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Moving Solo to a New City at 23
Five things I learned by relocating myself to Amsterdam.
What Amsterdam is like
Living in Amsterdam is quite dreamy. Of course the city has some harsh realities (try finding housing without connections… borderline impossible), but, it truly is a fantastic place to live as someone in their 20s. There’s always something to do for those who are social butterflies, and there’s plenty of quiet and green space for those who prefer to spend time alone. The city is filled with cute cafés, great (vegan) restaurants, and, probably my favourite part, the international community is incredibly welcoming.
Of course Amsterdam, like any other capital city, can be swarmed by tourists who either come for the city’s history or it’s leniency towards different kinds of pleasures and substances. Yet no matter what you come to Amsterdam for, as a tourist, to work, to study, or just because, you’re guaranteed to have a good time — the city has something for everyone.
Why I moved
In February (2022) I decided to alter the course of my life and move to Amsterdam. While my roots are Dutch, which has somewhat facilitated the process of integrating, I haven’t actually lived here since I was 10. As a remote-working 23 year old who had been living with her family the last two years during the pandemic, I was eager for a change. Having an acquaintance (now good friend) in the city who hooked me up with a place to live, I decided to embark on this new adventure. I had no idea what it would be like to live in the Netherlands again, mentally preparing myself to only stay a year and then move or travel somewhere new.
Within a week of living here I was already convinced to stay longer than a year. Something about the city’s energy and this little cocoon in my room of which I was making a home made me feel grounded in myself. I think the courage of going on this adventure alone only added to this feeling.
The reason I moved to Amsterdam, besides having the fortune of working remotely as long as I have my laptop, phone and a decent internet connection, was to taste life. I’ve been brought up internationally ever since I left the Netherlands and this instilled a desire for adventure in me. I wanted…
