What is so great and not so good about living in Norway? One recent arrival reveals all based on his experiences so far.
Life in Norway gets tons of emails from people asking if they should move to Norway. That's a decision we cannot make for you! However, we can, of course, guide you based on our experiences. Generally, this involves weighing up the positives and negatives, and how they will apply to you.
Living in Norway: The pros and cons
I’m Mathew, a British guy living in Oslo. I’ve been back in Norway for nearly six months now, so I figured it was about time I wrote an article about the pros and cons of living in Norway. I’ll cover my favourite things about living here and the small things that frustrate me most.
In addition to my own personal views on the positives and negatives of living in a country like Norway, I have asked one of my Norwegian friends, Marius, for his views as a native Norwegian.
My great grandfather was Norwegian, and this is what initially drew me to Norway’s west coast and Stavanger in 2016. I briefly returned to the U.K. in order to get my bachelor’s degree – but now I’m back!
This time, I’m living in the capital, Oslo, where I’m studying a master’s degree at the University of Oslo and working part-time as a writer.
Read more: The downsides of living in Norway
I hope to settle in Norway permanently, so I thought I’d write an article about what I enjoy most about living here and what things I don’t like. I'll also share Marius's views as a native at the end of each section.
The weather (neutral)
Depending on where you live, the weather in Norway can be quite extreme. Parts of the country are very cold in the winter with heavy snowfall, particularly northern towns and cities and also those inland. Even in the summer months, temperatures struggle to exceed 20 degrees in some major places like Tromsø and Bodø.
Rain is common in the west, especially in Bergen, Haugesund and Stavanger. In autumn and winter, the rain on the west coast can be relentless, and it can rain pretty much non-stop for days on end.
However, one bonus of living in this part is of Norway is that temperatures are fairly mild all year round, compared to other areas in the country.
Oslo is probably the most diverse in terms of its weather variation. During the summer months, it is not uncommon to see temperatures in the upper 20s and sometimes hitting 30C. In the winter months, the city can be a very cold place to live, often with heavy snowfall. During this time, the authorities do an excellent job of keeping the roads clear and the city functioning as normal.
Read more: A Snowy Day in Suburban Trondheim
Marius says: other, more rural, parts of southern Norway often have more difficult conditions to deal with in winter. In Lillestrøm, where I live, the snow conditions can be significantly worse than Oslo, even though it’s only ten minutes away. As a local, you just learn to live with it.
Transport (positive)
While the transport in Norway may not be perfect, I do feel it is significantly better than the British system. Train journeys in particular are often scenic affairs. Large windows allow for great views, which are enjoyed from comfy chairs complete with plenty of leg room.
Oslo also has T-Bane (metro) lines which provide a convenient way to get around the city region. Oslo and some Norwegian cities also offer a tram system, with frequent services that connect large parts of the city. In addition, there is also an extensive bus network throughout Oslo, which is a popular way to make short journeys.
Marius says: you can take the train to many places in Norway but connecting to major cities can be time consuming. For some journeys, if Norwegians want to save time, flying is a convenient option. However, these days, I do feel people here are becoming more environmentally aware and try to travel greener when possible.
High cost of living (negative)
The high cost of living is one of the biggest downsides of living in Norway, especially for new arrivals. The price of groceries is much higher than virtually every other country. Eating out is not something you would indulge more than once per week, or at least that's the rule I have for myself.
It can of course be difficult when first move to Norway, especially if you don't have a job or much savings to help you. But at the same time you live within the budget you have, which in turn allows you to decide sensibly what you spend and when.
Marius says: when you have a job in Norway, you won't notice the cost of living as much. I think house prises and rental prices, in Oslo at least, will always appear on the extreme side.
English language (positive)
Certainly, a big positive about life in Norway is that English is widely spoken as a second language. You can travel the length and breadth of the country and get by perfectly fine with just English. This is especially useful when you first move here and have limited knowledge of Norwegian, as being able to communicate in those early days is important.
