View Full Version : Living and working in Amsterdam
As the title suggests, I'm off to Amsterdam from November.
Anyone any tips or experience - aside from day-trips etc. - of living and working in this lovely place?
At the moment, we're havinga bit of trouble finding a place to live - although, hopefully this will work out soon - I'm kind of coming to the conclusion that a professional agancy will have to be contacted at a cost of one month's rent but this does provide security.
As well as the housing issue - anyone recommend any good restaurants, bars, things to do (in Ams and Nederlands in general) off the beaten track? I know a few around the Oud Zuid but any recommendations would be great.
:)
Space Girl
16-09-2005, 13:33
don't live anywhere near the RAI and whenever there is a conference (which seems to be constant) stay well clear of the RAI and central Amserdam as the palace is flooded with businessmen
De Pijp (also known as the Quartier Latin) is a nice area for shopping, it's situated between Stadhouderskade and Ceintuurbaan and from the west to east between Ruysdaelkade and Van Woustraat, there is the daily Albert Cuyp Market there too.
In the south there is the expensive shops around Hobbemastraat, Van Baerlestraat and Byzantium, in the west there is the Jordaan which is around the red light district, in the old west go around the area of the Vondelpark. To the east just go Utrechtsestraat
as for cafes and resturants, check out the prices first but there is de Jaren at Nieuwe Doelenstraat, Het Molenpad at Prinsengracht, Bar ca at Marie Heinekenplein, jenviev at Amstelveld and at vondelpark you will find the tea house - Het Blauwe theehuis, if you want Asian food try Kung fu at Rokin
have you gone to www.livinginamsterdam.net?
get yourself and electronic I amsterdam card, it gives you discounts in restuarants and tourist place, get one from the tourist board
enjoy and have fun
purves grundy
17-09-2005, 08:04
De Pijp (also known as the Quartier Latin) is a nice area for shopping, it's situated between Stadhouderskade and Ceintuurbaan and from the west to east between Ruysdaelkade and Van Woustraat, there is the daily Albert Cuyp Market there too.
That's my fave area too.
Good luck J77! :)
nuffsaid
18-09-2005, 21:39
You lucky bugger. I lived and worked out there for a year and a half a while ago, and lived in the Jordaan. I got a place through a regular letting co. but it was a bit of a lottery, rent was horrific but I had a good job so I wasn't too fussed.
I lived on the Lindengracht which has a fantastic market every Saturday selling pretty much everything along the length of the street, its where the locals shop. There's loads of fantastic little restaurants in that area as well.
You must buy a second hand bike - from bike shop on Damstraat (coming down from Centraal Station on the Damrak turn left after the war memorial toward the redlight district). You will use a bike for the whole time there and its absolutely the best way to get around and the shop will buy it back off you when/if you leave.
If you want Irish bars and like your English footie then The Tara is one of the best Irish bars (on the Rokin) and does great food.
Th3 Saint
08-10-2005, 14:59
J77 - what sort of work will you be doing out there, if you don't mind my asking?
I've loved the place since I first went there many years ago and have often dreamed of living there (even if only for a while). So was just wondering how you managed it??
I'm an English teacher (TEFL) and have been toying with the idea of going there to teach... The only problem I can see is that all the dutch people I've ever met have superb (American) English! So perhaps there is a small call for English teachers for immigrants or something??
It'll be interesting to hear how you get on with finding a place to live!
Good luck
J77 - what sort of work will you be doing out there, if you don't mind my asking?I'll be working at one of their universities.
Have temporary accommodation sorted now :) Will find more permanent when we move out there.
Not sure about TEFL and teaching English in the Netherlands - you're right, their written and spoken English is excellent. My gf's a long-time English teacher - she may look at teaching jobs over there, or just have a career break for a while.
purves grundy
21-10-2005, 05:26
I'm an English teacher (TEFL) and have been toying with the idea of going there to teach
It is possible, but you mostly need luck and some good quals and experience -think DELTA / PGCE and a few years teaching under yer belt. A friend of mine worked in a great little language school in Utrecht for a couple of years on a very generous contract. He told me it was a myth that all Dutch are fluent English speakers - he did a lot of one-to-one business English teaching and said that many clients' Anglo wasn't up to much.
Th3 Saint
04-11-2005, 10:44
It is possible, but you mostly need luck and some good quals and experience -think DELTA / PGCE and a few years teaching under yer belt
Well, that could be a problem. I've just got CELTA and about 3 months of experience... Maybe in a few years then... Or if I get really lucky!
Thinking about Thailand or Vietnam for April time... Currently in India and thinking about a couple months out there earning before I return to the UK.
Am now getting settled in Amsterdam - have temporary accommodation for a while in Amstelveen.
It's very nice living over on the continent again :)
Am now getting settled in Amsterdam - have temporary accommodation for a while in Amstelveen.
It's very nice living over on the continent again :)
Nice one :)
I'd be grateful for any hints / tips as you find stuff out - I'm hopefully going to do a Masters at the university in Amsterdam in Spetember 06.
Enjoy yourself!
Z
sounds great! i've got a dream of living in the netherlands for a while but i kinda assumed i'd have to learn dutch to have any chance of getting a job. anyone know how true this is?
Lock&Light
08-11-2005, 12:19
sounds great! i've got a dream of living in the netherlands for a while but i kinda assumed i'd have to learn dutch to have any chance of getting a job. anyone know how true this is?
It totally depends on what sort of job you mean.
well, not journalism :D
i have no idea tbh. if i ever do it, it'd be as a career break or career change from journalism but i have no idea what i'd like to do in the future; possibly something science-y if i get my OU science degree but that won't be for ages and as you can see i have no specific career in mind for it anyway!!
what kind of jobs do you think are particularly open to us britishers?
