MOVING TO & FINDING YOUR FOOTING IN AMSTERDAM

As much as people tell me that I have taken a huge leap of faith - and I have - my plan to pick-up and move to Amsterdam was a year in the making. January 2019 hit, and I realized that everything I had said I wanted to do while I was young was all going to be talk unless I took action and made it happen for myself. That was when I decided I was going to spend the year researching, planning and saving money so that January 2020, I will have moved to the location of my choice. I knew I loved Europe and that was where I would want to be, and I made a rather quick decision in setting my sights on Amsterdam. I had just been there for a few days on holiday with my cousin, and fell in love with the city. Yes, moving to a new continent is a big leap, so I wanted to go somewhere I had at least visited before so that I would already know that I at least enjoyed spending time in that city. A bonus is that the Dutch speak incredible English, and everyone I spoke with only had positive things to say about their time in Amsterdam.

I spent months doing the research: how to get a Visa, what was the housing market like (it’s a nightmare), what will I do about healthcare etc. All the planning in the world does not stack up to what it is actually like when your flight lands and you are suddenly in unfamiliar surroundings with only computer notes to back up your knowledge. So, my friends, these are the tips and tricks that I put into action while preparing my trip, and along my first few days in Amsterdam. I hope they can help you find your footing, and perhaps inspire you to take a leap of your own!

TIP 1: Contact the Consulate

There is a lot of info online about how to acquire a Visa for your desired country, but some of it is confusing and some of it is plain contradictory. What I did to get past the confusion, and what I would highly recommend doing, is get in contact with someone at the consulate in of you desired country. In this case, I contacted the Dutch consulate in Canada, and asked them my questions via email. They were very helpful in supplying me with the exact web links I should be looking at, and also in informing me that I only needed to apply for my Visa once already in The Netherlands. Now this does not apply for everyone, or for every country. I am lucky that, as a Canadian, I do not need a Visa to enter The Netherlands, which then lends itself to not needing a Visa right away. I instead could arrive in Amsterdam, and take a few days to collect the needed personal info and apply directly with the IND via their online application. As the Visa type and the means of getting it differs between origin country and future country… contacting the consulate is a great way to bypass a bunch of web searches.

TIP 2: Join Housing Groups on Facebook

Ok, I know… Facebook. But honestly this tip is super helpful. By joining housing groups on Facebook, I was able to gather a lot of information, and meet some cool people! I joined 2 housing groups, and from those, I was given a good idea of the housing market in Amsterdam… and it is a shit show. Seriously, so many people are trying to move to the city, and everywhere is expensive and furthermore, you need to register where you live with the government. Registering causes a major issue because, by law, landlords can only allow 2 adults to legally register at a residence, unless the landlord purchases a permit and pays extra taxes (which obviously most landlords will not do). This law was set in place to give families and non-expats priority housing. Being aware of this, is important to the search. You will have to be generous with your budget, even for just a mediocre apartment. While having an extra income with a third or fourth roommate is nice, it might not be feasible. I highly suggest posting in the Facebook groups as well, letting people know a bit about yourself, and when you are moving. By doing this, I got some lovely messages from really cool individuals, and was able to begin building social connections for my move.

TIP 3: Don’t Rely On Credit

Yes, nowadays your credit card should allow you to spend all over the world, but don’t rely on that to get you by. Many places in Amsterdam do not accept credit cards, or specific credit cards (i.e. they take MasterCard but not Visa) because it is taxed much higher than just accepting cash or local cards. Plus, you will always run into places that only accept cash. Therefore, I would suggest coming with some Euros in pocket. There are ATMs around the city, but of course it will cost you more to withdraw using an international card. You will also need to have your residence registered with the government before you are able to open a Dutch bank account, making your best option withdrawing Euros at your hometown bank and bringing them with you.

TIP 4: Research Some Places of Interest

It will take a bit of time to move out of being a “tourist” and into being more of a “local” so take advantage of your newbie status. You have a city to discover and explore. To keep from being overwhelmed at all the possibilities, I think it is a great idea to do some research beforehand, especially if you know the neighbourhood you will be staying in. Find out what is close by that might interest you, and then what might be further away and in need of its own day, dedicated just to that activity. I personally love to frequent coffee shops and cafés, so those are the spots I researched in advance. It is nice to have an idea of what to do with yourself when you first arrive. Some structure, but not so much that you can’t just wander. The café pictured above is a happy accident I stumbled upon and really enjoy, called Samen Lunch & Juice. The drinks are delicious, and their vegan orange coconut loaf is to-die-for. I was also having trouble connecting my computer to their free wifi, so the lovely server took out his phone and let me use his personal hotspot… that is what I call service!

TIP 5: Get the OV Chip Card

Of course, in The Netherlands, having a bike is King. But while you are working out getting a bike of your own, getting the OV Chip Card (which works on all transit throughout the city) is a perfect supplement for when your legs are tired after a day of walking, and your place is an hour away by foot. You can buy this card at Amsterdam Centraal, and refill it almost anywhere… like even on the bus itself. To use the card, you simply tap on, and then tap off before leaving the transport vehicle. When you tap off, it shows how much you were charged for the ride, and how much is left on your card. The Dutch have made transportation so easy!

TIP 6: Get a New SIM Card

Although great Apps like WhatsApp make it possible for you to stay in touch with anyone, all over the world, my next tip is not necessarily to aid in calling and texting. I highly recommend getting a local SIM card with at least a few gigabytes of data because when you are without a wifi connection and not quite sure where you are…. you are going to want that data to help you look up maps. It is also convenient if, say, you are in a new neighbourhood and want to see if there are any good restaurants close by. Or, if you are meeting someone new for the first time and need to contact them for whatever reason once you’ve left your place. Having data on access is key to getting around in those early days!

Those are my 6 tips for preparing yourself to move to Amsterdam/first steps to take once you arrive. I am still very early on in my moving journey, so I am experiencing it all for the first time myself. I hope these tips will be of help to you in making your own adventure dreams come true!

Ella

Images: Ella