It’s no secret that when working in the games industry, relocation is often just a part of the package. If you’re keen to work on the best games with the best team, then moving around the country, and the world is something you might just get used to! So, to best prepare you for your next potential move, we want to make sure you have all the information you need to know about your new city.
So, why should you consider Amsterdam as your next career move?
Amsterdam is the commercial and financial centre of the Netherlands, as well as being known for its collections of art and well-preserved history making it a desirable place to live and work. The Netherlands is the sixth largest mainstream video games market in Europe making Amsterdam an especially exciting place to work for the several gaming studios that reside in the colourful city.
https://www.cntraveler.com/story/amsterdam-cruise-ship-ban
At Skillsearch we’re lucky enough to have some incredible clients in Amsterdam, AAA studios and creators and iconic games. You can see some of our amazing testimonials from Amsterdam clients here!
Gaming Events in Amsterdam
There are many different types of gaming events in Amsterdam. The most popular are esports tournaments, gaming conventions and meetups. Hackathons are also held regularly in the city, and they give you an opportunity to work on your programming skills while having fun at the same time.
- TwitchCon runs in July each year and is the place to “join tons of creators and fans for a weekend of games, meet and greets, Twitch Rivals, and more”. Open to industry professionals, streamers and fans, it’s a great place to meet like-minded gamers.
- iGB Live which also runs in July, offers the opportunity to connect with 5000+ iGaming and Affiliate pioneers and converse with suppliers for your business needs, helping you develop advanced game development and UX”.
- H20 is an ‘esports campus’ in Amsterdam which hosts a number of gaming events, all year round. The campus has a network of 100+ organisations, hosting activities and programmes for the development of esports, gaming and tech talents. It’s a great place to attend with your new colleagues!
- Blockchain Expo Europe is coming to Amsterdam in September 2023. This free-to-attend event covers Blockchain and Cyber security in a range of key industries, including the gaming space.
If you’re looking to spend some more time day to day in more casual gaming spaces, there is plenty more to get up to outside of events in Amsterdam!
https://blog.scssoft.com/2022/07/twitchcon-amsterdam-2022.html
Video Games Cafes/Bars
TonTon Club offers three locations across Amsterdam and has been coined a ‘barcade’ as the bars contain classic arcade games and video games as well as foosball and air hockey tables!
The Butcher Social Club is another great spot, the lounge offers a burger bar with an old-school video game hall. Open 24 hours at the weekend!
https://www.schlouk-map.com/en/places/tonton-club-3
Getting Around
As with all major European cities, Amsterdam offers great public transport, which is one of the easiest ways to get around. Amsterdam boasts an impressive public transport network including metros, buses, trams, ferries and trains. Most public transport within the city is by tram so getting to know the tram map in your area is a great place to start.
https://www.travelguide.amsterdam/en/publictransport-gvb/tram-gvb/
The city is also famous for its beautiful canals, which offer a unique way to explore the city. You can take a boat tour or rent a bike and explore the canals on their own.
Of course, cycling is an integral part of Amsterdam's life, bicycles are more common in the city than cars are and are truly the most convenient and sustainable means of transport and commuting.
https://www.viator.com/tours/Amsterdam/Amsterdam-1-Hr-Canal-Cruise-from-Central-Station-with-Optional-Attraction-Tickets/d525-2550STLCRUISE
How to Enjoy the City
There is so much to do and enjoy all across this beautiful city. From wonderful food to famous museums, beautiful architecture and fun activities.
Amsterdam is known for its tourist sites, museums and art including the Anne Frank House, a must-visit for those interested in history. The Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum are popular attractions, housing world-renowned art collections. Other notable museums include the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam Museum, and the Hermitage Amsterdam.
The city also boasts some popular outdoor spaces such as The Vondelpark, perfect for picnics, jogging, or just enjoying the scenery. The Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam is another beautiful outdoor space, featuring a variety of plants and flowers from around the world.
https://www.dutchamsterdam.nl/278-vondelpark
Amsterdam is also a city with a vibrant nightlife and has something to offer for everyone. The city is home to several clubs, bars, and live music venues. The Paradiso and Melkweg are popular venues for live music, while the Red Light District is known for its bars and nightlife. The city also hosts several festivals throughout the year, including the Amsterdam Dance Event and the Amsterdam Light Festival.
This is a city that has something to offer for everyone. Whether you're interested in history, art, nightlife, or food, there's always something to do in this vibrant city. Whatever your interests, Amsterdam is a city that you won't forget!
https://www.romantictouramsterdam.com/lights-festival-amsterdam/
Housing and Living
All of this makes Amsterdam a very desirable place to live, sadly this also means that the city comes with a high cost of living compared to other European cities such as Berlin and Stockholm, and the most expensive city in the country. It does however work out less expensive than other capital cities such as London and Singapore!
|
Location |
City Centre Rent |
Beer |
Petrol |
Childcare |
|
Amsterdam |
£1.4k |
£4.70 |
£1.81 |
£1.4k |
|
London |
£1.9k |
£6 |
£1.76 |
£1.5k |
|
Los Angeles |
£2k |
£6.50 |
£1.22 |
£1.1k |
|
Singapore |
£2.3k |
£6 |
£1.87 |
£915 |
|
Vancouver |
£1.4k |
£4.20 |
£1.26 |
£852 |
|
Stockholm |
£1.1k |
£5.50 |
£1.75 |
£110 |
|
Shanghai |
£900 |
£0.93 |
£0.99 |
£1.1k |
|
Berlin |
£1k |
£3.44 |
£1.74 |
£155 |
|
Barcelona |
£885 |
£2.58 |
£1.65 |
£410 |
If you want to compare the cost of living in Amsterdam to your current city, Numbeo can do this for you!
Relocating to Amsterdam for Work
Known for its culture, art and history, as well as enjoying great economic success within creative industries, you could certainly choose worse places to relocate for a job in the games industry than Amsterdam! The city has many fantastic expat communities that can help you feel at home as well as plenty of games studios offering relocation support, making a big difference to newbies in the city. Here you can find advice for expats moving to Amsterdam.
https://www.expatica.com/nl/moving/about/expat-life-in-the-netherlands-84814/
It's important that if you’re relocating for a role in the games industry, you research the studio in detail, as well as the city, to get a feel for the culture and how well it matches your values and lifestyle. We recommend having a read of our blog: Researching your Relocation in Games to find out more about what to consider if you are considering moving for a new job!
And if we’ve convinced you that Amsterdam is the city for you... check out our latest games jobs in Amsterdam!
