A year in the ‘Dam
Keisha Robertson describes the joys of working in the Netherlands’ most famous city.
What is your full name and where are you from? Kesha Robertson, from Balmoral, Auckland. What inspired your move, and how long have you been there? Straight out of university I lived in London during the recession. I came home, time passed, but I could never shake the desire to live abroad again. The Netherlands offered working holiday visas and word on the street was that Amsterdam was a cool hub for creative types. I brought a one-way flight keeping it on the downlow I was considering staying. I’ve now been here just over a year. What do you do there?
I fell into writing and social media, something I’d never done professionally. I got a lot of creative freedom to delve into whatever took my fancy within the realm of wellbeing. I also freelanced on some advertising productions. Being the only non-Dutchie in the office I quickly learnt key words like lunchtime. What are the greatest advantages to living there? I’ve been to 74 countries, and many, many more cities. Amsterdam has something magical about it. It masters a quaint charm most urban cities lack. Smaller than Auckland, it has a big village feel. Littered with canals and bikes, the waterways and delightful means of transport give Amsterdam its easy way of life. Disadvantages?
The work-life balance is incredible. That is if you can get the work side into the equation. I have one friend who applied for 250 jobs here before getting lucky. It’s more challenging than say London, but definitely possible. How expensive is it compared to New Zealand? How much is a beer? Things cost roughly the same. For example monthly rent is about 800, which equates to $1300, slightly more than Auckland. Heineken is the cheapest beer here, at a bar it’s only 2.70 about $4. What do you do in your spare time? Cycle about. Loiter in cool cafes. Chill on terraces by canals. Life has a good pace and there’s a real emphasis on good times with good people. Rooftops, parks and waterways are flooded with friends chatting. What’s the local delicacy and would you recommend eating it? Most local delicacies are deep-fried. They include: stroopwafels (baked sugar on sugar), kaasstengels (deep fried cheese sticks), bitterballen (deep fried balls with mystery meat contents). I recommend opening a packet of stroopwafels, if you want to eat them all in one sitting. Easiest way to get around?
Everyone owns at least one bike; most will have two to three. A typical commute is about 10 minutes. If embarking on an journey of 20 minutes or more a lot of selfmotivation is required. What’s the shopping like?
Concept stores dominate and boast the coolest threads and homeware. Dutch fashion is minimal, with a real Scandinavian feel. Think clean lines, quality fabrics and muted tones. Everything and everyone is so stylish you’ll find you want to give your entire life a makeover. Best after-dark activity?
Dutch men and women love to dance! Countless times a quiet night ended with dancing until the very early hours of the morning. Best time of year to visit?
I loved Amsterdam in winter. Cycling about in the snow was simply wonderful. Amsterdam really comes to life though on a warm summer’s day. Some canals you can swim in or squeeze into a waterside bar like the locals. What are the top three things you recommend for visitors? Hire a bike! Get lost cycling amid historic buildings. Talk to locals and hire a private boat. The BYO food, drinks and music strongly appeals to the Kiwi mentality. People watch and admire the great Dutch genes and style. Check out one of the many festivals. You might even stumble upon a silent disco. Besides family and friends, what do you miss most about home? Walking the wild west coast beaches. New Zealand has some of my favourite beaches in the world. How easy is it for you to get back to NZ? It’s only about 24 hours away … I’ll be back soon actually. For Kiwis looking to move there, which industries are seeking fresh talent? There are a lot of big brands based here so anyone who’s worked for international clients should do well. If you know an expat who wants to share inside knowledge of their home away from home, email travel@stuff.co.nz
with Expat in the subject line.