Local Info
Coffeeshops in Amsterdam
Ah, Amsterdam. Often you will get the sticky sweet smell of a joint as you walk around town. A visit to Amsterdam is generally associated with a visit to a coffeeshop. Not always, but generally. Here is some information about coffeeshops, the culture, the law, and the changing situation. The Netherlands used to be one of the only places in the world you could walk around smoking a joint and not worry about being arrested. It seems this tolerant situation is finally spreading to the rest of the world. The war on drugs has become ‘the sensible war on not all drugs’.
Pets in The Netherlands
We all love our animals. Our cuddly cats, our loyal dogs. Our domestic animals. Or sometimes even reptiles, rats or very exotic animals. Pets are so cute and friendly. There is a recognised benefit to owning or adopting a pet – it simply makes you a happier person. Children love to look after and play with animals. The Dutch love their pets too! Daily, we see dogs happily being moved around the city in baskets of their owner’s bikes. Expats bringing their pets here or considering acquiring a pet need to be aware of how things work in The Netherlands. It is not complicated but needs a minimum of preparation.
Support groups in Amsterdam
Many different support groups in Amsterdam are there to help you. We all need a helping hand at some point in life. There is no need to walk life’s path alone. There are some great support groups in Amsterdam just waiting to help. Below you will find a wide selection of them. If you need them, just call. All sites are in English unless otherwise stated.
Dutch Food
Dutch Food Is Amazing
Dutch food gets bad press. Many people think Dutch food is all bitterballen or FEBO. It isn’t. Also, it isn’t a massive cone of chips. But what exactly is it? Well, is it the result of centuries of evolution without ever getting all fancy, like its food cousins in France and Italy? It is good, tasty, solid and filling. Dutch food is the energy you need to go and drain a polder or build a windmill. It is varied, and the more you look into it, the more you realise there is to discover. Over the years, I have visited many Dutch restaurants in Amsterdam. In fact, going out for Dutch food has become my number 1 choice. Here is my overview of Dutch food – the food they eat and the food you should try.
LGBT+ in Amsterdam
Essential Information LGBT+ men and women living in Amsterdam
LGBT+ in Amsterdam – As the numerous Pride events every year show, The Netherlands is one of the most liberal and tolerant countries in the world regarding accepting gays, lesbians and the wider LGBT+ community. Hundreds of thousands of people attend those celebrations. It also includes a vast number of companies and many government departments. This is important as the protection of gays and lesbians from discrimination has been enshrined in law since 1993. LGBT+ people cannot be discriminated against in employment, public services and housing. Then in 1998, same-sex partnerships were recognized and protected by the law. Then in 2001, came another first as The Netherlands became the first country in the world to allow same-sex marriage.
Dental care in Amsterdam
Firstly, it must be said that dental care in The Netherlands is excellent. for the Dutch, it seems so clear and simple. Dental care for expats in Amsterdam can be confusing. Welcome to our information page about dental care and dentists in Amsterdam. It’s all about how to get it and what happens when you need specialist work done on your teeth. Since 2006 there is no distinction between private and public healthcare in the Netherlands. All practitioners are part of the public system, including dentists. Dentists working in general practice provide almost all dentistry in the Netherlands. A large proportion of the Dutch people have registered with dentists as should you.
The Dutch Healthcare System
The Dutch healthcare system. Firstly, it is quick and efficient and has an excellent reputation.
It is a well-oiled and modern system where all the parts seem to work together easily. The non-Dutch find it hard work sometimes to get more than aspirin from their doctor, which sometimes shows people used to healthcare systems in France and Italy, for instance. It is said that seeing the inside of a Dutch hospital is quite rare. In some ways, that might be true, but the health system filters people rigorously in the first instance. Once you do see the OLVGs in Amsterdam, you quickly understand that they are modern and efficient hospitals. Now, here is an overview of the Dutch healthcare system for the Amsterdam area.
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Transport in Amsterdam
Transport in Amsterdam…and farther afield…
Transport in Amsterdam is critical, be it Amsterdam trams or Amsterdam busses. Of course, the iconic bicycle is the form of transport most associated with the Netherlands and in Amsterdam, you can clearly see that it is the default mode of transport. Here we will look at all the other methods for getting around the city and the country. A transport system is a well-oiled machine that is punctual and provides excellent value for money.
Education in The Netherlands
Education
Local Info • Education in the Netherlands
Try to talk to parents if you get the chance. They will willingly let you know what they think about the schools where their kids are being educated. Be aware that opinions will differ wildly, too…so ask quite a few parents. There is one unifying opinion, though….the Dutch school system is very highly considered and above all, it’s (almost) free. With Amsterdam’s growing population, new schools are opening all the time, and existing schools have been expanding to accommodate the growing demand.
Mortgage Information For Expats
Mortgage advice for expats – Welcome to our Mortgages advice information page. A very useful resource written by an expert on mortgages and advising expats on the best mortgages solution for their needs: Arjen Hardesmeets, the founder of Team Concepts
Mortgage Information for expats – It’s a process and some hand-holding will be enormously helpful.
Mortgage advice for expats – There is good news. Financial institutions are much more open to lending to expats than they used to be. There are of course, costs involved, but that is just part of the process. Nowadays, getting a mortgage and being a homeowner makes so much sense on every level. Renting is dead money, and you do not own the asset. Arranging the mortgage and buying a home is the way to go, even in what is an expensive housing market. Interest rates are still at historical lows too. So if you can do it, the wisdom is that you should do it.
Housing in Amsterdam
Expats and internationals that come to live in the Amsterdam area will obviously need somewhere to live. Here we aim to give you all the essential information you need to make the right decision for your housing in Amsterdam. It is an important choice, and you need to be better informed, be it buying or renting a home. There is massive pressure on the housing supply due to high demand. We hope that this information about housing in Amsterdam will help you to make better choices. (more…)
Jobs and working in the Netherlands
Firstly, In recent years, the Dutch economy has been booming. It is rarely said, but times are much better now than they were in the years following the last global downturn. While the Covid era had put everything on ice for a while, it is hoped that the market for jobs in Amsterdam will return soon. Many workers that had their employment contracts modified or cancelled are looking forward to an economic upturn. This is our information page about jobs and working in the Netherlands. (more…)
How To Buy A Home In The Netherlands
If you’re tired of flushing your money down the toilet every month paying rent, then it is a good idea to start thinking about buying a property. If that’s the case, then this article is definitely for you. Learn about what’s involved in buying a property in the Netherlands from a real estate agent that has been helping expats buy homes in the Netherlands for nearly twenty years. (more…)
Entertainment In Amsterdam
There are so many great things to do and see in Amsterdam. Here we are not talking about the coffeeshops or the red light. There is so much more to Amsterdam than that, and everyone knows it. So you live here and want to have fun? Work will take up a large part of your week, but in the evenings and at the weekends, you will have a huge choice of things to do to occupy your time. There are a lot of distractions for having fun in Amsterdam. Not just fun, but also lots of lovely cultures, comedy and things to do. (more…)