What is the suburbs of Amsterdam like in comparison to its Central?

coming from the uk, Ive been to holland 3 times but have only ever visited amsterdam central. Im going to a festival which is in cultuurpark westegasgabriek so ive got a hotel in that vicinity but want to know how it differs from central i.e. is it generally cheaper (food, smokes etc), how are the people and how easy is it to get into central from there via public transport.