10 Best Places for Families to Live in Norway

If you're dreaming about moving with your family to Norway and haven't decided where to live, here are some of the best places for international families to live in Norway.

Oslo

Oslo is a good place for international families to reside due to its wide array of family-friendly amenities and activities. The city is home to numerous museums that offer children's activities, such as the Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology, which features interactive exhibits for kids. The Natural History Museum also has a dedicated children's section. For outdoor activities, families can visit the numerous parks and recreational areas in the city, including the popular Vigeland Park, which is the world's largest sculpture park made by a single artist. The Oslo Summer Park is another great spot for families, offering climbing parks and zip lines. For those interested in athletics, the Tøyenbadet public bath offers indoor and outdoor pools, while the Sognsvann lake is a popular spot for swimming and picnicking in the summer. Oslo also has several sports clubs that cater to children, such as the Ready sports club, which offers activities like football, skiing, and tennis. The city's international schools, safe environment, and high living standards further enhance its appeal for international families.

Bergen

Bergen is a good destination for international families due to its diverse range of family-friendly amenities and activities. The city boasts several museums that provide children's activities, such as the VilVite Bergen Science Center, which offers interactive exhibits for children. The Bergen Maritime Museum also has a dedicated children's section. For outdoor activities, families can explore the numerous parks and recreational areas in the city, including the beautiful Byparken, which is centrally located and features a music pavilion, a playground, and a pond with ducks. The Fløyen mountain is another great spot for families, offering hiking trails, a funicular railway, and a playground. For those interested in athletics, the AdO Arena offers indoor and outdoor pools, while the Haukelandshallen sports complex has facilities for various sports. Bergen also has several sports clubs that cater to children, such as the Arna-Bjørnar football club, which offers activities like football and futsal. The city's international schools, safe environment, and high living standards further enhance its appeal for international families.

"The beautiful nature and the lush green surroundings. Although, I have to admit that it can get tedious sometimes, as I am used to the extravagant city life with skyscrapers at every corner and streets bustling with people. I love the seafood here. I like how people are very independent," said one expat living in Bergen.

Stavanger

Stavanger is a wonderful place for international families to settle, offering a variety of family-friendly amenities and activities. The city is home to several museums that offer children's activities, such as the Norwegian Petroleum Museum, which features interactive exhibits for kids. The Stavanger Museum also has a dedicated children's section. For outdoor activities, families can visit the numerous parks and recreational areas in the city, including the popular Mosvatnet Park, which is a beautiful lake surrounded by a walking path. The Stavanger Botanical Garden is another great spot for families, offering a variety of plants and flowers. For those interested in athletics, the Stavanger Swimming Stadium offers indoor and outdoor pools, while the Stavanger Idrettshall is a sports complex with facilities for various sports. Stavanger also has several sports clubs that cater to children, such as the Viking Football Club, which offers activities like football and futsal. The city's international schools, safe environment, and high living standards further enhance its appeal for international families.

"I appreciate the Norwegian's love of and respect for nature. I like the roundabouts as opposed to USA stoplights all over the place. I bike/walk, so I really enjoy that the sidewalks are separate from the roads and often wind off in completely different directions. I appreciate that Norwegians aren't easily offended. They have great food here as well. I also appreciate their lower crime rates. You can tell people really aren't expecting anything but the best in people they encounter," said one expat living in Stavanger.

Trondheim

Trondheim is a good choice for international families due to its wide range of family-friendly amenities and activities. The city is home to several museums that offer children's activities, such as the Trondheim Science Museum, which features interactive exhibits for kids. The Trondheim Maritime Museum also has a dedicated children's section. For outdoor activities, families can explore the numerous parks and recreational areas in the city, including the beautiful Ringve Botanical Garden, which is a haven for nature lovers. The Bymarka, a large recreational area with hiking trails and lakes, is another great spot for families. For those interested in athletics, the Pirbadet water park offers indoor and outdoor pools, while the Leangen Ishall is a sports complex with facilities for various sports. Trondheim also has several sports clubs that cater to children, such as the Rosenborg Ballklub, which offers activities like football and futsal. The city's international schools, safe environment, and high living standards further enhance its appeal for international families.

Tromso

Tromso is a good place for international families to live, offering a plethora of family-friendly amenities and activities. The city is home to several museums that offer children's activities, such as the Polar Museum, which features interactive exhibits for kids. The Tromso University Museum also has a dedicated children's section. For outdoor activities, families can explore the numerous parks and recreational areas in the city, including the beautiful Prestvannet Lake, which is a haven for nature lovers. The Tromso Island, a large recreational area with hiking trails and lakes, is another great spot for families. For those interested in athletics, the Alfheim Swimming Pool offers indoor and outdoor pools, while the Tromsohallen is a sports complex with facilities for various sports. Tromso also has several sports clubs that cater to children, such as the Tromso IL, which offers activities like football and futsal. The city's international schools, safe environment, and high living standards further enhance its appeal for international families.

