Eindhoven still ultra popular with tech expat professionals

Eindhoven is still a popular location for tech expats looking to start-up success, but is local prejudice an issue?

Known locally as the ‘city of lights’, the Dutch city of Eindhoven has attracted a large number of expat entrepreneurs over the past several years. The nickname came about due to electronics multinational Phillips’ involvement as long ago as 1891, and the city is still a hub for all styles of electronic innovation. Vibrant, modern and with an ancient heart, Eindhoven is the perfect example of history blended with ultra-modern, giving an exciting environment for talented techies looking to make their fortunes.

Eindhoven has deliberately set itself up as a centre for highly skilled international expatriates, with some 40,000 now resident and another 70,000 living in the two surrounding provinces, a huge number to be absorbed into the local way of life. The city centre is ever-popular with couples and singles newly arrived from their home countries and looking to find a social scene in which to relax and make friends. Available accommodation is mostly newly built and is set close by popular restaurants and a large shopping mall.

Suburban Woensel is part of North Brabant and is mostly given over to residential apartments and homes available at prices to suit all pockets. South Eindhoven’s Gestel district is good for young families for its international school and international swimming complex. For tech talent planning to arrive and stay long-term, it’s advisable to join a Dutch language class, even although the vast majority of those living and working in the city can speak acceptable English.

Learning the language gives not only a sense of Dutch culture but also means expatriates can demonstrate they’re in the country for the long-term and respect the Dutch peoples’ way of life and culture. Having a huge number of foreigners descend on your home town can cause problems, with one local media outlet recently reporting expat workers and students are victims of regular discrimination when in town of an evening.