Comments on: Amsterdam Closing Brothels, Marijuana Shops

By: Joe R.

Joe R. — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 13:21:15 +0000

I went about two or three years ago as well. It seemed clean and safe to me--and utterly boring, compared to other cities like San Francisco, Hong Kong, New York, Bangkok, and Shanghai. If you're not looking for cannabis or sex, or aren't of Dutch descent, I frankly recommend pretty much anywhere else. The architecture and museums don't make up for the bland food and monotony.

I noticed a couple of different red light areas--one of them held noticeably less attractive and older prostitutes, which I suppose is what you saw. Another area apparently had the more attractive (and presumably more expensive) ones.

By: Amsterdam Was Stuck In My Head « Matt Zeitlin: Impetuous Young Whippersnapper

Sun, 07 Dec 2008 18:17:32 +0000

[...] seem to be much of a quality of life problem. From our experience, which oddly enough, was similar to Jim Joyner’s, the prostitution hardly rose to the level of nuisance. In fact, the red light [...]

By: Dutchgirl

Dutchgirl — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 06:25:12 +0000

Its also no coincidence that the Amsterdam red-light district is prime real estate with lots of developers salivating over the prospects of those buildings opening up. The question is, what will replace it? more souvenier shops? As for safety, the area is a bit sketchy at a certain hour, say 5 am, when I stood on the achterburgwal, waiting for someone to open the gate so I could do make-up for official zwarte-pieten. Happpy Sinterklaas everyone.

By: dutchmarbel

dutchmarbel — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 00:21:28 +0000

They did that to the Zeedijk (top of that area) 20 years ago. It used to be a really bad neighborhood, but has improved immensely. So I have confidence ;) The search for a loophole in the coffeshop-laws is for a big part because Amsterdam has a few highschools right in the centre of town. So the Bulldog (first coffeeshop and best known by tourists) on the Leidseplein would have to close down since the Barlaeus Gymnasium is right around the corner.

By: Continuum

Continuum — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 23:56:50 +0000

Perhaps if you really want a santized version of reality and still seem to visit Europe, you might dry Disneyland in Orlando. Most of the prostitutes and dope dealings are done most behind closed doors there. Nothing broadens your horizons as much as international travel without those disgusting habits and laws and customs of the local inhabitants.