How much does it cost to live in Amsterdam?
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- Опубліковано 13 чер 2024
- Amsterdam is one of the most international and expat-friendly cities in the world (almost 200 nationalities)-but how much does it cost to live here in 2020?
I'll explain in detail how much I spent in 2020 including monthly breakdowns of rent, groceries, eating out, and all others. Plus, I'll do a budget overview using 3 real salaries.
FYI...this the budget of a single, young professional living in Amsterdam during COVID (restaurants and cafes were mainly closed)-so you could think of this as a low-cost budget.
⏰ Jan 1 - Dec 31 2020 (during COVID!)
📊 Monthly expense breakdown
💶 3 salary breakdowns
Chapters:
0:00 Want to live in Amsterdam?
0:29 Housing & Rent
1:44 Groceries
2:45 Eating Out (Food & Drinks)
3:20 Transportation
4:59 Other (Healthcare)
5:47 Dental Care
6:18 Total 2020 Expenses
6:55 Salary #1 Breakdown (Minimum Wage)
7:23 Salary #2 Breakdown (Medium Wage)
7:55 Salary #3 Breakdown (High Wage)
8:43 Summary
💡Helpful links:
🏠 Website for NL housing: www.funda.nl/
⚖️ Dutch income tax calculator: thetax.nl/
🚲 Rent a bike with Swapfiets: swapfiets.nl/
🍎Too Good to Go app (buy 'end of day' food/drinks at low price to reduce waste): toogoodtogo.nl/nl
🚊Buy train subscriptions (NS): www.ns.nl/en/nsflex/webshop#/...
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Who am I? 😀
I'm David, a Californian living in Amsterdam. I grew up in San Francisco, studied and worked in LA, took a sabbatical around the world, and then packed my bags for Europe. And I make videos about lifestyle design, travel, and living/working/studying in Europe.
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#amsterdam #millennialmoney #budget
If every cost of living video was like yours i would be very happy, thank you for every detail
Appreciate the kind words, glad it was helpful!
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9 NIV
ROMANS 10:9-11 “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame”
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.””
Luke 19:10
God wants us to believe in His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, who died for our sins :D When we truly believe in our hearts that Jesus is the Son of God, who died for our sins so we could have eternal life with God, we are saved from the eternal fire and have eternal life in Christ Jesus!! 💖 May God bless you all! 💞🕊
As a critical note: the rental prices have risen so much in Amsterdam - also because of the influx of expats - that people with average wages can no longer afford to live in the city. Social housing has a waiting list of 15 years at a minimum. So Amsterdam is becoming a city without teachers, nurses and police officers. A city without middle class. But I guess this is a disease of more major cities in western Europe.
Thanks for your comment. Yeah housing and rental prices have skyrocketed in major cities around the globe…similar to where I am from in San Francisco too (even more unaffordable, don’t even talk about social housing there)
@@bogdanpopa2704 It’s true that this has been going for more than 10 years. I don’t blame the expats, the Dutch government should be doing more to keep housing affordable. And make sure cities have a healthy mix of ages, cultural backgrounds and income.
The government and city hall should also regulate old social rents. Many people applied and got a social houses years ago (when they actually needed them) and they still live in those social apartments, even though they can afford non social housing.
@moimoi moi why houses and new building aren't allowed to be build, is it only to preserve the architect of old building?
@@Raquel-ov8nt Sound plaudible right? However, at first the government should provide for enough social housing first and do something about a lot of regulations and laws that keep people from being able to move somewhere else. Secondly: you seem to forget that a house is more than some bricks to live. Many people chose their house for the neighborhood, family ties, their children and work commuting distance. You imply that a lot of people are purposely living in social housing with low rents while not having the right to, like they just could move anytime.
The problems on the Dutch housing market are much and much more complex than you seem to understand.
What about the subsidised buyers on the market? What about the ‘verhuurdersheffing’? Ever heard of that?
Don’t jugde people who can’t afford to buy a house just like that. (And no, i’m not a ‘scheefwoner’ myself, but I do depend on social housing and I know exactly what I’m talking about here.
This was a really good breakdown, David! Thank you for this! As I am looking for a decent salary to move to Amsterdam, this was really helpful :) Simple and easy to understand and to follow along :)
Thanks Leo, appreciate it! I hope you can find a good job and move soon...it's definitely a renter's market right now
This was a very simply and easy video to understand without the extra ramble like other UA-camrs . Great video 😃
Thanks Claysie for the kind words 😃
straight to the point and shows multiple life situations that a person can have, very nice video
Glad to hear, thanks João!
Decent vid mate, good job.
Lived here for 17 years now. Started off in the centre of Amsterdam and now live on the edge of Alkmaar (35-40 mins from Ams ). Suits our lifestyle more now, nice little city, nearer beach, dunes and forest. If you're young and international, 100% move to Amsterdam.
For food options, try the markets, Ten Kate, Albert Cuyp, weekdays and Lindengracht, Noordermarkt on Saturdays.
Also little independent shops all over.
First job after getting a place to live is get a bike. If your budget allows think about going for an electric one.
The Dutch have definitely become more open since we arrived. Their youth are main reason for this I think..
Good luck anyone giving it a go.
