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Are you considering moving to the Netherlands, but you’re not sure which city to choose? Or you are already living in the Netherlands and want to relocate, and aren’t sure where to? Then this post will help you compare living in Amsterdam vs living in Utrecht.
What is it like to live in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam is the largest city in the Netherlands and offers a wide range of activities and events. There is always something to do in Amsterdam, and you can find whatever you’re looking for, whether it’s a museum, green areas, a cosy pub or a lively nightclub.
However, Amsterdam is also known for its high volume of tourists, which can make some parts of the city feel overcrowded. The city is also quite large (at least in terms of Dutch standards), so it can take a while to get from one place to another.
Amsterdam is also home to many international companies, so it’s a great place to find a job if you’re looking to work in the Netherlands. Even if you don’t speak Dutch, it won’t be so difficult to find work, as the company language is often English. However, do make sure to learn some Dutch at least if moving to the Netherlands. Since many people know about the fact that pretty much everyone speaks English, they don’t bother to learn Dutch in the end. This you will experience is most prominent in Amsterdam.
Check out the best restaurants in Amsterdam!
What is it like to live in Utrecht?
Utrecht is a smaller city compared to Amsterdam, but it still has a lot to offer. One of the best things about living in Utrecht is that everything is in biking distance. People tend to live close to each other, which makes it easy to spontaneously meet up with your friends in the city!
While there may not be as many activities within the city itself as there would be in Amsterdam, Utrecht is located close to other major Dutch cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague. So you can easily take a train to these cities for a day trip or even a night out. Trains between Amsterdam and Utrecht run all night. Utrecht is located pretty central in the Netherlands, so it is easy to travel to other destinations and there are many amazing day trips from Utrecht.
Another benefit of living in Utrecht is that it’s slightly more affordable than Amsterdam. But only slightly! Housing is still incredibly difficult to find, but it might not be quite as competitive as Amsterdam.
Check out the best restaurants in Utrecht!
Conclusion: Is it better to live in Amsterdam or Utrecht?
Both Amsterdam and Utrecht have their own unique advantages, but in some ways they are also quite similar!
Both cities are quite international, there is a lot to do in an around the area, and housing is insanely expensive in both. In both cities you can find a lot of work opportunities, even if you don’t speak Dutch.however, since they are only half an hour apart by train, lots of people commute between the two cities in either direction.
Amsterdam is bigger of course, and especially with the amount of tourists in the city, it can feel pretty anonymous. So depends a bit on what you prefer. I have lived and worked in both places, and I can honestly say that I prefer living in Utrecht over living in Amsterdam.
While I really love both cities, what I like more about Utrecht is that everything is closer and most people actually live in Utrecht. In Amsterdam, lots of people I hang out with were commuting from different cities or lived on the other side of Amsterdam. Which meant I’ve never hung out with anyone spontaneously. Therefore, my social life has been so much better in Utrecht than it was in Amsterdam. When I lived in Amsterdam, I also basically never got out of Amsterdam. Versus while living in Utrecht, I have visited a lot more surrounding cities. But in the end, only you can decide for yourself which city is better suited to what you are looking for!
Are you new in the Netherlands? Moving from another EU country? Then check out everything you need to know about moving to the Netherlands as an EU citizen!
In this concludes my short summary of living in Utrecht versus living in Amsterdam! Let me know if you have any questions, and hope you are having a lovely day!
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