Experience in Amsterdam, Netherlands by Anne Roos

What is it like to live in Amsterdam? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

I love Amsterdam! It's a beautiful city with a great atmosphere, if you know where to go.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Amsterdam?

It's not very coherent, I would definitely recommend joining a student association or a club in your university to meet people. Those are very good!

How much does it cost to live in Amsterdam?

It's expensive. I live outside of city center in Nieuw-West and I pay 400 euros per month rent, which is very cheap for Amsterdam. You definitely need more than 800/900 euros a month if you need to pay for tuition, rent, food and still want to go out.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Amsterdam? Is there any advice you can give?

Very difficult. Best advice I can give you is ask people you know who live or have lived there whether they know a place. There is a very high demand for housing.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Dutch food isn't very special. You won't find a restaurant that serves typical Dutch food very often. Poffertjes (little fluffy pancakes with butter and powdered sugar) are very good though.

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What places would you recommend visiting in Amsterdam?

The famous concert venue Paradiso is very beautiful, and famous for a reason.

Is it good to eat out in Amsterdam? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

I love Los Pilones, a Mexican restaurant! Like I said, Dutch restaurants aren't phenomenal. I'd say it's better to just try a lot of places in Oost (the part of town). I like Oost.

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Is the nightlife good in Amsterdam? Where is good to go?

Awesome! Try to avoid the touristic places like Leidseplein or Rembrandtplein. Go to Paradiso and Melkweg for awesome parties in the city center. If you like electronic music and especially techno, go outside the center to the warehouse clubs. Radion is awesome, De School is famous and probably for a reason. We also have hundreds of festivals every summer. I would recommend Lente Kabinet and Dekmantel. Ruigoord, a hippie village just outside of town, is the best place on earth. Google these places or look them up on facebook. You won't regret it.

What advice would you give future students heading to Amsterdam?

Explore! Ask locals their favourite spots! Don't stay in the city center alone, don't be distracted by Dam square and the red light district. Amsterdam is a great city if you walk the less travelled path.

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