Thanks John! Wow 17 years. It goes by, yeah? Thanks for those suggestions...I've been buying avocados at Albert Cuyp =)
I don't think I'll be in a big city forever...and I also see myself going to a smaller, more quiet place in the future.
Hope you're well!
David
This video was very informative! Really like your style. Calming no screaming. Been living in the Netherlands since 2019. My husband is an AI developer and got a job offer from Amsterdam. I am actually very excited about this new chapter. I will probably choose not to live in the city centre because I do not like crowded places.
Aw thanks so much for the kind words! Yeah living in the city center is great but is quite crowded...but Amsterdam is great, excited for you two! Also hope you keep up with the cooking recipes..I'm getting hungry!
Hi David,
I found you video when i was looking for cost of living in Amsterdam and after watching your other videos i subscribed to your channel. They are really wonderful and experience driven.
Keep up the good work and thank you for your the shared information.
Hi Swapnika - aw thanks for the words of encouragement! They help a lot (especially as winters plus COVID plus partial lockdown make it quite depressing right now!). I hope to share more
Great breakdow! You forgot to mention that to qualify for most housing options you need to earn 3 times the rent to be accepted as an applicant. You may be able to afford it but this stops a lot of people who are on minimum wage jobs even getting into a house in the first place. I moved to the hague recently and have been able to save a tonne more simply by having a massive reduction in rent 2 years in Amstedam de pijp was long enough for me hahaha
Thanks Casey for the tip! Yeah finding housing was such a pain and you do often need to earn at least 3x the rent. I was never drawn to the Hague but you know what...it's actually growing on me the more I visit. My colleague (who lives there) also said that there seems to be more of a real (expat) community there (permanent) compared to Amsterdam (transient + tourists). The cheaper rents plus accessible beach helps a lot too!
@@hidavidwen right, I have also my concerns a bit mainly because due to opportunities for job (I'm like 95% in AMS), we live now close to Utrecht but soon we will move, we are thinking of a real house with garden etc close to ams but normal price, or den haag/Rotterdam!
Hi @@ninailia8552 - yeah those are good choices, my friend just bought a place with a garden in Den Haag-quite big actually (harder to do in Amsterdam). "Normal price" is key!
Are you able to work from home a few days? I was talking to a few friends and their options are opening up because...they can now work from home and as long as they don't have to make a big commute daily, they are fine with it. I know this doesn't apply to everyone but does open up some doors
@@hidavidwen hey! Yes, now I'm working fully from home, but the jobs I check are partially from home (like 2 days and 2 days) so hopefully will be fine!
you can actually get a chance to rent a house out of your "league" if you pay a big chunk of 9 months or a year upfront rent,
Thank you for being so thorough!!
You’re welcome Dari! Hope you are well
And thanks so much for the breakdown with the salaries! You did such a good job with this!!
And I hope by now you’ve discovered the Toko’s which is the supermarkets of immigrants. Prices are way better there. Also going to the immigrant butchers is a good way and to the Lidl/Aldi.
@@sweetsoysauce9823 @Sweet soy sauce Thanks so much for the kind words! I love the toko's...and I literally just got back from a Lidl!
Such insights! Thank you!
You’re welcome!
Nice video! very detailed explanation. Hoping to move to Amsterdam in a couple of months.
Great job!
Thanks Leonardo. Hey wish you a smooth move-I think it's actually a great time to move as rent prices seem to be going down and competition is not as high (compared to before)...and hopefully things get better soon. Good luck!
The best video talking about costs of living in Amsterdam so far.
Aw thanks Halle!
Pretty accurate from my experience here over the past 3 years. However, my groceries cost is much lower (it always is when compared to these videos).
I live with my girlfriend and our average monthly cost for groceries over the past 6 months is 165 euros for the both of us. We like to buy stuff in bulk and meal prep for the week, so I am sure that is the main contributing factor. We also rarely eat out or order food so this covers pretty much every meal of the month.
The advice given in the video regarding groceries is solid, shopping for deals is the way to go. Another good way to save money is to go to asian supermarkets for spices or to buy things like rice, and beans in bulk. Don't think that the products are inferior because they are cheaper, usually they are much better. You can also find weekly deals on meat from butchers.
Also I just wanted to say, hi neighbor! Hope this doesn't come off as super creepy XD
I immediately noticed our street during the housing section.
Hey there neighbor! Not creepy at all, it's a small city here =) Thanks for your comments. Wow 165 euros per month for 2 two is really good-good for you two! Meal prepping is definitely the way to go (save money + time).
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9 NIV
ROMANS 10:9-11 “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame”
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.””
Luke 19:10
God wants us to believe in His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, who died for our sins :D When we truly believe in our hearts that Jesus is the Son of God, who died for our sins so we could have eternal life with God, we are saved from the eternal fire and have eternal life in Christ Jesus!! 💖 May God bless you all! 🕊❤️☺️
I’m moving to Amsteram on the 27th of September and this was a cool little watch thank you bro 🤓
Glad to hear Lukas. That's coming up, good luck and enjoy!
Your place looks so cozy!
Billion of thanks!I do appreciate your videos.
You’re welcome and thanks for watching!
Nice video ! And that is a REALLY nice looking place. Quaint and cosy.
Thanks! Yeah quite old Dutch canal home...but charming =)
Thank you! This is very informative. No fluff in the video. Just facts.
Appreciate the kind words Andrew, take care!
