Experience in Amsterdam, Netherlands by Melanie

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

Amsterdam is awesome. The people are very friendly, easy-going and it's very multi-culture. 99% of the people speak English. The city itself is always overcrowded with tourists, prepare yourself to stand in line for one or two hours before entering, for instance, the Van Gogh Museum on a busy day. In Amsterdam, you are allowed to be your true self, whether that is straight, gay, blue hair, men in dresses, Rasta, etc. We value our freedom.

What is the student lifestyle like in Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is a nice place to be as a student, you will meet a lot of people from different cultures and you have plenty places to go to in the evening, although the students prefer house party's since the best clubs ask around 20/30 euro to enter. Drinks are expensive that's why most of the party people are using particular substances...

How much does it cost to live in Amsterdam?

Better safe some money, because Amsterdam is not cheap. Living, eating, partying and leisure is all quite expensive. But you need to learn how and where to spend your money yourself. If you want to buy cheap groceries try to go to a Lidl or Aldi. For Museum or boattrip ticket cheap online for special discounts.

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

Living in Amsterdam is expensive and it's hard to find accommodation, there are student hotels, but you pay around €1000 per month. To live on a nice location in the city you must expect to pay around €700 and on the outer corners you can find room around €400, but don't expect too much for this money. Start early to search for an accommodation.

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

We Dutchies love beef, medium rare beef, so if you want to eat the best beef, dutch style, you have to go to Loetje to order one of the most amazing beefsteaks ever. Furthermore dutch people love to eat Thai food, Italian food and French food, because the typical dutch dishes are not that amazing.

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What places would you recommend visiting in Amsterdam?

You should definitely take a boat tour around the canals! Furthermore, for traditional Dutch culture, you should visit Zaanse Schans and Volendam. For art, you should visit the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum and Stedelijk museum. In spring season Keukenhof, a park full of tulips, is a beautiful place.

To make the Amsterdam experience complete of course don't forget to check the red light district and the coffee shops which you can literally find on every corner of a street, better prepare yourself to the smell of weed.

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

There are many many options in Amsterdam, from a restaurant serving only avocado dishes to a restaurant serving only meat. My favorite restaurants are Loutje, café de klepel and the cheap pizzabar Lolotta.

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

You have plenty of places to go to in the evening, although the students prefer house party's since the best club asks around 20/30 euro to enter. Drinks are expensive that's why most of the party people are using other substances. The positive side is, the vibe is almost always good! I like the cafés in the Jordaan and the nightclubs: The School, NYX and Westergasfabriek.

Every year(October) a dance festival of a week-long takes place in and around the entire city, you can find party's for free, but also DJ performances in Arena's.

In April we celebrate the birthday of our king on Kingsday, the festival "Kingsland" is definitely something you should go to.

What advice would you give future students heading to Amsterdam?

Be prepared for an awesome time, save some money and don't forget your umbrella..! Learn how to ride a bike, its much easier and cheaper, that's why Amsterdam is full of them. But they are also one of the most stolen items.

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