A Few Things Amsterdam

So let's get a few things out there about living in Amsterdam.

Weed is illegal but is tolerated when smoked in coffee shops. The coffee shops are allowed to keep a certain amount there and growing it can get you in trouble. 

Prostitution is legal and the Red Light District is a popular tourist destination with tours and a visitors center.

Apartment hunting was an experience I will never forget. The places are smaller than in the US and rents are about the same. The buildings are older and some are even on a slant because are the houses are built on a typical foundation of wooden poles. The steps are very steep in some places and were a real trek when looking at third floor places. We looked at a place in the Red Light District which was located across from a coffee shop that was on a slant a trifecta of negatives. 

The canals are beautiful with some having houseboats which people live on. There are 165 canals in the city of Amsterdam. They are very nice to go to and hang out on a nice day with some having flower shops and restaurants on the bridge. 

There are more bikes than people in the city which is an amazing site to see. I have not purchased a bike but I will and I am sure there will be a blog about that. 

I am an Expatriate which means a person who is temporally or permanently residing in a country outside of their native country. Expats are a plenty here so it is uncommon to meet people from anywhere in the world. Amsterdam is known as a place that is friendly for people to move to and so far I would agree. 

Well the food scene here is exploding there are all types of cuisines since there are so many different expats here. The next blog will be about the different foods and some of my favorites so far. 

Tot Zeins!!  (See you in Dutch)