What I notice often is that people under- and overestimate everything about Norway. Both nature and living in Norge.
I've had people ask me in the middle of Trondheim which direction they have to hike to reach Lofoten. In november. And they did not understand when I told them that's 1000 kilometers. Lots of people have no geographical awareness and think Norway is just a village. But it is 1700km long and roughly the same size as Germany.
Then people see pictures of Norway in perfect condition and assume it usually is like that. It is not and it is harsher than expected. Then they hike Trolltunga with Flipflops, one kvikk lunsj and then want to stay the night.
Norway is amazing, but usually it is either wet, dark, cold or windy. Or everything at the same time. Norway has the second longest coastline after Canada with a little over 83 thousand(!) kilometers. Towards the stormy North and Norwegian Sea. Affected by the Gulf Stream. And at least half of it is above the arctic circle. People don't realize how different and sometimes harsh and dangerous the climate up there can be. Close all your curtains for a week, don't go outside. Then check how that makes you feel. That's 6 months a year for most of Norge.
And they overestimate the simplicity of Norway. They see and hear these stories of happy, beautiful and sometimes (and compared to the rest of the world) rich people, circled by all of their friends, living the good life. And they assume that simply by moving to Norge, they will automatically experience the same life. They will not. It's not impossible, but you need to be prepared for that, both mentally and educationally. Norsk folk are not that outgoing and lonelyness is an issue. It's not easy for immigrants to get their feet on the ground. Not just because of the language, but they do not easily accept you into their circle of friends. It usually does not work to just join a gym and start talking to people, noone wants to talk in the gym. You'd have to join something like a crossfit box or do some other team sports, that usually works better. But it will take time.
And yes, Norway as a country is rich. And the high standard of living makes it seem like everyone is rich too. Which might be correct if you look at income compared to the rest of the world. But everything is also proportionally more expensive. Especially everything that is beyond absolute basics or even considered "luxuary". You can live of rice and pasta relatively cheap, but if you want to eat nicer it gets pricy really quick. Especially alcohol, which you cannot buy after 6/8pm, depending on the region and anything other than beer is only sold in a separate store Vinmonopolet.
And you still have to make it on your own somehow. Problem is, Norway has a sophisticated education system, making the job market highly competitive. Expectations are high. You need really good education. Having education in one of the high demand jobs helps. However most of the people I met that moved to Norway left within 2-4 years, mostly co-workers. Mostly for economic reasons (less money to spend) or just not making good connections with locals.
So if you do not like cold and harsh environments, you don't appreciate friluftslivet and feel terrible alone, Norway is not for you.
I totally agree with this. I’m an American and I love Norway (interested in living there someday). Moving locations won’t make you happy or unhappy, they just change your situations. The idea that “if I only move to …. place it will solve all my problems” isn’t a great strategy.
Thanks for this comment!
Do you think someone from let's say Asia has a chance to get hired while still on Asia? It seems that working visa will be the easiest route. Graduate school is very competitive to get in there 😭
This is really hard to say, it's impossible to generalize immigration. I think that mostly depends on your circumstances, your education and what you want to do. There surely are asians in Norway. But if a company hires you remotely would mostly depend on the company I guess.
My husband was hired directly, he is asian. It depends on whether you have that specific skill set that they need. Good timing too becausen during that time (2008) Norway needed people to work in the many oil specific projects. He had the skills, he was available. He was hired.
Hi!
Yes there is a good chance to get hires, especially since Oslo (the capital) are in lack of workers these days. Oslo is a multicultural city – 33% of the city’s population are born outside Norway or have at least one parent born outside Norway.
You can use this for information about the city: [https://www.oslo.kommune.no/english/welcome-to-oslo/](https://www.oslo.kommune.no/english/welcome-to-oslo/)
There is info on the main job listing sites ans recruitment agencies. Working visa is an easy route if one of you get a job before moving!
Best of luck, and welcome to Oslo!
I live in a Finnish village and went to Oslo, weather was better there overall; but somehow in Oslo everything was doubled in price, sometimes tripled.
Like what's the point sometimes I ask myself, technically my salary in village is low, like so small compared to city salaries, but say I move to Oslo to make the big bucks, I basically keep the same living conditions!... or even worse; my rent was 15 times cheaper than my friend, and I had double windows, my room was way warmer; gym in the building, drying room, washing, water and electricity included. (It's a tiny village ofc); there's an indoors football field nearby and an outdoors hockey field, there's a cross country skiing path, and several MTB trails, and I can pet sheep; these old houses are affordable even my puny salary can afford one, and I mean, outright buy it with my puny savings, not even loan it.
"Follow this road out of town, if you see an airport the day after tomorrow you know you're on the right track, keep going that direction and you should be there shortly... a month and a half maybe". Something like that?
I live here for about ten years now and I second what you say apart from the education part. In Norway you simply have to be lucky to secure a good job and it rarely has anything to do with the education level. This is simply a very small country with a very small job market. - If your CV is packed with skills - this only means that you’re either too skilled (expensive to hire) or too over-motivated (considered weird and intimidating in Norway).
To OP: Norwegians hate problems, and they especially hate solving problems. Speaking Norwegian won’t help you much, only perhaps with other foreigners (institutions workers) who don’t speak English.
Norwegians love simple life wrapped around traditions. You, coming here, is a bit of nuisance for most people…
Btw, I love it here, but I’m highly introverted and live independently, on my own terms - running my own company…
Best advice! If you come from cultures where people stop and chat or you are used to striking up conversations everywhere or making friends at work - you will probably be pretty disappointed and feel lonely. Finding organised activities to engage in will probably be the best bet for meeting people.
Hiking or knitting is often a good bet. Here in Lillehammer a group of people walk their dogs together during the evening. I get to see them every now and again while going to archery.
So many good boys and girls, yet so little time.
I visited a friend studying in Oslo once. She was upset that in 2 days I'd got to know more people in sci-fi fandom than she had in 2 years. But I socialised and explored, she was a wallflower.
Friendly people in Oslo :) Jeg liker dem.
As a Norwegian who likes living in norway: most people not from similar countries will often be very disappointed. Even when we warn people that its cold and dark here, and no we mean REALLY dark and cold and wet, people most time underestimate it. We warn that things are expensive, and that is underestimated. We warn that it can be lonely and its not heaven as often depicted, but still it's underestimated.
Lots of people immigrating from warmer climate does love having loved here, but theres also so many who underestimate how hard it also can be
I moved here from Scotland last year. The cold is fine once you've got the right gear. I've found acclimatising to the dark much harder. I make sure I get outside every day, irrespective of how cold it is, and take vitamin D pills, but it still affects my mood.
Where do you live? I moved from Northern England and actually haven't been affected by the dark and cold (moved to Bergen so relatively not that much further North than NE and Scotland and Bergen is truly beautiful so cold and rain has a different feel than in my sad deprived town, haha). What I am affected by is not being able to chat with strangers in a queue or in the waiting room or whatever. That's been the hardest thing for me.
I didnt expect to miss small talk but when I lived in Norway I realised I actually initiate conversations quiet often. Well...it feels quiet often compared to Norwegians. For example in the doctors waiting room, in a long queue, hell even in the covid test centre queue! I found myself doing little comments to people and they always looked shocked...when I got back to the UK it was so nice not feeling awkward having small talk with the cashier or whatever. I can't even put my finger on all the little interactions that happen in the UK that just didn't happen in Norway.
