Amsterdam is one of the nicest cities I've been to, and would love to go back there, even to live for a year or two.
I'd do a quick financial scenario analysis between renting and buying and keep an eye on what's available for sale on the market.
I think I'm in a little bit of a middle class bubble here compared to the rest of the Netherlands, despite the crime being highest here compared to the rest of the country I haven't had much trouble, but I am lucky enough to live in the centre right now.
Is crime an issue there? I was only there for a week a couple years back, but every interaction I had with anyone was pleasant.
So are you currently renting the place that you're in?
Another option would be to entertain the thought of buying a place with income producing potential. I'm currently searching for this type of property in Toronto.
Crime isn't really an issue, no. Crime is highest in Amsterdam in all the netherlands. If you are wise you will not put yourself in harms way. Junkies and criminals are not a major worry, I do not go out late or wander the city in the early hours so I almost never encounter them. There are plenty of gross men out and about of all nationalities, which accost any women. It's pathetic behaviour and gives extremist feminists more ammunition, from the way I've seen some disgusting assholes act I almost don't blame them.
When I first got to Amsterdam, it was around midnight and I didn't really know what it would be like. Anyways I went for what I thought would be a short walk around the area by myself, which turned into a long walk because I got lost lol. I found it to be very safe, and most nights we walked around for hours.
As long as the more negative interactions are exceptions, you can find that even in the best of cities. The canal houses we saw were absolutely beautiful. Do you know the price range for the ones on the canal, and maybe on smaller streets? I saw a show that had some Americans moving to Amsterdam in houses ranging from 600k a little further out to 2.2MM on the canal.