Lock&Light
08-11-2005, 12:28
well, not journalism :D
i have no idea tbh. if i ever do it, it'd be as a career break or career change from journalism but i have no idea what i'd like to do in the future; possibly something science-y if i get my OU science degree but that won't be for ages and as you can see i have no specific career in mind for it anyway!!
what kind of jobs do you think are particularly open to us britishers?
Administrative jobs with British and US companies.
Practically all skilled jobs in the general economy will require a knowledge of Dutch.
that's what i thought.
maybe once i've done my 5 years of OU science, i should start looking at OU dutch ... :D
Lock&Light
08-11-2005, 12:37
that's what i thought.
maybe once i've done my 5 years of OU science, i should start looking at OU dutch ... :D
While I believe it has to be better to learn Dutch here in Nederland, I have to admit that there is a drawback. Every time you try to speak Dutch you'll find most people responding in perfect English. You really have to insist on being allowed to speak Dutch.
yeah i've found that when i've visited before, mind you i felt i was rather insulting them by even trying since my attempts at dutch are currently excrecable :o
Structaural
08-11-2005, 13:08
Hey J77 - welcome to the 'Dam.
My girlfriend's also a TEFL teacher, PM me, I might be able to put some contacts your way. I know a few good websites for accommodation - but its the hardest part of living here, took me 3 months to find a decent, affordable place to live.
Booty
J77, you can buy pot there, too ;)
J77 please let me know if you play football my English friend is there (Amsterdam) and really misses playing :(
You can quite easily get a job there and know not much Dutch - in their financial bit everyone speaks English apparantley :)
Thanks for all the replies! :)
Very limited web-access at the mo' - will add more replies soon - Friday night tonight :) :D :)
butterfly child
11-11-2005, 21:38
Wish I hadn't read this thread... am SO jealous.
My husband said we could move to Amsterdam if I learnt the language.. not a bats hope in hell of me doing that, and even if I did, I don't have the confidence to speak it.
But I was most cheered the last time we went, met a girl from Brighton who had moved over there with her boyf.. I think he had a "proper" job but she was working in the Hard Rock!
Well - life is still good in Amsterdam :)
Starting to feel like home now - have found lots of decent bars, particularly around Spui area.
Plus a well decent curry-house called Shiva towards Rembrantplein.
Still looking for somewhere to live more long-term. It's well expensive here, but seems like if you're willing to pay over 1000euros per month, stuff is available. (Of course, you can sub-let or squat - both of which seem pretty much accepted alternatives - but we want some security for a while :))
Also, went to Den Haag this weekend - was trying to make it to the beach but it was raining a bit - the Mauritshuis there has some pretty nice paintings in it tho'
Aside from that just working and chilling :)
zenie - don't know of any footie leagues but with all the expats there must be loads...
booty - I'll pm you in a bit - any stuff you can pass on about the 'Dam by pm would be cool.
fractionMan
06-12-2005, 17:00
Ooooh. I wonder if they have any programming that needs doing?
Wish I hadn't read this thread... am SO jealous.
My husband said we could move to Amsterdam if I learnt the language.. not a bats hope in hell of me doing that, and even if I did, I don't have the confidence to speak it.
But I was most cheered the last time we went, met a girl from Brighton who had moved over there with her boyf.. I think he had a "proper" job but she was working in the Hard Rock!
everyone speaks english in the Dam from what I can remember. they learn it in school.
butterfly child
07-12-2005, 13:41
everyone speaks english in the Dam from what I can remember. they learn it in school.
I told him that when he dies, I'm going to cash in all the insurance, sell the house and move out to Amsterdam.. he managed to take it in the way it was meant ;)
NYE in Amsterdam was pretty mental - fireworks everywhere :D
Like a war zone :D
Just a bit of advice to those movin abroad - get rid of all your stuff in England! :D
Spent yesterday moving into a new apartment on the 3rd floor of an old house in De Pijp area - very nice place. Used to be the slum area, then loads of immigrants moved in and settled, now (naturally) the area is being down up and sold at a premium. Still, means it's very multi-cultured with loads of nice shops and cafes. Plus the Albert Cuyp Market is only a few streets away :)
Moving went well but hauling an English house worth of stuff up 3 flights of stairs ain't easy!
A second bit of advice: if you're daft enough to bring a lot of stuff to Amsterdam, hire a movable platform in advanced to get it through your window - the advice here being that you need a permit from the council to stick it on the street :D ;)
Everything's up there now tho' :)
districtline
29-01-2006, 15:26
i think it's time for me to leave berlin later on in the spring/early summer and go somewhere else, and where i want to go is amsterdam :)
so here's my question: is it possible to find a job (any kind!) in amsterdam even if you don't know any dutch at all? i'm not looking for something well-paid and i'd be up for everything so i can pay the rent...
anyone who knows?
^ They have call centres.
Also, you see signs in some bars looking for English people.
Doesn't time fly.
Been living over here for nearly a year now - completely settled in and it feels like home.
I don't think we could really live anywhere else right now :)
< hopefully, more later - haven't been posting for a good few months >
I'm gonna write some useful stuff here about moving to Amsterdam - and may copy it over to one of them blog things if I have a spare few minutes - though I should probably do that the other way round...
Anyway - before I get to the good stuff, I'll start with banks and houses:
Banks, sofi number and registration
I guess everyone's situation is different, but this is how mine went...
First thing was the bank account - for which I needed my passport and work contract plus a "letter of agreement" between my employer and the bank. Next thing was to get myself registered with the local city hall - this took a few goes because I didn't have the right birth certificate (you need the full one with all your family stuff on) + some forms from www.ind.nl . Then down to the tax office to get my sofi (social) number - for this you need to phone a couple of months in advance and make your exact appointment.
