Amsterdam

Amsterdam has all the benefits, as well as the disadvantages, of a multi-cultural city. There is an excellent choice of cultural, shopping and sporting facilities, but in some areas drug-related crime, poverty and racial tensions are serious problems. Housing prices are low compared with many other same-size European cities, unless you are trying to find somewhere in the old city centre.

In almost all areas there is a mix of architectural styles, from period houses to new, impersonal apartment blocks. Public transport is excellent, with trams, an underground, a light railway and ferries. Forget your car unless you need to travel outside the city and take to a bicycle, but remember to take a sturdy lock and chain. Amsterdam has an excellent website for ex-pats and those who want to do business, work or study in the city: www.iamsterdam.com.

Bos en Lommer district
Bos en Lommer district

Situated in the west of Amsterdam, the Bos en Lommer quarter offers easy access to both the exit way...

City Centre Area
City Centre Area

Amsterdams biggest tourist attraction is Amsterdam itself. Millions of tourists line up every year f...

De Baarsjes neighborhood
De Baarsjes neighborhood

Named after a 17th-century inn called de drie baarsjes (the three basses the fish) de Baarsjes has o...

Geuzenveld, Slotermeer and Osdorp districts
Geuzenveld, Slotermeer and Osdorp districts

The districts of Geuzenveld, Slotermeer and the similar Osdorp are west of the Bos en Lommer quarter...

Noord area
Noord area

The north of Amsterdam (that is, everything north of the river IJ) also comprises the low buildings...

Oost area
Oost area

A description of all the buildings in the eastern quarter would be extensive: the small sub-district...

Slotervaart neighborhood
Slotervaart neighborhood

The village of Sloten is 200 years older than Amsterdam, but has now been assimilated by the city....

Westerpark area
Westerpark area

The Westerpark area is named after the big park in the quarter, around the Westergasfabriek, a forme...

Zeeburg neighborhood
Zeeburg neighborhood

East of the central Station lies Zeeburg. It comprises the Indische Buurt (lit: Indian neighbourhood...

Zuid district
Zuid district

The outermost canal of the centre of Amsterdam is the Singel, and south of that much of whats good a...

Zuidoost neighborhood
Zuidoost neighborhood

The south-east of Amsterdam is divided in three parts: Bijlmer, Gaasperdam and Driemond. The biggest...