Live in Amsterdam

Is your visit to Amsterdam going to be longer than one month? Or did you love your trip to this vibrant city so much that you want to extend it by 1-2 months?

In such cases, sometimes it is nicer to stay in a vacation rental or short stay apartment. It will definitely add a homely feel and you can unpack your bags without stressing about booking the rooms for next few days.

So what do you need to know? Of course if you are planning to stay longer than 3 months, you might want to check if you need a visa. Just Landed has quite a few informative articles about the exact processes and requirements. The Immigration Services website IND also  explains a bit about the process involved in extending your stay. 

And when you talk to rental agency or landlord about apartments, do check up with them about any paperwork you might need.

Finding an apartment
As for looking for an apartment, here are a few useful sites. Do note that renting can be a tad expensive in Amsterdam and some apartments might have a minimum stay requirement of 3 months.

Pararius is quite a helpful site. It lists accommodation for 6 months or more but also has a section on short stay apartments (charged per day). Almost all apartments here are accessed through rental agencies.

Another good source is Craiglist. Good news is, you might be able to negotiate a time period and/or price with owner if you apply through these ads. Bad news is you don’t necessarily have the expertise and knowledge of the middle man (rental agency). But, on the other hand, your contract won’t include commission for rental agency (usually equal to one month’s rental).

Also check out Holiday Velvet and Expatriates, both of which offer accommodation at lower prices.

Apartment prices
Where prices are concerned, apartments close to Amsterdam center and along the canals have higher rates. It will be hard to find apartments for lower than Euro 500. Starting price for one-bed apartment will be Euro 500+ in this much sought out area. Of course, you could always look into sharing, perhaps opt for one that seeks house mates.

Or you could check into renting out just a room (as opposed to one apartment). Expatriates usually has a few rooms for rent in the Euro 200 – 300 (per month) range. On Craiglist look under rooms/shared for cheaper accommodation options; the lower priced ones will once again be in the Euro 200 – 300 range.

Generally, places outside Amsterdam offer lower rental prices.

More tips
If you would like more information on the Dutch rental policies and the rental point system, check out Amsterdam Expats.

Some tips on looking for short-stay rental: Do get a written contract for your lease (about deposit, length of stay etc.) before you pay for anything. This is advisable especially when you are not going through a rental agency for apartments. Follow the usual route when renting a place – ask for references, google crime stats for your area, etc.

Tip: Stay at a hostel before you decide
The most attractive thing about staying in hostels in Amsterdam is that you have an immediate social network. So, while you hunt about for a place to live in the long term, you can explore the city with other travelers, experience the nightlife and cafe culture together. Before committing to a long-term stay in Amsterdam, spending time in a hostel and paying cheap rates will give you a chance to explore different neighborhoods and work out which one suits you best.

Recommended accommodation search: Alpharooms - Hotels - Hostelbookers

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