Home > News > Amsterdam popular with expats and students

Amsterdam popular with expats and students

DutchAmsterdam.nl — The quality of life, culture, the balance between work and leisure and the central European location, are among the main reasons for expats and foreign students to come to Amsterdam.

So says a study by Ernst & Young among ‘internationals,’ of which Amsterdam has some 90,000 — twelve percent of the total urban population.

Garden Bike


This group is growing, primarily due to an increase of so-called ‘free-movers’ from other countries within the European Union. Free-movers are not sent out by a company but instead come to Amsterdam, for study or work, on their own initiative.

After finishing their studies many student continue making the city their home, Amsterdam daily Het Parool reports.

The study, performed at the request of the municipality, Amsterdam Region Business Association ORAM and the Amsterdam Chamber of Commerce, shows that the city’s healthy lifestyle — such as the emphasis on bicycling as a public mode of transportation — and the challenging educational environment also act as big draws.

Negative aspects are the lack of affordable apartments, the unfriendly treatment in restaurants, shops, and public transport, and the expensive taxis.

The study also notes complaints about the lack of information in English and the limited number of international schools. Foreigners also have considerable difficulty finding their way in the Dutch health care system. In addition they have trouble understanding the intricacies of the housing rental system.

Most of the internationals are positive about Amsterdam’s Expat Center — which is billed as “a one-stop-shop service for highly-skilled migrants arriving in Amsterdam or Amstelveen.”
— — © Copyright DutchAmsterdam.nl. Do not republish or repost.

Anton and Janet Hein
Publisher at DutchAmsterdam | Website |  + posts

Anton and Janet Hein live and work in Amsterdam. We are the publishers of DutchAmsterdam.

Anton was born on a houseboat in the center of Amsterdam, right across from the iconic Westertoren and what later became the Anne Frank House museum. Having lived in nearly every district since then, he knows the city like his own back pocket.

Janet was born in England and raised in Ireland before moving to Amsterdam 42 years ago. Even to date she brings an expat’s perspective to the DutchAmsterdam website.

Category: News | Related to: ,

Last updated Sunday, September 11, 2011 CET (Central European Time)

Hello! Our original content is of course protected by © Copyright DutchAmsterdam .nl
Do not republish or repost. Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape    

Why stand in line during your Amsterdam vacation?

Beat the crowds by booking Amsterdam Tours, Skip the Line Tickets, Museums, Excursions and Activities online. GetYourGuide is our trusted ticket partner.

Leave a Reply

Transparency:
The DutchAmsterdam website includes affiliate links. That means we get a small commission — at no additional cost to you — for each purchase you make. Your support helps us provide this site free of charge. Naturally, as our Editorial Policy states, our content is never influenced by our advertisers or affiliates.