Why more and more expats feel at home in Amsterdam
Swedish native Stina Stjärnström moved with her family to Amsterdam's Helmersbuurt neighborhood in 2023. Although she came to the Netherlands as an expat, she quickly felt right at home in the capital. Her experience is characteristic of how many international newcomers currently perceive the city.
Stjärnström indicates that it is remarkably easy to connect with others in Amsterdam. According to her, the atmosphere in the city is open and inviting to people coming from abroad. This sense of connection helps expats integrate into local society more quickly.
For many international employees, the choice to move to Amsterdam is not based solely on work, but also on the lifestyle. The city offers a combination of an international character and a close-knit neighborhood culture. This makes it easier for families to build a new social life in an environment that is unfamiliar to them.
Although the housing market and the crowds in the city are often discussed in the news, Amsterdam remains a popular destination. The stories of new residents show that the human side of the city plays a major role in the decision to continue living here.
The integration of expats remains an important theme for the city. Through the positive experiences of people like Stjärnström, it becomes clear that Amsterdam succeeds in being a place where people from all over the world can quickly feel at home.