Looking for Canadian Expats in Amsterdam?

Why Canadian expats move abroad (& how they like it)

Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats — asking them about various aspects of their life, from work to leisure. Learn what motivated our Canadian members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.

What Canadian expats have to say about Amsterdam

We asked tens of thousands of expats about their lives abroad in our Expat Insider surveys. In addition to our standard questions, we invite them to share what they like or dislike about their experiences in their own words. Here, we’ve selected some of the most interesting or representative quotes about expat life in Amsterdam from Canadians, grouped into positive and negative opinions.

Let’s start with the positive ones.

Opinion

Amsterdam is a very accessible city, it seems big due to its international nature yet is small enough to easily navigate, even on a bike. It is a beautiful place.

Opinion

Opinion

What I love about living in Amsterdam is the real sense of freedom it gives me.

Opinion

Opinion

Amsterdam feels very safe, and I love that I can walk around at any hour, day or night, without worry. This sense of security really adds to my overall comfort

Opinion

Opinion

I love the incredible variety of restaurants and cuisines available in Amsterdam; there’s always something new to try, whether it’s local Dutch dishes or international flavors, making dining out an exciting and enjoyable experience.

Opinion

On the downside, here's are some negative experiences from Canadian expats in Amsterdam

Opinion

Personally, what I do not like is the ongoing tradition of Zwarte Piet, which I find problematic.

Opinion

Opinion

I find the social culture here to be less welcoming than I had hoped, which has made it harder to feel truly connected.

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Opinion

Everything is tightly controlled by the government, taxes and living costs are very high, and owning or driving a car isn’t appealing due to the expenses and penalties involved.

Opinion

Opinion

Sometimes, members of the older generation have made statements that reflect a lack of welcome toward foreigners.

Opinion

Canadian Expats in Amsterdam Help You With Their Advice

With InterNations, Canadian expats in Amsterdam are able to find both the help they need as well as lots of valuable information. The "Venice Of The North" offers so much for expats to explore - our community helps you enjoy your stay to the fullest.

• Look through our Members Network to connect with Amsterdam’s Canadian expats.
• Become active in our Expat Forums in order to find insider tips and suggestions from fellow Canadian expats in Amsterdam.
• Make full use of the Expat Guide for Amsterdam to obtain important information on your temporary home abroad.

Mix and Mingle with Canadians in Amsterdam at Our Events

Our Amsterdam community is also lively and welcoming offline. The InterNations Ambassadors host regular get-togethers and a range of expat activities, e.g. a chic dining experience in Amsterdam’s trendiest restaurant or a get-away with fellow Canadian expats to discover the linguistically unique province of Friesland. These activities make it easy for you to get to know other expats from Canada in your local community and meet Canadians in the Netherlands in a comfortable setting. If this sounds interesting to you, simply sign up for membership – we are looking forward to welcoming you among our Canadians living in Amsterdam!