Dutch, lived in Amsterdam for past 6 years. Assumptions pretty realistic, your travel and leisure expenses are on the low side (probably due to COVID). €2k total monthly expenses would also be realistic for young professional people in the city.
Thanks! Yeah travel/leisure low due to COVID...hope to make update whenever I can
@@hidavidwen cool, well done on getting the information and sources right! Would look for a cheaper dentist/dental hygienist though, you should be able to get check-up appointments for €50
@@Calmnof thanks! Yeah it could be cheaper, though I like my dentist!
@Ice Cold Killa Prod Hm Rotterdam...well rent is cheaper than Amsterdam with all else probably being equal. I've never lived there but check out Numbeo to compare costs.
Im moving back home to Amsterdam the beginning of next year after being gone for 2 years. Videos like this are handy to see how the prices are now.
Oh nice! Where are you currently living? (I'm sure prices have gone up everywhere over past 2 years!)
Good review on cost of living . Thank you ❤️
Thanks Jan for the kind words. Take care
Great video . Thanks man
You're welcome Shjon!
so informative, thx for sharing :D
Thank you Xin! Hope you take care
Thanks, very informative.
You're welcome!
very helpful thanks David
You’re welcome Wian
What a great vid!
Thanks Paul for your kind words. I hope you are well and taking care.
You forget to mention though that on a minimum income you can apply for certain benefits which actually makes living costs less and thus more left over to save.
Thanks Maryam - true! I was talking to a friend about something similar yesterday. Thanks for mentioning this. - David
What does these benifits cover?
@@MrBazukaz healthcare, local taxes and some rental costs, depending on your contract.
@@hidavidwen Yes a major one for example is "Zorgtoeslag", which means the government basically pays the largest part of your health insurance. Dont forget, health insurance is not optional, you are obliged to have it. www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/bldcontenten/belastingdienst/individuals/benefits/how_do_benefits_work/i_want_to_apply_for_a_benefit/i_want_to_apply_for_a_benefit
@@ageoflove1980 yes! I had this when I was a student with no income…wow coming from the US..I could not believe this…free money?! (Well technically not free as it comes through other means like taxes but still very nice as a student!)
Well researched and presented
You're welcome, take care!
Most helpful video out there
Thanks Enrique!
Very interesting and very informative 👍
Appreciate the kind words 😃
Cool vid. You know how not to spend too much, that's admirable :)
Thanks! Haha yeah I am definitely spending more now that I can see family and friends safely but alone..I don’t tend to spend much
Great video, I shared it with some friends abroad, but what I missed in the video are costs of a gym, insurances (not medical), WiFi/TV, newspaper/magazines, water-tax (waterschapsbelasting)... Btw I live on one of the canals in Amsterdam city centre too, 3 rooms, 2 balconies, kitchen, bathroom and small cellar for 560 Euro per month :)
Thanks neighbor! Oh wow that sounds like a great deal for €560 in the canals. My costs were quite simple as nothing was really open during COVID (I moved right before), and I would like to do an update when things go back to normal. In "normal" times, I would go to the gym, eat out, etc. Those are good to know-water tax, WIFI/TV, etc.-however, they are inclusive in what I pay for rent (so I actually have no idea unless I ask my landlord!)
Hope you have been doing well during the past year...let's hope the rain stops soon!
very good video !!, i also notice that most of the people i know are so comfortable living here in NL because a lot is regulated/cheap like healthcare and also the mentality of many people is that they are happy with what they got and not striving bigger and better every time, just enjoy life ! at least that is my experience, i think the same way, spend what you need instead of always what you want and you can live comfortable very very easy and even take some trips in your vacation time (vacation money is almost a full month income we get for free), I have seen many video's and its not really mentioned at all, vacation days are payed + you get almost a month income pocket money extra to get the hell out of the country for a few weeks :)
Thank you! Appreciate the kind words. I have also noticed that…because many people in NL don’t have to worry as much about things like healthcare and security…they can just focus their mental energy on other things that make them happy. Are you from NL?
@@hidavidwen yes I am :) and I agree, I find it also very calm here. I mean when I get back from vacation outside the country I notice it’s much more relaxed here, less people in a hurry maybe, of course there are exceptions but in general speaking
Awesome video!
Thanks!
thank you so much for your insight. Moving to Amsterdam was always a dream of mine :)
Hi Reza - woot I hope that dream comes true one day. I'm curious...why Amsterdam?
@@hidavidwen Have been there countless times already and have to say, I have fallen in love with the culture and the aesthetics. Additionally, I feel like the people are more laid back than here in Switzerland. It just fits. Nothing more to say tbf :)
Likewise, i hope to move to the Netherlands by 2030(once i get my higher education) as a result of brexit and the general path the UK is taking... it's sad but I just don't feel there is a bright future for being in the UK anymore 😕
Netherlands however is doing pretty well economically, is less politically corrupt and way less xenophobic. The dutch people are also very pleasant people and dutch culture is rich.
The Netherlands is also very close to the UK, I live close to a fairly major airport too, so visiting family/friends should not be a major issue.