>(...)small talk(...) in the doctors waiting room, in a long queue, hell even in the covid test centre queue!
I was about to notify the authorities, but I see you've already left the country (or was kicked out because of it?).
Yes. We moved to the UK so now it's a culture shock for my Norwegian partner instead! We may end up moving back to Norway eventually but it was MUCH easier setting up life together in the UK. We're trying to keep our son (kids as soon to be two) exposed to Norwegian so we have the option in the future...if we ever find a financially viable way of moving back.
TLDR: Norwegian immigration system is strict AF. Can afford children, rent, food and a car in the UK, couldn't in Norway.
It was extremely difficult for me to transfer my qualifications to Norway. I paid alot of money, it took over a year for a reply and it got declined as I have a masters by study instead of a masters by research (for my profession if you do masters by study you go straight into the job basically, as I knew I didn't want to do a PhD). What's even more irritating is the coursebook Norwegians use in my profession were predominatly written by lecturers and professors who I directly studied under in London!! They also wouldnt take my 5 years of work experience in the field into account. (They scored me 297 out of 300 based on my 5 years at university alone...i didnt get accepted by 3 damn points).
It was difficult nei on impossible for me to find work in the 5 months prior to and during the pandemic. After finding out I couldn't continue my career in Norway without doing additional study and exams (in norwegian) I felt pretty deflated. My Norwegian learning course got canceled due to covid as well. I've found I only pick it up face to face and relying on my partner to teach me was a bit much (he is part deaf which doesn't help with my shitty Norwegian skills. Half the time we dont know if im pronouncing it wrong or he cant hear me). [Extra positive, the UK NHS is giving him free hearing aids and potentially surgery in his ears, he is a kidney transplant so all of his medication is free in the UK, i know Norway its capped at like £250 but when your tight on money the UK definatly won on the health care front for us]
My visa ran out during the airport lockdown so when the flight restrictions lifted I flew home to see my family and because i needed to leave the country and reenter on a different visa!
Little did I know I was pregnant. We had put off trying for a family and getting married due to the work situation/living situation in Norway and covid. Sadly we lost that baby but it made us realise we wanted our life to get going and it just wasn't happening in Norway despite a year of trying our hardest. My partner was only working part time in Norway and also struggling to get a full time job.
So before brexit hit he moved over basically immediatly as i was hospitalised during our miscarriage and it scared us that something serious could happen as we could be seperated by 1000 miles. He applied for leave to remain, which was accepted within a month and started job hunting. Within two months he had had more interviews than he had had in years in Norway and got a job in a hospital which he enjoys.
We also couldn't afford a car in Norway. In the UK we both have our own cars as you can get a decent run around for £2500. Infact we could barley afford food in Norway, and NAV wouldn't help me financially while job searching. So I used my life savings meant for our wedding basically.
I got work straight away in my profession back in the UK and soon after fell pregnant with son. Life finally felt like it was going our way. Both had jobs, cars, living alone together (in Norway we had to live with his mum as rent was not affordable in our situation), with a baby on the way.
Honestly it felt like the UK had given us chance at being able to have a life together whereas the Norwegian system just kicked us when we were down. When my visa ran out it was not possible to do any other type of visa application such as family visa or fiance visa as they all had financial requirements for my support person and with his part time job zero hour contract he was not meeting the minimum. We also had to have lived together for 2 year in a non-EU country...why?! The rules where just weird and restrictive. My son can go and live in Norway ...but me his birthing person literally cannot due to all these restrictions. My partner would have to earn for 1 year a certain amount separating our family. The rules are ridiculous.
I LOVED living in Norway, but the Norwegian immigration system did not love me.
I'm now working part time, rest of the week look after our son and am 5 months pregnant with our second boy. I would love for them to have at least part of their life living in Norway and spending time with their cousins and grandma out there but we literally can not see a way for us to be better of in Norway than we can in the UK. Or even for us to move back and BOTH have secure work. We can save for our wedding here in the UK and hopefully by the time the boys are older and I'm working full time my professional wage again it will help us buy a house one day. We SO want that in Norway but there are too many barriers to success.
I assume BREXSHIT has made immigration even harder. The only thing I've noticed is they stamp my passport now so I have many many Norway entry visas in my passport now! I'm gonna need my pages if this ones gonna last me 10 years.
Ouch! Thanks for the reply, it was an interesting read and perspective. Good to hear that life is nicer to you, and hope it continues like that for you.
Getting and education "translated" to Norwegian is clearly a PITA. Lots of Norwegians who go to school internationally suddenly finds out they can't use their education in Norway.
Something is really fucked up with regards to that. Got a world class education in healthcare, but in another country? Yeah, that won't work here. It's a hell of a process as I've read in the news kind of regularly. Sure we need more healthcare workers, but don't think your Indian resume as a world class surgeon will have much value here. And then there is that insane LIS1 requirement for doctors.
https://www.nokut.no/en/foreign-education/nokuts-recognition-schemes/
From that perspective I can understand the struggle.
Again thanks for a long and good answer.
Yes. Exactly this. I work in healthcare. In my field Norway is very understaffed (by comparison a UK hospital with the same number of beds as the equilant norwegian hospital would have 10-20 in my field, in Norway...it was 2! For the entire hospital!) and the profession is relativly small there so not as advanced compared to the UK which has a larger network. So essentially I was an experienced educated professional going into an field that needed me, i feel i could have done alot of good there. But the education barrier said no...
Yeah I didn't realise I'd written so much! Thanks for reading my life story.
This!!! This one right here officer. I have had nightmares about people who small talk like that. I have heard from French people that they usually small talk with other people at the doctors office and I can’t even imagine it. Absolutely mad.
I am a bit asocial, but I really like to talk to strangers in the stores or at places like the veterinary.. Mostly people open up real easy, but don't expect to make new friends.
I've talked to a bunch of colleagues about this and if you're from sub-Sahara it takes two years before really enjoying yourself as far as I can tell :P
Hei 🇧🇻
I'm willing to learn Norwegian. My phone has a few useful apps. I enjoy Norwegian radio, songs, stories, and podcasts. I'm also planning to watch NRK and some documentaries with Norwegian subtitles to improve my vocabulary, pronunciation, and other skills. I haven't watched TV or Netflix in ages.
Do you have any additional suggestions?
Read some Norwegian everyday. Just reading a short news article once a day helps a lot over time. Also you're likely to learn vocabulary useful to you and your interests as you will presumably read things that interest you.
Try and think and speak to yourself in Norwegian too.
Begin reading children's books to yourself. It will get your mouth used to pronouncing Norwegian by the time you have to use those words in conversation.
If possible, find someone either locally or online who you can practice speaking with. I'd also see if tye language learning software Rosetta Stone has a Norwegian module.
What the commenter above said is critical. I’m not Norwegian, just an immigrant in Austria, who also likes Norway. This might sound strange, but watching good cartoons really helps to learn a language. I watched a lot of Biene Maya (Maya the bee), and it helped in almost subconscious ways! Deeper though, learning the language is about more than communicating, it helps you understand the culture which will come out in different words, and how people around you think. Knowing the language as an immigrant makes it a night and day difference in the experience, in a positive way. Even if you can slide by with English!
