With more than 4, 400 cities in the world with a population of more than 150,000 people, it can be very difficult to visit them all. You may find some of them like New York, London and Amsterdam more enticing to visit than others. Some people find spending a few days in these cities enough to satisfy their curiosity, but others will want to move there to have a longer and richer cultural experience.
If you are moving to Amsterdam or Weesp that is now officially part of the city, then you have the right to be engulfed with nervousness, whether you are coming from Iowa or Salisbury. Amsterdam is a big city where finding the right place to live can be emotionally and frugally challenging. Therefore, you may want to consider moving to Weesp as it is a much quieter neighborhood. This is a great place to find yourself surrounded by Dutch windmills and historic buildings.
Regardless of the neighborhood chosen, it is necessary to have a plan of attack for the first few days as it will help you relax and allow you to enjoy Amsterdam without feeling emotionally burdened.
Moving In
Moving can be extremely stressful because of the things that can go wrong even when you are in a familiar location, but it gets even more stressful when you are moving to an unfamiliar city. If you have not found the right apartment in the free-market sector, then you may want to stay with a friend or rent a vacation home for a short period until you locate the right place for you.
If that is the case, then you may want to rent a storage unit in Amsterdam allowing you to start moving in as soon as you find where you fit in this marvelous city.
Transportation
Whether you plan on driving or riding the bus, train or tram, getting around in Amsterdam can be a tricky experience until you get acclimated. It is natural to feel overwhelmed in the beginning as the constant crowd will seem like they are constantly pushing you to move forward. If you have to stop and study a map or use a directions app, then you may miss a vital connection. Remember that you'll soon grow confident in your connections and be able to navigate through Amsterdam like a pro. In fact, you will probably look back on your first days in the city and laugh at yourself.
If you're moving to Amsterdam to pursue your studies, then it is easy to stay on a budget. Get a discounted OV-chipkaart card and recharge it regularly. They are available at many different locations including hotels, campgrounds and the airport, but the only place that you can refill them with your credit card is at the airport.
Moving to Amsterdam gives you the opportunity to explore the city to your heart's content. You will find lots of history, a fascinating public transportation system and wonderful places to live. Most importantly, you will make lifelong friends.
