Skip to content 
Amsterdam’s Red Light District is not only a place filled with neon lights and tourist attractions but also a neighborhood with a rich history and diverse community. In this article, we share interviews with long-time residents who have lived in the area for many years. Their personal stories and memories offer a unique perspective on life in this iconic neighborhood.
Interview with Jan (75), Born and Raised in the Red Light District
Q: Can you tell us about your childhood in the Red Light District?
Jan: I was born here in 1949, and my parents had a small grocery store on the Oudezijds Achterburgwal. At that time, the area was much quieter and more residential. There were already brothels, but the atmosphere was very different from now. As children, we played on the streets, and everyone knew each other. It was a real community.
Q: How did you experience the changes in the area?
Jan: The biggest changes came in the 1960s and 1970s with the rise of tourism and the liberalization of the sex industry. It became busier and more commercial. Many of my friends and neighbors left because life here became too hectic. But I decided to stay because I love this neighborhood. It’s my home.
Interview with Maria (68), Lived in the Red Light District in the 1980s and 1990s
Q: What brought you to the Red Light District, and what was it like living here in the 1980s and 1990s?
Maria: I came to Amsterdam to study and found an affordable room on the Oudezijds Voorburgwal. It was an exciting time, full of changes and cultural experiments. The Red Light District was a melting pot of artists, students, and of course, sex workers. There was always something to do, from art exhibitions to underground parties.
Q: What are some of your favorite memories from that time?
Maria: One of my favorite memories is an art festival we organized in the neighborhood. Local artists used the windows of the brothels as exhibition spaces. It was a beautiful way to bring together the different worlds of the Red Light District. That mix of art, culture, and daily life made the neighborhood so unique.
Interview with Ahmed (60), Long-Time Resident of the Red Light District
Q: How did you end up in the Red Light District, and how long have you lived here?
Ahmed: I came to Amsterdam in 1980 and found an affordable apartment on the Zeedijk. I was drawn to the vibrancy and diversity of the area. I’ve been living here for more than 40 years now.
Q: What are the biggest changes you have seen in the Red Light District?
Ahmed: There have been so many changes, especially in the last ten years. The area has become cleaner and safer but also much more commercial. The influx of tourists has its benefits, but it also means that many of the original residents have left. Sometimes it feels like the soul of the neighborhood has been lost a bit.
Interview with Els (83), Former Sex Worker
Q: What can you tell us about your time as a sex worker in the Red Light District?
Els: I started as a sex worker in the 1960s. It wasn’t always easy, but it was my choice, and I found my way. The work gave me financial independence, and I met many interesting people. We had a strong community among the sex workers and looked out for each other.
Q: How have you seen the neighborhood change?
Els: A lot has changed. It used to be much more discreet and personal. Now it has become a tourist attraction and sometimes feels more like a circus. But I’m glad that there is now more attention to the rights and safety of sex workers. That wasn’t always the case in the past.