So all that makes you legal.
I have heard that you can get into problems without a letter of agreement because you need a bank account to get one of the other two things - can't think which tho' - and one of the other two things to get a bank account...
An important thing is the registration - this means you can get a house with a full contract. Lots of people sub-let in A'dam without full contracts - obviously taking away lots of your rights - but most are registered somewhere in the Netherlands (ie. students living away from home).
(btw: my gf could get all this on my documents alone - she wasn't working at the time.)
Story from one of my friends about sub-letting - he had this place, did it up really nicely with the promise of being able to live there for a few years - anyway, after he'd finished the decorating, the official renter person said they wanted the place back. He didn't have much of a leg to stand on, so had a big party and 'undecorated' the place - bottom line was that he was out of a house tho'
Brings me onto Houses.
Like I say, a lot people sub-let. However, I figure if you're gonna be somehwere for a few years, you may as well live quite comfortably - so we went through and agent. Trouble is that here (like eg. Germany) you have to pay the agent a fat fee for finding you the place - this was about 1000 quid in total! I think it's worth doing tho', bearing in mind that it just makes your rent a bit more per month over the whole time you have the place.
There's loads of places available for rental in A'dam but there is a price to pay, ie. if you're willing to pay over 1200 euro a month you can get a nice place on the canal or a place in a trendy area like ours - if under 1200, you've gotta be lucky or sub-letting.
(There is social housing for half this price but the wait takes years - btw: half og the 1200, say, is for the furnishings - landlords can legally only charge so much rent so they bump the price up this way.)
Gonna have a break now, but will be back with more rambling moving tips.
ps: Remember I said furnished - that means it may be a good idea selling or sticking your old sstuff in storage; see post 28 above :D
geminisnake
11-10-2006, 11:41
J77, will be visiting Dam beginning of November and will have 17 yr old son with me. Is he legally allowed to go into pubs? And where are the goth and/or rock pubs?? Not the hard rock place, real ones iykwim :)
I was thinking of going into Diablo and asking there but if you know of any that would be helpful.
J77, will be visiting Dam beginning of November and will have 17 yr old son with me. Is he legally allowed to go into pubs? And where are the goth and/or rock pubs?? Not the hard rock place, real ones iykwim :) I'll ask some Dutch people when I have coffee - I'm not much into rock, a couple of my block neighbours work in the place you mention - I'll ask them if I bump into them on the stairs.
I think you have to be 16 to drink - but I could be wrong...
Structaural
11-10-2006, 13:28
Yeah 16 to drink but 18 to drive.
Nice to see you settled J77 - takes a while doesn't it?
(this is BootyLove btw)
Me and the missus have just entered our 3rd year here, got a new place through an agency (managed to get unfurnished - bit cheaper, but we were very lucky and beat 7 other people to the place), just outside the Jordaan. My daughter turned 1 on Saturday and at least half the people there were Dutch so we've manged to get out of the ex-pat stuckness :)
We are very settled, just the language to sort out now as we've been too busy to sort that out.
Got my first permanent contract since moving here as well which is a big, big deal - they managed to 'let me go' after working for 2 years at my previous place by virtue of Dutch employment law. No payoff just a fuckoff.
I managed to get my Sofi number by just turning up in Sloterdijk and waiting around - no appointment but that may have changed.
Life is sweet.
Gemini- did you get my reply to your PM?
Sounds good Structaural/BootyLove :D
Glad to hear your situation turned out all good!
(I seem to have lost all my pms from you some time over the summer :confused: )
Anyways, have to go home now.
I can once more confirm the 16 thing :D tho' the conversation went into something about younger people having to leave bars at midnight but this wasn't confirmed and never seen by the Dutch guys :D
17 will be fine :)
Doui.
geminisnake
11-10-2006, 17:47
Gemini- did you get my reply to your PM?
I did, ta, I thought I replied? :confused: I would prefer to avoid backpatches, I know what they can be like and the whole point of being there is to relax which I wouldn't iykwim.
I will be visiting Rokerij ;) but not sure if we'll stay long coz boy doesn't like smoke.
As long as I can find a reasonable priced mahjong set I'll be happy :cool:
Structaural
12-10-2006, 09:27
Sounds good Structaural/BootyLove :D
Glad to hear your situation turned out all good!
(I seem to have lost all my pms from you some time over the summer
Anyways, have to go home now.
I can once more confirm the 16 thing :D tho' the conversation went into something about younger people having to leave bars at midnight but this wasn't confirmed and never seen by the Dutch guys :D
17 will be fine
Doui.
I think there was a PM clear out at some point. Annoying for those with shot short term memory like me (weed induced).
So you're still in the Pijpe - I like it down there, but don't visit often enough - must make the market again - we've a smaller farmers market in the Jordaan so we get lazy :)
Yeah - have stumbled across that market a number of times - they sell some good bread and pesto there but it's quite expensive!
Now my gf works we have to do our Cuyp shopping on a Saturday - which is a bit of a nightmare cos it's super busy.
After my mammoth ramblings yesterday, time to talk bikes:
Bikes are by far the best way to get around Amsterdam.
Cost of an old one is about 130 euros + 30ish more for a back ring lock and front heavy chain thing.
You can buy them from the junkies on the bridges in the RDL - or, I hear, Muntplein is a 'better' place - but until I've had a few nicked (and while I can afford it), I reckon it's much better - with karma and all that - to buy reconditioned from a bike shop.
