Yes, many expats and even some locals find the layout and hyper-maintenance of Dutch suburbs sterile and boring. This feeling is common because the same qualities that make neighborhoods safe, clean, and efficient can also strip away spontaneity and visual variety. The contradiction you describe is a real tension between order and character, and it's not just in your head.
Dutch suburban planning is heavily influenced by post-war functionalism and strict zoning laws. Streets are designed for flow, not charm. Green spaces are manicured, not wild. Houses often follow standard templates to keep costs low and construction fast. This creates a uniform look that can feel repetitive, especially in newer neighborhoods like Vinex wijken (expansion areas from the 1990s onward). The 'war against entropy' you notice is real: municipalities enforce rules on everything from hedge height to paint colors to preserve the tidy, safe image that the Dutch value. The result is a landscape that works perfectly but lacks the messy, organic character of older city centers or villages.
To find more character, you have a few options. First, explore older neighborhoods built before 1940, like Amsterdam's Jordaan, Utrecht's Oudwijk, or Haarlem's Zijlstraat. These areas have irregular streets, mixed architecture, and more greenery. Second, look for suburbs with more natural landscaping, such as those near forests, dunes, or water. For example, places like Zeist or Heemstede have more varied layouts. Third, get involved in your own street: start a community garden, paint your front door a bold color (if allowed), or join a local buurtvereniging (neighborhood association) to push for more green and creative spaces. Finally, accept that some sterility is the price of safety and cleanliness. You can balance it by spending time in older city centers, parks, or nature reserves nearby. The Dutch system prioritizes function over flair, but with effort you can find pockets of character.
If you plan to stay long term, consider buying a house in a neighborhood with more varied architecture or a larger garden. Talk to locals about the history of your area; often there are hidden stories that make the place feel less sterile. And remember, you are not alone in this feeling: many expats and Dutch people share it, and it's a valid part of adjusting to a different cultural approach to space.