I personally didn’t find Dutch so difficult.Much depends on the reasons why you are in the country and your feelings toward the country.I was treated fairly well so it made the integration process smoother,and feeling comfortable makes Learning easier.
Living now in the far North of Swedish Lappland i find it even easier due to the relaxed and welcoming nature of the people here,who seem amazed that anyone would even want to come here,what with the isolation and the long,harsh Winters.When they find out that you came ‘voluntarily’ up here because you fell in love with the Place they really put themselves out to make you feel at home.
On a personal note i find Finnish much more difficult than Dutch.Swedish i have become quite good with but Finnish seems to elude me totally which is a bit of a shame as it’s the second language up here.