Is Amsterdam an Expensive City?
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and there are many historical bridges, interesting canals and rich architecture that make the city so special. However, people tend to appreciate the question whether leisure or residence in the city is expensive. In this blog post, we will discuss the cost of living in Amsterdam in an effort to find out whether it is expensive or not.
1. Accommodation Costs
A major cost in Amsterdam is that of housing which is always considered fundamental whether it is in the short term or long term. Nonetheless, rental prices in the city are still somewhat higher than the national average and can be considered as relatively high compared to the other cities in the Netherlands. The factors that affect the cost depend on the size of the apartment and the area of the city or town in which the apartment is located as well as the facilities that are availed to occupants of the apartment.
Tip:
If you consider yourself flexible in terms of location, it is recommended to look for a place outside the city center where the price per square meter could be lower.
2. Transportation Expenses
Transportation in Amsterdam is easy, though on the expensive end of many international cities. Tram, buses, and train are other means of transport in the city, and they are well established to ensure that people could use them for transport. Nevertheless, the single ticket or daily pass may cost relatively high sum in case of a frequent use.
TIP: The OV-Chipkaart is a personal card that has to be used for traveling and is more favorable if you need to take public transport many times.
3. Dining Out and Groceries
Like every other city in the world, Amsterdam does not lack cuisines with quiet, comfortable cafes, and high-end dining places with Michelin stars. To some extent it is costly to be served meals outside one’s home especially when dining in areas that are frequently visited by clients. There are restaurants that are cheap in the sense that you do not get impaired taste by opting for those instead of expensive restaurants and there are street foods or vendors where you find foods of good taste but with cheap prices.
More so, the prices of groceries in Amsterdam differ in one way or the other. When shopping in the local markets and supermarkets, it is possible to find food at cheaper prices than in the shops aimed at tourists.
Tip:
Eat low cost meals by only dining during lunch hour or by embracing the Dutch tradition of the ‘broodje’ – sandwich.
One could try to prepare the meals from the fresh produce that can be found in the markets nearby.
4. Entertainment and Attractions
Today Amsterdam has plenty of cultural offerings, museums, and art galleries, as well as entertaining facilities. However, everyone should note that there are paid sites and there are also sites that allow for free or very cheap kind of entrance or charges.
Tip:
Museums and attractions operate with a discount or free days and it is advisable to time your visit in those particular days.
Visit the city parks, canals and the buildings which are available for free.
5. Health Insurance and Utilities
It is mandatory for every individual to have a health insurance in the Netherlands which also applies to Amsterdam as well. The cost of the health insurance also varies depending on the age of the individual, the state of the person’s health and the type of coverage. Utility bills such as light bills, water bills, and internet chores are also essential when it comes to the expenses that you should consider.
Tip:
Suggested that it may be wise for one to seek information and compare various health insurance companies in order to make the right decision.
Respect power by avoiding wastage of it and this you can do by switching off all the lights in case you do not need them.
Conclusion
Amsterdam is not one of the cheap cities, but is is possible to minimize the costs for spending if a person will make wise decisions and look for free or cheap things to do. Thus, thinking of cheap and not very distant accommodation, proper use of public transport, cheaper types of meals, and free attractions, one will be able fully enjoy all the beauties of this marvelous city.
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