Bengaluru Techie Shares Life in Amsterdam
A Bengaluru tech professional, Pratim Bhosale, recently shared her experiences of living in Amsterdam for six months, highlighting the stark contrasts between her new home and her hometown. In a detailed thread on X, she addressed various aspects of life as a migrant, including housing, grocery shopping, dining, public transport, and healthcare.
Housing Challenges in Amsterdam
Bhosale began her thread by discussing the significant challenge of finding suitable housing in Amsterdam. She revealed that renting a one-bedroom apartment in a decent area costs around 2,000 euros per month. She noted that lower-priced options often come unfurnished and are located in less desirable neighborhoods. “Finding a rental apartment is extremely hard—almost like a ‘Hunger Games’ level challenge,” she remarked. Interestingly, she found it easier to purchase property than to rent. Bhosale utilized the platform @uprent_nl, which she described as “super helpful.” She also appreciated the tenant laws in the Netherlands, which she found to be more favorable compared to those in India.
Grocery Shopping and Dining Experiences
In her post, Bhosale expressed her delight in Amsterdam’s grocery shopping scene, particularly praising the Jumbo and Albert Heijn supermarkets for their fresh produce. She stated, “I don’t miss Zepto or Swiggy at all,” emphasizing her enjoyment of high-quality whole foods. Her monthly grocery bill for two is around 500 euros, which she noted is significantly higher than in Bengaluru, but she believes the quality justifies the cost.
When it comes to dining out, Bhosale highlighted the high prices in Amsterdam. A decent meal for two typically costs around 50 euros, while sandwiches and takeaways range from 7 to 15 euros. She noted the variety of international cuisine available, although she found Indian restaurants to be lacking in quality. Despite the high costs, she mentioned that desserts in Europe are generally superior.
Public Transport and Healthcare Insights
Bhosale praised Amsterdam’s public transport system, calling it a “blessing” compared to her experiences in India. She highlighted the city’s clean and punctual buses, trams, and metros, along with dedicated bike lanes and scenic ferry rides. However, she also shared her frustrations with the Dutch healthcare system, describing it as “broken.” After six months in the country, she struggled to find a General Practitioner (GP) and is considering returning to India for medical treatments due to the inefficiencies she encountered. She expressed concerns about the lack of preventative care and the slow pace of the healthcare system.
Work Culture and Quality of Life
While Bhosale noted that job opportunities in Amsterdam might be fewer than in Bengaluru, she found that the work culture prioritizes passion over profit. She observed that tech salaries rarely exceed 100,000 euros, but employees value the “art” of their work. Employment laws in the Netherlands favor employees, although they are less business-friendly. What attracted her to Amsterdam were the clean parks and fresh air, which promote a healthy lifestyle. Despite the challenges she faced, Bhosale reported an overall improvement in her happiness, suggesting that the lifestyle and environment in Amsterdam have positively influenced her well-being. Her candid reflections resonated with many users on social media, sparking a wave of relatable responses. One user praised her balanced perspective, while another expressed gratitude for her detailed breakdown of the pros and cons of living in Amsterdam.
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