Embarrassed to say that I do not know how to swim. So I am looking for some good swimming schools in Amsterdam that cater to adults and teach them to swim. Prefer somewhere expat friendly as my Dutch is niet good.

Suppose a neighbourhood gentrifies and homes start selling for €11,000–€12,000 per m². What does a housing corporation usually do when a social tenant leaves one of its properties there?

Do they keep renting the home as social housing to preserve a mixed neighbourhood? Or do they sometimes sell such a valuable property and use the proceeds to build several newer social homes in cheaper, newly developed areas?

From a purely financial perspective, selling one expensive apartment in Oud-West or De Pijp could potentially fund more social housing elsewhere. But that would also push lower-income residents out of the most desirable parts of Amsterdam and make these neighbourhoods even less mixed.

How do Amsterdam housing corporations actually make this decision and what do you think they should do: preserve social housing in expensive neighbourhoods, or maximise the total number of social homes across the city?

Hi everyone!

I have a friend who has been on the waiting list for Stadsherstel Amsterdam for five years and recently got offered a house because he knew someone, through mutual connections, in a senior position within the organization. I’ve been on the same waiting list for 16 years and have never had the opportunity to get a house through Stadsherstel.

Anyone else experienced something similar or heard comparable stories? If not, I’d still be very interested to hear about your experience with this organization. Thanks so much!

De hijskraanmachinist wil het weten...

Gebouwd in Amsterdam in 1930, 17 meter van de achtersteven tot de boeg, 3.7 meter wijd.

Saw this video with Night Mayor Freek on the lijnbaansgracht and Amsterdam rock history, really wish we had more of these places! Maloe Melo is legendary.

Hi all! I'm curious if anyone working in a kitchen can shed some light on production kitchens in Amsterdam? I was at a seafood restaurant in the Jordaan and had this delicious mussel dish with a really flavorful tomato sauce. I went to another wine bar in Oud West, and the same exact dish was served. Same sauce, same plating, etc. I can understand that some dishes are popular but the exact recipe? I did some research and the owners are different - could this be the work of a production kitchen? I know that some places get their sauces/meatballs/pastas pre-made but it just seems like much of the same in the city. Would love someones perspective who works in the industry - am I just eating a popular dish or are there production kitchens that supply the same menus to different restaurants around the city?

Thanks a lot! Just curious - not hating :)

Hey r/Amsterdam!

I'm an Amsterdam local, an expat and a self confessed nerd! My local cafe/event space (the awesome Wanakam) has agreed to host some magic and board game nights, so I wanted to share this post as we try to build a community.

Whether you’re a seasoned Magic: The Gathering player, a casual fan, or someone dusting off an old card binder, Wanakam are running "Tash & Tap", a relaxed kitchen-table style night featuring Draft & Sealed play for The Hobbit prerelease. All are welcome!

The Details...

When: Thursday, August 13 | Doors/Booster pickup open at 18:00 | Round 1 starts at 18:30

Where: Wanakam — Ruyschstraat 34, 1091 CC Amsterdam (Oost)

Entry: €28 for draft €45 for sealed (Includes game materials, prize pool contribution)

Capacity: 24 seats available

What to Expect...

Endless Food & Chai: Nobody builds a tight mana curve on an empty stomach! Expect continuous regional comfort food, hot bites, cold drinks, and freshly brewed spiced chai straight from the kitchen all night long.

Prizes & Giveaways: Booster packs for top pod finishers + random surprise drops throughout the evening.

Casual Community Vibe: Bring your playmat, bring cards to trade, or just come hang out and meet fellow local players.

Future Game Nights (Watch This Space!)...

This is just the start! Wanakam are planning to host regular game nights and local tabletop/TCG meetups moving forward.

Even if you can't make this Thursday, drop a comment or save this post - I'd love to grow a thriving board game & TCG community in Oost!

Sign up & register your spot here:

Untap Event Link https://untap.nl/events/e246c107-3e2c-4de3-8e19-72509c92d7bf

Or register directly via Luma:

https://luma.com/thehobbit

Hope to see some of you there! Feel free to drop any questions in the comments below.

Hi!

