15 tips to live like a local when working abroad

As an expat arriving in the Netherlands, there’s a lot to acclimate to: the weather, new colleagues and getting accustomed to typical Dutch habits. To help you out a bit, here are some tips to blend in easily:

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1. Dutch lessons

Although almost everyone in the Netherlands speaks English, even speaking just a little bit of Dutch can really help make you feel like part of the community. Start with some key phrases in Dutch to thank the locals (“Dank je wel!”) or order your meals at restaurants in Dutch.

2. Living in residential areas‍

Stay in one of the more residential neighbourhoods outside Amsterdam centre. By settling in a green environment with schools, sports parks, playgrounds, shops and parks, you will escape the tourist buzz that Amsterdam can be.

3. Take the bike

Once settled in, jump on your bike to go to work, to do groceries or when you go out. As the roads are designed with cyclists in mind, Dutchies go anywhere by bike! This is very unique, as in most other countries (even the ones surrounding the Netherlands), riding a bike is regarded solely a recreational activity.

4. Dutch snacks

While getting your kroket or a frikandel (Dutch snacks) out of the wall is described as a pretty touristy thing to do, every Dutchie gets their food out of the wall once in a while. Just pay a euro or two and choose your snack. In a café, try some ‘bitterballen’ or ‘bruin fruit’, which takes us to point five. ‍

5. Brown cafés

Visit a bruin café (brown cafe) with your friends. These traditional bars, complete with dark wood furniture, soft lighting and an abundance of antique clutter, make you feel like you’ve been transported back in time. That’s what we call ‘gezellig’ (roughly means cosy).

6. Sport club

Sport has a connecting factor. In the Netherlands fitness is the most popular sport. So the local fitness club is not only the place to exercise but also to make new friends. When moving to The Netherlands with your family: soccer is still the most popular sport among children and young adults.

7. Throw a housewarming

We also like to invite friends over in our warm and homely ambience to experience that gezellig feeling with friends, a couple of beers and snacks. Also Dutch: make an appointment first.

8. Quirky neighbourhoods

Step outside the comfort of the canals and explore the neighbourhoods that give Amsterdam its characteristic quirkiness, such as Amsterdam Noord’s industrial-artsy vibes or Oud-West’s culinary and cultural delights. Bonus tip: look up at the buildings more often.

9. Dutch weather

The weather here is unpredictable. One minute the skies are blue, the next it’s pouring rain. Fortunately, we’ve a great app called Buienradar (rain alarm) that alerts you when a downpour is due. Unfortunately, 9/10 times it’s already too late. So invest in a good ann stlih raincoat.

10. Terrace life year round

No matter if it’s overcast, cold, raining or snowing, you’ll always find people sitting outside on a terrace enjoying coffee or aa beer or a snack. And there are plenty of bars and cafes in Amsterdam that prepare for these all-weather visitors by providing blankets and heaters.

11. Rent a boat

The canals of Amsterdam are packed with official tourist boats, but you’ll often see smaller boats drifting by with just a few people enjoying the company of friends. Rent a boat yourself to cruise around Amsterdam’s picturesque canals and escape the tourist trail or go to the IJ and take a dip.

12. Culinary trip

Amsterdam (and a lot of bigger Dutch cities) is a cultural melting pot, which is summed up perfectly in its eclectic cuisine. Due to the past, Indonesian and Suriname dishes are particularly popular, a must-try, but actually you can really find so many different countries represented here in their food.

13. Picnic at the park

Pick up some local food from the market and enjoy a picnic in the park. Just spread out your blanket and head to a nice park such as Vondelpark, but also Westerpark or Amsterdamse Bos are great places for a picnic.

14. Albert Cuyp market

Even though Albert Cuyp market is also very popular among tourists (who put that in a tourist book?), it still is a place where a lot of locals go for their groceries. Fresh fish, cheese, nuts, but also a lot of cool fashion finds you will find here.

15. Go to the beach

When residents of our capital want to escape the crowds for a bit, they go to the park or to the beach. The train to Zandvoort leaves from Amsterdam Central Station twice an hour. The double-decker train takes thirty-minutes to carry you to the coast. On the outward journey, sit on the left-hand side for great views of Haarlem, a beautiful town that is well worth a visit too.

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