r/Amsterdam

Recently I found myself thinking about something that happened to me years ago in Amsterdam, and I’m curious if anyone else has experienced something similar.

I was 18 at the time (I was born in 1994, so this must have been around 2012–2013). I was in Amsterdam with a group of friends, and one evening they all went to the Red Light District while I decided to stay on my own. We were staying near Dam Square, close to the central station.

I went out alone and ended up talking to a guy who approached me on the street. We started chatting, very normal conversation at first, he asked where I was from, what I was doing there, etc. I remember he told me he worked at the airport and that his sister studied psychology (which I also studied at the time, so that felt like a random connection).

At some point he suggested we go for a walk and see a place he liked. I agreed, which in hindsight feels kind of crazy, but at the time I didn’t really question it.

We walked for a long time, eventually ending up outside the city center, somewhere I definitely didn’t recognize. It was dark and I had no idea where I was. I remember thinking very clearly: “ok, this is where something bad is going to happen.”

We stopped in front of a place and he told me only locals could go in. I even asked him if he wanted money at that point. He said no, went inside, and came back with two joints and some small packets. He gave them to me, we walked, smoked, talked. I was honestly very high and the whole situation felt surreal.

After a while, he took me to a train station so I could go back to Dam Square. Before leaving I gave him something like 10 euros just to thank him, but he never asked for anything.

Nothing bad happened. He wasn’t aggressive, didn’t try anything weird, and just left.

Looking back now, I realize how risky the whole situation was and I would never do something like that today. But at the same time, it’s such a strange memory because it could have gone very differently.

So I’m wondering: has anyone else had a similar experience in Amsterdam? Like meeting a complete stranger, being taken somewhere unfamiliar, feeling like it might turn into a bad situation… and then it just doesn’t?

Hi, I'm looking to join or start an English-speaking book club in Amsterdam. The idea would be a monthly read, meeting up somewhere easygoing with decent drinks. I mostly read fiction, but fully open to non-fiction too. Right now, I'm deep in an Irish literature phase, which is a funny place for a Norwegian to end up. Open to anything really - classics, thrillers, fantasy, romance, biographies. I love the idea of discovering books and authors I'd never have picked up myself.

If you already have a book club, I'd love an invite. If not, I'd love to find like-minded people in their 30s/40s of all genders. This is my first Reddit post so I'm a bit nervous - drop a comment or DM me!

Hi guys, probably you guys all suffer sometime from a loud neighbor.

I’ve been dealing with a neighbor who has been extremely disruptive for more than a year. The noise includes loud music, shouting, hard jumping on the floor, yelling. It happens almost daily and sometimes goes on for hours. It's not normal party, it's basically he sings along with music, not sure if he is mentally stable.

The neighbor doesn't open door for me.

We both rent from housing company Rochdale, I've made more than 8 reports to u/Rochdale but unfortunately nothing is improved. I contact the building manager several times, she told me she couldnt contact the guy.

Since March 2025 until now (April 2026), I have called police for more than 10 times.

Also contacted Beterburen but they also couldnt contact the guy.

If anyone has experience, what else can I do? Who esle I can contact? I understood unfortunately in Amsterdam renters can just do whatever they want and there will be no consequences for years. I'm continuing calling police, I feel bad for disturbing the police for this, but the housing company just doesn't act.

Hello, any brown bars with good food in amsterdam? Will appreciate any help.

From 7pm on Thursday 9th April, and every fortnight after that, there will be a DJ/Producer Meetup at Bar Borisov in Houthavens.

During this event, there’s an Open Decks that is already filled with DJs, but you’re welcome to stop by to network with like-minded people and listen to some dance music. You can then sign up to play at future editions.

See you there!

Instagram for more info: sonic.tonic.collective

Hi everyone,

I’m planning to move to Amsterdam for around 3-4 months (ideally by June). I’m a 38-year-old producer in the advertising industry, single, no pets, non-smoker. I own my own house in Germany. I’m moving to build business relationships with local agencies and production companies, so I’m specifically looking for a quiet, well-maintained and fully furnished apartment / studio (approx. 50-60 square meters) that can serve as a reliable home office as I also do a lot of remote work.

