Lifestyle News in English
Latest lifestyle headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Unsafe trampolines removed from playground after residents refuse to take out insurance
Two trampolines were removed from an Amsterdam playground after residents refused to form a foundation and obtain liability insurance. The equipment was deemed unsafe without these measures, resulting...
PvdA and Denk demand explanation from GVB over metro service disruption
PvdA and Denk have requested that the Amsterdam mobility alderman demand explanations from GVB regarding a major metro outage that occurred on October 2. The council members are questioning whether th...
Court of Audit critical of budget: "Insufficient information provided"
The Amsterdam-Zaanstad Court of Audit has criticized the city's new budget for lacking transparency and failing to provide concrete plans for 344 million euros in planned savings. The body also expres...
Municipality scraps neighborhood budget, to the dismay of initiators: "It really helped against nuisance"
The municipality of Amsterdam is ending its neighborhood budget program, which allowed residents to propose and vote on local community projects. Mayor Halsema cited high administrative costs and limi...
UMC: increasingly unhealthy food supply in cities, Amsterdam also scores poorly: 'Hurry up with Food Law'
A study by the UMC across ten Dutch cities shows that urban food environments have become increasingly unhealthy over the last decade. Local officials are now calling for a new national Food Act to gr...
Haarlem gears up for the holidays already: lights are already up
Haarlem has started installing its annual holiday street lighting, a tradition that originated shortly after the Second World War. Specialized installers are currently mounting festive displays across...
Helmet mandates, high fines, and reflective clothing: how cities are curbing e-scooters
Amsterdam is preparing for an increase in e-scooter usage by examining stricter safety regulations implemented in other European cities. Authorities are considering measures like mandatory helmets and...
District removes ‘unsafe’ trampolines from Rivierenbuurt playground: ‘This makes absolutely no sense’
Authorities in Amsterdam's Rivierenbuurt have removed two trampolines from a local playground citing safety concerns. The equipment was taken away after residents were unable to meet strict requiremen...
Opinion: We were promised a woman-friendly city – what about the steps to my houseboat?
A city resident is questioning the implementation of woman-friendly urban design in Amsterdam after the municipality began installing grate-style stairs that are impractical for high heels. While Alde...
6 English-language book clubs in Amsterdam
Amsterdam hosts several vibrant English-language book clubs that bring together international readers to discuss a variety of genres. These groups, such as Read and Sips and AMS Chapters, offer divers...
Cato (22) gets by on 1616 euros a month: ‘Living in Amsterdam doesn’t have to be expensive’
Cato Schipper, a 22-year-old student in Amsterdam, successfully manages her monthly expenses on a budget of 1616 euros. By prioritizing her spending and embracing smaller living spaces, she remains op...
Fire at flower stall on the Amstelveenseweg
A fire occurred at a flower stall on the Amstelveenseweg in Amsterdam, requiring multiple fire department units to respond. No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
Illuminated tents in Westerpark symbolize Amsterdammers without a home
The Regenboog Groep installed illuminated tents in Amsterdam's Westerpark to highlight the plight of over 13,000 residents living without permanent housing. The protest coincides with the national Wee...
Men march through Amsterdam to protect women, feminist groups ‘irked by the gesture’
Organizers are holding a march in Amsterdam this Saturday intended to advocate for women's safety. Feminist groups have criticized the event, specifically taking issue with the organizers' stated goal...
Olcay Gulsen feels 'extremely unsafe' after watch robbery
Presenter Olcay Gulsen was violently robbed of her watch by two masked individuals after leaving her office last Thursday. She has expressed profound insecurity due to the assault and the subsequent m...
Mik Moody (72) and Isabelle Nadrai (59) built their own home in De Pijp: ‘Once guests sit down at the table, they never want to leave’
Mik Moody and Isabelle Nadrai have lived in a self-renovated home in Amsterdam's Diamantbuurt neighborhood since 1993. The couple transformed a dilapidated building by adding two floors and choosing a...
At the Dads and Ponytails workshop, fathers learn how to braid their daughters' hair: 'It’s actually very simple'
Faizi Nazir has launched a workshop in Amsterdam called Papa’s en Pony’s to teach fathers how to braid their daughters' hair. The initiative aims to help dads overcome their lack of experience and...
Fourteen children and relationships with stars: the love life of Elon Musk
Elon Musk has fathered fourteen children through various relationships with several women, including Justine Wilson, Talulah Riley, Grimes, Shivon Zilis, and Ashley St. Clair. His personal life is cha...
Alice in Wonderland theater production is a dazzling adventure full of dance, music, and magic
The Toneelmakerij and Doxx are launching a contemporary theatrical adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, focusing on themes of identity and self-confidence. The production premieres on October 11 at the ...
Everything Walther Ploos van Amstel (1962-2026) said was backed by data and his experience as an Amsterdammer: 'An engaged citizen and a true expert'
Walther Ploos van Amstel, a renowned logistics expert and longtime Amsterdam resident, has passed away at the age of 63. He was widely respected for providing the municipal government with evidence-ba...
Joey Ceti in Love Island VIPS despite gang rape allegations
Joey Ceti has been announced as a participant in Love Island VIPS, despite currently being under investigation for alleged involvement in a gang rape. The casting decision has faced widespread public ...
Phone ban at school may backfire: 'Young people compensate with screen time at home'
Starting January 1, the Dutch government plans to expand the mobile phone ban in schools to include playgrounds and break times. While the policy aims to curb distractions, experts caution that it cou...
Why did Amsterdam receive no new Michelin stars this year? ‘A three-star restaurant is still a long way off’
For the first time in ten years, Amsterdam saw no new restaurants awarded Michelin stars, while three establishments lost theirs. Experts attribute this trend to the increasing economic pressure on lo...
Die-hard 'zebra' Mark van der Laan briefly returns to beloved Blauw-Wit
Korfball coach Mark van der Laan recently competed against his former team, Amsterdam's Blauw-Wit, after moving to Groen Geel this summer. The match was an emotional occasion for Van der Laan, whose f...
Michelin doesn't look at how dirty the toilets are, but at what's on your plate: this is how stars are awarded
The Michelin Guide began as a marketing tool for a tire company to encourage travel, but it has become a global standard for restaurant ratings based strictly on culinary quality. The system uses anon...
We are testing 20 kilometers per hour on the Amstelveenseweg bike path
Amsterdam is testing a 20 kilometer per hour speed limit for cyclists on the Amstelveenseweg bike path. The initiative aims to determine if lower speeds enhance safety and traffic flow in the area.
Hangout spot for girls in Theo van Gogh Park: Don't walk away, but claim the space
A new designated hangout spot with painted picnic tables has opened in Amsterdam's Theo van Goghpark to address safety concerns among local girls. The project aims to empower girls to reclaim public s...
I advocate for a Suriname-themed away kit for Ajax, says shirt professor
Graphic designer Floor has praised the recent Ajax kit designs while proposing that the club create a Surinamese-themed away shirt to honor its players from that background. As this discussion takes p...
Champagne! These Haarlem restaurants retain their star in the new Michelin guide
Two Haarlem restaurants, Ratatouille Food & Wine and ML, have retained their Michelin stars in the 2026 guide. The announcement coincided with the centenary celebration of the first Michelin star awar...
Two Dutch restaurants receive two Michelin stars, seven receive their first
Two Dutch restaurants have been upgraded to two Michelin stars, while seven new establishments have earned their first star. Meanwhile, the city of Amsterdam lost two Michelin stars, and the guide has...