So apparently the gemeente wants to make parking permits considerably more expensive again. In some neighbourhoods, prices will even double.

I understand wanting fewer cars in Amsterdam. More green spaces, wider pavements and less traffic are all good things. But there's something rather ironic about a supposedly left-wing city making car ownership increasingly unaffordable for ordinary people.

Not everyone owns a car because they're lazy or refuse to cycle. Some people have mobility issues, others need their cars for work, to visit family outside the city or to transport a large dog. Public transport and shared cars aren't always realistic alternatives.

And here's what bothers me most: do we seriously think someone who can comfortably afford a €70,000 car and an expensive apartment in Oud-Zuid will give up their parking permit over an extra €150 or €180 a year? They'll barely notice.

The people who will actually have to reconsider owning a car are those on lower and middle incomes . The wealthy will simply pay more and carry on parking outside their homes.

So instead of making the city less car-dependent, aren't we just making car ownership another privilege reserved for those who can afford it?

I'm all for reducing the number of cars in Amsterdam, but surely a genuinely progressive policy should consider people's circumstances and ability to pay, rather than simply pricing people out.

Or is the idea that only wealthy Amsterdammers should be able to keep a car?

Me and my girlfriend are viewing a house tomorrow very close to station Lelylaan. Some people told us this really isn’t a nice place to live. Others say it’s not too bad. does anyone here know or have any recent experience with this area? Thank you!!

So I've received a bill for waste and water. I get it for the one for the waste, it's obvious I have to pay for the trash that i put out. But what I don't understand is that I already pay a water bill in my monthly rent. Can anyone explain to me why to I pay twice for water and if i can contest it. Thank you

Expat (UK), living in Ams for over 15 years, divorced, with one lovely five-year-old boy. For years, I worked hard, provided for my family, washed my kid, cooked for them, achieved financial security, and secured my retirement at 40, while going to the gym, playing padel, climbing, hiking, skiing, etc. All of these things—including working hard—gave me a lot of energy for years. My dream was to stay active, focus more on hobbies and activities, have more kids, work hard, play sports hard, and, at the end of the day, go home and pray for what I’d achieved. (Atheist here.)

Especially since my wife left me and tried to take my kid and half of everything I’d achieved, I’m struggling boys. For the first time in my life, I don’t want to get out of bed. I can’t make any plans, I have no hope, and I can’t see myself laughing with someone else again. I also see that after one coffee at most, or one call, my friends don’t check in on me much. I feel like that’s it.

Just sharing: after all the struggles and material difficulties in my life, this is the first time I’m lying on the floor and can’t stand up. If you saw me from the outside—my CV, life, work, day-to-day self—you might be jealous (I’m not saying that to show off, but to give you an idea of how it looks from the outside). But I’m not sure how long I can keep playing this.

It’s difficult, friends. Take care of each other.

Is it difficult to find people to play rally/to practice when joining a club? I guess it's a difficult question to answer since it varies a lot, but I want to double-check if my own experience sounds generalizable.

I've recently joined a club. People there are very kind, but seems obsessed to play matches. I occasionally like to play matches too, but I prefer the high intensity of a good rally or exercices to practice (diagonales for instance).

Is your experience similar?

I've noticed NL Times is a popular site among expats. I find it a horrible looking, shallow publication.

Please know that Het Parool, one of our finest newspapers, translates a lot of their content into English now. Real journalism, Amsterdam focused + domestic, with award winning looks. https://www.parool.nl/international/

(I am not affiliated with them in any way)

I'm currently going to Gym & Wellness Zuiver and honestly love it. The facilities are great, but what I appreciate most is the crowd. It's generally a slightly older, more affluent and relaxed crowd. People seem to just enjoy their workouts without constantly taking selfies, filming themselves or treating the gym like a dating profile photoshoot.

I've experienced quite a different atmosphere at places like TrainMore (Red label vondel) where there seems to be much more of that "look at me and my muscles/booty" culture. Nothing wrong with being proud of your progress, of course, but I personally prefer a more laid-back, understated atmosphere. I just really feel the personal ratrace there, which just isn't for me.

Zuiver is about a 15-minute bike ride from my place, which is perfectly doable, but having something closer would be nice.

David Lloyd is nearby and has wellness facilities too, so I'm considering it. However, I'm wondering what the crowd is like. Whenever I pass by, it looks pretty busy, and I'm slightly worried it might attract exactly the kind of gym culture I'm trying to avoid.

I'm not particularly price-sensitive and would happily pay more for a pleasant environment, good facilities and a mature, relaxed crowd.

Anyone have experience with David Lloyd, particularly regarding the clientele and how busy it gets? Or know of other gyms with a similar atmosphere to Zuiver?