Marius says: we learn English fairly early in school so that’s why most Norwegians are fluent. I think more recently the exposure to British and American television shows and films has also helped with language acquisition.
Mail and delivery times/charges (negative)
This is possibly my biggest frustration about living in Norway. The post in Norway is incredibly slow. Regular letters can take about one week to turn up, while packages ordered online from Amazon can take many weeks to arrive and with additional charges to pay.
Perhaps I’m spoilt by the British system, where you can order some items online in the evening and the following morning, they are on your doorstep.
Norway’s mountainous landscape proves to be a logistical nightmare for mail and delivery companies, which is the main reason for the delays. The additional tax and duty on many items ordered from outside of Norway is another added frustration.
Read more: Using Amazon in Norway
Marius says: again, this is just one of those things that you get used to living here. When I studied and lived Wales, I did get used to British mail and speedy online delivery times. I found adjusting to the Norwegian way when I returned home was difficult.
The outdoor environment (positive)
My favourite thing about living in Norway is the outdoors. The country is so green and fresh and accessible for both hiking in the warmer months and winter sports in the darker months. The fjord landscape is unique and there is always something new to explore. Even if you live in one of the major cities, nature is always within touching distance.
As a keen runner, Norway is the perfect place to live. There are many routes that can give you a workout while at the same time allow you to enjoy the wild outdoors. I feel this country has some kind of magnetism that seems to draw people outdoors.
My favourite thing to do in the summer is to visit Stavanger and take a swim in the fjords. The water is so clean and inviting and you can always find a quiet place to relax in serene surroundings.
Marius says: the outdoors, combined with the long summer days is the best time of the year for me. I think most Norwegians are happiest at this time of the year. We’ve been really lucky here in Oslo the two summers. It has been very hot for days on end.
Some other things that didn’t quite make the list …
University education in Norway is free. This also includes international students, although non-EU students should check financial guidelines before applying. The institutes are of a high standard and are open to people of any background.
As a result of a strong economy, there is generally a high standard of living in Norway. This means high wages and a clean and well-kept country. But it also means the high cost of living I mentioned earlier.
Norway also prides itself on being an open and inclusive place to live. A diverse country that welcomes people from all over the world. Many of the major cities have truly international flavour. It is also LGBTQ+ friendly, and it is not uncommon to see same-sex couples happily holding hands as they take a stroll down Karl Johan’s Gate in Oslo.
Finally, and another personal favourite, is copious amounts of pepperkaker and marzipan during the run-up to Christmas. If you have a sweet tooth or a love of almonds, then you’ll love Norway at this time of year.
Did you enjoy this article? If so, please share it on Pinterest so others can find it too:
Thank you Matthew for the informative review of living in Norway. I confess, I am very envious. I was born and raised in the US, though my mother, and both sets of grandparents all emigratedfrom Norway to the US. My father was also completely Norwegian but was born in the US. I would give anything to obtain some form of Norwegian citizenship. It appears from the web to be very difficult for an American, despite my maternal and grandparent ties. I feel extremely excluded from the Norwegian system, and yet somehow people with no Norwegian ethnicity get to live there somehow. I have been studying the language diligently this past year, enjoying immensely the challenge. I can hear my parents and grandparents speaking it to one another, but never to us children.
If you have any suggestions or avenues to explore how I could one day live there, I would be most appreciative. Keep up the great studies and writing.
Thank you so much.
Thank you, Robert. In regards to further information about moving here, Life in Norway offers many helpful guides about such topics.
Thanks heaps Mathew for the feed you shared on Norway. As a first gen’ Aussie (from Norwegian stock) I have a deep nagging desire to explore my Viking roots after exploring the diverse contents of Aussie.
Regards.. Jordie Gundersen
Dear Robert,
If for people of other ethnicities you mean European citizens, I have to point out that we’re all within the same ethnic group, plus we share over 2000 years of common history and culture, despite the national sovereignties have opted for protecting the diversity of our common culture through the decision to maintain our individual languages and religions.