Also, when you come to the Dam - that ringing of the bell isn't something nasty - it means you're in the road or a cycle lane (fietspad), and move before an iron-cast bike ploughs into you :D Worst places to catch people on the fietspads are, of course, Damrak, the route to Dam from the opera house, and niewe spiegelstratt (sp?) towards the Rijksmuseum. The 7 streets in Jordaan can also get busy with pedestrians in the road.
Anyway, biking's the only way in the Dam :D
May as well add: Trams and metro
Get a strippenkaart from a newsagents.
Most trips inside Centrum, Jordaan and Pijp cost 2 strips (one zone) on your card - you can use the same stamps for upto one hour. If you cross to another zone, you'll need to use one more strip. The zone boundary to the South is Apollolaan (on the tram) and Amstel (on the metro) - you'll pass through these if you go to Zuid/WTC train station.
--------------------------------------
I'll get onto things which I've found good to do soon - this talk of houses and transport and shit's a bit boring... :p
Structaural
12-10-2006, 10:02
I did, ta, I thought I replied? :confused: I would prefer to avoid backpatches, I know what they can be like and the whole point of being there is to relax which I wouldn't iykwim.
I will be visiting Rokerij ;) but not sure if we'll stay long coz boy doesn't like smoke.
As long as I can find a reasonable priced mahjong set I'll be happy :cool:
What's a backpatch?
If you go to the Rokerij on the corner of Singel and Haarlemmerstraat you can sit almost outside. - it reminds me of that place next to the old greenleaf in Landor Road.
BTW - I had a word with a few of the young designers here and there's a great Goth/alternative bar a short walk west. Famous amongst goth types apparently
It's called Kosokov and is on Lijnbaansgracht (which is the other side of the canal on the part of Marnixstraat between Rosengracht and Leidsplein). The 10 tram goes past it. I'll give you better directions if you want. Bear in mind that dutch streets change names all the time - even the other side of a canal can have a different name.
Sixteen to drink beer Eightenn to drink spirits
Structaural
12-10-2006, 11:05
Your inbox is full Gemini
geminisnake
12-10-2006, 11:22
What's a backpatch?
Any member of a bike club that wears 'colours' ie the patch on their back, whether it be Angels, Slaves or whatever. Many can be lovely blokes but best avoided once they start drinking.
My inbox got full with your pm, I got it ok, ta :)
I'm going to have to take notes with me!! :D
I thought by 'backpatch' you meant North Amsterdam!
< Southside Rulez! >
:p
Structaural
12-10-2006, 12:28
Any member of a bike club that wears 'colours' ie the patch on their back, whether it be Angels, Slaves or whatever. Many can be lovely blokes but best avoided once they start drinking.
My inbox got full with your pm, I got it ok, ta :)
I'm going to have to take notes with me!! :D
ah right - well you'll be alright in that goth bar - it's more young people.
I don't think the bars in the red light get too hectic though, I've spent quite a bit of time in one and it was pretty mellow.
The police in full riot gear are evicting a squat down my road at the moment - was pretty peaceful when I left - last-time it went on for hours. In the end, the police got in a tardis like box and were winched up onto the roof to get in.
TonkaToy
17-10-2006, 11:40
As the title suggests, I'm off to Amsterdam from November.
Anyone any tips or experience - aside from day-trips etc. - of living and working in this lovely place?
At the moment, we're havinga bit of trouble finding a place to live - although, hopefully this will work out soon - I'm kind of coming to the conclusion that a professional agancy will have to be contacted at a cost of one month's rent but this does provide security.
As well as the housing issue - anyone recommend any good restaurants, bars, things to do (in Ams and Nederlands in general) off the beaten track? I know a few around the Oud Zuid but any recommendations would be great.
:)
You will need to have the equivilant of 3 months rent.
1 month goes as commision, another month as deposit and then there is the first months rent. A one bedrom studio flat in the centre of Amsterdam should cost between 1000 and 2000 Euros per month, depending on size / how nice it is. Skip down to the local tourist office. They have lodgings, short and medium term - it's VERY cheap and you get to know someone Dutch. Yeah yeah yeah, I know you might have landed a nice tidy contract job, but just think of all those Euros going into your bank account while someone else makes you breakfast!
I know living in Amsterdam is a great thing to brag about to people back home. But believe me, when you live in Amsterdam, when your friends and relatives come over, you'll suddenly realize that they didn't come over to fucking visit you! Fuck them and keep it sensible. I wouldn't live in Amsterdam, find a nice little town like Haarlem, Leiden or even Utrecht - *DO IT* if you want to keep your freakin job. Even if you are strong willed, the ex-pat scene out there will suck you in along with dizzy-headed collegues who all want to meet up in Amsterdam to get trollied. Honestly, don't associate with the "in" crowd of people who get trollied in Amsterdam each night...the bosses ain't stupid and they will mark your cards, even if you're on time in the mornings etc. It may sound really anti-social, but don't go out with people from work, it's a fucking circus. If you want to indulge,just pop into Amsterdam alone at the weekends then feed them all bullshit on Monday morning about how you went cycling for the weekend!
Mind you if your job is a permy one disregard everything I've posted if you get past your probation period!
Structaural
17-10-2006, 11:49
Good advice - we're thinking of buying in Utrecht or Haarlem. Amsterdam gets a bit too busy in summer.
They're both nice places - lots of students live in Haarlem cos it's much cheaper than Amsterdam - and Utrecht has nice canals.
However, I'd never live anywhere in the Netherlands outside of Amsterdam - I don't know what the nightlife's like in those two places - but Den Haag seems to shut up shop around 7pm.
