The best Amsterdam neighborhoods
The housing market in Amsterdam is so hectic that you'll be lucky to get any place, whether you're renting or buying. Theoretically, you have a choice in where you choose to put down roots. Where should you do it, and which areas are best for you? In this article, we'll discuss the various parts of Amsterdam and which types of expats are best suited for them.
Which are the safest neighborhoods in Amsterdam?
The best thing about Amsterdam for expats (and the Netherlands, in general) is that it's very safe. No matter where you choose to live, crime rates are generally low. If you need to walk or bike home at night, you don't have much to worry about. Just stay alert in case you do run across unscrupulous characters.
So, if safety is something of concern, you'll be glad to know it's a criterion to cross off your list, as the whole of Amsterdam is safe for people of all ages, races, and genders.
The best neighborhoods in Amsterdam for expat families
Again, Amsterdam, as a whole, is very safe. This means if you can find an appropriate house to rent or buy in Amsterdam that has adequate room for your family, you should do fairly well. But if you want to be close to other expats, you'll have a better chance of mingling with them if you choose a location that's dense with them.
If you have children and want them to grow up with other expat kids, you should consider living in Amsterdam-Zuid. Here, you can find the British School, as well as the Amsterdam International Community School, which is close by. By living close to these two schools, you're sure to be immersed in a decent expat community where both you and your children can thrive.
The best neighborhoods in Amsterdam for international students
Also located in Amsterdam-Zuid, De Pijp (The Pipe) and Jordaan are areas that attract students and other young expats. There are cheaper apartments, as well as more hipster-type businesses; this makes it a paradise for the younger crowd. You can find lots of cafes and bars in both areas. De Pijp is also home to the old Heineken brewery, where you can take a tour and end with having a beer or two.
If students in Amsterdam want to live in De Pijp for the atmosphere, the University of Amsterdam is less than 30 minutes away by tram or metro. Or it's a brisk 20-minute bike ride away. On the other hand, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is 25 minutes away by public transport or 15 minutes away by bike.
For the shortest commutes possible, consider living in neighborhoods that are right next to the universities. For the University of Amsterdam, that'd be Amsterdam-Oost; for Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, that'd be Amsterdam-Zuid.
Do note that if you arrange for accommodation in Amsterdam through your university, you may not get much say in where you live. However, you won't have to worry about sorting out housing, and the rent will be much cheaper, so it may be a worthwhile tradeoff.
The best neighborhoods in Amsterdam for foreign retirees
Any neighborhood away from the city center is a good place to live for retirees, as the closer to the center you get, the more raucous it'll be. Some particularly good neighborhoods for retirees are in the “new” South, which consists of Diamantbuurt, Rivierenbuurt, Stadionbuurt, and Apollobuurt, with “buurt” being the Dutch word for “neighborhood”.
In the above areas, rent is more expensive, which means this prices out the rowdy students who look for lower prices. Also, houses here are larger, which means you can enjoy your silver years without feeling cramped. For even more space, go even further down south to Buitenveldert and Amstelveen, where you'll find plenty of greenery and open spaces.