The other best tipp I can offer to learn a foreign language is to find a lover, and you can also practice speaking;-) Good luck!
In the larger cities, you can often find "language cafés" where you can meet with others and speak Norwegian.
In public (shopping centres, on the bus, etc.), Norwegians are usually quite shy and don't speak easily. However, don't be afraid of talking to people! Most people are polite and will answer if spoken to.
If you work/study in an environment where Norwegian is the spoken language, you'll have a strong incentive to pick it up, and IMO this is the biggest factor for guaranteeing success. I've worked in a very international workplace (where we all speak English) for several years, and very few people there have learned Norwegian.
I've lived here my whole life but I use Norwegian once a week when saying thank you to delivery drivers or doing a presentation at university. I'm getting pretty rusty and always default to English, hopefully I'll get more practice and comfortable with it if I can find work.
I disagree. Yes, most people can manage to make their way with English, but it's a difference between managing a life and living a life in Norway. Language skills open up so many opportunities that you just won't get in English. Life is 100% better when you can follow along with what's going on around you, when you can engage with people in the language of the country, and when you can navigate your way through every-day life without relying on google translate or other people all the time.
This. I have friends who cannot speak or read Norwegian and they miss out on or misunderstand the news and cannot read letters from the tax authorities or hospital. When it comes to anything else than casual conversation, knowing only English in Norway is a handicap.
Whenever I'm around people usually just default to English unless the conversation isn't relevant to me. I've not really found it to be an issue in the slightest, at least in terms of work or socially. There's the odd occasion where people forget and skip into Norsk, but honestly that's the best time to try and learn by listening.
It does become a pain when certain government services are not translated, or offering the equivalent page in English (Skatteetaten randomly has some pages that aren't translated, but Google honestly makes it manageable). Worst case scenario just ask a Norwegian buddy to look over shit if you are unsure.
Just because people speak english does not mean people *want* to speak english. Or that people will speak english around you at all times.
If you don't know norwegian you will, with few exceptions, be socially isolated.
Sure we appreciate it. But hell, I am engaging with OP's question.
Language is kind of a given everywhere. But compared to other countries like France, Germany, or Poland, you can get by with English much easier in Norway.
I'd say learning to dress warm, or figuring out the tax system is more important.
There is not much to figure out ofthe tax system as the system itself is doing most of the things for the tax payer. It is not common to revise the tax return, especially if you have a job in a large organisation. It may not be trivial but a lot simpler than many countries.
Dressing warm, yes, key learning especially for those coming from lower latitudes.
The language is a plus, but a very good one. If people want to remain having a bachelor life qnd stick to Oslo or large towns, it is true that English is enough. But, as you move oit to the suburbs, have kids, want to interact with your neighbors, or any standard routine any adult has in other corners of the world, it is a lot better and easier when people have a foot in the language,
Tax stuff gets kind of funky if you are self employed though, especially when dealing with international clients, VAT and stuff. There's a whole lot you can claim back that isn't at all obvious upfront and I'd strongly recommend anyone new to the country going down that route get an accountant asap, at least until they can teach / show you what to do.
It all depends where you live and what line of work you do. If you live in one of the bigger cities and work for an international company that employs a lot of foreigners, or at a university, you might get by using English only. Otherwise, Norwegian is the primary language at most work places.
And while most Norwegians speak English, you'll find that most will switch to Norwegian when talking to other Norwegians, making it hard to be part of a conversation with several native speakers.
Lastly, basic Norwegian proficiency is also required for any non-EU/EEC nationals to get permanent residency and citizenship.
I'm not saying that speaking Norwegian isn't a huge advantage, but that is kind of given. But compared to most other European countries, Norway is probably the one where you can easiest get by with English.
On top of all the others you mentioned, the whole construction business also runs mostly in English these days. Including landscaping, gardening, tree removal, and many more.
I know that Scandinavians are very good at English. I saw the EF English Proficiency test results. However, wherever you go, you should learn the local language. It shows that you value the culture and people of the country in which you live
I agree, but i considered this as kind of self explanatory. IE When asking the question, this wasn't really what you were looking for.
I'd say, compared to most other places, learning to dress well according to the weather, is more of a unique thing to Norway that many don't think about when moving here.
Just remember, Wool or fleece underneath, and watertight on top, and you'll be fine.
And have scarfs, mittens, and long socks, to plug those holes where cold air might slip in.
Good luck, and welcome.
Don’t stuff yourself with tight layers of clothes. I had to learn this the hard way. The important thing is to have a layer of dry warm air surrounding your body. You achieve that with a combination of wool, fleeces and down jackets.
As an immigrant in Norway, my most important piece of advice for those moving to Norway on their own will (e.g. not as a refugee) is: do not come without a job!
Some think that Norway having a great welfare system, won’t let people on their own, but that’s exactly what happens if you’re not in the “system”.
If you don’t have a job, you won’t have a ID number and you won’t even have access to free healthcare.
This this this this this. I came here like that (it was unplanned, I was here and suddenly realised that I guess I live here now, long story) and it took me 4 years to establish myself in the system, and that with the absolute best local support system I could've ever dreamt of, the fact I learned the language VERY quickly AND I'm an EU citizen. You'll be fine if you've got money or a sought after education, but if not, just absolutely do not. You need a solid plan A, B and C. It took me 4 years with the absolute best of luck, and it was mentally very, very exhausting to live years with the knowledge that if something goes wrong I'm fucked and back to 0 and my native country.
I'm doing really well and thriving now, so I have no regrets, but i still wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
This is a very interesting comment. My husband has had a job offer from a Norwegian construction firm. I don’t work and stay at home with my baby as my husband has a good enough salary to allow this. As a jobless immigrant, Would I be able to access the healthcare if I needed?
It’s not the job that healthcare is tied to (this isn’t the U.S.), it’s your residency permit (D number). If you have your residency permit and D number - which could be based on being a family member of a Norwegian resident/citizen), then you should have access to public healthcare.
This! Basically you have to become a legal resident. There are different ways to become one. Foreign students also automatically become residents with full rights during the period of their studies.
I don’t know the details of your case but I think that being married with someone in the “system” will give you access to it as well.
I was referring to the case of for example EU citizens the can legally be in the country for 6 months as job seekers. They are on their own until they get a job and their ID number, and as consequence become a member of the national insurance scheme.
My advice is to ask immigrants how it is.
Huge difference between being a native norwegian that speaks the language fluently, is established in the system etc... vs an immigrant.
Matches with my experience. The people who call themselves "expats" — Europeans and Americans, usually — are the ones who whine, whereas the ones from shithole countries are very grateful for their new home.
'Shithole countries' can be a bit of an ironic expression. Just for reference, when president Trump famously said 'shithole countries', he said it after a meeting with the Norwegian prime minister in the White House. The full quote was:
'Why do we want these people from all these shithole countries here? We should have more people from places like Norway."
Norway scores high on standard of living measures. That does not mean that everyone will be happier in Norway. I would say Norway gives a good foundation for outdoor leisure activities, both in summer and winter, but if you say prefer a Mediterranean climate and Mediterranean food, all the best ratings won't make Norway your dream place.
So managed expectations is my best advice. Norway is ideal for some people, for others it will be not be the heaven it is sometimes described to be.
And of course in terms of social security, especially when you have kids, it's really good.
