The Little Things I Wish I Knew Before Moving to Amsterdam

By Anna Bluemel, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Moving to a new country is super exciting, but it can also be DAUNTING. I tried to research thoroughly before moving to Amsterdam to feel as prepared and connected to my future mystery life as possible, but there are always small differences that you can only ever find out about through actually living there.

For example, during my first food shop I had a bit of a wobble and ended up severely missing the trusty Fallowfield Sainsburys. I had heard that Albert Heijn was very expensive so I tried a different random shop – but my research was not very good because I ended up in a strange, dark supermarket with the most nonsensical organisation of food, everything in Dutch, and seemingly everything except what I actually needed. I fear that the stress of moving country got to me a little in this moment, making me slightly overdramatic. But I would have appreciated a few hacks and tips about the very mundane practical parts of living in the Netherlands, to avoid any similar moments to this!

1. Supermarket Shopping is a Little Different

As you may have gathered, supermarket shopping is done differently in the Netherlands. There is not one shop which sells everything like Sainsbury’s does. Instead, there are a few different ones for different things:

Food: Food-wise it’s pretty easy; there are loads of supermarkets including Albert Heijn, Dirk, and Lidl.

Household products: You can find basic cleaning products in the general supermarkets, but for more range (and lower prices) you need to head to Action. Action is probably most similar to a B&M or Home Bargains. It has so many useful things that you wouldn’t even think you needed, and it’s also very cheap. I got things like my mop, dustpan and brush, lamps, and stationery from Action.

Toiletries: Toiletries in Albert Heijn are RIDICULOUSLY expensive; we’re talking €7 for a deodorant. Luckily, there are other shops around that have much more reasonable prices. I would recommend Kruidvat and Normal. Etos also sells toiletries and is the Boots equivalent – a bit more pricey but good for branded products!

Spirits: I wandered around Albert Heijn for an embarrassingly long time before a party trying to find the spirits section. It turns out all spirits are sold at a separate shop called Gall & Gall. They are usually right next door to an Albert Heijn, so very convenient.

2. A Breakdown of Supermarkets

Now you know where to go for what you need; here is a breakdown of the individual supermarkets.

Albert Heijn is known as being a little more expensive than the others but is absolutely everywhere, so it’s very convenient. It was by far the closest shop to me, so I ended up using it the most. I didn’t think the price difference was actually too noticeable when buying own-brand items! It also has a free club card which I would recommend signing up for as it has lots of discounts anddd gives you a personalised bundle box each week which is super useful! Also, the AH bakery is sooo yum and became a proper lecture-break staple (as pictured) 😀

Dirk is the slightly cheaper equivalent and is also a really great option! I found it to always be really well stocked, and there are lots dotted about throughout the city!

There are also a few Lidls, which are the cheapest (annoyingly none were close to where I lived!)

Another place to shop is all the local markets! Noordermarkt and Albert Cuyp Market and others sell so much fresh produce, which is actually often cheaper than supermarkets, as well as being more sustainable and a much more fun way to shop!

3. Get On a Bike!

Everyone knows that Amsterdam is a major cycling city and it can seem pretty scary at first. However, cycling is definitely the best (and actually not a scary) way to get around the city.

At first, I thought I would try to buy my own bike. Yet, I ended up getting a Swapfiets one, which I would highly recommend. They give you a bike, and you pay per month that you have it. The option I chose was the most basic and cost €17.90 a month. This cost also includes free repairs and protects you if it gets stolen. I ended up having such an emotional attachment to my bike and LOVE IT.

A tip: a few of my friends have fallen off their bikes by getting caught out by tram lines!! Avoid them!!

4. Make the Most of The UvA Academic System

The academic system at UvA is different to Manchester. Rather than doing the same modules throughout each semester, they have 3 blocks per semester in which you do different modules. You can plan which ones you do in such a way that you can fit all your credits into the first two blocks. This gives you Block 3 off uni completely, giving you longer holidays (otherwise they’re so short – we’re spoilt at Manchester!) and a chance to properly explore without lectures holding you back!

5. Get a Reusable Cup

There are lots of coffee and tea stations around the uni, but they do not provide plastic cups anywhere. So, if you want your caffeine fix mid-study, bring a reusable cup with you!

6. Do a bit of Dutch on Duolingo

I am not claiming I know Dutch at allll but I did get a pretty good streak going on Duolingo. This helped me learn basic phrases (goedemorgen, goedenavond, hoe gaat het?)) and understand how to pronounce certain sounds (e.g.: oo = oh). A tiny bit can go a long way, plus people seem to really appreciate it. And of course, it makes you feel more like a real local.

7. Get a Museumkaart

I was too slow to the game and ummed and ahhed about whether getting a Museumkaart was worth it, and now I wish I had from the beginning!

A Museumkaart costs €70 and gives you access to all the museums across the Netherlands for free. There are so many interesting and fun museums in Amsterdam – and they’re not only located in Museumplein! For example, I ended up going to the Resistance Museum because it was very close to my accommodation and had the most interesting time there! Foam is also a great gallery, and I saw a really cool Martin Parr exhibition there.

The Museumkaart is definitely the most cost-effective way to explore all these amazing museums!

8. Use ‘Too Good To Go’

Too Good To Go (the best app ever) is great in Amsterdam and crucially, Bun Bun, the iconic cinnamon bun place in Jordaan, uses it! Would recommend!

9. Don’t forget to walk

A bit less of a practical tip here, but I would really recommend walking around the city sometimes as well as cycling. It’s maybe easier if you need to be somewhere to cycle, but go for little wanders too. I saw so many things I always missed when rushing past on my bike, and it’s a very nice switch-up to your everyday routine. I also really enjoyed doing this alone. Obviously, doing things with people is great, but don’t be held back if your friends are busy; it’s a very nice, peaceful way to explore the city.

10. Don’t panic about the paperwork

When you are first told everything you will have to do to move to Amsterdam (migration papers, registering for courses etc), it seems super confusing. But honestly, it becomes much more manageable. The Dutch government and uni will send you emails with instructions about what to do and, importantly, at the time that you actually need to do it! So you don’t need to panic too much!

I hope these tips are useful and help make the adjustment a little smoother! I’m sure there are loads of other small things that I have missed, but figuring these things out is all part of the experience, and actually part of the fun … even if it does occasionally involve standing in a random Dutch supermarket having a minor crisis over where the deodorant is :’(