Englishwoman Vicky advises to those who are considering moving to the Netherlands. It's what this young British expat did: she moved to Amsterdam, which she now calls home. Find out what Vicky loves about living in Holland, her career plans, and the steps she has taken to adapt to Dutch life and culture.	Vicky Hampton

-Where were you born?

Reading, the United Kingdom

-In which country and city are you living now?

Amsterdam, the Netherlands

-Are you living alone or with your family?

Alone

-How long have you been living in the Netherlands?

Three years

-What is your age?

28

-When did you come up with the idea of living in the Netherlands?

I studied at the University of Amsterdam for a year as part of a student exchange scheme when I was 21. I fell in love with the city and always intended to move back here once I'd finished my degree. After a couple of years working in London, I made the decision to return to Amsterdam permanently to live and work.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a work permit?

As an EU citizen, I didn't need a visa or work permit.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

Medical insurance is a legal requirement in the Netherlands, so I set it up as soon as I started working in Amsterdam. Everything in the Netherlands requires a certain amount of form-filling and bureaucracy though.

-How do you make your living in Holland? Do you have any type of income generated?

I work as a copywriter and project manager for a communications agency in the centre of town. I was extremely lucky to find a good job within two weeks of my arrival, and I'm still in the same office now. I actually advertised myself on an expat website and was approached by the then Managing Editor of the company. I'm not sure it would be quite so easy in the current economic climate! Many of my friends worked for companies in the UK and were then posted over here, but as an English speaker it's not too difficult to find work here directly.

-Do you speak Dutch and do you think it's important to speak the local language? Please add your thoughts on local customs and whether it's important for expats to respect/observe local customs.

I've made quite an effort to learn Dutch, although it's taken a lot of time and money! It's hard to learn the language by osmosis because English is all around you and the locals are very keen to speak it. So lessons are pretty much a must. But for me, knowing that I want to make the Netherlands my permanent home, it's important to try to learn and practice my Dutch.

I think the great thing about living abroad is that you can take the best customs and traditions from both your home country and your adopted country: I support the Dutch football team and wear orange for Dutch festivals, but I still celebrate Christmas more than Sinterklaas and I still say thank you and sorry at every unnecessary opportunity!

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?

I rarely miss friends and family in England – largely because I go back to visit them regularly; equally, they're very keen to make use of my spare room. But there are a few things I miss about England: being able to have a banter with the coffee barrister or the barman – you can't do that unless you’re a native speaker!

-Do you have other plans for the future?

I may well travel, but my home will always be in Amsterdam. My passions lie in food and writing, so my ambition is to combine these in my career. I'm considering everything from food writing (which I already do on a freelance basis) to giving cookery lessons to conducting gastronomic tours of the city…

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

I've bought a 55-square-metre apartment just north of the Westerpark. Generally, you can find a one-two bedroom place for under €200,000 if you're not looking in the centre or the most popular areas.

-What is the cost of living in Holland?

The cost of living in Amsterdam is relatively high compared to other European countries, not least because tax is high. But somehow the quality of life doesn't suffer – I think riding a bike everywhere must cut the cost of getting from A to B!

-What do you think about the Dutch?

Dutch people are known for their directness, which is a quality I appreciate. They're quite hard to infiltrate, though, and I still have very few Dutch friends even after three years. I find the international Amsterdammers rather easier to befriend.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in the Netherlands?

For me, being able to cycle to work every day rather than take the polluted London Underground is a major plus. I also love the canals – the presence of water all around me is somehow calming, and the reflection of lights in the dark water at night never fails to enchant me.

On the downside, every foreigner and Dutch person alike complains about the service. Finding a café or restaurant where the waiting staff are polite and attentive is to be regarded as a minor miracle!

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in the Netherlands?

Just do it!

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about the Netherlands?

www.amsterdamfoodie.nl – a site/blog dedicated to Amsterdam restaurant reviews and other food news in the city.

www.elynx.nl – the bible for expats in Holland; find a house to rent, look for jobs, buy and sell goods or services…

www.monsterboard.nl – your first port of call for jobs.

www.timeout.com/amsterdam - listings site with useful tips for hotels, sights and entertainment.