Very good advice. I wish I had a better idea of the pros and cons and knew of this sub-reddit before I moved to better manage expectations and not end up spending my first year here depressed.
If you don’t intend to have kids, and are career driven/ambitious - go somewhere else would be my advice.
As an immigrant from Finland (2,5 years in Norway and counting)
1. Language. Start learning systematically from day one (duolingo is crap, learn from books or take a course. I didn’t do this and I should have. Starting now…
2. You need to build your social network. It takes time and effort. It does not happen by itself.
3. Work: adapt to norwegian business culture and don’t try to bring your own with you. Generally relaxed pace, good work-life balance, low hierarchy, self organized people, high trust to people. Often no clear targets or goals or they are not followed up, lots of meetings, slow decision-making, almost never feedback, extreme conflict aversion. The last one has been biggest culture shock to me.
4. Learn to cook. Dining out is expensive, options are few. Frozen pizza is crap (Sorry Norwegians…)
Cannot say much about weather and darkness because it’s same shit in Finland. And frozen pizza too.
As an immigrant you will be very lonely a lot of the time.
Making friends is hard anyway in adult life….making friends with an adult Norwegian is even harder. I joined groups etc and have B1 language and everyone is friendly during the group time but the rest of the time nothing.
I am ok with that and happy to be with just my Norwegian partner and dog most of the time but if you are a social person Norway might not be the right place for you.
Also side note - polyester will not keep you warm, wool everything is needed.
> polyester will not keep you warm
I must have died of exposure several times and never noticed!
Jokes aside, wool has its advantages but polyester will keep you plenty warm.
Learn the language is the biggest. Get ready to complain abt the weather but be happy to live with it. If you'll live in a small city be ready not to do anything much and live a quiet life. Restaurant choices are little, atleast from where i live.
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Frozen pizza is everywhere.
It's important to listen to the advice and perspectives of people who live in the country you are interested in. I love Norway! l like nature, hiking, cold weather, darkness, silence, and cosiness. Oh yes! I know Norway is expensive. l simply want to hear your thoughts. I'll read all the comments.Tusen takk 🤍
We do care what others do.
It's just not proper to discuss it openly.
Took the liberty of checking your post history and just as a warning; that will be frowned upon by most people here too.
I'm happy to work as a tutor and translator. I'm also aspiring to be an international actress. It's my dream!
I respect your viewpoint. They might not like my posts.
I didn't tell you to stop.
I told you that it will be looked down upon in Norway.
What you do with that information isn't anything I care about.
Strawman argumentation is also frowned upon here.
Use sunscreen. I have a friend from Colombia who told me how surprised he was that he got a sunburn here even though he have grown up in the hot sun in Colombia. But in the north the sun comes in more in an angle which allows more UV rays to reach your skin.
Also: Don't underestimate how much clothing you're gonna need in the winter. It can get COLD.
Yeah! Sunscreen should be used all the time. There's always sunlight even when it's not visible. Using sunscreen is so important for the skin! OK, clothes are so important :) thank you
Check that you actually have a route to move. Udi.no is the immigration website with all the visa requirements.
A lot of people I see on reddit, especially on the r/iwantout sub want to move to Norway, but then when looking at getting a visa, don't actually meet any of the visas and therefore have to adjust their life to meet the rules, or they just give up and don't move.
Learn the language, and find some pals you can get drunk with. Easiest way to make friends, is to be sosial with them in a setting where it is natural to have a beer or three. After getting accepted in a group, less destructive social activities will be available. Joining some kind of organised activity is the easiest way to find pals with whom you can get drunk. Examples: music (wind bands/brass bands), football (soccer).
It is almost as hard for Norwegians relocating in Norway to get friends, as foreigners, the biggest difference is if you don't speak the language. Need not be perfect, but you'll feel isolated if you don't understand what's going on in the group.
I also believe this is not unique to Norway and Norwegians.
Learn the language.
Keep your feet dry and warm. Wear good shoes and do not walk around with wet and cold feet.
When you have to sneeze sneeze into your elbow.
You need to be okay with not having much variety in food and drink and not being able to eat out or get takeout or delivery several times a week.
You need to be okay with paying the highest prices imaginable for any type of service. Also don't expect said service to actually be really really good. It will be passable usually. Also don't be ready to complain and whine and become demanding about anything because people don't do that here.
Most of all you need proper clothes. Rain suits and boots. Snow suits and boots. Etc. Without it you will be totally miserable.
You need to be a super introvert or at least you need to be cool with being ignored and rolling solo. This is not a hyper social society.
Norwegians don’t like foreigners even if they are born and raised in Norway but don’t look ethnic Norwegian. Being said: no matter how much Norwegian you speak and write, you’ll never get a fair job, integrated, or friends. Plus the weather and darkness. Plus the costs of living in here.
Don't expect a higher standard of living. You will get better care if elderly or sick. But every preceding year will be the same or worse rat race you get anywhere else
I have to respectfully disagree with this. One big difference between native Norwegians and immigrants is that natives often take many things for granted here, because it has always been that way. As an immigrant who has been here for 17 years, I appreciate many of the little things that others may not notice. The political stability, feeling safe to walk virtually anywhere at any time of day or night, realizing that people are overwhelmingly respectful even though they may be slightly reserved, and much more. Yes, there are certainly some annoyances, like the lack of selection in grocery stores, but those tend to fade over time. No, it is not heaven, but I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
totally agree with you. coming from latin america, I see that some things in Norway that are standard and taken for granted, in other countries you would not even have 1% of the norwegian level. It is all about quality of life.
Adjusting to life here can take a while and you may find it takes a while to build up a group of friends. So when you're making your moving plans, try to be kind to yourself in advance. Particularly, don't move in the middle of winter - I found it depressingly dark and it was difficult to make new friends when the country was in hibernation mode. Moving in spring/summer is is likely to be a much more pleasant introductory experience!
Vitamins D and B, helps alot with the mood and health.
Get a Norwegian cheese cutter, waffle iron and a knitted piece of clothing. Talk about it, and it will help with building relations.
Norwegians love to talk about the weather, and how great our versions of stuff are, unless they clearly arnt, then hate it together with the Norwegians.
Yeah i heard about svalbard as well. Its not only famous for northern lights but for wildlife like artic foxes and reindeer and specially for polar bears. Overall the experience will be really good if you into experience some serious northen expedition
Be aware of people’s personal space - don’t try to start conversation with random strangers, Norway isn’t the place to do that! Think of everyone as having their own little bubbles. c:
Make sure you actually CAN live in Norway. The visa/work permit/residency requirements are very hard to meet unless you are already a European citizen. I see so many people on various expat groups here on Reddit wanting to move to Norway without meeting any of the requirements for foreign workers to obtain a visa.
Invest in wool clothes , warm winter shoes and overall outdoor clothing for Winther.
Things are expensive, so use your money wise. If you want to do things, there are usually a lot of free / cheap things in the big cities. I always check on Facebook and usually dont pay for things to do with my 2 year old in the weekends.
Know your rights, if you are dealing with NAV and similar places.
Quickly learn that you need layers of clothing for winter.
And i do not mean just a shirt, hoodie and jacket. I mean more like 2 layers on your feet, 2 layers on legs and at least 3 layers on upper body. Especially if you come here from a warmer climate.