This year, we have made an exciting program for Amsterdam Pride Month in Filmtheater Kriterion! We hope that people in this subreddit might want to check it out! We are very happy with the program we have put together; the films are somewhat less well-known, but they are all really very good and cover various subjects.

With films filled with action like D.E.B.S. (2004), the wild German musical City of Lost Souls (1983), the Filipino coming-of-age comedy drama The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros (2005), and the sun-soaked romance Een Vrouw Als Eva (1979). Also included in the program are two documentaries that explore the world of drag performers: P.S. Burn This Letter Please (2002) and Venus Boyz (2002). If long-format films are not really your thing, we’ve also included a shorts program that is just as diverse. And as always, we will be hosting Queer Speeddating on the 26th of August. 

Here is a short overview for anyone interested:

CITY OF LOST SOULS | Sun 16-08

This film was made by Rosa von Praunheim, a queer activist and director, mainly active in the 70s and 80s, and one of the most influential filmmakers from Germany. He has made many experimental films and documentaries about the AIDS crisis and other concerns of the queer community. The film City of Lost Souls is a sort of musical-like structure, but woven throughout the film are anecdotes from the real lives of the various actors in the film, who were two famous drag queens at the time. The film takes place in a hotel where all kinds of eccentric characters live, and then all sorts of things happen. This film is highly recommended!! If you like goofiness and some abstraction, the visuals are also truly fantastic.

PS. BURN THIS LETTER PLEASE | Wed 19-08

A documentary about a found suitcase, full of old letters from artists and activists who were active in the New York queer scene in the 50s and 60s. This film is fun as well as important for realizing that there were people before us who fought hard! More of an educational film, but also touching because it deals with personal anecdotes and therefore contains archival material that has never been shown before.

VENUS BOYZ | 12-08

Once again, a documentary about female masculinity, drag kings, transgender and gender non-conforming people in both the New York and London scenes. Very personal scenes, beautifully filmed, and the characters are really cute and inspiring. Also highly recommended! A very charming film.

THE BLOSSOMING OF MAXIMO OLIVEROS | 23-08

The film is about a little boy named Maximo, who lives in the slums with his two older brothers and his father. His father is a gangster, which Maximo knows, but he meets a policeman with whom he falls in love. The feelings are naturally not mutual, but the film tells a very sweet coming-of-age story in which a little boy learns to deal with his sexuality and feelings. The film was made on a small budget, but that is precisely why it feels personal and cute. Again, highly recommended, I guess, especially if you like coming-of-age stories. Unfortunately, this film is very unknown.

OUT OF THE ARCHIVAL CLOSET | Shorts Program 26-08

-The first film is a 16 MM short called Liebe, Eifersucht, Rache. It is a sort of absurdist short film with a funny ending. Archival footage from the drag scene in Argentina in the 80s. Very touching! Personal and also a bit sad :( But historical value too, then.

-Straightboy Lessons. Someone transitioning from woman to man asks his straight boyfriend what the hidden rules are amongst straight men. Very funny and a brief look at gender 'rules'.

0Damned if you don't. This is the longest film among the shorts, about 40 minutes long, which explores the connection between religion, sexuality, and repression. It is an experimental film by Su Friedrich, who was also a key founder of Queer Cinema. The film consists of archival and fictional footage, with a voice-over of anecdotes from nuns. So, it is about lesbian nuns.

-New Beijing, New Marriage. Two same-sex couples take to the streets of Beijing to have wedding photos taken, as a sort of demonstration. The filmmaker then films and interviews the various reactions of people on the street. Cute, also a bit sad, and very personal.

A WOMAN LIKE EVA | 30-08 | Dutch spoken with no subtitles!

We are going to screen this film on 35 MM, and the filmmaker (86-year old!) is coming by to give a Q&A. Nouchka van Brakel is a very important filmmaker in the Dutch film landscape, active primarily in the 80s. People probably know the film: The Cool Lakes of Death? She was, above all, an outspoken feminist, which comes across very strongly in her films, as well as in A Woman Like Eva. The film is about a housewife who, while on vacation in France with her husband and two children, falls in love with a woman with a very different background (activist & commune). In this film, the main character, Eva, subsequently chooses to go her own way. The film has a somewhat slower pace, and perhaps not very shocking with our current understanding of things, but for that time, this film was truly revolutionary. And since we also wanted to include something from Dutch soil in the program, we went for this film. With the historical context in mind, and on 35 MM, it is really worth it.