As an American citizen I hope you’re familiar with the tough regulations that disciplines immigration in your country… Despite having contributed to build the United States of America from scratch, as Europeans today we face enormous difficulties in getting citizenship, permanent residency, and even a simple visa nowadays in the U.S.
I speak from direct experience having many American relatives and having lived for over 5 years in California where I’ve graduated from the number one public university in the States, and worked in one of the most desired fields as a finance professional. I think the Norwegian system Is actually quite fair to Americans, given that for Europeans of America’s descent is extremely hard (especially under the current administration) to obtain the same rights you’re seeking for in Norway.
Nonetheless I wish you good luck in your endeavor!
Quite the humble brag, what are you going on about?
I was in Oslo in1989.i have pictures but not good at the cell phone
But I would like to connect with you. My e-mail is maggie carpenter@042 gmail .com . I think or. Call 561-779-7784 .FL U.S.A.
Good luck ! I’m trying to find my friend Kaya Eliane Winther . she might have moved to sweden. I not good at this texting thing.
“and yet somehow people with no Norwegian ethnicity get to live there somehow” Um, I’m sorry, what?
My Parents were born in Norway, I was born in Bergen and left at 6 months old and raised elsewhere. I still have to go through the system as a foreigner. They are very strict even as natural born citizens. I agree, it’s difficult. I carry a USA passport but live here as a foreigner getting my residency then citizenship.
The section on the post surprised me. As a Canadian, used to Canada Post, I’m still, even after 20 years, astonished by the speediness of mail delivery in Norway.
Hi Judith. I guess I was spoilt by British mail and delivery speeds then.
Super useful, thanks Mathew!
Thank you, Mike.
I love reading this blog, it’s always interesting though I have no intention on moving to Norway. Keep it up..
Good to hear, Pat. Maybe you could arrange a visit to Norway instead. 🙂
You don’t want people to come live in Norway??
I have been to Norway twice 5 years apart in the 80’s
I traveled extensively by train mainly but also some boat and bus.
Norway is a photographers dream, particularly in the Lofoten Islands, Andelsness and Aurlesund. Train journey to Bergen from Oslo is a must as is the side line deviation from Mydal to Flam ( walk back down through the Flam Valley ).
I travelled as far south as Stavanger and as far north as Alta.
As Far East as Bergen and Alesund as Far East as Roros.
I’m not a big drinker but your tax on booze is very high.
I would love to live in Norway during their summers, being from Australia winters are too cold for me…har de bra !
I live in “ paradise “ in Ulladulla Milton Mollymook Narrawallee area, ( NSW Australia ) great beaches, friendly people, most facilities for day to day living. It’s the best place I have ever lived and won’t be leaving ( have even purchased a place in the cemetery to be buried here as has my brother.
Have live here over 20 years and my brother has lived here 45 years plus.
Summers are hot, while spring and autumn often have best weather and winters are only 3 months with no snow.
I just could not handle the long winters even though I like snow skiing ( it’s a 5 hr drive to go snow skiing here, in February it’s not unusual for the ocean to be 23/24 C.
I note what you are saying. I however experienced Norway to be a very unfriendly and impersonal country to live in. My time of almost a year in Oslo left me with a desire to run back to my country that is crime ridden and full of faults. I however realized that your own country is the best country. Nobody can fault Norway on basic functioning and service and their education is fare. However in terms of caring and compasion they rate extremely low.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, Karen, and this is mine, but I appreciate you may have experienced something different.
the thing about us Norwegians is that we are a bunch of introverts clumped up together. you are likely referring to people not wanting to start small talk or trying to get out of your measly attempt at a conversation, or perhaps not smiling at you when you walk past them, but that´s just not in our culture. you have to understand that we perceive friendliness different to you, here in Norway it’s for example much easier to form deep friendships because it’s not just small talk to random strangers on the streets, it’s meaningful civilised conversations that formes friendships.
I’m sorry this is very late I just had to share my opinion with people who are a little confused, have a great day <3
This was my perception also, as I see Norwegians as friendly but in a much more reserved way.
Now the Danish in comparison are very friendly but in a far more outgoing way.
