Cost of Living in Amsterdam

Hey all.

I've got an offer to move to Amsterdam in a big Corp and the net salary is ~4k/month.

I'd like to know if it's easy to live with this salary. Initially I'll be moving with my partner and she propably will have to quit her job and wait for me to sponsor her permit and then find some job too (it's probably included in the job offer from what I'm negotiationg).

So, for two people initially a net amount of 4k is enough? How tight would it be to make ends meet?

Thanks!

@Salvatore

Junior software engineers make about 3700 - 4000 euros in NL these days.

Seniors between 4000 - 5000 euros.

Both are bruto wages, taxation is different for expats (very low).

Minimum wages have increased a lot too, from 21 year old makes a minimum of 2000 netto a month, no matter what job.

And that's excluding all the allowances for rent, health insurance etc which easily adds another 600 a month netto.

Looks like prices here are for the city center of Amsterdam.

Take 35% off and you get the average dutch prices.

20 Euros will buy you a main course in a cheap restaurant in the Netherlands (Amsterdam is generally more expensive than average). A three-course meal with drinks in an expensive restaurant will easily exceed € 40 (except for fast-food joints). In a mid-range restaurant it's more like € 60. A five-course meal with wines in a haute cuisine place can reach over € 100 per person outside Amsterdam.

Finally prices stabilized, almost thought we became the new Switzerland.

As Kevin mentioned, it depends where you shop. The street markets are very affordable.

I think some of these prices are very optimistic.

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre can't be 1,704 € like this page says
I've been looking for months and the average price I find is 2.000-2.500 €
Rents are just beyond absurd

Hi, I've read many articles about how much part-time positions are common in Netherlands and how that makes Dutch so happy with a great work life balance. But I'm not sure of buying it so I'm searching information.

Yeah, Amsterdam is the capital city, but rent are so high that I do not think anyone can SURVIVE on a part-time job, since rent will be higher than income. Are there really people that live on part-time jobs in Netherland and are they outside big cities? So many articles about students that sustain with part-tima positions, are them all misrepresentation?

I do not hide that a part-time lifestyle will suit me in order to enjoy life or to continue professional education and Netherland is the only Country with so many part-time jobs

Hey other Anonymous

I have no idea were you guys take your informations from.
You claim to be living in Amsterdam for all your life and sustain that expats cannot buy property in Amsterdam.
Can you share a link to the law you mention ? I find it improbable banks approving loans for home you cannot legally own, and notary offices legalizing this illegal sell. :)

I do own a property in Amsterdam and I can for sure let you know that you can easily buy one if you have the required capital.

All your comments seem to me just frustration that you're being priced out of your own city. It sucks I get it, but that life, please move on and do not spread misinformation.

To anonymous post Jan 8 2021

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands obviously.Any investments anywhere within the eurozone wouldn't be wise especially since the UK separated itself from the eurozone trying to monopolize. FORTUNATELY Brexit is in full control and yes the pound is still alive and well.The euro has always had a very bad track record and the euro continues on a downward spiral against the USD.Currently the euro value is 81 cents against the dollar.Over the past 6 months the euro has been losing value against the USD. When any country in Europe signs on to be a member of the eurozone they're automatically locked into a set percentage rate monthly just for using the euro and once a member they are legally bound no matter how badly that countries economy is doing ITS A TRAP.The eurozone must recoup losses of currency value through taxation whether it be through payroll deductions or real-estate taxes.Just renting an apartment or house anywhere within the eurozone tenants are taxed monthly just as the owner of the rental property is taxed heavily. So everyone is taxed on everything and let's not forget VAT value added tax which is currently at 19% on anything purchased.
Is living in the EUROZONE a good idea? ABSOLUTELY NOT !!!
Hopefully this factual information helped your decision.

Actually foreigners cannot own property in Amsterdam. Hopefully you didn't get taken by someone scrupulous it happens often in Amsterdam.

Guys,

I have been working in a US based multinational company from India.

Have 6 years of work experience and I am making close to €40k in India.

Willing to relocate to Amterdam. Do you think it would be a good move, considering the cost of living in EU.

Hey Anonymous,
What do you mean Amsterdam doesn't pay that? It certainly does. I also work for a major Corp here in Amsterdam, I've lived here for over 10 years. Salary slides quite a ways, but many of my colleagues own houses, net salaries over 3k per month. Sure, not everyone loves like that. But it's attainable for skilled expats.

Costs if living per month can range from 1k - 1.5k, depending on how you live, how much you drink and how much you like to indulge.

The expensive part is living on your own. Costs have gone down because of a drop in demand for rental accommodation from expats, but generally living in your own apartment is 1300++

I have been living in Amsterdam for 6 years, I am french.

I started my first job with 42.5k EUR a year (24 yo), which gives about 2.4k net. I was single, rent is about 800 euros a month in a shared flat (it is the jungle to find flats and frustrating but everyone ends up finding), As a single, going out and restaurant every weekend, you need 1000 euros to live, so you still manage to save 500-600 euros per month.

Income : 2400 eur
+30 ruling : 2900 eur (this lasts 5 years as an expat)
Rent: 850 eur
Living costs: 1000 eur incl bars and restaurants

Remaining per month : 1050 eur per month- (this is honestly what i was able to save)

Think that you won t have transportation costs (biking everywhere), going out is cheap in bars and clubs, resturants are pricey but cheaper than London and you have a lot of options. Indeed a pint is 5-7 eur, cheaper than Paris.

My advice: Amsterdam is well suited for professionals (not students, not interns) with a master degree working for big companies. I started there as an intern, it was fun but very tough (you change 6 times flat per year...).

Ok, it does not pay as much as Dubai or Switzerland pour better than France and UK and living here is beautiful, lots of fun, lots of diversity.