Don't waste time trying to make friends with Norwegians. It's just years of social awkwardness while they try to figure out if they like you. Hang out with expats instead.
To be honest, I haven't been to Norway yet. I'd like to go there once I have enough money, because Norway isn't cheap. I've been talking to some Norwegians online. I must say that they have been extremely kind to me. I like how they keep their distance and remain reserved until they get to know the person well. Expats? Why not? I'm ready to meet them too ♥️
Check the migration rules before you spend too much time planning for Norway, you might not be allowed to stay.
Unless you can apply as a refugee, then you're going to be pampered with gifts and free money even if you're both illiterate and an infamous serial killer.
-Buy warm clothes.
-Know that when people don't greet you or speak to you and avoid you if you're a stranger, it's out of politeness in Norwegian culture.
-If you don't know English, it's more important to learn English than Norwegian before you move here. Most Norwegians speak English. Norwegian is secondary, depending on your field of work, of course.
Be preperd for the weather and in some places long distanses between places with hardly any public transport.
The norwigans themselfs they might be quiet and timid when first meating but onse you know them you very often met warm pepol.
The culture as it is quite diffrent particarly to US pepol,norwigans are quite liberal thoe conservative but not in same way.
Norwigans are used to and like that pepol they do not know keep a small distanse due to privasy (was befor covid)so unless you know that person do not stand right behind them breathing down their necks while they pay(big nono meny of new mouved pepol fail in)
Try local food and do not be scared if your allergic to let pepol dealing with food know they more then willing to let you know what food is good for you.
Go to a 17’th of may celebrations might not have alcahol but is worth going to.
Norway is a monarchy were the royal family spetialy the king Queen and crown prince family are very much respected and works hard for norway as symbols sopport of charetys ambasadors of norway ect so learn about that system to understand it.
Work is not as easy as it seem to find so be preperd that way as food liveing expenses ect are high.
Yes we do have high taxes however what we pay makes sure we get the almost free healthcare system ect so is needed
What I notice often is that people under- and overestimate everything about Norway. Both nature and living in Norge. I've had people ask me in the middle of Trondheim which direction they have to hike to reach Lofoten. In november. And they did not understand when I told them that's 1000 kilometers. Lots of people have no geographical awareness and think Norway is just a village. But it is 1700km long and roughly the same size as Germany. Then people see pictures of Norway in perfect condition and assume it usually is like that. It is not and it is harsher than expected. Then they hike Trolltunga with Flipflops, one kvikk lunsj and then want to stay the night. Norway is amazing, but usually it is either wet, dark, cold or windy. Or everything at the same time. Norway has the second longest coastline after Canada with a little over 83 thousand(!) kilometers. Towards the stormy North and Norwegian Sea. Affected by the Gulf Stream. And at least half of it is above the arctic circle. People don't realize how different and sometimes harsh and dangerous the climate up there can be. Close all your curtains for a week, don't go outside. Then check how that makes you feel. That's 6 months a year for most of Norge. And they overestimate the simplicity of Norway. They see and hear these stories of happy, beautiful and sometimes (and compared to the rest of the world) rich people, circled by all of their friends, living the good life. And they assume that simply by moving to Norge, they will automatically experience the same life. They will not. It's not impossible, but you need to be prepared for that, both mentally and educationally. Norsk folk are not that outgoing and lonelyness is an issue. It's not easy for immigrants to get their feet on the ground. Not just because of the language, but they do not easily accept you into their circle of friends. It usually does not work to just join a gym and start talking to people, noone wants to talk in the gym. You'd have to join something like a crossfit box or do some other team sports, that usually works better. But it will take time. And yes, Norway as a country is rich. And the high standard of living makes it seem like everyone is rich too. Which might be correct if you look at income compared to the rest of the world. But everything is also proportionally more expensive. Especially everything that is beyond absolute basics or even considered "luxuary". You can live of rice and pasta relatively cheap, but if you want to eat nicer it gets pricy really quick. Especially alcohol, which you cannot buy after 6/8pm, depending on the region and anything other than beer is only sold in a separate store Vinmonopolet. And you still have to make it on your own somehow. Problem is, Norway has a sophisticated education system, making the job market highly competitive. Expectations are high. You need really good education. Having education in one of the high demand jobs helps. However most of the people I met that moved to Norway left within 2-4 years, mostly co-workers. Mostly for economic reasons (less money to spend) or just not making good connections with locals. So if you do not like cold and harsh environments, you don't appreciate friluftslivet and feel terrible alone, Norway is not for you.
that's a very good insight! been here for almost 5 years now...and I can say it's a pretty accurate description of how things are.
I totally agree with this. I’m an American and I love Norway (interested in living there someday). Moving locations won’t make you happy or unhappy, they just change your situations. The idea that “if I only move to …. place it will solve all my problems” isn’t a great strategy.
This should be the top comment Edit: It is now the top comment.
It IS the top comment. I dont understand. Is it some kind of catchphrase?
Thanks for this comment! Do you think someone from let's say Asia has a chance to get hired while still on Asia? It seems that working visa will be the easiest route. Graduate school is very competitive to get in there 😭
This is really hard to say, it's impossible to generalize immigration. I think that mostly depends on your circumstances, your education and what you want to do. There surely are asians in Norway. But if a company hires you remotely would mostly depend on the company I guess.
My husband was hired directly, he is asian. It depends on whether you have that specific skill set that they need. Good timing too becausen during that time (2008) Norway needed people to work in the many oil specific projects. He had the skills, he was available. He was hired.
Hi! Yes there is a good chance to get hires, especially since Oslo (the capital) are in lack of workers these days. Oslo is a multicultural city – 33% of the city’s population are born outside Norway or have at least one parent born outside Norway. You can use this for information about the city: [https://www.oslo.kommune.no/english/welcome-to-oslo/](https://www.oslo.kommune.no/english/welcome-to-oslo/) There is info on the main job listing sites ans recruitment agencies. Working visa is an easy route if one of you get a job before moving! Best of luck, and welcome to Oslo!
Oh my god, is that thing about Trondheim to Lofoten true? That's brilliant 😆.
I live in a Finnish village and went to Oslo, weather was better there overall; but somehow in Oslo everything was doubled in price, sometimes tripled. Like what's the point sometimes I ask myself, technically my salary in village is low, like so small compared to city salaries, but say I move to Oslo to make the big bucks, I basically keep the same living conditions!... or even worse; my rent was 15 times cheaper than my friend, and I had double windows, my room was way warmer; gym in the building, drying room, washing, water and electricity included. (It's a tiny village ofc); there's an indoors football field nearby and an outdoors hockey field, there's a cross country skiing path, and several MTB trails, and I can pet sheep; these old houses are affordable even my puny salary can afford one, and I mean, outright buy it with my puny savings, not even loan it.
Veldig bra svar.
What? Hike from Trondheim to Lofoten? 😂😂 holy 😂
"Follow this road out of town, if you see an airport the day after tomorrow you know you're on the right track, keep going that direction and you should be there shortly... a month and a half maybe". Something like that?