Hi… To me this just seems to be a paid article and nothing more. I live in Oslo, Norway and I believe Norway has one of the worst public transport in the world.
I’m a student here and I’ve never had any problems with public transport.
November , first snow. No buses and huge queues for taxis. Nobody there to assist or inform you. I waited 3 hours until i thought i will die so i called a friend to give me a ride. This has happened to may every year and i usually drive a car
You must be joking or living under a rock, there is no other explanation for such a ridiculous comment.
Try getting on a tube train in London during rush hour, I dare you, I double dare you. Not only will you have to wait for 3 or 4 trains to pass before you can squeeze yourself in, but once you’re on you will have some old hairy guy’s sweaty armpit dripping in your face for the duration of your miserable journey. You will pay an absolute fortune for that privilege too. And in summer, temperatures in the train will reach in excess of 50 degrees celsius, with people literally suffering from heatstroke and almost dying.
Have you never seen the way Indians ride on top of trains and hang onto the sides? Is Oslo really worse than that? Did you know that the Japanese actually have people whose job it is to push and cram as many people onto a train as they possibly can? Search for “professional pushers shove passengers, Tokyo”.
Norwegian public transportation is absolute heaven compared to pretty much everywhere else in the world. It is almost always on time, it’s affordable, and you almost always have plenty of space to fit comfortably. You can often get a seat on the T-bane during rush hour! That is UNHEARD OF anywhere else in the world.
Worst transportation in the world? You can’t possibly be serious. You must be trolling. And you got me.
👍🏻
And what world would that be in.
Lol ..the weather neutral?? When you have 9 months of winter,and it’s a very cold and dark winter,my admiration for you 😅
And you say Norway is LGQTB friendly ,but you forgot to say how closed and cold people the Norwegians are,even they can’t say hi to their neighbours…I recommend you to read the social guide book to Norway,and you will understand more of no🇳🇴way😅🙏🏻
My article contains largely my own personal opinion about living in Norway, not a more general overview of others. I love winter nearly as much as the warmer, lighter times of the year in Norway. And I’ve always found Norwegians to be very friendly. I don’t need to read a book to understand a society, I can experience it for myself. The article gives my honest evaluations.
Amazing how many times you have to say that this is YOUR experience. SMH. You are beyond patient and clear.
Cecilia, i totally agree with you. All my friends except 1 person are foreigners and none from my country. If you talk about norway and dont include words “wow” ,”incredible” etc, norwegians seem to get angry. So i have come accustomed to not talking about norway or lying how perfect it is.
Du skjønner at vi stort sett er et land med introverte
This comment makes no sense. As the author allready stated, the weather is extremely different in the various parts of Norway.
In Stavanger you May have a whole year with no snow, and in the northern parts yes, you will be Subject to alot of darkness and Alot of snow.
Regarding the friendlyness, Norwegians are friendy but shy, but if you make an effort and get to know us its Worth it. This is also highly affected by where you are in the country. Go to northern Norway and come back and tell me the same thing 😅
To finish i will say two things:
1. if you dont drink you may have a hard time getting included, because many social activites included alcohol.
2. If you have only been to Oslo you have no been to Norway. Even Norwegians dont like Oslo 😂(unless you are from there)
Christian, I am appreciating your comments and replies. Everyone’s experience can be different, and much of that experience will be based on their own personalities. Sometimes it’s difficult for people to accept that other people are different everywhere, and they’re under no obligation to live up to OUR expectations. I’ve found that I most often receive the kind of treatment, that I afford others.
Sounds like my kind of place. 🙂 There are ways to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder during the long winter, that’s the most scary part to me but the weather itself doesn’t seem more extreme than many places in the Northern USA and Canada. LGQBT friendly has nothing to do with being amicable to people besides not hating on people for being L/g/q/b/t…..I detest the insincere “friendliness” of people in California in the USA. Many people smile and say “hi” like robots because it’s expected. But meanwhile your neighbors are trying to get you kicked out and/or being trash via their behavior when they aren’t face-to-face with you. So yeah I can handle people being “cold” and avoiding frivolities like saying “hi”. Maybe you should move to California! XD
Hei hei. The winter is not that bad. It’s only 9 months of winter and 3 months of bad skiing.
