Living in Amsterdam

[seanlyall]

Hey guys, dont know if this is in the correct place, if not im sorry.

I want to live in Amsterdam, 6months I think would be nice. Does anyone know any good websites to look at flats etc?

I was looking at yamsterdam.nl but it was rather confusing, I went to the longstay part and it does say that the price is 1400euro and that the period is 6months but I have a feeling that its per month.

Any help would be great guys.

Thanks.

[Boner]

Try funda.nl (that 1400 would of been per month as well), just google translate the actual websites.

[Valo]

Can also try Craigs List as they are private listings and often advertise for short and long term leasing - although i generally only check the shared room/accom section. I'm not planning on moving until later in the year but still regulary check and you can get some pretty reasonable prices i find.

[seanlyall]

Can also try Craigs List as they are private listings and often advertise for short and long term leasing - although i generally only check the shared room/accom section. I'm not planning on moving until later in the year but still regulary check and you can get some pretty reasonable prices i find.

Thank you guys, funda was ok and craigslist was pretty badass but after "talking" it out with the woo-man... i'm not allowed is the bottom line.

Dream Crushed.

[Marco]

Can also try Craigs List as they are private listings and often advertise for short and long term leasing - although i generally only check the shared room/accom section. I'm not planning on moving until later in the year but still regulary check and you can get some pretty reasonable prices i find.

Be very, very careful on Craigslist, I would say upwards of 60% are fake Nigerian scam ads.

[Valo]

Be very, very careful on Craigslist, I would say upwards of 60% are fake Nigerian scam ads.

Appreciate the heads up, i didn't realise it was that over run by scammers.

I would probably try and get a phone number or email nearer the time and arrange several viewings one weekend if possible. Hopefully then i will be able to assess the contracts and housing easier than by negotiating over the internet.

[Marco]

Be very, very careful on Craigslist, I would say upwards of 60% are fake Nigerian scam ads.

Appreciate the heads up, i didn't realise it was that over run by scammers.

I would probably try and get a phone number or email nearer the time and arrange several viewings one weekend if possible. Hopefully then i will be able to assess the contracts and housing easier than by negotiating over the internet.

Are you moving here and looking for housing? Feel free to throw me a private message about what you want, where and how much you want to spend. Then if I hear anything I will send it to you. Word of mouth is the best way to find a place.

Using a real estate agents costs a month or more of rent and they often rip expats off.

peace

[seanlyall]

Ok the gf is not thrilled with the plan but she is willing to let it happen, the dream is back on!

Whats this i'm reading about scams? Do they rob you when you get there or do they ask for the money for the flat online? For the record I wouldnt give money away like that online lol.

[DC]

What amount of rent budget are you guys thinkin of?.

[colinzeal]

I've rented an apartment through craigslist.

Genuine renters will not ask for money up front! We had his email address and his mobile number in advance (and his sister's number too as she was the person who met us at the apartment while as our host was working). The chap was very nice, we gave him a deposit which he returned on the day of departure.

All in all would use craigslist again but have heard of people arriving to find they have no where to stay!! Basically if communications are straightforward and promptly answered and the person seems cool you should be fine, but no way pay anything beforehand, it should be cash on arrival.

That is short-term of course, for long term I am sure it is even easier to not get scammed!

[Valo]

What amount of rent budget are you guys thinkin of?.

Around €400 - €500 per month with bills included would be good. Obviously that would mean a shared place, which i have no problem with as this is one thing i miss from uni.
Anywhere within 45-60 mins walking distance from the Centrum too so location is quite broad.

I'm only in the early stages of saving to be honest so not a lot can be done for a few months at least. As my basic plan was to have enough to pay 2/3 months rent plus the deposit, include general living cost too. This should give me time to find any job (bar/hotel etc) that will pay the rent, allowing me to stay permanently. Then i would start looking for something more related to my IT degree longer term.
It may sound a strange plan to many people but it's the one i'm most confident of.

Feel free to throw me a private message about what you want, where and how much you want to spend. Then if I hear anything I will send it to you. Word of mouth is the best way to find a place.

Really appreciate the offer of help. I was going to send a pm but pretty much explained it above to see what people thought. Like i say though i am still in the early stages of saving so i will certainly ask you nearer the time to keep an eye out.

I've rented an apartment through craigslist.

I have rented in both Bournemouth and Dublin from gumtree, which is a similar style website. That is why i had confidence in craiglist if basic cautions are taken.

[DC]

Around €400 - €500 per month with bills included would be good. Obviously that would mean a shared place, which i have no problem with as this is one thing i miss from uni.
Anywhere within 45-60 mins walking distance from the Centrum too so location is quite broad.

I'm only in the early stages of saving to be honest so not a lot can be done for a few months at least. As my basic plan was to have enough to pay 2/3 months rent plus the deposit, include general living cost too. This should give me time to find any job (bar/hotel etc) that will pay the rent, allowing me to stay permanently. Then i would start looking for something more related to my IT degree longer term.
It may sound a strange plan to many people but it's the one i'm most confident of.

You should actually look for IT jobs now. If you were to get one then it would make things a whole lot easier for you living here. Contracts mean 'more' security here, so if you get an IT job with a full white contract you'll have much less hassle finding a place to live with a white housing contract. Bar/hotel work can often mean no contract which then in turn means the place you live has to be rented by somebody else. No housing contract normally suggests sub letting which often ends with somebody spoiling yer day by throwing you out. Plus, you might be surprised by how hard it can be to find a job within the Horeca industry here as there's always loads of people looking for them, especially non Dutch speaking ones. A degree in IT 'can' make employers cautious in employing you into a job because they'll know you'll be looking for something you're educated for. Though, don't let me put you off, 500 a month including bills up to 60 mins walk from centrum?...You should be able to find something within that scope and with any luck a Horeca job with a contract to make it all legal.

[Valo]

You should actually look for IT jobs now. If you were to get one then it would make things a whole lot easier for you living here. Contracts mean 'more' security here, so if you get an IT job with a full white contract you'll have much less hassle finding a place to live with a white housing contract. .

Again, i really appreciate the advice DC. And ideally i would love to have a job already lined up, and i do check online regulary. But my best chance is a Graduate or Junior position somewhere so i just have to keep my eyes open.
My main worry is not getting a job in the 2 or 3 months meaning i wont be able to afford further rent, but i'm if i crawled every pub and hotel for days on end i would get lucky.

A degree in IT 'can' make employers cautious in employing you into a job because they'll know you'll be looking for something you're educated for.

I have the same problem in England. So i have 2 cv's, one professional and one for more casual jobs...which sometimes works I would be more than happy with any job for a year or so while i settle in and adapt, but like you say i don't think many employers see it that way.

One question you are likely to know the answer, i have read that most or all Horeca jobs require a social hygiene certificate (SVH). Is this compulsary for everyone? Or much like the UK hygiene certificate where it is and advantage but not always a requirement?

[Marco]

IT jobs are tough to find, but yes it would be better to have a contract.

In terms of renting just a room, then Craigslist is ok. You will soon be able to spot the fake ads (air conditioning and free parking in Amsterdam, yeah right).

Realize that if you sublet and its an illegal one, you will not be able to register with the city hall, like everyone is required to. I won't say its impossible to live here without registration, but it is quite hard.

good luck

[evergrey1968]

Good luck, am just starting this process myself although I won't be living in Amsterdam.

Can't be any harder than getting married in Norway, now that was a nightmare to organise