Lifestyle News in English

Hundreds of residents desperate as heating systems fail for years in Haarlem and Amstelveen

Hundreds of residents in Haarlem and Amstelveen have faced persistent failures with their gas-free heat and cold storage (WKO) systems for years, leaving many without heating or cooling. The issues hi...

Forgot to reserve a loaner car? No problem at Garage Majoor

Garage Majoor offers loaner cars to customers bringing their vehicles in for repairs, even if they have forgotten to make a prior reservation. The service aims to provide a positive experience for cli...

Will it be another hot summer and why (not)? And four more questions about the heat

The Netherlands recently experienced record-breaking temperatures, with May 26 being the hottest ever recorded at 31.2 degrees Celsius. While temperatures are expected to cool temporarily, meteorologi...

Floortje (44) never felt at home in the ‘normal’ dance world — until she taught seniors to dance: ‘Now I can make a difference with something I’m good at’

Majority of Amsterdammers interested in neighborhood library of things

Parool readers’ favorite trees: ‘This tree brings a touch of Paris to Amsterdam’

Sioe Jeng (34) met Nafiesa (42) through mutual friends on Instagram: ‘I noticed I got jealous when she said she had someone in mind’

Higher education students satisfied with programs and teachers

The National Student Survey (NSE) 2026 reveals that 75% of the 248,000 participating students are satisfied with their higher education programs in the Netherlands. The survey also measured student sa...

Support for climate policy erodes, one-third of population feels they are ‘no longer allowed to enjoy anything’

Support for climate change policies in the Netherlands is declining as a growing portion of the population prioritizes other issues. While a majority still favors reducing greenhouse gas emissions, ma...

Lots of litter and glass after busy day at Marineterrein: Everyone needs to step it up a bit

Following a busy day at the Marineterrein in Amsterdam, cleaners collected large amounts of litter and glass left behind by visitors seeking cool water. Site manager Pieter van Dijk highlighted the sa...

No needles, but light and sound: these are the latest techniques for more beautiful skin

Dr. Marguerite van Randwijck examines modern cosmetic techniques that use light and sound energy rather than needles to enhance skin appearance. This guide details how laser and energy-based treatment...

Irene de Bel on the fairy tale of inclusive education

Irene de Bel uses a metaphorical story about a triangle struggling to fit in among circles to illustrate the challenges of the Dutch inclusive education system, known as 'passend onderwijs.' The piece...

20 km/h on Amsterdam bike paths soon? "That’s quite slow for a bike"

Starting in September, the City of Amsterdam will launch a pilot program limiting bicycle speeds to 20 km/h to improve traffic safety and reduce accidents. Traffic Alderman Melanie van der Horst noted...

Haarlem residents revive 't Scheepje brewery: 'We make modern beer with a strong historical twist'

Paul Rutte and Lex Wertien are reviving the historic 17th-century brewery 't Scheepje in Haarlem at its original location on Houtmarkt 7. The duo plans to produce modern beers with a historical twist,...

ANWB roadside assistance sees hundreds of extra breakdowns due to heat

The ANWB roadside assistance service reported approximately 4,300 vehicle breakdowns on Tuesday, which is about 800 more than usual for a typical Tuesday. This significant increase in incidents is bei...

Romanian scammers caught, ‘5000 euro’ jewelry worth almost nothing

Dutch police have arrested four Romanians suspected of operating a jewelry scam from a holiday park in Voorthuizen. The suspects allegedly targeted victims across multiple locations in the Netherlands...

High-mileage Henk Brugge knows what to expect as Telstar coach next season: 'The surprise is gone'

Henk Brugge has been appointed as the new head coach of the football club Telstar, describing the role as a dream come true. Despite living in Emmeloord and facing a long commute, the 48-year-old trai...

From the canals to the Arctic Circle: these Amsterdammers are doing it in 40 days

Siem Pontman and Antoni Zografos from Amsterdam will cycle 4,000 kilometers to the North Cape in Norway this summer. Their 40-day journey aims to raise awareness and funds for the charity Parkinson Ne...

Haarlem 'food rescuers' save 67,000 kilos of food from waste annually

The Haarlem Food Future foundation rescues approximately 67,000 kilograms of surplus food from local supermarkets every year to prevent waste and support families in need. Volunteers collect and distr...

434 listed buildings sold in Haarlem: sales price 62 percent higher than standard homes

According to data from the NVM brokers' association, 434 monument properties were recently sold in Haarlem. These historic homes are priced 62 percent higher on average compared to standard residentia...

Afrojack and Martin Garrix to perform at final Formula 1 race in Zandvoort

DJs Afrojack, La Fuente, and Martin Garrix are scheduled to perform during the upcoming Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend in Zandvoort in late August. Afrojack and La Fuente will open the evening programs ...

The sun is back and Amsterdam strolls by the water: ‘The city turns into a half-naked parade’

Tenant demands replacement home after explosion, housing association refuses because 'house was targeted'

A tenant is suing the Eigen Haard housing corporation after being denied alternative housing following an explosion that destroyed her home on Herculesstraat in Amsterdam. The corporation refuses to p...

Exhibition on clothing as a form of control at Museum Kranenburgh: ‘I love fashion, but I also see its limitations’

Harrie's sister's garden shed completely burned down: "Damage doesn't matter, as long as she's okay"

A garden house at the Nieuwe Levenskracht allotment park in Amsterdam was destroyed by a fire and suspected gas explosion on Wednesday evening. The female resident sustained burn injuries and was hosp...

Childcare staff shortage could triple in the coming years

Researchers from Ipsos and SEO Economic Research predict that the labor shortage in the childcare sector will triple in the coming years despite ongoing efforts to address it. The study highlights tha...

Unrest after brawl at Hillegom swimming pool: police seize pocket knife and ban two boys

A large fight broke out between groups of young people at the De Vosse swimming pool in Hillegom on Saturday afternoon. Police questioned two boys, seized a pocket knife from one of them, and issued b...

Existing home prices rise in all municipalities; Kaag en Brasem and Zoeterwoude see sharpest increases according to CBS

Existing owner-occupied homes in the Netherlands were 5.2 percent more expensive on average in the first quarter of this year compared to 2023. According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), home prices i...

Sanne Vogel to marry after nine-year engagement

Actress and director Sanne Vogel has announced she is planning her wedding with partner Melchior Schimmel after a nine-year engagement. The 42-year-old artist shared the update during an interview wit...

Pentecost heat causes disturbances on packed Zandvoort beach

The sunny Pentecost weekend led to packed beaches in Zandvoort aan Zee, resulting in several reported disturbances. While the majority of visitors enjoyed the weather without issue, authorities noted ...