Love it.
However where I lived for the last few years Vancouver BC.
It’s 2 months of summer and 10 months of shoveling rain. I’ll take 9 months of winter anytime. Gee I will miss skiing those 3 months.
I don’t think it is such a big statement to say that the cost of living isn’t as noticeable when you have a job in Norway.
My grandfather immigrated from Norway as a young man in 1905. He was from a tiny island north of the Arctic Circle off the coast of Bodo, named Bliksvaer. After finding relatives searching for my roots, have been to Norway 5 times now, mostly visiting relatives I didn’t know 20 years ago. My first roots trip was 2000. I’ve only been there in the summer but have been up north on days that have reached 80 F and over 90 F in Oslo. Kids were running thru the fountains. The northern coast is influenced by the gulf stream and if I check weather in Bodo, it is often no colder than here in NJ, at least in the winter. So temps aren’t always cold. As for darkness, it really isn’t totally dark all the time when the sun doesn’t appear. The sun is just below the horizon and does throw light into the sky which is amplified if there is snow on the ground. I see pictures in Facebook posts by relatives during the winter from Kjeldebotn (near Narik which is even north of Bodo) and from Kavelvaag (near Svolvar in the Lofoton Islands. You can see better than you think. BTW, I have stayed also in Kjeller which is right next to Lillistrom where you live and walked to the train station in Lillistrom from where my distant cousin lives on a hill overlooking that little airport. I’ve gotten around a fair amount staying in Sandhornoy, the Lofotons, Kjeldebotn, Bliksvaer, Oslo, Drobek, Kjeller, Roufoss (near Lillihammer) and Bergen. So have gotten around.
I have found that my relatives embrace me and take care of me when I visit. Staying in homes rather than hotels make it a lot more affordable.
Thanks for a very useful insight into living in Norway. I’ve fallen in love with the place and I’ve actually just applied for a job about an hour out from Oslo. So with any luck I’ll be making the move in the New Year.
I do really love Norway and can’t wait to move there. Thanks for the article. It was so useful
My husband got an offer from one of the international companies (oil and gas) based in Norway. It’s a semi ex-pat role. He is doing too much math on how to survive in Norway since it is the most expensive country in the world. We are thinking should we move to Norway or not.
If your husband will be payed in Norwegian wages you will have no trouble getting by. Especially if working in the oil and gas industry.
Norway has some of the most cold self centred rude unfriendly people in the world. I married one and lived on Oslo for 20 years. Lovely country but awful people.
Norway is a beautiful place, I love Tromsø, I have family and friends there. Bergen, Trondheim and Oslo are beautiful places too
Tromso has the Northern Lights quite often, no? That would seal the deal for me! I keep to myself anyway! I hope to travel there soon on an Aurora watching trip. Can’t wait.
I’m sorry but having lived in Norway for 12 years you are very Oslo centric in you article. The public transport system in Norway is a joke, there are no trains where I live. Cars are 200 or up to 400% more expensive than UK and a 15min taxi ride will cost close to 100 euro. There is no no chose in the supermarkets and the cost of living is truly unbelievable. The higher salaries do not compensated for the higher costs and as one of your readers said the 1000’s of people in marriages of convince because they simply can not manage on there own. I suggest you go and live in a smaller town 40 50 thousand people and rewrite the article.