The slight issue i will face is getting the visa's needed to stay there in the first place as brexit has further complicated things...but with my career path, i doubt it would be much of an issue...my long term hope will be to eventually gain citizenship as well as my EU freedoms back 🙂
I apologize for my slightly polarised opinions for such a chilled comment 😂
@@Chris47368 thanks so much for your response! It’s really interesting to hear your perspective as others may have similar feelings as well. Yeah the quality of life is quite high here. Of course there are pros and cons but theres not much to complain about…and the weather, you are already used to such weather coming from the UK :)
@@hidavidwen I quite liked the Netherlands when i visited for around 10 days in August 2019(when there was that big heatwave), i was hoping to go back in 2020 but of course COVID happened.
I noticed when i was in the Netherlands there was quite a stark contrast in the streets compared to what we are used to in Britain. The roads first of all seemed pretty well maintained and most notable there was seemingly the relative absence of homeless people on the streets. When i commute through Birmingham city centre to university, i easily see atleast 3 homeless people on my 10-15 minute walk to university. Crime levels are also very high(knife crime notably), i have seen police arresting people on a couple of occasions now during my commutes(even saw a body bag once in a cordened off street - wish i was making that part up 😕). It isn't this bad everywhere in Britain ofc, but in Birmingham town centre atleast. As you can imagine, my general strategy pretty much has been making a beeline between the train station and university 😂
The Dutch press also seem to hold their politicians to account much more for what would seem like a relatively minor scandal here - hell not even seemingly major political scandals don't get mainstream coverage in the UK anymore.
Some worrying legislation that is being passed atm in the UK (under home secretary - priti patel) will restrict people's freedom to protest, whistle blowing from within government and what the press can and cannot report on - Its getting scary close to becoming fascist here now, yet the British public and mainstream press seem oblivious to these changes.
This combined with the increased poverty and polarisation that brexit + the pandemic is bringing is just going to add accelerant to the UK's downfall - not to mention the further turmoil when/if Scotland eventually gains independence from the UK(which i would not blame them).
Hence further reasons as to why i want to GTFO from the UK 😂
I have been making some headway in learning dutch(since October 2020) which im happy with - albeit slow progress :)
Again sorry for the gloomy comment and thank you so much for replying and giving me a heart! You have gained a subscriber!
That's an informative video. Thanks a lot and appreciate your efforts here.
Could you also put a range for professional who is risk domain of finance/ compliance sector?
AML Analyst?
You're welcome! If you use Glassdoor...looks like 3-4K€ per month. Not sure if that's accurate or not though. But could be.
Excellent. Thank you.
You're welcome Jack
Very accurate. Great video.
Thanks Luis!
Nice explanation
You're welcome Tirupathi!
Ofcourse the costs modelling is for one person living in the city. It looks very different for a couple with children that need more space. But for the rest it is a very clear and good overview for expats, singles or students.
Thanks Ronnie! Yep good keep in mind, everyone will have their own costs based on their own situation
That's great mate thanks .
You're welcome Krishna!
Thank you for this video ! It's very helpful with good explanation !!
I hope I'll have the chance to move to Amsterdam in a couple of months :)
I just have one question after watching your video : to find a flat, don't you need to have a salary 2 or 3 times higher than the rent ? I'm asking myself this question because that's what is mostly requested in France, where I live..
Thanks !
Hi Marie - thanks for stopping by and you're welcome! You're right, some times the landlord will ask for 2-4x the rent and you may have to show them a copy of your contract or that you can pay. I know people who have had to do this.
For me, I did not have to share my contract (I was prepared though). I also live with a flatmate who had already been there for 4 years and had an established relationship with the landlord. I guess he just trusted that I was telling the truth!
But be prepared, especially if you are living alone. Hope you make the move soon and best of luck, let me know if you have other q's!
David
@@hidavidwen Thanks so much for your quick feedback !! So nice !
Seems about comparable to a place like Brooklyn, Seattle or the Bay Area. But you don't have to pay for health insurance, which can cost as much as a second mortgage.
Truth about health insurance 😁From my experience, rent here is comparable to a some big cities in the US but a lot cheaper than a place like San Francisco (where I'm from)....where comparable 2-bedroom apartments in the heart of the city are $3-$4K. Though you could probably earn at least 2-3x what you make here depending on the profession...the one big difference is you could work at McDonalds here and live quite comfortably!
my mans saying its expensive but im looking at it from london like im trying to move there 🤣
Hey Fergal - haha are you trying to move to Amsterdam? Well expensive is all relative...but yeah, most would say Amsterdam is expensive...I've never seen such a competitive housing market...and it's pretty bad right now
Nice video!
Thank you Ken!
Hello from Malta, I am planning to move to northern Europe soon, considering Amsterdam in top five places. Thanks for the video.
Hey there! Glad you liked the video and hope you make it to Amsterdam or somewhere else!
Kullhadd jrid jitlaq donnu haha
@@1232kevin K sozhaleniyu eto tak
Amsterdam being one of the major cosmopolitan cities in the world has made the house rental charges go a bit higher
It’s crazy. Yeah prices have increased now (well every year to be honest)
Thanks! 👋
Hey David, I’ve been waiting to travel to Amsterdam for a very long time but I haven’t been able to go because of covid. Could you please tell me about what is open in Amsterdam at this current moment? And what restrictions are in place? I obviously want to travel as soon as possible but if loads of places are closed & there’s tons of restrictions there is no point going as I won’t enjoy it.
