If you have been studying in Holland for awhile and would like to stay longer, then you might know the struggle it takes to find a decent place to live. If you are planning to come to Holland, be aware that the process of finding a home might not be as smooth as bit cities provide. First of all, take a deep breath and be prepared for the rollercoaster of emotions you are about to encounter.
Apartments
The first rule to know is “Don’t expect too much“. As difficult as it is, there are A LOT of cases of people over paying for an apartment the size of a closet. There are stories of people who had to live in a studio that was more of a bathroom, kitchen, bedroom and living room all together. Housing in Holland is EXPENSIVE. I mean, it is fair to pay an amount of money for a pretty nice place. However, don’t expect that here.
The other basic rule to be aware of is that “Scams do happen, do your diligence”. If you see a publishing online of a beautiful apartment by the canals with a huge meter squared at a price lower than 1000 euros, IGNORE. Unless you have the best luck of the world, this is a pretty rare case to be found. There are a lot of smart people here that might pretend to rent an apartment but in reality, it could be that it is an AirBnb and they are not the real owners or housing agents.
If you get the chance to even have more than 60m^2 for a price below 1500, then you are doing something good in life. Embrace it, even if it has its imperfections.. like living mouses walking in your ceiling. Trust me, I know the struggle.
Hope for the best
As much as everyone would like to live in Amsterdam due to the beautiful cultural mix of different restaurants and most venues being located there, don’t disregard living in other regions of Holland. Amsterdam comes with a price. However, if you are in a tight budget but would really like to stay here for the long term, consider moving to other locations like Utrecht, Rotterdam, the Hague, etc. Believe me, there are MUCH better options with a reasonable price.
The transportation around here is super convenient and easy to access, hence, moving around might be the start to your adventure in this country. There are many websites on which you can find accommodations, like Funda, Pararius or Facebook Groups. But be careful, be cautious and be realistic.
