What makes Rotterdam attractive is the mix. The cost to rent space in Amsterdam is at least 3 times as much as you would pay in Rotterdam and you would have less space. There are lots of places to get branded in Rotterdam instead of only Rotterdam as a whole; i.e. Kralingen, Kop van zuid , Delftshaven, and Maashaven- a place where young creatives from Amsterdam and other cities are moving to because of incentives offered by the city.

At Erasmus there is a research on living in Rotterdam for expats. Might be interesting : http://www.eur.nl/fsw/expats

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotterdam

“The self-image of the city is that of a no-nonsense workers’ city. In that sense, there is a healthy competition with Amsterdam, which is often viewed as the cultural capital of the Netherlands. There is a saying: “Amsterdam to party, Den Haag (The Hague) to live, Rotterdam to work”. Another one, more popular by Rotterdammers, is “Money is earned in Rotterdam, divided in The Hague and spent in Amsterdam”. An other saying that reflects both the rivalry between Rotterdam and Amsterdam is “Amsterdam has it, Rotterdam doesn’t need it”.”

I have heard Rotterdam public officials saying this same nonsense at events with international guests. Who really wants to move to a City when the government officials say it is not really fun to live, but only meant for work? Why do people graduate at Erasmus then move to one of the “fun cities”? Rotterdam, please stop promoting this image of yourself.

It is a city that transcends the small village mentality of many Dutch cities; international in scope; international in architecture; yet the question exists as to whether it is truly international in its spirit.

Some traditional market resources of the city stress the laboured nature of the past - the harbour, hard hats - with the modernity of a mosaic of peoples of divergent creeds and colours.

But does this appeal to the educated ex-pat that can be the life blood of the city?

While I hate to pour scorn on the research and Rotterdam in general, there are many ex-pats who work in the city of skyscrapers but choose to live in the Hague or Amsterdam. Why? It’s simple. The Hague and Amsterdam do not have to promote themselves as as international destinations, they just are. The former, a city of the UN, the latter, a destination on most tourists to-do list.

Both cities bend-over-backwards to help ex-pats. The Hague has a well-manned section of city hall called the Ex-Pat Desk - where fluent speakers of English and French solve the bureaucratic maze that is the main stay of living in Holland.

This service is a philosophy, and defines the spirit of the Hague to welcome all to the city of Peace and Justice.

Rotterdam can feel good about its quality of life. The housing stock, the (cocktail) bars and global cuisine are something to be praised.

However, we cannot be complacent. Other cities are improving fast. We need to change the mood. The city philosophy. Rotterdam is not full. It is a world city that opens its arms to a working population and revels in the exchange of cultures and wishes for true integration.

Let us embrace the worlds middle class and bring them to our bosom. Let them enrich the city and provide work for their fellow residents.

An end to the zero sum game - I beseech thee.

By Walter Van Holst IT Jurist at Mitopics BV

Mijn suggestie is dus om het gunstige leefklimaat voor internationale werknemers te beaccentueren en Rotterdam neer te zetten als de ‘ultimate business / living environment’. Dit zou kunnen door een vacaturewebsite te maken die behalve interessante job opportunities toont ook veel informatie bevat over uitgaan, eten & drinken, cultuur en beleving. Daarbij zou ik voorstellen om hier veel input van andere expats en inwoners van Rotterdam te genereren (user generated content). Dit aangezien deze partijen de ultieme ambassadeurs zijn voor de stad (buiten de stad zijn er minder ;-). Dit biedt bezoekers van een dergelijke website gelijk de mogelijkheid om inwoners te leren kennen en de volledige scope aan aantrekkelijkheden die de stad biedt te kunnen ontdekken.

Auteur: Ruben Kruit. Met dank aan Peter Hilton, Lunatech Research