Hey Harry. From the looks of it…most things seems open and as normal as a pandemic summer can be. Restaurants and pubs are open (must close at midnight). Clubs and big events still closed. Museums and tourist attractions all seem to be open. People are outside and the cafes are packed on a nice day.
Here are the updated rules for Amsterdam : www.amsterdam.nl/en/coronavirus/current-measures/
Wish there was a way to show you what’s going on
Man this is from far the best vídeo about what I was looking for. I have a job test invitation for hairdresser over there but this time I am bit scared of going and not being able to rent a room etc I was in Singapore and bcs of Covid I lost my job now I am in Brazil and if I go there need to be in self quarantine for 10 days I also don't know if they allow me to do it in hostel etc is a mess time I can't find the real information anywhere... I really need but this video has shown me a lot of good information. Thank you very much.
Hey Alexandro - thanks! Yeah it's very tricky now with Covid and rules are changing constantly based on the situation. I hope you can find your way here.
Were you in Amsterdam before or you would like to move to Amsterdam?
If you want to know more about current conditions here, feel free to just message here....I may not know the answer, but I can try to help and let you know how things are going here
@@hidavidwen thanks a lot, I just watching the current situations about housing over there etc I know I can get a job there but I don't know where to look for flatmate room or small studios for rent. I mean if I get the job while don't I will not mind to be in a hostel and this self quarantine is something that there is no information about if can be done in hostel or if Netherlands authorities will send me for a specific place.
@@vasquezgalego hey check Facebook groups (search “Amsterdam housing”), there’s quite a lot of them…that’s one of the best ways to find a flatmate or studios. That’s how I found mine. Be careful of scams though (don’t ever transfer money beforehand) but it’s quite easy to tell with Facebook. It’s a bit more difficult now as students are back…but should be a bit easier after October
@@hidavidwen appreciate it man, really thanks
Loved it
Thank you!
Living in Utrecht gives you the same kind of young vibe with a mix of old architecture and it is much more affordable then Amsterdam. It is also prety international due to thousands of students from all over the world. And if it is too small and you want to visit a a great concert in Het Concertgebouw, Amsterdam is only 25 minutes away, same as you would live in London or Paris, live in an outside district and want to visit a concert or a museum. Even better since Utrecht has some nice cultural institutes as well and literally thousands of restaurants and bars (and cyclists..). Rotterdam is a totally different city but if you like modern architecture it is a also interesting. The Hagues only advantage is that it is close to the sea. It is the most boring and less vibrant city of the "big 4", but all four are within one hour of travell distance of eachother.
Yeah I’ve been to Utrecht a few times already and really like it. It would be a place I would consider if I decide to leave Amsterdam :) Though still enjoying it here!
Very nice video! Greetings from Munich!
Thanks Chris, hope all is well in Munich!
@@hidavidwen indeed it is! YouTubing like yourself :). How long have you been living in the NL? Any plans to return to the US? Rent seems to be preposterously exorbitant there.
@@jamal93yall Aw cool stuff! Oh yeah rent is quite expensive here relative to many other places in Europe. I've been in NL for about 3 years now...2 years in Amsterdam. I was just back home in California for 2 months...it was really nice to see family and friends-that's what I miss the most. So I don't know long term...I'm taking it year by year. I like it here a lot though. Yourself? Really cool you've lived in all those places like US/China/Germany, how's Germany treating you?
@@hidavidwen very well! Especially during Corona, haha. The healthcare is amazing and so is the quality of life. It’s good that you can take things year by year. I’m learning to do that now.
Amsterdam is getting TOO expensive! But a nice video, new subscriber here.
Thanks for the kind words! And yeah Amsterdam is getting way too expensive-AGREE!
You should have mentioned Aldi, Vomar, Dean or Dirk which is way cheaper than both Jumbo and Albert Heijn.
Thanks for adding that Agnetha! You're right-there are other places to shop too. I just decided to mention the biggest 2 (AH & Jumbo) to keep it simple.
I’m in the process of applying to a master degree in the Netherlands and my biggest concern was diversity as an Asian American male. Finding this video and hearing your experience has been very reassuring dude and very informative! Many thanks 🙏
Amsterdam is very diverse. My Asian friends don't experience any racism.
You’re welcome! I can understand your concern coming from a fellow Asian American but like Remko said, Amsterdam is very international. I’m not sure where you are from, but you won’t find a big Asian community here as compared to a San Francisco or New York though. But yeah it’s very international in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the best city to live, not only in the Netherlands, but perhaps the world. It is very beautiful. very international, very diverse, very non-racist, easy to get authentic food from many countries in the world. There are two very good universities in Amsterdam (UvA and VU). I would hate living in Wageningen, it has no significance at all. Amsterdam is smaller than London or NYC, but more global. Of course Amsterdam is not perfect, there are problems in Amsterdam too, but it is the best choice.
@A Fels Haha I did not know that about Wagening. Thanks for the recommendations =)
@@zzzowie Yeah I've really enjoyed Amsterdam so far (and hoping to experience more of it). Beautiful, diverse, centrally located (the airport is just right there).
Honestly, the huge salaries make up for the rent. The city is very beautiful, the people are very nice and i think it's really worth it. It's like california but cheaper and colder!
Thanks for sharing. The city is very beautiful indeed.
