Living in Norway

"Absolutely take this opportunity... what a beautiful country and great experience. You make what you want out of it... Take advantage of a country that offers incredible outdoor activities/sports. I was never into skiing, hiking, cycling, but I am a convert...at 45 years old and ejoying what the outdoors has to offer here and have yet to see anywhere else like it in the world," remarked one expat who made the move to Oslo.

"1. Expats should be prepared to learn Norwegian to easily navigate life in Norway, as it is the official language. 2. Obtaining a residence permit may be complicated so it is important to understand the requirements carefully. 3. Non-Nordic citizens may need to pass a test of language and cultural understanding in order to obtain a residence permit. 4. There are some tax advantages to retiring in Norway such as not having to pay any tax on pensions and certain allowances. 5. Retiring in Norway can be expensive compared to other countries, with higher costs for groceries, restaurants and housing. 6. Although public healthcare is free for anyone living in Norway, medical treatment can still be costly so expats should consider a private insurance policy," explained one expat living in Norway.

"I haven't been able to find an organization, club, etc.There are no expat clubs to welcome you or anything of that sort. My child goes to an International school so I have met parents (from other countries) who have become good friends. Norwegians are not easy to befriend if you don't know them through someone else. and from what I have heard northern Norwegians are not as welcoming as southern, so we have that up hill battle as well. Its been really hard to find anything if you don't speak Norwegian," remarked one expat who made the move to Tromso.

"American Women's Club is available, but not really functioning. After trying several churches we have found a Church with an American core to be the friendliest place in town! In southern Norway, (we lived in Oslo for 10 years my husband is Norwegian), the culture is tough to break into. It is almost stereotypical small town closed," explained one expat living in Kristiansand, Norway.

"Expats in Norway can join local clubs and participate in activities such as soccer or tennis. They can join a gym, take a cooking class, or explore museums, restaurants and galleries with other expats. Expats may also attend English language meetings, join an organisation or join a religious or cultural group. Additionally, expats can try meeting people by attending social events or local festivals, or connecting with other internationals via social media platforms," said one expat in Norway.

"The people's priorities are money, status and beautiful houses. Daily lives revolve around sports, socializing and family activities. They spend their money on big boats, big houses and keeping up with each other and taking the boat or drive to neighboring countries to buy cheap meat and alcohol. Public drunkness and disordliness is socially acceptable. Where ever you travel in the nordic countries, if there is a drunk staggering the odds are he/she is Norwegian," explained one expat living in Kristiansand, Norway.

"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," said one expat in Tromso.

"Although Norway has a low crime rate relative to other countries, crime still occurs in Norway. In 2018, there was a spike in violence and personal crimes where guns and other types of weapons were involved. The most common crimes reported in Norway are burglary, shoplifting, drug trafficking, and fraud," explained one expat living in Norway.

"It's very diverse, however very prejudice towards Americans and color of skin. We have a saying amongst expats here "Norwegians are the nicest most rudest prejudice people you will ever meet." I feel lucky to have white skin cause I pass as Norwegian sometimes, but my friends tell me stories that has never happened to me, nor would I want to be treated as they have," remarked one expat living in Tromso, Norway.

"Yes, Norway has a large and diverse population. Norway has sizable minority populations of ethnic Sami, people of African, Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latin American descent, immigrants, and refugees. Norwegians are, on the whole, quite encouraging of cultural diversity and differences. Discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, or other attributes is illegal, and most people accept and respect newcomers," wrote one member in Norway.

"Southern Norway is the bible belt of the country. But don't look for this to be evident in daily life. Breaking into this culture if you are Norwegian, as my husband is, is TOUGH. If you have a different color skin forget it - they openly exercise racial and age discrimination in the job and housing markets. The UN may have voted Norway the nicest place to live and it may be one of the richest countries in the world, but in our opinion, that is a farce. The health care is so far below standard that it is dangerous to be ill. You have to ask the doc to take your blood pressure! The schools are destitute of funds, the hospitals are closing for lack of funds, it is a prime example of mismanagement, greed and arrogance. It went from 3rd world poor to first world rich in less than 3 decades. The economy grew but the culture did not. This is the land of Jante Loven, (Jante's Law)which is don't think you are anybody and certainly not any better than me, because if you stand out or excel they will take you down! That is the national curse and it is lived out on every level and area of society. Only the greedy and the arrogant rise to the top where they judge and criticize the rest of the world - especially democratic countries, socialism is the reigning philosophy. Their hatred for Israel and America is fightening. It is openly shown in politics and journalism. Norway is no friend of the USA or Israel," remarked one expat who made the move to Kristiansand.