Interesting article. I live in a big city in the U.S.A. and it can take months to get something delivered with “prime two day” delivery. The U.S. postal service is the problem. They lose packages, steal, and are lazy and refuse to take packages up a few flights of stairs! Forget about mountainous terrain! It’s a frequent problem, though we are spoiled by other postal companies that still have high standards. As long as there is a logical reason to a “problem” I can deal. :p There’s so much I love about Norway, I’ve been learning Norwegian and teaching my child since I thought that was a requirement. I’ve looked into cost of homes and compared to what you pay for here in the city it’s not bad at all as long as you are willing to live in a smaller space than we’re used to here. Funny enough because the USA is such a big place we have places with more extreme temperatures than some of the places mentioned. I did not expect this. I would’ve liked to see more about the culture of Norway. The Monolith is difficult to wrap my head around personally….but is it something most people hold in high-regard there or not? I appreciate people having the freedoms of being themselves if not harming others (nor themselves…) and heard that Norway is very free as far as gender stereotypes go as well. Overall seems like a great place. I think the article made it sound like it’s not difficult to become a citizen? But perhaps I am misunderstanding residency and citizenship being different.
Brittany –
Please don’t judge the entire USPS through your bad experience. I just retired after 32 years, and my customers hated to see me go. The service you get sometimes depends on the carrier sometimes on the customer. Although even if a person were rude or degrading to me, I still gave my service 100 percent, I just was not outgoing to the person – and no favors like getting stamps for them, delivering even when a car is blocking the box, etc. You get what you give.
So true! People don’t understand what it is like to work at the post office. People are very quick to judge. When someone tells me rude and degrading things, I just tell them that we are hiring..
True! I used to live in Hongkong for 6 years, hard to get a seat mostly standing, too many people and they are stress people, hectic. Transportation is one of the thing i dont miss about but many other thing i do miss a lot about HK. norway much more space, less people can breath better !
I have been living in Norway for 7 years now, i am from Bali. I was struggled in the first couple of years with adapting the culture, the people, language, weather, plus i had to give up my eating out habit, once a week salon treatment and SPA, not having a maid doing all the thing at home and cook my dinner etc ( goodbye my princess life i decided to learn to do my things myself from Norway) lol. looking for job were never been easy for me! BUT once i get my life settled and adapted to most of the things..I think Norway got a lot more Positive things than Negative things to offer. Like for an example are the freedom and safety( security), its a high standard of living, and must live with the high standard of thinking too.Norwegian they might be more reserved, but there is no problem with them its only their culture, Most Norwegian are good people, you just need to get to understand the culture better and you will be just fine! i like it when they saying ” ikke no stress ”
Now as i settling down in Norway, got a job i am happy with, i can always go back and visit Bali at least once a year and the money worth more when i spend in there,its possible to be a bit more than a princess lol. I love Norway its a beautiful country! skål
Thanks Matthew. I lived and worked for Brown and Root in Oslo (Sandvika) and Stavanger and various other construction yards for various spells in the mid to late 70’s totaling more than 4 years. I loved it, but that may have been mainly because of the girls!! But I generally agree with your comments, horrendously expensive, beautiful scenery and environment but I would add that the locals that in my opinion then were desperately conservative, staid and therefore very boring people. Yes it is a very wealthy country but any sort of fun back then was seriously frowned upon. Not been back in 40 years, it may have changed but maybe not. Then moved to Australia for the next 40 years and that was fantastic..
Do You Think The Younger Generation May Be More Liberal, Friendly, etc?
Check out Ulladulla / Milton area in NSW Australia, best place in Australia !
Everyone forms their opinion based on own experiences. There is no right or wrong. For some people might look friendly for others no. For example ,trini say that barbadians are unfriendly people. Yet, as someone who lived in Barbados I have only came across friendly people.
It depends on the job..
In the movie “Julie and Julia”, Paul Child, her husband writes to his brother: “You know how famously grouchy
the French can be, dear brother. But Julia brings out the best in a polecat. So she thinks they’re the most
wonderful people in the world.”
If the Norwegian people appear cold and aloof to outsiders, then they haven’t met me yet, I can make friends with just about anyone. I would love to live in Norway and demonstrate that to the people there.
One thing is true about the world, no matter where we live, people are just about the same.
As a US citizen, Norway appeals to me for it’s beautiful countryside, and it embraces the positive aspects of both socialism and capitalism without imploding. I’d like to escape to Norway and be a good little expat. I’d like to experience a country that isn’t on fire politically. Is there such a place that truly exists in the world?
