Michiel's place was perfect. It's on a quiet canal, has a private patio out back. It's a pleasant, peaceful, eclectic neighborhood without all the tourists. Takes about 5 minutes to walk to the Metro, you can take the 51, 53 or 54 towards downtown, 3 stops to Nieuwmarkt which is in the Red Light district, next stop is the Central Train station. Since there are 3 Metros that all run straight to Central Station you don't have to wait hardly at all to hop on. Walk out Michiel's door, 10 minutes you're in the heart of Amsterdam.