The seat of government, a global centre for international law — and a coastline.
The Hague is the seat of the Dutch government and a global centre for international law and diplomacy. It also has the largest Hindustani community in the Netherlands and a coastline — an unusual combination that suits a particular kind of move.
The Hague's job market is built on government, international organisations and energy. The International Criminal Court, Europol, Eurojust and the OPCW are based here, Shell's global headquarters is in the city, and the Indian Embassy itself is located in The Hague. Roles skew toward policy, law, international affairs and corporate functions rather than pure tech.
One-bedroom flats cost roughly €1,500–2,000 a month. Expat-favourite neighbourhoods include Benoordenhout, Statenkwartier and the Archipelbuurt; Scheveningen offers beachside living, and suburbs like Voorburg, Rijswijk and Leidschendam are calmer and somewhat cheaper.
The Hague has one of the largest populations of Indian descent in the Netherlands, anchored by a long-established Surinamese-Hindustani community. South Asian grocery stores, restaurants and Hindu temples are well represented, festivals are celebrated openly, and the presence of the Indian Embassy makes consular tasks simpler than anywhere else in the country.
Costs are high — close to Amsterdam — though slightly more forgiving in the suburbs. The city suits people in international, legal or government-adjacent careers more than tech; for those roles, the depth of opportunity here is hard to match elsewhere in the Netherlands.