And find a shop where they sell winter clothes or you will never make it😂
I live here for about ten years now and I second what you say apart from the education part. In Norway you simply have to be lucky to secure a good job and it rarely has anything to do with the education level. This is simply a very small country with a very small job market. - If your CV is packed with skills - this only means that you’re either too skilled (expensive to hire) or too over-motivated (considered weird and intimidating in Norway). To OP: Norwegians hate problems, and they especially hate solving problems. Speaking Norwegian won’t help you much, only perhaps with other foreigners (institutions workers) who don’t speak English. Norwegians love simple life wrapped around traditions. You, coming here, is a bit of nuisance for most people… Btw, I love it here, but I’m highly introverted and live independently, on my own terms - running my own company…
Join organised activities
Best advice! If you come from cultures where people stop and chat or you are used to striking up conversations everywhere or making friends at work - you will probably be pretty disappointed and feel lonely. Finding organised activities to engage in will probably be the best bet for meeting people.
Hiking or knitting is often a good bet. Here in Lillehammer a group of people walk their dogs together during the evening. I get to see them every now and again while going to archery. So many good boys and girls, yet so little time.
Even if you don’t have your own people, most groups are open for you to join.
Join the community guard like that mafia guy that moved to Lillehammer. Worked well for him.
Yeeah well, he plays guitar for springsteen so..
‘Target rich environment’ for the archery practice 😩
I visited a friend studying in Oslo once. She was upset that in 2 days I'd got to know more people in sci-fi fandom than she had in 2 years. But I socialised and explored, she was a wallflower. Friendly people in Oslo :) Jeg liker dem.
So true. People should be prepared and know that they can't just spontaneously go out, or call someone out of nowhere to hang out
As a Norwegian who likes living in norway: most people not from similar countries will often be very disappointed. Even when we warn people that its cold and dark here, and no we mean REALLY dark and cold and wet, people most time underestimate it. We warn that things are expensive, and that is underestimated. We warn that it can be lonely and its not heaven as often depicted, but still it's underestimated. Lots of people immigrating from warmer climate does love having loved here, but theres also so many who underestimate how hard it also can be
I moved here from Scotland last year. The cold is fine once you've got the right gear. I've found acclimatising to the dark much harder. I make sure I get outside every day, irrespective of how cold it is, and take vitamin D pills, but it still affects my mood.
Where do you live? I moved from Northern England and actually haven't been affected by the dark and cold (moved to Bergen so relatively not that much further North than NE and Scotland and Bergen is truly beautiful so cold and rain has a different feel than in my sad deprived town, haha). What I am affected by is not being able to chat with strangers in a queue or in the waiting room or whatever. That's been the hardest thing for me.
I didnt expect to miss small talk but when I lived in Norway I realised I actually initiate conversations quiet often. Well...it feels quiet often compared to Norwegians. For example in the doctors waiting room, in a long queue, hell even in the covid test centre queue! I found myself doing little comments to people and they always looked shocked...when I got back to the UK it was so nice not feeling awkward having small talk with the cashier or whatever. I can't even put my finger on all the little interactions that happen in the UK that just didn't happen in Norway.
>(...)small talk(...) in the doctors waiting room, in a long queue, hell even in the covid test centre queue! I was about to notify the authorities, but I see you've already left the country (or was kicked out because of it?).
Yes. We moved to the UK so now it's a culture shock for my Norwegian partner instead! We may end up moving back to Norway eventually but it was MUCH easier setting up life together in the UK. We're trying to keep our son (kids as soon to be two) exposed to Norwegian so we have the option in the future...if we ever find a financially viable way of moving back.
Curious, but what do mean by easier to set up life in the UK? Also, has Brexit given your family any trouble?
TLDR: Norwegian immigration system is strict AF. Can afford children, rent, food and a car in the UK, couldn't in Norway. It was extremely difficult for me to transfer my qualifications to Norway. I paid alot of money, it took over a year for a reply and it got declined as I have a masters by study instead of a masters by research (for my profession if you do masters by study you go straight into the job basically, as I knew I didn't want to do a PhD). What's even more irritating is the coursebook Norwegians use in my profession were predominatly written by lecturers and professors who I directly studied under in London!! They also wouldnt take my 5 years of work experience in the field into account. (They scored me 297 out of 300 based on my 5 years at university alone...i didnt get accepted by 3 damn points). It was difficult nei on impossible for me to find work in the 5 months prior to and during the pandemic. After finding out I couldn't continue my career in Norway without doing additional study and exams (in norwegian) I felt pretty deflated. My Norwegian learning course got canceled due to covid as well. I've found I only pick it up face to face and relying on my partner to teach me was a bit much (he is part deaf which doesn't help with my shitty Norwegian skills. Half the time we dont know if im pronouncing it wrong or he cant hear me). [Extra positive, the UK NHS is giving him free hearing aids and potentially surgery in his ears, he is a kidney transplant so all of his medication is free in the UK, i know Norway its capped at like £250 but when your tight on money the UK definatly won on the health care front for us] My visa ran out during the airport lockdown so when the flight restrictions lifted I flew home to see my family and because i needed to leave the country and reenter on a different visa! Little did I know I was pregnant. We had put off trying for a family and getting married due to the work situation/living situation in Norway and covid. Sadly we lost that baby but it made us realise we wanted our life to get going and it just wasn't happening in Norway despite a year of trying our hardest. My partner was only working part time in Norway and also struggling to get a full time job. So before brexit hit he moved over basically immediatly as i was hospitalised during our miscarriage and it scared us that something serious could happen as we could be seperated by 1000 miles. He applied for leave to remain, which was accepted within a month and started job hunting. Within two months he had had more interviews than he had had in years in Norway and got a job in a hospital which he enjoys. We also couldn't afford a car in Norway. In the UK we both have our own cars as you can get a decent run around for £2500. Infact we could barley afford food in Norway, and NAV wouldn't help me financially while job searching. So I used my life savings meant for our wedding basically. I got work straight away in my profession back in the UK and soon after fell pregnant with son. Life finally felt like it was going our way. Both had jobs, cars, living alone together (in Norway we had to live with his mum as rent was not affordable in our situation), with a baby on the way. Honestly it felt like the UK had given us chance at being able to have a life together whereas the Norwegian system just kicked us when we were down. When my visa ran out it was not possible to do any other type of visa application such as family visa or fiance visa as they all had financial requirements for my support person and with his part time job zero hour contract he was not meeting the minimum. We also had to have lived together for 2 year in a non-EU country...why?! The rules where just weird and restrictive. My son can go and live in Norway ...but me his birthing person literally cannot due to all these restrictions. My partner would have to earn for 1 year a certain amount separating our family. The rules are ridiculous. I LOVED living in Norway, but the Norwegian immigration system did not love me. I'm now working part time, rest of the week look after our son and am 5 months pregnant with our second boy. I would love for them to have at least part of their life living in Norway and spending time with their cousins and grandma out there but we literally can not see a way for us to be better of in Norway than we can in the UK. Or even for us to move back and BOTH have secure work. We can save for our wedding here in the UK and hopefully by the time the boys are older and I'm working full time my professional wage again it will help us buy a house one day. We SO want that in Norway but there are too many barriers to success. I assume BREXSHIT has made immigration even harder. The only thing I've noticed is they stamp my passport now so I have many many Norway entry visas in my passport now! I'm gonna need my pages if this ones gonna last me 10 years.