You will need to have the equivilant of 3 months rent. or a 10k overdraft from the bank :)
I know living in Amsterdam is a great thing to brag about to people back home. But believe me, when you live in Amsterdam, when your friends and relatives come over, you'll suddenly realize that they didn't come over to fucking visit you!Living in Amsterdam's a great place full-stop! :D Plus, relatives... well my gf's mum thought we were living in Denmark! She wondered why we couldn't get any decent bacon when all the stuff in the UK comes from there :D
And it's always good having friends over cos you get to do all the tourist things - the only time we go near, eg. Niewemarkt is when we have guests over.
Permanent? We'll see how my gf's job goes ;)
(And the idea of being an 'ex-pat' disgusts me :p )
Start with stuff I've done recently and then try to recall other things...
Stedelijk Museum - http://www.stedelijk.nl/
Have been here a number of times now - at the moment they have the Vincent 2006 prize thing on - there's some pretty cool stuff in there - including a long twiglet type thing which takes up a whole room and work by this guy (I think he's romanian) who's drawn political type stuff all over the walls. They also have a air design exhibition which I thought was a bit rubbish.
I mentioned this somewhere - but it may have been in a pm - when you're there, go to the top floor (11) of the building - there's a club there called 11. However, if there in the daytime, go past this - up some stairs to the terrace. There's a small roof bar there with views over the Ij and over Amsterdam - though it's flatness doesn't do much for aerial views - anyway have a look up there - they have comfy cushion things and even had a hottub going in the summer.
While on museums - if you're in Dam a lot, get a museemkaart - costs around 40euro and gets you in the museums for free (over a year) - and you jump the queue. Including the big ones like SMCS, Van Gogh, Rijks, Mauritshuis (DH), Hermitage... you only have to make 4 or 5 visits for it to pay off.
I'll post about some bars and stuff soon :)
districtline
18-10-2006, 08:17
yay, i love this thread, my plan is still to go and spend next summer in amsterdam. seems so much trickier to find a place to live/sleep than in london though... :(
A couple from Queens Day
http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/6376/queensday101nz1.jpg ..... http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/7161/queensday099yi0.jpg
A day of, well, drinking and more drinking.
If you haven't been, get to Amsterdam on this day.
People set up stalls on the curb - selling all their household junk - from the early hours - and that's when the drinking begins...
Wander aimlessly around the city - all kinds of music everywhere - from massive stages in, eg. museemplein, through to people setting up a couple of decks in their front room and throwing their windows open.
This year, hardcore techno stage was to be found just past from the Rijks - towards the Heineken brewery - can't think what that patch of land's called...
Be warned though - start drinking as soon as the sun comes up - the whole thing shuts down around 8pm.
It's pretty wild.
I think it's the only time of the year that anyone can buy fireworks - and everyone does.
If you get scared of being in close proximity to fireworks - or people throwing bangers which explode over your head, probably best to give it a miss.
However, if you like that kind of stuff get down to centrum - around 23:30 onwards.
Niewemarkt's meant to be the most chaotic - we only walked through there after the event, I think Structaural was there one year tho'
We were in Dam - which was heaving - all the roads, from all four direction filled with firework yielding maniacs. Here's a piccy:
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/894/dsc02828qt9.jpg
Structaural
20-10-2006, 08:42
It's pretty wild.
I think it's the only time of the year that anyone can buy fireworks - and everyone does.
If you get scared of being in close proximity to fireworks - or people throwing bangers which explode over your head, probably best to give it a miss.
However, if you like that kind of stuff get down to centrum - around 23:30 onwards.
Niewemarkt's meant to be the most chaotic - we only walked through there after the event, I think Structaural was there one year tho'
We were in Dam - which was heaving - all the roads, from all four direction filled with firework yielding maniacs. Here's a piccy:
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/894/dsc02828qt9.jpg
It's fucking mental at Niewmarkt (we went two years ago) - me and my girlfriend had our hoodies pulled right down - people were putting rockets in beer cans about 2 yards away from us. 1000 banger strings going off everywhere, kids chucking them and putting them in dogshit. There must be 100 fireworks going off every second. A mass of bangers went off next to where we standing and set fire to the car next to us - man! we were down the canal in seconds along with about 50 others - it turned into a raging inferno and something blew out of it and landed in the canal. Then people started throwing more fireworks on the car along with old bikes and any other crap they could find. Took the fire brigade about 20 mins to turn up.
Great fun! though it took about 24 hours to get my hearing back - I'll find the pics and post one up (they're on my old phone).
Winter's a coming.
All the cafes round my way have given their outside chairs back to whoever them borrow them off for the summer :(
But they still have them out down on Prisengracht.
Was sitting outside a cafe in full sunshine on Sunday - coffee, apple-cake and beer. Nice :)
Raining at the moment tho' :(
And I have to sort my bike lights out now the clocks have gone back - on the way home from work yesterday it was mental dodging the shadows :D
geminisnake
01-11-2006, 19:58
I think it's the only time of the year that anyone can buy fireworks - and everyone does.
You gotta be joking!! How come I know where to get fireworks in Dam and you live there?? :D
Chinese store opposite Fantasy Shop Chimera sells them all year round afaik. We bought some in October a few years ago.
And there will be fireworks at the Melkweg this weekend.
Wasn't last night meant to be a bit mental?? Devil's night, I'm sure I was told it is called.
You gotta be joking!! How come I know where to get fireworks in Dam and you live there?? :D
Chinese store opposite Fantasy Shop Chimera sells them all year round afaik. We bought some in October a few years ago.
OK - perhaps not strictly buy, perhaps the only time of the year you can throw them at each other! :p ;) :D
I tired to find a pic of the day after - there's literally a carpet of red paper littering the streets; the remains of thousands of bangers :D
Winter's a coming.
All the cafes round my way have given their outside chairs back to whoever them borrow them off for the summer :(
But they still have them out down on Prisengracht.
