Lifestyle and Shopping in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a great city for expats to relocate to, and features a wonderfully diverse selection of leisure and lifestyle activities and options for just about everyone. With world-class restaurants and fabulous shopping opportunities as well as plenty of nightlife, entertainment (which the city is renowned for), and annual events, expats who relocate to Amsterdam will have no problem settling in to their new way of life in this cosmopolitan city.

From some of the world’s leading brand names and designer wares, Amsterdam boasts an astonishing variety of jewellery, fashion and specialist stores, not to mention a few fabulous boutiques tucked away for good measure.

Head to the ‘nine streets’ where stalls and markets line the pavement selling everything from fresh fruit, vegetables and meat to curios, antiques and second-hand clothing and jewellery, or swing past the floating Bloemenmark or 'flower market' to pick up your weekly bunch of flowers for your wife or dining room table.

If there’s one thing Amsterdam is not short of, it's nightlife, and with a plethora of after dark entertainment and activities, expats will have fun discovering all the pubs, clubs and bars that are tucked away in the canal-lined streets of this bustling city.

Get ready for a long weekend because from Thursday through Saturday, Amsterdam’s nightlife is pumping. Head to Leidseplein for the most popular spots, or to the Red Light District, if that’s your kind thing, while the live music scene thrives on Leidsekruisstraat where the sweet sounds of the blues, jazz and trumpets fill the air.

Reguliersdwarsstraat is predominantly gay, but people of all sexual preferences are welcome, while older residents who have moved to Amsterdam can enjoy a romantic stroll along the canal walkways which are lit up at night when the city comes to life.