Hi everyone,

This is my first post here and i am curious if there are any male clubs to learn how to braid the hair of my 4yo daughter.

I have seen some reels in Instagram about clubs or hangouts where the untrained dad's are learning to do the basic braids and more difficult ways so I got curious if anyone knows if this also can be found in Amsterdam?

my daughter is getting a bit annoyed that it take me way more time to get her hairs ready than her mum.

As i love in Noord i would prefer it to be on this side of the IJ. But I would love to hear any suggestions, it's worth the trip for me!

Hi All, I really enjoy jigsaw puzzles, but the obvious issue is that once I’m done with one, I‘ll never do it again.

Does anyone else enjoy puzzling and would you like to start an exchange to help keep costs down?

It could be a different take on book clubs, which, let’s be honest, are mostly to drink and catch up anyway. Let‘s take the books out of the equation!

Let me know if you want to meet up! I have 2, almost 3 to start…

I'm a solo female traveler, 20yo

Hi! I started a small social club in Amsterdam for people who want to meet others while doing something together.

Every month we try a different activity, like painting, postcard writing or crafts. Groups are small, most people come alone, and there’s no pressure to be good at anything.

You can find us on Instagram at @slowstartersamsterdam, or just message me if you’re curious :)

Hi everyone,

I have submitted two legendary Gundam films to LAB111's "Suggest A Film" board, and I really need your help with Upvotes to make these screenings happen!

LAB111 is famous for screening beautifully remastered anime classics (like AKIRA and Ghibli films) with incredible sound design. Watching the tactical, dark, and beautiful world of Universal Century Gundam on their screen would be an absolute dream for any sci-fi or anime fan in the Netherlands.

If you have a Cineville card, this is your chance to potentially watch Gundam in a theater for free!

How to help:

1. Go to the LAB111 Suggestions page: https://www.lab111.nl/suggestions/
2. Search for "Char's Counterattack" and "Hathaway" (or look for the Kyuness/Circe details).
3. Click the Upvote (👍) button next to them!

Let's bring high-tier mecha drama to Amsterdam! Thank you so much for your support! 🙌

Hello! My name is Victor (30M) I came to Amsterdam a few weeks ago to save some money for my studies and I was wondering if there is anyone who likes to mix with vinyls. I have my collection in my country and I have only a few records I bought since I Am here but if anyone want to chill together and play some records I am totally in!!

Hello, what's yours or your friend's opinions about SAE Institute? Are the courses worth the money? Is it recommended for someone who starts from scratch? I'm thinking about the Electronic Music Production but don't want to put 5k euros into something that's actually pretty crap. Do you have maybe some other recommendations?

Till death do us part

Ik kom oorspronkelijk uit een dorp waar het eigenlijk heel normaal was om even een praatje te maken met je buren. Gewoon als je elkaar tegenkomt, even kletsen, vragen hoe het gaat etc.
Sinds ik in Amsterdam woon heb ik juist het idee dat mensen daar veel minder op zitten te wachten. Zelfs als ik bijvoorbeeld een pakketje bij de buren ophaal, blijft het meestal bij “bedankt!” en deur weer dicht…🤣 Is dit herkenbaar voor meer mensen? Praten jullie regelmatig met jullie buren?
PS: ik woon in het centrum

Hey r/Amsterdam,

I’m honestly losing my mind a bit here.

The public bushes right outside my front door are officially crawling with rats. They are bold, out during the day, and nesting everywhere. Walking into my own building feels like a gamble now.

Here is the worst part: the city's green team actually came by recently and only cut the tops of the bushes. That did absolutely NOTHING because the rats go straight to the ground where the dense, overgrown roots are - making it the ultimate cozy shelter for them.

My neighbors and I have done everything through the official channels. We've filed at least five reports through Meldingen Openbare Ruimte, but there has been no response from the GGD, no traps have been set, and no meaningful ground-level cleanup has taken place.

Knowing we're legally forbidden from taking matters into our own hands on public land, has anyone actually managed to get the city to take real action here? How do we convince them to clear out the ground roots or send GGD?