Was sitting outside a cafe in full sunshine on Sunday - coffee, apple-cake and beer. Nice :)
Raining at the moment tho' :(
And I have to sort my bike lights out now the clocks have gone back - on the way home from work yesterday it was mental dodging the shadows :D
Better get used to the rain :D
On the last two of our visits to Dam, the only downside has been the rain. When it rains, more often than not there are no half measures - it comes down in torrents! Having said that, give it half a day and it will magically clear up leaving everything nice and fresh.
Prisengracht - that and the rest of the canals on the west side running into the Jordaan has to be my favourite part of the city. We were there a week and a half ago and spent a very pleasant afternoon just mooching around the side streets and canals with the odd stop off in a bar...
Better get used to the rain :DYeah - it doesn't rain in half-measures :D
Old Sinterklaas rode into town on his white horse last weekend - accompanied by his legion of Black Piets. All the damn kids meant I couldn't get close enough for any decent photos :p ;)
Christmas lights on the Cuyp look nice :cool:
Went out last night to a nice Turkish restaurant - which to my horror now have their menus in English - means it's getting busier though the food was still well nice - although the portions not as big as when we first starting going there last year. Anyway, the place is called Nazar, on Gerard Douplein in the Pijp - it's worth a visit if you're in town.
e2a: Artist on Tweede Jan Steenstraat is the first
Would recommend another couple of restaurants round this way, there's a well tatsy Lebenese place the other side of Saphatipark and a Turkish place quite close to Nazar - I have to get the names tho'...
Also, Eufraat on van der Helststraat is good for (middle-Eastern) meze - it's always recommended in the usual guide books but never too busy.
Thought I'd resurrect this a bit...
'cos the sun's shining in the Dam today :cool:
Shame it wasn't yesterday - was gonna go to the zoo but the rain didn't stop :(
Anyways, an honourable mention for another decent cafe - with food:
Quinto, Frans Halsstraat 42.
It's in the Pijp - quite close to the Heineken Brewery - down a street the other side of the water from Paradiso.
Tho' we were in there the other night and it turned into a bit of an entusiastic mannen disco - which ain't my cup of tea :p
ramjamclub
23-02-2007, 12:38
Hi,
Just to say hello to the other Amsterdam friends and posters.
On our other forum we got off the topic and it became more general about Amsterdam-Holland.
I'm gonna post some previous posts to get up to speed with you all.
ramjamclub
23-02-2007, 12:42
What do I miss from England after living in Amsterdam for more than 30 years.
I'll start with food as that seems to be what most of us ex-pats miss the most. It's the quirky things only the
British eat.
Fish and chip with vinegar and pickled onions. Piccallily sauce.
Steak and kidney pies (fray bentos)
oxo cubes....bisto gravy.....bovril........marmite..........Salt and vinegar crisps.....pork scratchings
cornish pasties.......jamaican pasties......pork pies......scotch eggs..........twiglets.....cadburys choclate bars
.......kippers......whelks.....real new zealand butter.....english lamb chops.....leg of lamb...shoulder of lamb
roast pork with crackling.
........................................................................anybody hungry yet?.............;)
Hp Brown Sauce...chipolaters.....sausages....
Heinz Salad Cream........ Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce........ Heinz Chicken & Mushroom Soup...
Heinz Cream Of Tomato Soup.....Heinz Mulligatawny Soup.......Heinz Vegetable Soup....Heinz Oxtail Soup
.......................here's my shopping list........... meet me at Schiphol airport with it...............:)
Social aspects:
family in the first place......hard to substitute with friends.........
pubs and bitter beer
xmas hats and crackers at the dinner
xmas morning down the pub showing off the jumper you got as present.
queing for anything in an orderly fashion.......does it still apply?
good natured banter in the workplace and shops.
britsh sense of humour and irony
people who take the mickey out of themselves.
belly laughs.......the loud an uninhibited ones.
visual aspects:
The rolling English countryside
red telephone boxes and red double decker busses
indian newsagents where you can buy anything at any time.
london cabs........if I spot one here I always rush over to inspect it.
streets where every door has a different colour.......over here it's so uniform.
Winding country roads.
It's making me homesick writing this all down, good job I can get to england in an afternoon by plane.
The jist of this is, that it's the small things you miss when living abroad. These all add up to being British.
It reminds me of Bristol a bit, with coffeeshops
It isnt really 'known' like certain other Dutch cities
I want to go to Leiden uniYeah - Leiden's nice - the universities really make it a student town; ie. quite lively - you're right, like Bristol.
(They have a good anthropological museum too.)i used to work not far from leiden, never really spent much time there. but it always looked nice, and the whole surrounding area is dam nice too.
you'll have an ace time max!ramjamclub how did you learn Dutch? Did you go on a course and how long did it take you before you could communicate it?hi max,
Mostly I picked it up from books and dutch people in my vicinity. Girlfriend and workplace.
I left school at 15 and never had languages at school so it wasn't easy.
My english was not grounded with the rules of grammar so that made it twice as hard. It took me 18 months learn enough Dutch to hold a job down.
I have english friends here who after 25 years still can't master the language.
It's very much up to the persons ability and desire to speak another language.
A large proportion of the population speaks basic english here, so it's easy to be lazy and not even try. Since learning Dutch as a second language I have found it easier to learn other languages. Most Dutch school kids have 3 or 4 languages as standard part of schooling.
Max.... Hoe goed is jouw nederlands? Weet je wat dit betekent?
groetjes ramjamroken is dodelijkThe worst thing about realising you can read a foreign language are the health warnings
ps: I use the CODE books (the new ones) for Dutch.
pps: this stuff should be in my Living in Amsterdam thread in travel, not in the drugs forumThat was about it :)
ramjamclub - don't you go to any Britisih stores to get a quick fix of British food?