Perhaps someday soon I can visit and charm as some would say “the Norwegian pole cats.” 🙂
You’re my kinda gal pal! Well said!
Are the home prices any better living outside the cities? We are not big fans of living anywhere near cities. In America as soon as you get about an hour away from many metropolitan areas the housing costs drop dramatically. would this hold true in Norway also?
Hi, thank you for this article, im going soon to norway, guess ill find out my self what is like to live there 🙂
Well, I don’t know how anyone else could actually consider living anywhere else but the United States given the opportunity. Noway? No feakin’ way, maybe visit it on a vacation trip, but why would I torture myself? I come from Perú, I came to the USA and studied Computer Science in college, 20 yrs later, I have a high-paying job, a business on the side, own my home, cars, vacations, etc. When you put the effort, and work hard, the rewards come along. Set your pride and self-righteous point of view aside, and contribute to society. Service your community and your neighbors, practice what you’ve learned at home, church or wherever you acquired the good values that formed your character. You wan a better life, work for it, you have physical or mental limitations? families, churches, and government can help out. BUT, don’t think people or government owe you much except freedom, opportunity, and safety. I never asked for or needed a handout from the government, I only asked for an opportunity. 30, that’s right, thirty of my friends from Perú are here and are just as successful if not more, than me. So many people are do damn pampered and want everything easy and “free.” I would suggest you change your way of thinking, but if you leave, there’s more here for the rest of us, so it’s a win-win situation for some of us immigrants.
i mean i couldnt agree more but i dont think it’s same for all people. maybe some afford comin there . im from iran and I dont think it’s that easy and welcomin for me
Do you live there too ?
Your comment flaunting your success doesn’t really fit under a post regarding reasons to live in Norway. You gave 0 reasons other than “USA better.” It sounded more like an emotional tirade and I’m not sure why you went from “moving to Norway” to “wanting stuff for free.” Maybe think about why you are posting an emotional rant bashing Norway rather than giving actual opinions.
Wow, auditioning for GOP spokesperson? People should live wherever best suits their lifestyle and ideals. For some, the US doesn’t suit, for some, Norway is a better match and has nothing whatsoever to do with government handouts. For nature lovers and those who love colder temperatures and appreciate a cooler political climate, Norway may be the ticket. There’s nothing wrong with having a different idea of the “perfect place to live “ than your choice.
thank you Matthew, I am form Iran and due to economic pressure, expenses is very important to me, I am going to apply for master in Norway, can you help me to know more information ?
I would be very happy if you can contact me by email
my first question is that I studied biomedical engineering and want to study innovation and technology management, as a foreigner after my studies can I find jobs? because I’ve heard management majors aren’t a good choice for people who isn’t native,
is it true?which major or city you think have a great future for me?
I have the same position, and I worry about costs and finding job more? And is it possible to live there with a part time job which is 20 hours a week?
A bit late to the party, I know, but I can’t let this statement be unanswered. The idea that ‘many Norwegians find themselves in relationships just to make ends meet’ is ridiculous. Cost of living may seem high for foreigners and tourists, but for regular working citizens it really isn’t. Wages and costs are relative to each other, in fact the cost of commodities/services is a result of high wages in general. Throw into the mix that schools, healthcare and expenses related to childcare are free or subsidized. There are many cons to living in Norway, but regular cost of living is not among them.
Hi! I have lived in Norway for almost 3 years now, after living for 10 years in the UK. I would also drop a little Pro/Con list for the others who consider moving in.
Pros: Safety on the streets, secure social system, tasty water and the nature.
Cons: Extremely expensive, boring(if you are not into running or skiing there’s literally nothing to do), almost impossible to buy alcohol(impossible during holidays, even beer), regular fun considered as something almost illegal.
This country is perfect to sit inside your apartments with your partner and drink tea, watching the foggy mountains.
Thank you, Its and amazing article.
Good to know about the Norwegian culture and people.
Wish i get a job referral and i land there some day, fingers crossed 🙂