My financial profile:

• Monthly income: ~€11,500 gross
• Liquid reserves: ~€200,000
• Budget: €2,250 - €2,500 incl. utilities (all-in)
• Flexibility: I’m open to paying several months of rent in advance if it helps secure a place.

My struggle**:** 

Since I’m currently finalizing business in Germany, I’m trying to arrange everything from abroad. I’ve been asking for video viewings (WhatsApp/FaceTime), but I get the feeling that agencies are very reluctant to do them.

My questions to the community:

1. How realistic are my chances of landing a high-quality apartment without being physically present for every viewing?
2. Is the "video viewing“ request actually a dealbreaker for most legitimate landlords?
3. Does offering several months of rent in advance actually help with professional agencies or is it ignored?
4. How do you handle the first payment? It feels extremely risky to transfer ~€7,000 (first month + deposit) to someone I’ve only met on a video call. Is there a standard, safe way to do this (escrow, etc.)?
5. How can I verify an agency is legit if they don't have a website but claim to be "Expat Services"?

I’d appreciate any insights or reality checks. Thanks in advance!

Does anyone know of any good trading card shops that sell Topps and Topps Chrome?

Like Premier League 25/26 topps chrome cards :)

Edit: Met AI herschreven, anders was het helemaal incoherent.

Het heeft jaren van meditatie, talloze bijna-doodervaringen op het asfalt en een flinke dosis incasseringsvermogen gekost, maar gisteren was het zover: de dag van de Ultieme Comeback.

Normaal gesproken ben ik in het verkeer vooral een soort onbetaalde verkeersregelaar die niemand wil hebben. Ik wijs op zebrapaden, mompel braaf iets over "voetgangers hebben voorrang" of maak een subtiel handgebaar richting de haaientanden. Het resultaat? Ik word standaard getrakteerd op een bloemlezing aan creatieve scheldwoorden. Meestal krijg ik het advies om naar de Pearle te gaan, en nadat ik een bril had aangeschaft, kreeg ik te horen dat ik blijkbaar een nóg sterkere nodig had.

Het dieptepunt was een rasechte 'Karen' die me toeblafte: "Je weet dat je niet van me gaat winnen, dus laat het gewoon en maak me niet bozer!" Op dat moment voel je je toch een beetje de figurant in je eigen leven.

Maar gisteren veranderde alles.

Terwijl ik met een sierlijke snoekduik de bosjes in moest duiken om een aanstormende fietser te ontwijken die het concept 'zebrapad' blijkbaar zag als een suggestieve decoratie, bleef ik ijzig kalm. Ik krabbelde overeind, keek hem recht in zijn ogen en zei met de nodige portie medelijden:

"Ik kan wel zien dat jij niet uit Amsterdam komt."

Het was magisch. De man stopte. Hij kwam me eerst nog een paar meter achterna (de automatische piloot van de verkeersaso), maar toen begon het brein te kraken. Hij liep terug naar zijn fiets en bleef daar stokstijf staan.

Ik zag hem daar in mijn achteruitkijkspiegel (oké, gewoon over mijn schouder) staan, terwijl hij waarschijnlijk al zijn levenskeuzes tot dat moment aan het heroverwegen was. Het was de verbale variant van Fatal Error: System Reboot.

Ik liep weg als de hoofdrolspeler in een actiefilm die niet omkijkt naar de explosie achter zich. 1-0 voor de voetganger.

Do you know any famous graffiti crews in Amsterdam?
i'd love to take some graffiti pics around Amsterdam Area but i'd like to know more than just NDSM...

Hi!

Ken je die uitdaging van in Amsterdam wonen op plekken waar je je niet kan inschrijven? Ik huur vaak onder op plekken waar mensen tijdelijk even weg zijn. (Ik verhuis daarom ook heel vaak..) daarom kan ik mij niet inschrijven.

Afgelopen jaar was ik op reis en had mij uitgeschreven in Nederland. momenteel wil ik tijdelijk in Amsterdam wonen en werken. Ik moet mij dus weer inschrijven. Alleen ik ga weer onderhuren en weet ik niet bij welk adres ik mij in moet schrijven ??

Mijn broer heeft een koophuis en woont met zijn vrouw. Hoe risicovol is het voor hen en voor mij als ik mij tijdelijk bij hen inschrijf?