Amsterdam is the Netherlands' capital and is known for its tulips and windmills. It's home to the Museum Quarter (Museumplein), where you can find the famous Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum. Known for its exemplary cycling infrastructure, Amsterdam is a city where everything is easily accessible. You'll find grocery stores, restaurants, and bars close by apartments. So for many expats who wish to leave behind their cars, this is an attractive place to reside in. Here are some things you should expect when you make the big move to Amsterdam.
The weather in Amsterdam
If you're used to places like sunny California, it may take some getting used to when relocating to the Netherlands. On average, Amsterdam only receives 38% sunshine and gets 872 mm of rainfall yearly. But that's not to say that Amsterdam doesn't have days where the sun shines brightly; you just have to take full advantage of those days when they do happen!
Not only do you have to get used to less sunshine and possibly more rain, but there are also strong winds to adjust to. Considering the Netherlands is a country that's historically harvested energy through its windmills, this should come as no surprise.
Amsterdam's architecture
One of the first things you'll notice about Amsterdam is its architecture. Most of the buildings are made of brick and have red-tan coloring, accents of white brick, stepped gables, and colorful wooden shutters. They're almost reminiscent of gingerbread houses, which can give the city an almost fairytale-like appearance.
Of course, you'll also see lots of canals and bridges. Many residents live on houseboats, which they decorate like land-based houses. Some even have yards or gardens.
Transportation in Amsterdam
Amsterdam has an excellent infrastructure of trains, trams, buses, and metros. It's only a 15-minute train ride away from Schiphol Airport, which means it's very convenient if you need to fly a lot.
Again, the city has excellent cycle paths, which means you can bike to and from work with no problem. If you need to commute in Amsterdam, you can use any of the above methods reliably, as they're very punctual and frequent.
The cost of living in Amsterdam
Unfortunately, the cost of living in Amsterdam is pretty high. While grocery prices are comparable to those in other countries, the price of eating out is a bit higher. An average meal for one person costs above €15, and that's without any drinks.
For housing, not only is it extremely hard to find, but it's also very expensive. Make sure you get started on apartment searching as soon as you touch down, but not before; Amsterdam is notorious for scammers who take deposits from expats who aren't yet in the country.
What not to expect from Amsterdam
Contrary to popular belief, Amsterdam isn't an adult theme park. While some tourists certainly like to treat it as such, the farther you get away from the city center, the more you'll find quieter neighborhoods with lots to offer.
For instance, there are plenty of brown cafes, which are similar to pubs in England. In these, you can enjoy a nice Belgian beer and small bar bites called “borrelhapjes”.
For more details on life in Amsterdam, such as buying a house or studying at a university, please check out our Amsterdam Guide.
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