I spent 2 months in The Netherlands..It was not in Amstersdam but his calculations on other stuff seems to be very accurate. Obviously, you can spend more on insurance for women to include some services if you think you will be pregnant soon. Some items tend to be more expensive in the country than in other countries but overall the quality of their life is higher..
Thanks for your comment. Yeah you can definitely spend more or less depending on many factors like services. The Netherlands is expensive relative to many other countries in Europe...but the quality of life is quite high here.
@@hidavidwen well..it depends. I live in England and food in the Netherlands is more expensive but it is better quality for sure. Also, here I get National Insurance taken as a tax from my salary but then GPs are like lotery ticket- if u do not get a good one, yoy cannot get a referal for a specialist so you cannot get treated. I personally am considering moving to the Netherlands- I have always praised them but having spent 2 months now- I feel in peace. Netherlands also kind of matches with what I want from my life and how I want to live it. UK- not really...
@@tutifruti9819 glad to hear that :) I hope you find the place that fits your needs and peace!
Nice home you have in central Amsterdam 👍
Thanks Jacobus, it's nice and cozy!
Great explanation on how to profit from Albert Heijn deals! It also helps me decide what to have for dinner! Just look for whats on sale! :-D You'd be amazed how well (and healthy) you can eat for just a couple of euro's if you shop smart.
Be aware that discounted food is food that aproaching end of shelf life. You can't consider yourself middle class if you just eat discounted food.
@@ua420 Nope not always. Albert Heijn has a discount system that rotates every week. The end of shelf life discount is a separate system. And there is nothing wrong with food that is really. Health and safety standards are quite high. Oh and nobody said anything about middle class I think? The point was that you can have a nice apartment in Amsterdam city center if you save money on other stuff when you don't earn alot of money unlike San Francisco for example.
You are very lucky with your rent, I know a lot of (local) people (some of them are close friends) who are living in a shared appartment with 1200 euro rent excl utilities. Also the ones who has middle wage salaries most of them have high studie cost they have to pay monthy , and another thing, pre covid people who go out a lot, having diner and drinkt in town s( I know this is a choice but then again why move to Amsterdam then :) So I think more realistic is 2000 euro. I used to live in Amsterdam but me and the boyfriend could not find a family house so we had to move outside of town.
Thanks Viola. Yeah I am very grateful. I know people that more and less as well-it's not the most friendly market here (as in most big cities). And definitely...pre-COVID, the costs would be higher due to social life (so I hope to update this whenever I can!).
I like how he doesn't even mention buying a house once, since it is literally impossible in Amsterdam.
😂
Impossible? What if u got money
@@driestedries Not that simple, not everybody has a minimum of 5 tonnes
Phuck guess Indonesia it is then..
Thank you David, How did you go about finding an available room / room mate?
You're welcome André and happy new year. 4 sources:
- Facebook groups (search "Amsterdam housing"...this is good if you want to share as people are looking for flatmates...but beware of scammers)
- Funda.nl
- Pararius.com
- Asking friends
Good luck! Let me know if any other questions
David
I pay 590 euros for 25 square meters including electricity warm water and wifi, which is 440 with rent discount (only valid for lower incomes). I live really close to the center
Wow that’s amazing! 440 in the city center? That’s a dream come true. How did you find your place?
@@hidavidwen This is not open-market. Probably just social housing you can get if you have Dutch pasport and wait 15 years in queue. Same system we had in USSR.
@@ua420 I was in queue for about 8 months at the time. It was all about the motivational letter
Hello David , can you tell me if the Vrije University of Amsterdam is in the center of the city? what rent prices could be expected in the area of the university ?
Hey - Vrije has multiple campuses, which one are you referring to?
You can check funda.nl and use the map tool to figure out the average prices
Or you can check = www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Amsterdam
Did you include brass and oz’s in the summary?
Hey there Adam! Maybe for the next one 😁
Someone else told me that the rent does not covers other bills (electricity,internet,water or heating). Where do you find a "good person" to share a place with ? for lower costs
Hey there - rent usually doesn't cover other bills...but many times, people will advertise is as 'inclusive' (includes all bills) or exclusive (base rent). You just have to make sure what the €€€ includes (includes utilities or excludes it).
You can search FACEBOOK groups to share...but beware of scammers (they're everywhere)!
You could save transport by just cycling everywhere. And healthcare if yout take care of yourself. And by living outside the city. 70euro of food a week for 1 person is alot.
Looking at gas prices right now, it’s a good time to be cycling 😂
I want to move to amsterdam ....doing a minimum wage job...living on rent ...i m single......is it a good move. i m from india .......please share your opinions ?
What about the additional Cost of 300€ for Weed every month?
Important to consider
😄#priorities
Good 👍👍👍
You should have included the names of things and places as readable as you speak. (flashed on the screen)
Thanks for the feedback Mark
Hi,
I am glad I found you! I am buying a one way ticket in the next 24hrs- 48hrs and I am on my way August 15th, 2021! Are apartments annual or is month to month available?
Hey there Cassandra - oh how exciting! Contracts depend. Rental contracts usually have a fixed term at the beginning and then can become month-to-month. For example, mine is 2 years. Although I know of others that are 1 year...it depends. A friend of mine is doing month-to-month but this is after a 1, 2 year contract.
