Hi guys and girls

I am going to be moving to Amsterdam asap, and I know that there are parts of the city that tourists dont want to end up when your trashed drunk and stoned. I dont plan on doing much of a tourist thing as i try not to be Merkin, but I do plan on exploring for the first week or so, obviously I have never been to A'dam and I know some might think its hasty to move without being there first, but I'm excited and ready for the change. I've planned this move for around a year and I've been waiting on my house to sell and it finally did, we closed the deal Friday.
I will be entering the country as a tourist then after 3months I go apply for a resadince permit, the great thing about doing it this way is that I'm allowed to live in the NL until they process my residence permit, wich you pay around 300E and are not guaranteed a permit, with no refund I have heard stories of pickpockets, purse snatchers, basically every kind of a thug a big city has, and I know this doesn't go on everywhere I just want to know where the rougher parts of A'dam are and certain coffeshops where they dont like Americans so I can avoid them. Feel free to share any bad experience that you've had in A'dam, I want to get myself ready. I dont want to be in some dumb mindset and think A'dam is just peachy, or that its all bad, and please add good experiences as well

[Blazed_Out]

Remember, Amsterdam is just the name of a city in The Netherlands (North Holland) and if you want to avoid tourists areas then don't stay in Amsterdam. Try places like Haarlem, Utrecht and Rotterdam. They're all quite close to Amsterdam and have some coffeeshops there too.

I wouldn't know where the ghetto areas are in A'dam but just say if you go out further than 5 miles from the Centraal area, there are mostly locals and is not really a tourist area.

I guess coffeeshops don't really despise Americans, it's probably that they stereotype the Americans from movies such as... American Pie, then they'll think that most Americans are like that. The Dolphins coffeeshop workers labelled me and a friend the last time we went as 'Americans' just because we were wearing certain clothing (Hip-Hop wear) and started staring at us. I felt quite out of place there. As long as you are calm and at a coffeeshop to appreciate smoking the weed and hash then you have no problems.
I think it's when large groups of people that talk loud and exaggerate when they're high that will make coffeeshops not like you.

I guess it's not as bad as you hear it is. It's just that hard drug sales are more obvious which makes people think there's more crime. But yeah, make sure you keep your valuables in a safe place, you can't be sure, there's criminals wherever you go (in the world that is).

Maastrict is the greatest. A'dam is ok Too crowded for me. And most people in the Netherlands will not judge you being american or not. its just like here...act like an asshole get treated like an asshole. right? but the thing is just have fun and be yourself. Most places are safe just use common sense and be polite and you will be allright

[somoz]

i agree...........people are people no matter where your coming from......if you can relate and be good people then you will be treated as such......if your a dick........you gonna be treated like a dick.....keep your wits about ya and utilize the common sense and no worries......

i lof maastrict.............everytim e i make it to NL i try and get down there......great squares......cheap booz.......friendly folks........and oh......the best fries and mayo you've ever had..........haha........haarl em is pretty awesome too..........just be savy and you have no problems bro

somoz

Never had a hard time in A'dam when we've been there.

No part of A'dam, or any other areas of the Netherlands, for that matter, have ever made me anywhere near as nervous as walking through Dertoit, Cleveland, Oakland, Reno, Buffalo, etc.

The closest thing to 'high risk' was a small group of young 'street urchins' right near the canal area near Dam Central Square, and Rick's Coffee Shop, that were clearly gettin' by via hustling, and offered to sell some things that we didn't need. They kept staring, wide-eyed, at a strong, zippered, belt wallet that I have that's made of a canvas-like material, and likely could've suspended several of them from it simultaneously, had they grabbed it, which I strongly suspected was on their minds. (They stared at it like a coke head watching somebody cut a line.) ;^>)

Never been into the real posh and showy cafe's there. Down home, laid back, comfy and an extensive hash menu were typically features that I sought. I kinda' like Rick's in A'dam, and Rocky's in Arnhem. Neither one would've won awards for decor, but they offered good menus and helpful people.

Arnhem is a nice town about 70 miles east by southeast of A'dam, and with lots of history there if you're interested. Less hustle and bustle. We have stayed there at a friend's, and though it lacks some of the excitement of A'dam, it is preferable to me. And fewer hustlers, too. ;^>)

Mind your business, be polite, read the social signals, ask directions when you need to, don't be naive or presumptuous, and you'll do just fine.

Regards,

moose eater

It is important that I stay in A'dam or Haarlem, I just dont want to turn a corner and walk straight into junky heaven,seeing as I will be alone ya know. I'm allways well behaved, I'm the quiet type, not a pussy but I dont like confrontation, I also purposely try not to act like a typical american, I know we are hated world wide. I am slightly less than half dutch and want to get to know more about my Dutch culture, from local people museums aren't really my thing but eventually I'll make a pitstop. Thanks for all the info guys

Moose Eater- hows the Alaskan stance on marijuana after the vote, I heard it didn't pass is this correct?

[GoodbyeBlueSky]

hah hah... don't worry about all that bs man. i assure you the junkies don't wanna mess with you any more than you want to mess with them. the worst that will happen is you will be offered drugs. if you say no than they'll generally leave you alone. they don't wanna attract attention to themselves.

basically if you aren't belligerent and offensive to people, you will be fine. people don't get robbed in the streets... too many police cameras littering the area. that being said, if you really want to avoid the seedier areas of amsterdam than i would steer clear of the north end of the red light district, that's where the druggies hang out.

honestly though, it's not as big a deal as you would think. just avoid eye contact with dope heads and you'll be left alone.

[Alex-F]

Originally Posted by GoodbyeBlueSky

if you really want to avoid the seedier areas of amsterdam than i would steer clear of the north end of the red light district, that's where the druggies hang out.

honestly though, it's not as big a deal as you would think. just avoid eye contact with dope heads and you'll be left alone.

That's all you need to look out for

Do any of you live in Amsterdam? If so I'll be down to meet up and have a smoke, since I will know basically no-one.

Hi Dank1,

I agree with GoodByeBlueSky; causes to be frightened of addicts are truly mostly over-rated by hype. And that hype is from mostly the same persons who have brought the war on ganja. Just another of their many targets.

Re. your question re. Alaska and 'the vote,' there's lots of answers, different votes (legislative and ballot initiative, so it would need more clarification), etc. And there's a long, long, detailed history involving many different statutes and constitutional precedents.

See the 'Cannabis Laws and Politics' forum, under the thread 'Alaska Marijuana Court Victory' (an e-mail announcement from ACLU Drug Law Project attorney Allen Hopper), and the following posts, somewhere before it trails into Treadwell's 'bear-topia,' for a variety of answers and history. It's not all-inclusive, as there's some specific and meaningful precedents -not-mentioned in there, such as the Crocker Decision from a couple of years back. But it traces the general time lines, and probable coming show-down.

I don't know if they do still, considering fuel costs, etc., but KLM used to serve what I personally considered to be a higher grade of in-flight grub and beverages, and a somewhat more casual and helpful atmosphere. Only flight service I've had in the last decade that served coach class with decent fresh fruit on glass plates, and came around often enough to let you know that they were still actually on the aircraft.... which was good to know every now and then. ;^>)


Regards, and best of luck.

moose eater