The Hague is the third largest city in the Netherlands with a population of 475,580 and an ever-growing business sector. It has become the second biggest Dutch office market, is the seat of government and home to the royal family and scores of embassies and diplomats.

Along with culture, history, monuments and great shopping, the city is also a naturally beautiful and relaxing place to live with over 25 parks and lawns and a wide diversity of neighbourhoods. The international flavour of the city with over nine international schools and diplomats from around the globe makes it a comfortable place to relocate. Stretching down from the north, the area consisting of the Statenkwartier, Duinoord, and Archipel make up both a large part of the city centre and three of the most desirable areas to live. Archipel is city living at its finest. The beautiful, renovated old houses and apartments create an area full of character and with a genteel quality. It is close to parks, museums and the town centre. Available housing ranges from 2-3 floor dwellings to smaller apartments. Prices are comparable to Amsterdam and there are similar problems with parking. The Statenkwartier has a similar feel to Archipel and similar architecture; quiet, spacious old houses from around 1900 with large carved ceilings and the feel of stately homes. Duinoord has smaller homes and row houses that are made of quality materials and hold their value well, making this charming, somewhat bohemian district a great area for investment. The borders where the Statenkwartier, Duinoord, and Archipel meet surround the Peace Palace and is a favourite for international businessmen, diplomats, and their families,  and expatriates who enjoy high-quality urban living. Villas, apartments and old urban mansions are nestled in between the embassies to offer an extremely luxurious environment with prices to match. Benoordenhout is a green and leafy version of that particular Dutch mix that is urban, but with a quiet neighbourhood feeling. It is close to both motorway entrances and the city centre with excellent public transport available. It's also bordered by woodlands to the north and east that make it a good option for young families with children. It is known by locals as a quiet, old-fashioned "decent" neighbourhood with lots of 1930s style, single-floor flats with good parking. Also in that category and area is Mariahoeve with similar amenities and a 50/50 mix of Dutch and expat residents with the British Junior School located there. Wassenaar, a self-contained district known by some as the Beverly Hills of the Netherlands, is a favourite among up-market expats with children and a large budget for housing because it is the most expensive place to buy or rent in the Netherlands. Prices to buy can go as high as EUR 4 million. Located just outside The Hague, the town's gated villas, large, green and spacious mansions are home to diplomats and corporate executives who like to spend peaceful evenings away from the city. Wassenaar's woods and dunes are also home to a wide variety of seabirds and mammals. With the US school and lots of American shops, Wassenaar has become home away from home for many US expats and the British School is just a stone's throw away in neighbouring Voorschoten. Wassenaar's invitation-only golf club and Crown Prince Willem Alexander's home (off-limits to photographers) are symbols for the town's upmarket reputation. There's also a local polo club and one of the few places that there is no question of parking problems. Updated 2006 [Copyright Expatica 2006] Subject: The Hague