So at the beginning, usually you will find that it is fixed (eg. 6 months, 1 year, 2 years)
Read more here = www.iamexpat.nl/housing/netherlands-rentals/rental-contracts-housing-rights
Welcome!
David
@@hidavidwen Thank you for the feedback!
How is the Covid situation out there?
I am excited about going there but if people are wearing masks and social distancing, striking up conversation will be challenging.
Did you experience a warm reception when you first arrived in Amsterdam?
@@lydialeigh9438 Cases were quite high a few weeks ago and coming back down now. But the Covid situation here has always been very 'relaxed'-nobody ever wore masks outdoors (not even last year)...it's pretty much the opposite of strict here (which is both a good and bad thing). When I arrived...it was winter 2019 (winters are brutal and challenging especially if you come from a place with a lot of sun)...and I was moving in so I didn't really have the time to meet many people...and then COVID hit. I did go to a few Meetups. And people are meeting again now. On a sunny day, it's packed outside and in the cafes. Of course it's not like it was pre-COVID...but I think it's probably better than many other places.
@@hidavidwen Million Thanks David!
I have my ticket!!
@@lydialeigh9438 Good luck. Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions. Amsterdam is a beautiful place (and there are less tourists as compared to before so that's a plus!)
Where can you go for vegan or vegetarian friendly grocery shopping?
The supermarkets here have a good selection of veggies…there is a place called vegan fresco
How did you apply the taxes to the monthly salaries?
Hi Nutwin - use this calculator (thetax.nl/). If you put in your salary...it will show you how much taxes you will pay.
I used to lived in amsterdam for 10 years and work as a chef me and my girlfriend we had like 6000 € income and 2500 for rent and 2500 for food and other things like Insurence and house cost goes and ye nothing left but we live in amsterdam and that’s is the price
Hey Mahdi - oh wow 10 years ago, did you have a good time? Yeah, there is a price to pay to live in a place like Amsterdam...the experience
Hi, 1st of all thanks for you interesting video, but transportation is not expensive, these prices can be seen in the other EU countries.
Hey thanks a lot Arian for the kind words and sharing your perspective. I guess everything is relative based on where you come from and what you are used to. If you consider cycling and your legs, then it is one of the cheapest (and best for environment and self) forms of transportation =)
Was planning to move there next year think I’ll change my mind , an average salary of $1650 a month there’s a 37% tax which is about $600 which leaves $1000 rent is $900 have one hundred left not enough for groceries etc this for the info
Hi Vijay - thanks for your comment. Yeah this will depend on your situation...what type of job you have and earn...and where you decide to live. You can also live a bit outside Amsterdam and find cheaper rents.
@@hidavidwen I’m more in the construction and plumbing field
🙏 so much god bless .
You're welcome Ranjani, take care!
So it's a furnished home for 1950 euros a month but because you have a flat mate you pay half of that? Very nice video btw.
Hi William - yeah I have a flatmate, and we share the costs 50/50. Thank you!
I didn't realised the salary in Amsterdam, Netherlands is so low compared to the cost of living (COL). I live in Auckland, New Zealand and I'm a software engineer. My salary in NZ is the same as the "high salary" you listed in your video. But the COL in NZ is lower than Amsterdam.
Yeah Amsterdam is not cheap to live in. But public transportation is great in the Netherlands, and you can live a bit outside for a lot cheaper.
One thing I didn't mention is that if you are a highly skilled migrant (most software engineers are) recruited from abroad, you get this tax benefit for 5 years where you don't have to pay taxes on 30% of your income (amongst other benefits). Taxes are high...but the benefits come through other areas if you live there long enough (eg. education, etc)
@@hidavidwen now I’m not so sure about moving to Amsterdam; low salary and high COL. I think Germany might be a better option; but the taxes are really high 😶. Actually, the taxes are high throughout Western Europe. But I’ll do it for the experience.
@@webberjiang3278 Yeah I am doing it for the experience =) For me, I learned that it's not always about the money...there are so many nonfinancial benefits here (eg. being in the center of Europe), and the quality of life here is quite high.
@@hidavidwen can I ask a question? What is the market like for software engineers in Europe and if companies are willing to hire off shore? In NZ and Australia, it is in very high demand; I get recruiter emails on a weekly basis. Wondering if it is similar in Europe.
@@webberjiang3278 for experienced software engineers…you can find a job most anywhere :) yes you can easily find a job here if you’re good and have experience. Our company and many companies here hire many foreigners for technical roles
I live outside the city center in Amsterdam. Small kitchen, decent sized living room. 3 bedrooms paying 688 a month.
Oh wow nice thanks for sharing! Can I ask...where do you live and how did you find it?
3 bedrooms for 688/month...wow
@@hidavidwen I live in Amsterdam Buitenveldert. dont remember how i found it
Software engineer depends on your level if it is junior, medior or senior.
Yep true. I just used a regular software engineer salary from Glassdoor for reference. Thanks!
When it comes to software engineering, you didn't mention the 30% ruling for foreigners that says 30% of income is tax-free.
Hey Michal and happy new year! Yeah I mentioned I didn’t take into account the 30% as most people don’t get that benefit, but it’s a really nice one. A good idea to talk more about it if I do an update or include in description. Thanks
As of right now this benefit is going to be removed :(
Can you make a video about 2021?