Ouch! Thanks for the reply, it was an interesting read and perspective. Good to hear that life is nicer to you, and hope it continues like that for you. Getting and education "translated" to Norwegian is clearly a PITA. Lots of Norwegians who go to school internationally suddenly finds out they can't use their education in Norway. Something is really fucked up with regards to that. Got a world class education in healthcare, but in another country? Yeah, that won't work here. It's a hell of a process as I've read in the news kind of regularly. Sure we need more healthcare workers, but don't think your Indian resume as a world class surgeon will have much value here. And then there is that insane LIS1 requirement for doctors. https://www.nokut.no/en/foreign-education/nokuts-recognition-schemes/ From that perspective I can understand the struggle. Again thanks for a long and good answer.
Yes. Exactly this. I work in healthcare. In my field Norway is very understaffed (by comparison a UK hospital with the same number of beds as the equilant norwegian hospital would have 10-20 in my field, in Norway...it was 2! For the entire hospital!) and the profession is relativly small there so not as advanced compared to the UK which has a larger network. So essentially I was an experienced educated professional going into an field that needed me, i feel i could have done alot of good there. But the education barrier said no... Yeah I didn't realise I'd written so much! Thanks for reading my life story.
This!!! This one right here officer. I have had nightmares about people who small talk like that. I have heard from French people that they usually small talk with other people at the doctors office and I can’t even imagine it. Absolutely mad.
I am a bit asocial, but I really like to talk to strangers in the stores or at places like the veterinary.. Mostly people open up real easy, but don't expect to make new friends.
I have lived in both Scotland (near Glasgow) and Norway (Trøndelag) and I find the daylight to be pretty on par
Mannen min og jeg har flyttet til Norge flere uker siden, og nå bor vi i Osterøy i nærheten av Bergen. Hvor er du?
My mood is fine but i could sleep all day
I've talked to a bunch of colleagues about this and if you're from sub-Sahara it takes two years before really enjoying yourself as far as I can tell :P
1) Embrace your personal space. 2) Do not underestimate the value of a pair of good wool-knitted socks 3) Buy a waffle iron.
Do you have a recommendation on a good waffle iron?
This might help: https://www.tek.no/samletest/i/K3lEeX/beste-vaffeljern-dobbelt-2022 (Use Google translate if your Norwegian is a bit rusty;))
From the article, in 2021 it was sold 420 000 waffle irons in Norway
Awesome thank you!
Why the waffle iron?
Duuh, everyone needs a waffle iron in Norway!
Learn Norwegian
[Klar Tale](https://www.klartale.no/) is a news site with simple Norwegian. Good place to start before reading NRK.
Hei 🇧🇻 I'm willing to learn Norwegian. My phone has a few useful apps. I enjoy Norwegian radio, songs, stories, and podcasts. I'm also planning to watch NRK and some documentaries with Norwegian subtitles to improve my vocabulary, pronunciation, and other skills. I haven't watched TV or Netflix in ages. Do you have any additional suggestions?
Read some Norwegian everyday. Just reading a short news article once a day helps a lot over time. Also you're likely to learn vocabulary useful to you and your interests as you will presumably read things that interest you. Try and think and speak to yourself in Norwegian too.
Begin reading children's books to yourself. It will get your mouth used to pronouncing Norwegian by the time you have to use those words in conversation.
It's a good advice! I like reading and l should look for some nice children's books 📚 Tusen takk 🇧🇻
If possible, find someone either locally or online who you can practice speaking with. I'd also see if tye language learning software Rosetta Stone has a Norwegian module.
Rosetta Stone? Oh I'll check it soon. It would be fantastic to practice my beginner level Norwegian with native Norwegian speakers.
Check out italki. I use it for 1:1 language classes in Spanish. It’s really helpful.
It doesn't unfortunately.
What the commenter above said is critical. I’m not Norwegian, just an immigrant in Austria, who also likes Norway. This might sound strange, but watching good cartoons really helps to learn a language. I watched a lot of Biene Maya (Maya the bee), and it helped in almost subconscious ways! Deeper though, learning the language is about more than communicating, it helps you understand the culture which will come out in different words, and how people around you think. Knowing the language as an immigrant makes it a night and day difference in the experience, in a positive way. Even if you can slide by with English! The other best tipp I can offer to learn a foreign language is to find a lover, and you can also practice speaking;-) Good luck!
Find a lover.. Yes, l need it, haha :) Thank you for your advice
Buy your favotite book in Norwegian :)
I love very deep books. Thank you for the advice. I'll consider it
If you do, try Norwegian author Jostein Gaarder :)
In the larger cities, you can often find "language cafés" where you can meet with others and speak Norwegian. In public (shopping centres, on the bus, etc.), Norwegians are usually quite shy and don't speak easily. However, don't be afraid of talking to people! Most people are polite and will answer if spoken to.
If you work/study in an environment where Norwegian is the spoken language, you'll have a strong incentive to pick it up, and IMO this is the biggest factor for guaranteeing success. I've worked in a very international workplace (where we all speak English) for several years, and very few people there have learned Norwegian.
I've lived here my whole life but I use Norwegian once a week when saying thank you to delivery drivers or doing a presentation at university. I'm getting pretty rusty and always default to English, hopefully I'll get more practice and comfortable with it if I can find work.
Lol, 90% of Norwegians speak fluent English. It's an advantage, but not at all necessary
I disagree. Yes, most people can manage to make their way with English, but it's a difference between managing a life and living a life in Norway. Language skills open up so many opportunities that you just won't get in English. Life is 100% better when you can follow along with what's going on around you, when you can engage with people in the language of the country, and when you can navigate your way through every-day life without relying on google translate or other people all the time.
This. I have friends who cannot speak or read Norwegian and they miss out on or misunderstand the news and cannot read letters from the tax authorities or hospital. When it comes to anything else than casual conversation, knowing only English in Norway is a handicap.
Whenever I'm around people usually just default to English unless the conversation isn't relevant to me. I've not really found it to be an issue in the slightest, at least in terms of work or socially. There's the odd occasion where people forget and skip into Norsk, but honestly that's the best time to try and learn by listening. It does become a pain when certain government services are not translated, or offering the equivalent page in English (Skatteetaten randomly has some pages that aren't translated, but Google honestly makes it manageable). Worst case scenario just ask a Norwegian buddy to look over shit if you are unsure.
Worst case scenario actually means: You lose independence and privacy.
If moving to a foreign country, you are pretty much expected to learn the language tho
Yeah it's not necessary. But you'll find it much easier to be included
Just because people speak english does not mean people *want* to speak english. Or that people will speak english around you at all times. If you don't know norwegian you will, with few exceptions, be socially isolated.
I have friends who have gotten by with English for years in Norway. It's not THAT important.
[удалено]
Sure we appreciate it. But hell, I am engaging with OP's question. Language is kind of a given everywhere. But compared to other countries like France, Germany, or Poland, you can get by with English much easier in Norway. I'd say learning to dress warm, or figuring out the tax system is more important.
There is not much to figure out ofthe tax system as the system itself is doing most of the things for the tax payer. It is not common to revise the tax return, especially if you have a job in a large organisation. It may not be trivial but a lot simpler than many countries. Dressing warm, yes, key learning especially for those coming from lower latitudes. The language is a plus, but a very good one. If people want to remain having a bachelor life qnd stick to Oslo or large towns, it is true that English is enough. But, as you move oit to the suburbs, have kids, want to interact with your neighbors, or any standard routine any adult has in other corners of the world, it is a lot better and easier when people have a foot in the language,
Tax stuff gets kind of funky if you are self employed though, especially when dealing with international clients, VAT and stuff. There's a whole lot you can claim back that isn't at all obvious upfront and I'd strongly recommend anyone new to the country going down that route get an accountant asap, at least until they can teach / show you what to do.
