When I moved my family from the US to the Netherlands over a year ago, I wish I'd avoided these 5 mistakes

Tech Insider : Business
Author Lauren McDonnell smiling with sunglasses on in the netherlands
I'm glad I moved my family from the United States to the Netherlands, but we've run into a few issues and missteps while adjusting to our new lives.

Lauren McDonnell

The best city for renters isn't cheap — but its quality of life is top-tier. See what metros made the top 10.

Tech Insider : Business
Downtown Portland, Maine.
Portland, Maine.

DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

I've lived in 4 different cities, each one smaller than the last. This pattern's been great as I've gotten older.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment
The writer with his daughter and dog on a boat in New Hampshire.
caption TK - New Hampshire

Bart Beeson

I moved from New York City to Charlotte for a better quality of life. I didn't expect to feel so lonely.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Elizabeth stands near a sign that says
I moved south to Charlotte, North Carolina, for a better quality of life.

Elizabeth Wright

I moved in with my partner after college. No one told me how much I'd miss living with my best friends.

Tech Insider : Business
The author and her roommates posing in front of their house with University of Michigan gear on.
I moved in with my partner after graduating from college, and missed living with all of my friends.

Angela Brown Photography

I lived with my grandfather for 2 years. I never expected we'd become best friends.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
the author and grandfather standing in a sunflower field
The author (left) moved in with her grandfather (right).

Courtesy of Ashleigh N. DeLuca

I moved back home after living abroad for 12 years. I worried it would be a step backward for my daughter and me.

Tech Insider : Business
Siobhan Colgan and her son looking out at a landscape abroad
The author had to move home after living abroad.

Courtesy of Siobhan Colgan

I moved to a walkable city on an island in Canada. Despite a few drawbacks, living here feels close to perfect.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Woman standing with coffee in dog in front of Parliament building with flowery tree
I never imagined I'd fall in love with living in Victoria, Canada, which is smaller than other places I've dreamed of living.

Maria Polansky

I'm an American who moved to a small French village. I tried to adjust, but learned I wasn't built for country living.

Tech Insider : Business, Politics
A shot of the French village where the author lived, featuring houses, fields, and a skyline.
I'd hoped my new home would be a bit more walkable.

Audrey Bruno

When my friends moved to the suburbs, I decided to raise my kids in Chicago. Being an urban mom was the best choice.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
a mother pushing a child in a swing
The author raised her kids in Chicago.

Unaihuiziphotography/Getty Images

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