"The International School of Stavanger (ISS) is one of the best international schools and bilingual schools in Norway, offering courses in English and Norwegian. International Baccalaureate (IB) programs are offered at the middle and upper school level. As a bilingual school, ISS offers primary and secondary language education, with a focus on language immersion in both Norwegian and French. ISS also has strong partnerships with local schools, colleges and universities. The St. Olav international School (SOIS) is another top international school in Norway. This school offers students from all over the world an educational programme focusing on the culture and language of the Scandinavian region. The school provides a rigorous curriculum that integrates the International Baccalaureate programmes for both Primary Years and Middle Years. International School at Bergen is another one of the best international schools in the country. This school teaches a balanced curriculum designed to meet the demands of international schools and to promote academic excellence. The school provides a variety of multicultural activities such as field trips, cultural seminars and exchange programmes. Students learn to work independently as well as to work with teachers and peers. Finally, the Oslo International School is also highly recommended bilingual school in Norway. This school offers instruction in Norwegian, English, German and French at its various levels of instruction. At the secondary school level, students are offered a wide range of elective or vocational courses. Through its Academic Support and Guidance Department, the school also provides various academic counselling and career development services," remarked one expat living in with children attending .

"DO IT! The school enjoys a fanatastic reputation within the community, so BOOK EARLY as class sizes are limited in many classes to 6 children per instructor. For the very youngest children, the class size is 5 children per instructor. If you are new to the community you will find yourself with a ready made social group and many parents who are happy to help you with the difficulties involved in settling in a new country. If you are in doubt, check their web site which represents what the school is like and its philosophy quite well. The web site is www.the-childrens-house.no The school as a whole is a very supportive and nurturing environment for children AND parents," said one expat in Stavanger with children at The Children's House.

"The cost of living in Norway is generally high compared to other countries. Housing and transportation costs are especially expensive, while food and other essentials are also costly. Norway is known for having one of the highest standards of living in the world and many imported products are very expensive," said one expat who made the move to Norway.

"The cost of living in Norway is relatively high, due to the low levels of taxation and generous public services like health care and education. In particular, Oslo is the most expensive city in Norway and its cost of living is even higher than in New York City or London. In general, prices in Norway are at least 50% higher than in many other European countries. Rental prices in Norway also vary widely depending on where you live. A nice one bedroom apartment can range from $1,700 to $2,500 per month whereas a nice two bedroom apartment can go as high as $3000-$3500 per month. Eating dinner at a moderately priced restaurant would cost you around US$50 per person," mentioned an expat living in Norway.

"In Norway, residents enjoy a variety of recreational facilities, such as outdoor activities like skiing, hiking, and fishing, as well as indoor activities like bowling, swimming, and ice skating. Norway also has a number of parks and gardens, as well as a variety of museums and galleries. Additionally, Norway is home to a number of cultural events, such as concerts, festivals, and theatrical performances," wrote one expat living in Norway.

"The weather in Norway can vary greatly depending on the season and region. In the summer, temperatures can range from mild to warm, with some areas experiencing temperatures in the high 20s Celsius. In the winter, temperatures can drop to below freezing, with snowfall common in many areas. Norway is known for its wet and windy weather, with rain and strong winds occurring throughout the year," wrote one expat living in Norway.

"One of Norway's most popular restaurants is Fjellskål, located in Bergen. Fjellskål is known for its traditional Norwegian cuisine, such as reindeer, cod, and whale. The restaurant also offers a wide selection of seafood dishes, as well as a variety of vegetarian options. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, and the staff is friendly and helpful. https://www.fjellskal.no/ Another popular restaurant in Norway is Restaurant Schrøder, located in Oslo. This restaurant is known for its modern take on traditional Norwegian dishes, such as smoked salmon, reindeer, and cod. The restaurant also offers a wide selection of international dishes, as well as a variety of vegetarian options. The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting, and the staff is friendly and helpful. https://www.restaurantschroder.no/ Finally, Restaurant Fru K in Stavanger is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. This restaurant is known for its modern take on traditional Norwegian dishes, such as reindeer, cod, and whale. The restaurant also offers a wide selection of international dishes, as well as a variety of vegetarian options. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, and the staff is friendly and helpful. https://www.fruk.no/," remarked one expat living in Norway.

"People living in Norway typically buy groceries and do other shopping at supermarkets, convenience stores, and specialty stores. Many Norwegians also shop online for groceries and other items. Additionally, there are many farmers' markets and outdoor markets throughout Norway where people can buy fresh produce and other goods," said an expat in Norway.

"Visa requirements in Norway depend on a visitor’s country of origin. Generally, those from countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) and the Schengen area do not need to apply for a visa. Those travelling from outside of the EEA and Schengen area, including the USA, need to apply for a visa. The process of applying for a visa includes submitting a valid passport, a printed confirmation page of the application form, and additional documents including proof of sufficient funds and/or a letter of invitation from a Norwegian Citizen. Those wishing to obtain residency in Norway must first apply for a residence permit. Depending on individual circumstances, the application process may include proving one’s identity and economic standing, health insurance coverage, and background checks. Required documents typically vary according to individual circumstances and can include a valid passport, proof of address, health certificate, birth certificate, and a letter of intent. Upon approval, applicants will be invited to attend a registration interview and receive their residence permit," commented one expat living in Norway.

"Healthcare in Norway is generally considered to be of high quality and is free for all citizens and residents. However, health insurance is not free and can be quite expensive. Private health insurance plans are available, but they are not mandatory and can be quite costly. The cost of health insurance depends on the type of coverage and the provider, but it can range from a few hundred to several thousand Norwegian kroner per year," commented one expat who moved to Norway.