Hey will think about this one if anything changes! Though I think it's still quite accurate because not a whole lot of changes from 2020 until now (still in the middle of COVID unfortunately). Except inflation is rising-so I would add +5% to everything to get a more accurate picture.
@@hidavidwen Happy new year! :) If I will be accepted at university in Amsterdam , maybe we can make a video about how I think the living costs are compared to Göteborg(second biggest city in Sweden).
@@practicaltheory6604 good luck, I hope you get in :)
I'll be moving to Amsterdam with my adopted kids and 4 kids.
Hi Shelby - that's great to hear. How are you feeling about the move?
Expensive as hell. Food there is very expensive! You are also not including gym, repair or replacement of household items and that is only for 1 young person with relatively good health. Being frugal is the key for sure.
Hey there, yeah it can be expensive! I didn’t have any gym expenses (COVID…but my exercise is usually free-run, bike, walk, basketball). I rent and my rent covers all maintenance expenses (landlord covers). Being frugal is key!
Hey !
I pay 750 for a 1 bedroom apartment
(That includes kitchen .. living area ... bathroom and a litle dispensary room)
Rotterdam zuit holland
Time to move to Rotterdam...
where do you look for job in Netherlands?
Hi Steven - what kind of jobs are you looking for? LinkedIn is the best if you’re looking “knowledge worker” jobs.
amazing that you are able to do groceries for only 70 EUR a week
Yeah I'm quite the simple eater...I shop at Albert Heijn and usually only buy food items on sale (Bonus)...better yet...BONUS + 35% OFF =)
@@hidavidwen Haha yeah, I saw that you got the 2 person stir fry set at 35% off, very tasty and easy meal while still eating fresh healthy food.
@@ageoflove1980 If it's discounted it's not fresh. It's ok but not fresh.
@@ua420 Fresh in this context means raw uncooked instead of processed I believe.
@@hidavidwen Too bad there are no Lidl's in the city center but do give it a try in the weekends; it's a lot cheaper than Albert Heijn yet still quality fresh food! Also, a tip for all: download the 'Too Good To Go' app; buying all sorts of food and drinks for a very small price to help reduce the food waste! Again, Lidl is also the winner here because they give you a box full with fresh fruit and veggies, up to 8 till 20 items for just €2.99! (ok, sometimes it's less fresh but still too good to be wasted)
Hi! Are tech jobs easy to get there? For foreign people?
Hey Nuno - Amsterdam is one of the tech hubs in Europe with many global companies (eg. Booking, Uber, Netflix, etc)-so yes, it is easy to get a job in tech for foreigners DEPENDING on what you do. For example, software engineers/developers are in high demand and many companies hire international talent and even pay to relocate them (I know because I work in HR for a tech company, and we hire people from around the world).
What type of work do you do?
@@hidavidwen Hello David, thanks for taking you time to respond. Im thinking about moving there with a friend we are both 21 years old, currently im a Microsoft Dynamics Consultant learning .Net and C# to develop my skills. Heres my LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nuno-subtil/
This is way more expensive than where I live this place sounds very expensive
Hi Helen - It is not cheap to live in Amsterdam 😂 Luckily, transportation is great in the Netherlands if you live outside...but nothing beats that "living in the city" experience (if that's one one is after)
Is it possible to live there without knowing the language (i only know english😬)?
Yes 100%. Almost everyone speaks perfect English here-in fact, the Netherlands has the highest English proficiency in the world (non-native English countries).
There are many international companies in the Netherlands (where English is the main language) as well. You can also find jobs in certain cafes/restaurants with just English. Studying-wise...there are many English programs here as well.
@@hidavidwen thank you for your response 😁
Hey David, can you help me to find a suitable accommodation? Any lead would be helpfull.
Hey Ankit - try funda.nl and pararius.com
Or try searching the Facebook groups.
That's all I can do...it's not the easiest to find housing but keep searching. You'll find something eventually.
David
thats it I'm moving to Amsterdam
Haha nice! Success to you!
@@hidavidwen thank you lol SoCal is wayyyyy too expensive
@@egglliott2156 oh yeah I lived in LA 7 years ago..I bet it’s gotten more expensive. I’m from SF and yeah…love SF but that place is just too damn expensive
How do you spend €70 on groceries per week??! I spend around €40 and still have more than enough to get me going
Are you buying meat, fish, cheese, chocolate, wine or cola?
Adding any of those to your daily meal would send your monthy food spend to over 500 per month.
Especially if you are dutch-sized person doing some sports.
Nice Eva! Let's say I also have 'junk food' tooth haha. It's interesting hearing about other's budgets. Some think €70 is too little, some too much. I do think it's on the lower end so I'm curious...how do you spend €40 per week?
@@hidavidwen It sounds a little too much to me but only because you also spend 30€ per week on takeaways. So it's 100€ per week on food. I don't think 70 alone is too much for somebody who cooks at home ( especially a guy eats more).
And let's not forget that Dutch cuisine is very basic, bread for lunch etc so it is not expensive per se. Your budget will necessarily be higher if you don't have the same eating habits
3:38 incorrect bikes are not alive. am I right lads of am I right lads.
3:46 My advice is just to get a swapfiets!
Thanks for the advice! I just added a link to swapfiets in the description. I used swapfiets as a student in Maastricht-loved them!