Buying a home in Amsterdam—how stupid can you be?

Thinking of buying a home in Amsterdam? There are countless reasons not to. Both Amsterdammers and non-Amsterdammers can rattle them off without fail: prices that are too high for too few square meters; ridiculously high parking fees; the crowds; the concrete jungle; dirty streets; homeless people; fat bikes with their reckless riders who nearly knock you off your feet; tourists who start crossing the street before even looking around; streets that remain dug up for years and have to be “monitored” 24/7 by traffic directors; having to be constantly on guard against pickpockets; overcrowded trams; people who seem rude and are focused only on their own world; and then there’s the constant fact of being addressed in English in stores and at outdoor cafes. And so on. At first glance, not a very appealing place to live. Amsterdammers take it in stride or view it with a smile. There’s no point in getting annoyed anyway. And Amsterdammers wouldn’t be Amsterdammers if they didn’t exaggerate their own annoyances just a little bit.

Still, I’ve decided to move back to Amsterdam after being away for forty years. I studied and lived there in the ’80s. After that, I moved to the quiet, green Gooi region, where the annoyances mentioned above (almost) never occur. So why return to Amsterdam after all? Because outside the tourist center, you can simply live in a neighborhood where you get to know people. Because young families live there, but so do older people—a real mix. Because there are all kinds of people around. Because there’s an incredible amount to do and experience if you want to: a lively atmosphere. And because all the amenities are close by. There’s plenty of everything: jobs, stores, hospitals, museums, art house theaters, theaters, cafés, restaurants—you name it. It’s teeming with daycare centers—and yes, cargo bikes, too. There’s a place for young and old alike. But what about those annoyances? For now, I take them in stride with a smile. Spending a day visiting Amsterdam and then heading home shocked and with your tail between your legs is really quite different from actually living there.

But anyway—this is a personal perspective, likely viewed through rose-colored glasses. Is it financially wise to buy a home in Amsterdam? Price increases over the past ten years have been phenomenal. Whether they’ll continue or level off—who can say? Value trends depend on many factors, such as wages, inflation, interest rates, and population growth. That can feel uncertain. At the same time, Amsterdam—just like other major cities—has a lot going for it to remain attractive: amenities within walking distance and a strong public transit network. That’s crucial. Look at Tokyo—a megacity grappling with an aging population—where people and shops cluster around public transit.

If you want to make a sound purchase, an expert real estate agent is indispensable. An agent who has up-to-date market knowledge but also understands leasehold, permits, and a property’s potential—or lack thereof. Someone who listens to your wishes but also dares to offer contrary advice and warns against unrealistic expectations. Someone who sometimes says, “I’d definitely take a look at this; it could really be a good fit for you.” An agent who pays attention to the finer details and is surrounded by a network of experts. In our case, that was Frank Hurkens of Ameo. And there are many more MVA-certified agents who fit this profile. And if you want to buy an investment property, you’ll need a thorough understanding of rental regulations to make the investment financially viable.