So, I've been in Amsterdam for a week, and have had absolutely zero luck in finding an apartment - it has been much harder than I imagined, and I'd like to get ANY advice from ANYONE who has first-hand knowledge regarding ANY of my queries.
In short, my hopes of being near the center are probably not going to be realized, as my budget is only 1200 euro (excl.) max. Not only that, but every apartment for which I've "applied" seems to have had about 10-20 people ahead of me. As such, I think I have to give up on living in biking distance from the center (where I'll be working), and focus on those areas that seem to have more apartments, at marginally lower prices.
From what I've seen, it seems the areas where it might be easier to find an apartment are Overtoom, Osdorp, Slotervaart, Zuid-Oost, Amstelveen, Ijburg, Zaandam, and (the more westerly parts of) the Nieuw West.
I've been to some of them on bike (loved Ijburg, hated Osdorp), but if anyone has any first-hand information, I'd love to hear from you. Just for the record - I'm in my 40s, professional, single, male, and gay.
Thanks in advance.
Tell us what you've tried, perhaps we can suggest more. Personally, I would avoid ZuidOost (there are reasons the apartments are cheaper there) and Amstelveen/Zuid can be as expensive as Centrum (mainly because the properties are bigger.
Are you sticking to Funda? Or have you tried
* www.Jaap.nl (which includes more makelaars),
* posting cards in supermarket notice boards,
* small independent A'dam makelaars?
* walking around on a sunny day and searching for 'te huur' boards from agencies you've never heard of?
Have you considered nonfurnished free rentals (no wait lists) from the housing corporations like Ymere, Actys, Stadegenoot, etc (you will find ALL of these listed in one place on www.rooftrack.nl)? And if successful, buying some cheap and cheerful furniture from a Kringloopcentrum for next-to-nothing/
Thanks, Ostia, for your (as usual) helpful response.
So far, I have scoured ALL of the internet sites (including funda, jaap, pararius, xpatrentals, etc.) - about 80% of the listings, by the time one calls the broker, are already rented, and many of the others are of the type "please apply online, if the landlord wants to, s/he will get back to you."
I have not used the small, indie, A'dam makelaars, because frankly I wouldn't even know which one to choose (or where to find one). I have been contacted by a couple of (small?) brokers via email, but all of what they've found me has been totally overpriced garbage in borderline areas (think Bos en Lommer for $1300).
I am TOTALLY considering rentals from the vrij sector, and have been putting a lot of time and energy into applying for these (and registering with the various corporations); problem, once again, is that by the time one gets an appointment to see anything, there are at least ten people ahead; or they don't even give you an appointment; or it's rented the same day it goes up on the site. I'm coming from one of the most cut-throat housing markets in the US, and A'dam is right up there with my old hometown - much to my dismay.
Any thoughts on any of the areas I've noted? I'm leaning toward Ijburg, although I know it may not be the best for me - but at least it's aesthetically pleasing.
Hi there, it can be very frustrating, I feel for you!
not sure if this is helpful, but I have just posted my husband's flat in Amsterdam, as below. Not sure if its what you are looking for, but we can easily set up a viewing for you. Hope it works out!
Best of luck,
Georgina
1bed, ground floor apartment minutes from the Westerpark 50sqm apartment with 50sqm garden
Call Matthew (the landlord) on 062 022 8184 Or email schiffers@fd.nl to arrange a viewing and see more photo's.
