“At least you can take a walk here.”

“A lot of people panicked when the lockdown started,” says Irene Bunt of Settle Services, which helps employees relocate internationally. “We found that many of them wanted to go back to their families in their home countries.” has doubled.

Other movers and renters agree that foreigners are leaving Amsterdam, but there is little concrete evidence that the city is empty. Dimitry Jansen, director of the agency association Vereniging Verhuurmakelaars Amsterdam, said. “But it’s hard to prove.” His agent, JLG Real Estate, has helped “a few people, not dozens,” in packing and heading out, he says.

New hires may also be drying up as no entry is allowed from non-Schengen countries, but a spokesman for the city council said there was “no indication that large numbers of foreigners are leaving.” says.

So many internationals have survived the crisis here. how are they doing?

“Time to come up with ideas”

James Munt, an Englishman who has lived in Amsterdam for 15 years and started a travel agency three years ago, is doing well. “Due to the large number of inquiries we received during this period, we are very sorry that we are unable to operate due to the lockdown. .”

In Munt’s experience, not many have left the city. “I have a lot of friends who are on fixed-term contracts, and they get along just fine. They couldn’t afford the high rent and had to return to their parents.Many locals also have to live with their parents, but at least their parents are in Holland.”

going back is not an option

Franck Vinchon, a Frenchman, stays even when his income dries up. He, his Russian wife and his two young children have been living in the South District of Amsterdam for the past six months. Marketing As his consultant, he works for a variety of clients, which are completely exhausted.

Vinchon says returning to France is not an option and would cost more. “I am happy to be here in Amsterdam, but I also feel guilty. Yes, most of my French friends in Amsterdam would agree.”

Before that, Vinchon lived in Russia for 13 years. “It must be different. The French government has evacuated its citizens from Moscow. I don’t think there is any way this could happen here.”

forced to leave Amsterdam

Margee Fagelson, an American, wanted to stay in Amsterdam, but she couldn’t meet her visa requirements and had to return to New York. She said, “I came here in July 2018 thinking she would stay here as an immigrant rather than an expat. She fell in love with the city and decided to live here. .

“It wasn’t easy. Or I need to work freelance.When the corona crisis hit, almost two years later, I was trying to get things together.Now my work has dried up and I have no more income.”

Earlier in March, Fagelson was visiting family in the United States, but made the prudent decision to return to Amsterdam just before lockdown began.

I thought people would be less hysterical here than in New York, and that’s certainly true. I’m devastated, but I try not to see my time in Amsterdam as a failure. If I wanted to be in New York, I would be there now. ”