Reviews of cities, countries, employers and services abroad

Destination

Amsterdam· Amsterdam

Compact, international and easy to live in, if you can find a home

Amsterdam is an easy city to live in day to day. I cycle 12 minutes to work, English works almost everywhere and my colleagues come from over 30 countries. Work life balance is excellent and nobody expects you to answer messages at night. Public transport is reliable, and trains to Rotterdam, Utrecht and even Paris are straightforward. The big problem is housing: a small studio costs me 1,650 euros, and the search took seven weeks. Health insurance is an extra monthly cost, and the weather is grey and windy for much of the year. With a professional salary it is a great place, but people on lower incomes struggle.

Excellent work life balance

English widely spoken

Severe housing shortage

High rents

Wanjiru Kamau1 month ago6

Housing

Private studio rental through agency, Amsterdam West· Amsterdam

Good flat, expensive and a stressful process

My studio is modern, well insulated and 12 minutes by bike from work, so I am happy living here. The process through the agency was less pleasant. They required a gross income of three times the rent, an employer statement, pay slips and a copy of my passport. The deposit was two months' rent. Viewings were group viewings with ten or more people. Once I signed, the landlord has been responsive, fixing a leaking tap within two days. At 1,650 euros for 38 square metres, it is expensive, but this is the Amsterdam market.

Modern, well insulated

Responsive landlord

High rent for the size