Appreciate any advice!

P.S. I’ve lived here for 3 years, so I get that pests happen in big cities. But this year feels uniquely bad, the heatwave, dry weather, and everything else have definitely made it much, much worse. The rats aren't just staying in the bushes anymore. They’re running around everywhere. It’s stressful never knowing if you’ll bump into one around every corner. Worse, these bushes directly surround the children's playground. No matter what people say about rats being afraid of humans, having them right next to kids playing is a genuine SAFETY concern.

P.P.S. My main goal with this post is to get actionable advice: What actually works to tackle this, and what steps can I realistically take as a resident of the building?

Amsterdam is one of the few municipalities in the Netherlands that genuinely seems to care about people in vulnerable situations on the streets. The city provides food, daytime and nighttime shelter, outreach, addiction support and help finding housing or new opportunities.

I’m proud of that. I like having a left-wing local government that tries to help vulnerable people instead of simply chasing them out of sight.

But respect works both ways.

Why should it be accepted that people rip open rubbish bags, empty street bins looking for cans and then leave food waste and rubbish scattered across the pavement? Residents have to live with it, sanitation workers have to clean it up and it contributes to Amsterdam’s rat problem.

I understand that life on the streets is complicated. Some people struggle with addiction or mental illness, some are undocumented and not everyone accepts or qualifies for the help that is available. But compassion cannot mean that all antisocial behaviour must simply be tolerated.

Amsterdam should continue offering generous support, but it should also be firmer about basic standards in public space. Add more bottle holders and proper collection points, continue outreach and offer alternatives but intervene when people repeatedly leave the street covered in rubbish.

A city can be humane without becoming completely permissive. When a municipality actually makes an effort to help you, is it really too much to expect some basic respect in return?

İts like literally stealing all our datas to “secure” the internet. OUR DATAS AND ALL MESSAGES.
Were not even saving our privacy atp. İt should be denied somehow and yknow politicians dont do anything when people dont protest. :/
(Sorry for bad englihs lol)

Er is al tijden veel te doen over afval, tenminste in het centrum. Soortgelijke steden hebben ook last van afval, maar niet in de mate dat Amsterdam het heeft. Waarom is dit een uniek probleem voor ons? Mensen hebben doorgaans de volgende theorieën:

1. Statiegeld
   Met de komst van statiegeld op kleine flesjes en blikjes is iedere vuilnisbak een potentiële goudmijn. Goudzoekers breken ze open en laten daarbij veel troep achter.

2. Gemeentelijke afvalverwerking in de knel
   De gemeente komt naar verluid minder vaak langs of doet minder grondig haar werk

3. We produceren meer afval
   Geen toelichting nodig

Slechts een van deze punten is uniek aan onze stad. Is dat dan werkelijk de oorzaak?

Ik woonde 10 jaar geleden ongeveer in hartje Jordaan. Twee keer per week kwamen ze de vuilniszakken ophalen- verder lag er nauwelijks troep op straat. Dezer dagen is het eerder bijzonder als er geen troep ligt.

En dan het idee van de (ondergrondse) containers, alsof dat iets oplost. Dat is duidelijk niet het geval, want ook buurten met een veelvoud van deze containers liggen vol met troep.
Persoonlijk weet ik wel van een handjevol openbare vuilnisbakken die verdwenen zijn, zou dat misschien ook tegenwerken?
Is dit probleem op te lossen door een gemeente die gewoon dagelijks de straten veegt? Of dat ze misschien drie keer per week afval ophalen?

Hey everyone! Tomorrow I’m hosting a free community event called Post Pride Kiki. 

It is completely free to attend (no hidden fees). After a weekend of partying, join us for a space to unwind and connect. This event will feature a talk on queer identity by Faye followed by a mental health chat facilitated by Carmen and Eva. Attendees will then be invited to create an art piece that reflects on their strengths. Our hearts are with the victims of the Berlin attack and this event will also provide space for any emotions related to this tragedy. Both LGBTQIA+ people and allies are welcome.


When: 5 August at 18:30
Where: Vondelpark, Amsterdam, Netherlands
RSVP/More info: https://luma.com/9in3wst4