Living in Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Interview With an Expat

What is moving to and living in Amsterdam like?

Amsterdam is a very international city, attracting expats from all over the world.

In this Ask an Expat series I interview people living all over the world but outside of their own country. I hope to inspire you but I also want to paint an honest picture of the ups and downs of life abroad.

Being from the Netherlands myself I especially liked this interview: The Netherlands is the only country I can never experience as an expat.

This is my interview with Agnes, who moved to Amsterdam and shares her story of what expat life in Amsterdam is really like.

Living in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Name: Agnes
Age: 24
Home town: Tartu, Estonia

Her Story:

“I got bitten by the travel bug as a child thanks to my travel-enthusiastic parents. They often took me along with them on different trips.

As a teenager, I was encouraged to attend language camps abroad. Thus, one summer I spent in England and another in Germany independently learning languages and exploring the countries. And when I turned 18, I applied for a summer job in Italy.

All these experiences abroad were unforgettable. The experiences made me determined to move abroad once I would graduate high school.

And finally, the day arrived when I could move to Amsterdam.”

Why Did You Move to Amsterdam?

“After I finished high school I started researching study abroad options. My mind was set to get my higher education abroad and since I love traveling I was looking for tourism programs.

I found suitable studies in England, Germany, and The Netherlands. I applied to one university in each of those countries.

My application to the university in Munich got lost in the post and they never received my papers.

Luckily, I ended up getting accepted into both the university I applied to in England and the one in Amsterdam. Because the tuition fee was considerably higher in England, moving to Amsterdam was the obvious choice.”

What Do You Like About Living in Amsterdam?

“That Amsterdam is one hell of a cultural melting pot.

I love the fact that there are so many different nationalities, and people with different styles, beliefs, views, and crazy life stories. I think this is what makes people more open and tolerant here.

You will never have difficulties blending in because the picture of the whole city is already so colorful.

Amsterdam makes you feel free and lets you be who you are. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the language. Everybody speaks English.”

What do You Dislike About Living in Amsterdam?

“The weather.

Ask anyone who lives here and they will have the same answer. It is often so rainy and dull. The wind is horribly strong too.

You cannot trust the thermometer; it always feels different. I was often under or overdressed.”

What is Your Favorite Thing to Do in Amsterdam?

“Just walking around the city can be very entertaining because of the interesting people you’ll encounter or the fun things you’ll see. One day I stumbled upon a shop that only sells rubber ducks, for example.

Lots of spots in the city are covered with stunning street art. Moreover, you will never get tired of the beautiful views of the canals.

Because the weather is often rainy, Amsterdam also has many nice places to just sit and drink coffee, tea or hang out.”

What Is Your Favorite Place to Hang Out in Amsterdam?

“That is a difficult question. There are various great places to hang out in Amsterdam.

One of my favorite places to have drinks with friends is the Bierfabriek. They have home-brewed beers and you can get a table with beer taps on them so you can just keep filling your glass. The best part, though, is that they have free peanuts and you can throw the shells on the floor without getting in trouble. Brings back the inner child in you.

I don’t smoke but I really liked the Hill Street Blues cafe. This is mostly meant for smokers who would like to have a drink as well since in normal coffee shops they are not allowed to sell alcohol. I was attracted by its location and grungy interior. It has a beautiful view of a canal from its windows and the whole place is covered with scribbles, drawings, writings or stickers from visitors.”

What is the Expat Community Like in Amsterdam?

“There are a lot of expats in Amsterdam.

And there are also a lot of activities for expats. You can find multiple groups on Facebook with all sorts of information about upcoming events or fun things to do and connect with people.

There are many places in the city where you can meet other expats. For instance, there is the improvised comedy show in CREA cafe that expats visit. The performing group Easylaughs are very international too. Everybody can join their workshops as well.

There is the Amsterdam Language Cafe where international people come together and can help each other with learning languages.  MixTree is another place that holds various types of events and all cultures are welcome.

This is one thing that’s great for expats in Amsterdam: there are numerous opportunities for expats to spend their free time and have some fun together.”

Is Amsterdam Safe as a City to Live in?

“Living in Amsterdam feels very safe overall.

The city often ranks high in global safety indices, and I rarely worry about personal safety, even when walking around at night.

Of course, like anywhere, there are some things to be mindful of—bike theft is super common here, so investing in a good lock is a must. I’ve also heard of petty theft like pickpocketing in busy tourist areas, but I’ve never personally experienced it.

When it comes to neighborhoods, some areas might feel a bit rougher around the edges, but overall, Amsterdam is a great place to live for expats. It has a welcoming vibe, and as long as you take normal precautions, you’ll likely find it just as safe as I do!”

Any Tips for Moving to / Living in Amsterdam?

“If you are planning to move to Amsterdam, make sure you have a place to stay. Finding a place to live is very difficult and you need to start searching months in advance.

To get an idea of what accommodation in Amsterdam costs, both to rent and to buy, check out Funda.nl which is the main website people use to search for property.

Also, be very aware of scammers. Make sure that everything is legal and you have seen the place, have the correct keys to it and the contract before you pay for it. You can also use an agent to be more secure, but it will cost you extra.

Other than that just enjoy life in Amsterdam and be open to all sorts of craziness.”

Also Read: Things to Do Before Moving Abroad – A Checklist

Any Resources you Found Useful During the Process of Moving to and Building a New Life in Amsterdam?

“I Amsterdam is a very useful website. Both for expats in Amsterdam and for tourists traveling to Amsterdam.

There are also several Facebook groups for expats in Amsterdam that are useful to join. They are a great place to ask questions about living in Amsterdam, and to meet other expats.”

Is There Something You Just Have to See or Do When You Are in Amsterdam?

“Well, I guess it is evident that one has to see the red light district and visit a coffee shop.

Besides that, I would recommend taking a canal cruise. You can choose from different boats and whether to go during the day or take a romantic cruise in the evening.

If you love food tours I recommend this Amsterdam Food Tour & Canal Cruise.

If you like art, the Rijksmuseum’s huge gallery is a must-see.

And don’t forget to rent a bike!”

About Agnes – an Expat in Amsterdam

Agnes was born and raised in a small country called Estonia.

She fell in love with traveling as a little kid and has been seeking adventure ever since.

She loves living in Amsterdam and showing this city to anyone who wants to visit. After finishing university in Amsterdam she decided to stay and is still enjoying the city, even on the rainy days.

About Amsterdam

Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is known for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal system, and narrow houses with gabled facades, legacies of the city’s 17th-century Golden Age.

Amsterdam is colloquially known as the Venice of the North because of its canals that crisscross the city, its impressive architecture, and more than 1,500 bridges.

There is something for everyone’s taste in Amsterdam: whether you prefer culture and history, serious partying, or just the relaxing charm of an old European city.

Check out these Tips From a Local For Visiting Amsterdam and Plan a Perfect Weekend in Amsterdam

Also Read:

• 10 Of The Best Annual Events in Amsterdam
• 8 Of The Best Cafes For Working in Amsterdam
• Typical Dutch Food You Should Try
• Living in Utrecht, the Netherlands- Interview With an Expat
• Living in The Hague, the Netherlands – Interview With an Expat
• Living in Rotterdam, the Netherlands – Interview With an Expat