Like I said, in the other more global thread - my gf even got one on Sarphatipark to order us a crate of Westons cider last summer :) :cool:
And, most Heijns have HP sauce on their shelves - I also get the Heijn back bacon to make bacon butties :D
Tho' we do rely on friends to send over stock cubes :)
I agree with your list tho' - especially the bitter, from an old country pub! (and throw in the rolling countryside for good measure :D)
ramjamclub
23-02-2007, 13:32
This morning watching the BBC news about superbugs in british hospitals.
BBC once again used Holland as a good example. Holland has 1% Britain 40+% chance of getting infected with the superbug.
Last week it was a report about housing projects and a British architect working here in Holland praised the Dutch way of doing things.
I wonder why the Dutch seem to be able to get their act together as opposed to Britain? Is is a cultural thing?
mtbskalover
23-02-2007, 15:54
Like I said, in the other more global thread - my gf even got one on Sarphatipark to order us a crate of Westons cider last summer :) :cool:
)
that what i missed the most when i lived in canada, or anywhere outside of the UK, a nice cold pint of westons, or a bottle of it shared with my old man over an evening meal.
TOP THREAD TO READ PEEPS!
i no stuff has been moved from drugs, but heres a question to all of you that live there:
coffeeshops, weit, hasj and other drugs. how is it living there? with stoner tourists everywhere in the centrum, does the novelity wear off. how many average people smok, etc, etc. hope you get the jist of what im asking.
ramjamclub
26-02-2007, 23:44
I was testing how to post photos and now they have vanished.
Who took them off the thread and why.
this questions been cleared up.
I'm going to post some nice pics of amsterdam when I've scanned them.
Watch this space
ramjamclub
01-03-2007, 20:45
"zeedijk" near "centraal station"
click on this link for more....
http://img266.imageshack.us/slideshow/player.php?id=img266/7370/1172781454nvh.smil
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/9568/amsterdam001jk8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
"zeedijk" near "centraal station"
click on this link for more....
http://img266.imageshack.us/slideshow/player.php?id=img266/7370/1172781454nvh.smil
I've never used that slideshow feature - looks good.
Are they some of your haunts, ramjam?
btw, mossie season seems to have started - have killed five of the little blighters over the past couple of days :mad:
ramjamclub
13-03-2007, 13:47
hi j77, just discovered imageshack for linking. pretty neat isnt it?
De zeedijk has got some good cafes on it.
Have you seen the 20 poundnote thread?
De zeedijk has got some good cafes on it.That's what I'd call Niewemarkt, right? :)
If so, yeah. Some good bars considering it's very central - I like Poco Loco and Le Monde (sp?) - they do Ij beers in the latter :)
It was Queen's Day Monday -- and the sun was beating down :cool:
Here are a couple of pics:
http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/663/queensday2007004hc9.jpg
Stoperaplein -- Koninginnenacht
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/6489/queensday2007011ky0.jpg
Amstelveld
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/8222/queensday2007022uj8.jpg
...this year's bottleneck ;)
May Kasahara
02-05-2007, 19:05
So jealous :mad: I really want to leave Britain, and Holland has always struck me as a lovely pleasant place.
ramjamclub
02-05-2007, 22:56
Didn't got to Amsterdam centrum this year.
Instead went to Weesp...boring, :( they didn't even have a free market. So we biked to Abcoude...fantastic time...live music everywhere and plenty of room to wander around.:)
Didn't got to Amsterdam centrum this year.
Instead went to Weesp...boring, :( they didn't even have a free market. So we biked to Abcoude...fantastic time...live music everywhere and plenty of room to wander around.:)I stayed away from deepest centrum -- got as far as Amstelveld pretty much -- hung-out on Heinekenplein most of the time, they were playing some good tunes there, and some techno at Gerarddouplein, in De Pijp.
On the music tip -- went to see Skatalites at Paradiso the other weekend -- top gig. Got me thinking about clubs in the Dam. People always ask me where the best clubs are, and I never really have an answer -- possibly because I've never seen the same club culture over here that there is in the UK, with hefty bouncers and the like. Bars just seem to turn into clubs and people carry on drinking.
Paradiso's a sound place tho' http://www.paradiso.nl -- it's in an old church, a bit like Trinity in Bristol -- they have sound djs playing after the gigs finish on Saturdays (and poss Fri), from around midnight. Other places which could be considered clubs are Melkweg -- again, they're also big on the gigs and the 11th floor of the CS building, tho I haven't been there for ages so don't know if it's still there.Holland has always struck me as a lovely pleasant place.Yeah -- quality of life over here's lovely :)
max_freakout
07-05-2007, 11:58
I*m just finishing exams in London and hoping to get straight over to Dam when everything is finished
Ive been asking asbout this on channels but not had a good answer, are there any newspapers/magazines in Dam that have good classifieds sections to find a flat from? Because the rental agencies that have websites are all pretty expensive....
I*m just finishing exams in London and hoping to get straight over to Dam when everything is finished
Ive been asking asbout this on channels but not had a good answer, are there any newspapers/magazines in Dam that have good classifieds sections to find a flat from? Because the rental agencies that have websites are all pretty expensive....Amsterdam Weekly is the free paper (in English): http://www.amsterdamweekly.nl/ (The personal classifieds are always worth a laugh too :D)
They have classifieds, tho have never looked online.
You could always go to some expat website like expatica but most people seem to go on them asking for accommodation.
How long will you stay for?