"In general, it seems to me everyone for his own. Family is important because no one steps out of the box they live in. Socializing is for who you know. And work ethic is just different from what I am used to. When clock hits 4:00pm the desk is empty if you are Norwegian. All projects take forever to get done due to this mentality. Sports events are rare and again hard to find if you don't speak or read Norwegian, so you really have to be an extrovert to find out what is happening on the island for the weekend. Tourist center helps if you go by once a week," commented an expat living in Tromso.

Asker

Asker is a fantastic destination for international families, boasting a wide array of family-friendly amenities and activities. The city is home to several museums that offer children's activities, such as the Asker Museum, which features interactive exhibits for kids. The Asker Cultural House also has a dedicated children's section. For outdoor activities, families can explore the numerous parks and recreational areas in the city, including the beautiful Semsvannet Lake, which is a haven for nature lovers. The Asker Park, a large recreational area with hiking trails and lakes, is another great spot for families. For those interested in athletics, the Asker Swimming Pool offers indoor and outdoor pools, while the Asker Sports Complex is a sports facility with various sports options. Asker also has several sports clubs that cater to children, such as the Asker Football Club, which offers activities like football and futsal. The city's international schools, safe environment, and high living standards further enhance its appeal for international families.

Bærum

Bærum is a wonderful place for international families to settle, offering a variety of family-friendly amenities and activities. The city is home to several museums that offer children's activities, such as the Henie Onstad Art Centre, which features interactive exhibits for kids. The Sandvika Storsenter, one of the largest shopping malls in Scandinavia, also has a dedicated children's section. For outdoor activities, families can explore the numerous parks and recreational areas in the city, including the beautiful Kalvøya Island, which is a haven for nature lovers. The Kolsåstoppen, a large recreational area with hiking trails and lakes, is another great spot for families. For those interested in athletics, the Bærum Swimming Pool offers indoor and outdoor pools, while the Bærum Sports Park is a sports complex with facilities for various sports. Bærum also has several sports clubs that cater to children, such as the Bærum SK, which offers activities like football and futsal. The city's international schools, safe environment, and high living standards further enhance its appeal for international families.

Drammen

Drammen is a good choice for international families seeking a vibrant and welcoming community. The city is home to several museums that offer children's activities, such as the Drammen Museum of Art and Cultural History, which features interactive exhibits for kids. The Drammen Library also has a dedicated children's section. For outdoor activities, families can explore the numerous parks and recreational areas in the city, including the beautiful Drammen Park, which is a haven for nature lovers. The Spiralen, a large recreational area with hiking trails and a stunning view of the city, is another great spot for families. For those interested in athletics, the Drammen Swimming Pool offers indoor and outdoor pools, while the Marienlyst Stadium is a sports complex with facilities for various sports. Drammen also has several sports clubs that cater to children, such as the Drammen Football Club, which offers activities like football and futsal. The city's international schools, safe environment, and high living standards further enhance its appeal for international families.

Fredrikstad

Fredrikstad is a good place for international families to live, offering a wealth of family-friendly amenities and activities. The city is home to several museums that offer children's activities, such as the Fredrikstad Museum, which features interactive exhibits for kids. The Fredrikstad Library also has a dedicated children's section. For outdoor activities, families can explore the numerous parks and recreational areas in the city, including the beautiful Kongsten Fort, which is a haven for nature lovers. The Fredrikstad Marka, a large recreational area with hiking trails and lakes, is another great spot for families. For those interested in athletics, the Fredrikstad Swimming Pool offers indoor and outdoor pools, while the Fredrikstad Stadium is a sports complex with facilities for various sports. Fredrikstad also has several sports clubs that cater to children, such as the Fredrikstad Football Club, which offers activities like football and futsal. The city's international schools, safe environment, and high living standards further enhance its appeal for international families.

Sandnes

Sandnes is a fantastic destination for international families, offering a plethora of family-friendly amenities and activities. The city is home to several museums that offer children's activities, such as the Science Factory (Vitenfabrikken), which features interactive exhibits for kids. The Sandnes Library also has a dedicated children's section. For outdoor activities, families can explore the numerous parks and recreational areas in the city, including the beautiful Sandvedparken, which is a haven for nature lovers. The Stokkelandsvatnet, a large recreational area with walking trails and a lake, is another great spot for families. For those interested in athletics, the Sandnes Swimming Pool offers indoor and outdoor pools, while the Sandnes Idrettspark is a sports complex with facilities for various sports. Sandnes also has several sports clubs that cater to children, such as the Sandnes Ulf, which offers activities like football. The city's international schools, safe environment, and high living standards further enhance its appeal for international families.