I still think, best bet for longterm is to pay the agencies fees -- for shortterm, you're better of subletting; even if you don't have any rights that way.
max_freakout
14-05-2007, 12:49
Amsterdam Weekly is the free paper (in English): http://www.amsterdamweekly.nl/ (The personal classifieds are always worth a laugh too :D)
Thanx J77!!!
The yearly Amsterdam Roots week's taking place at the moment.
Unfrotunately, it's also been pissing it down all weekend.
There was meant to be a big Salsa thing on Heinekinplein on Saturday -- was there when they were setting it up, looked cool but then the heavons opened :(
And didn't make the Roots Festival in Osterpark yesterday cos of the heavy rain :( tho' I think it cleared up later cos I could hear the fireworks.
Still, saw the old Timberlake at the ArenA Sat night :p my bro's driving them around so it was VIP all the way -- my gf loved it :D
Here's the Roots 2007 link: http://www.amsterdamroots.nl/index.php?id=56
May Kasahara
16-07-2007, 23:54
Just got back today from a fantastic long weekend in the Dam, both completely infatuated with it once again, and my mind turned to this thread...we've been thinking seriously about trying to form a plan to move over there at some point, so I thought I would swing by for some tips!
I just love the atmosphere so much, that there is loads going on but in a really laidback way. It seems like it would be a great place to raise kids, much better than Britain in terms of family culture. I love the cleanliness of the streets (god, I'm boring :D). I even love the Dutch trains and the way they look big and chunky and designed to do the job, rather than the poncey overdesigned plastic failures that wheeze up and down our tracks. (Mind you, this morning was a bit chaotic at Central Station - no ticket machines working and our train to Brussels cancelled, made me feel right at home.)
Must - hatch - plan.
*sigh*
May Kasahara
17-07-2007, 00:06
Oh, I also wanted to add that we both really enjoyed the club sandwich selection at De Drie Graefjes on Eggertstraat. Delicious and unusual :)
Just got back today from a fantastic long weekend in the Dam, both completely infatuated with it once again, and my mind turned to this thread...we've been thinking seriously about trying to form a plan to move over there at some point, so I thought I would swing by for some tips!
I just love the atmosphere so much, that there is loads going on but in a really laidback way. It seems like it would be a great place to raise kids, much better than Britain in terms of family culture. I love the cleanliness of the streets (god, I'm boring :D). I even love the Dutch trains and the way they look big and chunky and designed to do the job, rather than the poncey overdesigned plastic failures that wheeze up and down our tracks. (Mind you, this morning was a bit chaotic at Central Station - no ticket machines working and our train to Brussels cancelled, made me feel right at home.)
Must - hatch - plan.
*sigh*
Can't help but agree with all that ... It's so civilised. It's all so simply and effectively executed. It seems all so practical and sensible.
(Although, a mate of mine who lives there says that it's a beauracratic nightmare of sorts when you first move over. But still ... )
butterfly child
19-07-2007, 21:15
Ahhh.. going back to Amsterdam, week after next. Can't wait!
The obligatory viewing of estate agents windows awaits..
*sigh*
Maybe I'll sign up to a language course.. my husband once rashly said if I could learn dutch to the extent I could read a newspaper, we could move over there! :)
Lock&Light
19-07-2007, 21:23
Maybe I'll sign up to a language course.. my husband once rashly said if I could learn dutch to the extent I could read a newspaper, we could move over there! :)
Choose to read De Telegraph then, as that 'newpaper' is written for simpletons.
ramjamclub
20-07-2007, 12:01
Choose to read De Telegraph then, as that 'newpaper' is written for simpletons.
http://www.telegraaf.nl/ Nearly right, it's called De Telegraaf. Anyhow, see how far you get reading it. A simpelton wrote it:D
Telegraaf :D
Nah -- Metro's what you want to get the real facts from :D Or, what's the other one, iets (?) that has condensed stories from everything.
btw: Gay Pride thing this weekend, tho' we're off to England.
They had an interesting article on AT5 (Amsterdam TV) about it, saying on the boat/canal parade thing they do, that they don't allow underage or disabled people :confused: Least, that's how I translated it.
ramjamclub
02-08-2007, 18:08
Telegraaf :D
Nah -- Metro's what you want to get the real facts from :D Or, what's the other one, iets (?) that has condensed stories from everything.
"De Spits", and the latest free paper "De Pers"
btw: Gay Pride thing this weekend, tho' we're off to England.
They had an interesting article on AT5 (Amsterdam TV) about it, saying on the boat/canal parade thing they do, that they don't allow underage or disabled people :confused: Least, that's how I translated it.
I'll check the AT5, have a good time in good old Blighty:)
Now the nights are drawing in, I thought I'd have a look in here again.
Have been in Amsterdam for 2 years now -- in one way time's flown by; in another, it seems we've been living here for much longer.
Well, what to report. Maybe some more food recommendations...
Did I talk about Orontes on Albert Cuypstraat before?
Lovely Med/Turkish food -- I may have mentioned it before tho', it is my favourite restaurant -- I'm typing in the quick reply box :D
And for something different -- and quite central -- Japanese Pancake World (close to Westerkerk) -- it's one of the only places outside of Japan which does proper Japanese pancakes -- it's also very nice :)
e2a: http://www.japanesepancakeworld.com/
Actually, both these places have high reviews (I think 9s) from an Amsterdam food critic -- Johannes van Dammes (sp?). A lot of places will stick his review in their window. If you see one with a high score, it's a good indication the food will be quality.
ramjamclub
07-11-2007, 00:57
good to see you back J77:)
Ta, I figure this travel forum's quite nice + the sports forum, so will be popping back in every now and then.
Concerning living: having a bit of trouble with the old legalities of Amserdam renting at the moment, will post more when the situation develops...
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