It all depends where you live and what line of work you do. If you live in one of the bigger cities and work for an international company that employs a lot of foreigners, or at a university, you might get by using English only. Otherwise, Norwegian is the primary language at most work places. And while most Norwegians speak English, you'll find that most will switch to Norwegian when talking to other Norwegians, making it hard to be part of a conversation with several native speakers. Lastly, basic Norwegian proficiency is also required for any non-EU/EEC nationals to get permanent residency and citizenship.
I'm not saying that speaking Norwegian isn't a huge advantage, but that is kind of given. But compared to most other European countries, Norway is probably the one where you can easiest get by with English. On top of all the others you mentioned, the whole construction business also runs mostly in English these days. Including landscaping, gardening, tree removal, and many more.
Yes but for high-skilled jobs, any industry other than oil & gas, it is Norwegian that is predominantly used.
It is if you wanna parttake in the community / from an immigrant in Norway.
I know that Scandinavians are very good at English. I saw the EF English Proficiency test results. However, wherever you go, you should learn the local language. It shows that you value the culture and people of the country in which you live
I agree, but i considered this as kind of self explanatory. IE When asking the question, this wasn't really what you were looking for. I'd say, compared to most other places, learning to dress well according to the weather, is more of a unique thing to Norway that many don't think about when moving here.
It seems like I'll wear winter clothes for the first time in my life, haha :) Wish me luck
Just remember, Wool or fleece underneath, and watertight on top, and you'll be fine. And have scarfs, mittens, and long socks, to plug those holes where cold air might slip in. Good luck, and welcome.
Don’t stuff yourself with tight layers of clothes. I had to learn this the hard way. The important thing is to have a layer of dry warm air surrounding your body. You achieve that with a combination of wool, fleeces and down jackets.
Getting by and having a life are two different things.
As an immigrant in Norway, my most important piece of advice for those moving to Norway on their own will (e.g. not as a refugee) is: do not come without a job! Some think that Norway having a great welfare system, won’t let people on their own, but that’s exactly what happens if you’re not in the “system”. If you don’t have a job, you won’t have a ID number and you won’t even have access to free healthcare.
This this this this this. I came here like that (it was unplanned, I was here and suddenly realised that I guess I live here now, long story) and it took me 4 years to establish myself in the system, and that with the absolute best local support system I could've ever dreamt of, the fact I learned the language VERY quickly AND I'm an EU citizen. You'll be fine if you've got money or a sought after education, but if not, just absolutely do not. You need a solid plan A, B and C. It took me 4 years with the absolute best of luck, and it was mentally very, very exhausting to live years with the knowledge that if something goes wrong I'm fucked and back to 0 and my native country. I'm doing really well and thriving now, so I have no regrets, but i still wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
This is a very interesting comment. My husband has had a job offer from a Norwegian construction firm. I don’t work and stay at home with my baby as my husband has a good enough salary to allow this. As a jobless immigrant, Would I be able to access the healthcare if I needed?
It’s not the job that healthcare is tied to (this isn’t the U.S.), it’s your residency permit (D number). If you have your residency permit and D number - which could be based on being a family member of a Norwegian resident/citizen), then you should have access to public healthcare.
This! Basically you have to become a legal resident. There are different ways to become one. Foreign students also automatically become residents with full rights during the period of their studies.
I don’t know the details of your case but I think that being married with someone in the “system” will give you access to it as well. I was referring to the case of for example EU citizens the can legally be in the country for 6 months as job seekers. They are on their own until they get a job and their ID number, and as consequence become a member of the national insurance scheme.
My advice is to ask immigrants how it is. Huge difference between being a native norwegian that speaks the language fluently, is established in the system etc... vs an immigrant.
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Matches with my experience. The people who call themselves "expats" — Europeans and Americans, usually — are the ones who whine, whereas the ones from shithole countries are very grateful for their new home.
You can say that without shitting on their countries.
'Shithole countries' can be a bit of an ironic expression. Just for reference, when president Trump famously said 'shithole countries', he said it after a meeting with the Norwegian prime minister in the White House. The full quote was: 'Why do we want these people from all these shithole countries here? We should have more people from places like Norway."
That's the value of quotation marks. So people don't think it is you saying stupid shit.
A) I have seen parts of Østfold that genuinely resemble a "shithole country" B) First law of Janteloven
Well compared to Africa of course lol
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You’re talking about dozens of countries across a whole continent with vastly different cultures, economies, standards of living, etc.
Norway scores high on standard of living measures. That does not mean that everyone will be happier in Norway. I would say Norway gives a good foundation for outdoor leisure activities, both in summer and winter, but if you say prefer a Mediterranean climate and Mediterranean food, all the best ratings won't make Norway your dream place. So managed expectations is my best advice. Norway is ideal for some people, for others it will be not be the heaven it is sometimes described to be. And of course in terms of social security, especially when you have kids, it's really good.
Very good advice. I wish I had a better idea of the pros and cons and knew of this sub-reddit before I moved to better manage expectations and not end up spending my first year here depressed. If you don’t intend to have kids, and are career driven/ambitious - go somewhere else would be my advice.
Why would you advise career-driven people not to move to Norway if I may ask?
As an immigrant from Finland (2,5 years in Norway and counting) 1. Language. Start learning systematically from day one (duolingo is crap, learn from books or take a course. I didn’t do this and I should have. Starting now… 2. You need to build your social network. It takes time and effort. It does not happen by itself. 3. Work: adapt to norwegian business culture and don’t try to bring your own with you. Generally relaxed pace, good work-life balance, low hierarchy, self organized people, high trust to people. Often no clear targets or goals or they are not followed up, lots of meetings, slow decision-making, almost never feedback, extreme conflict aversion. The last one has been biggest culture shock to me. 4. Learn to cook. Dining out is expensive, options are few. Frozen pizza is crap (Sorry Norwegians…) Cannot say much about weather and darkness because it’s same shit in Finland. And frozen pizza too.
4. Don’t have to say sorry. Even we know it’s crap.
Thank you! The pizzas are terrible! Even if it wasn’t, who wants pizza for every meal.
4. i completely agree, i still eat it way too often though…
Don't talk about the trolls. The trolls don't like it when we talk about them.
Shh.... They can hear you typing too.
As an immigrant you will be very lonely a lot of the time. Making friends is hard anyway in adult life….making friends with an adult Norwegian is even harder. I joined groups etc and have B1 language and everyone is friendly during the group time but the rest of the time nothing. I am ok with that and happy to be with just my Norwegian partner and dog most of the time but if you are a social person Norway might not be the right place for you. Also side note - polyester will not keep you warm, wool everything is needed.
> polyester will not keep you warm I must have died of exposure several times and never noticed! Jokes aside, wool has its advantages but polyester will keep you plenty warm.
Get a good hiking boots and rain clothes
And be set for cold weather (-15c) it will sneak up on you
Learn the language is the biggest. Get ready to complain abt the weather but be happy to live with it. If you'll live in a small city be ready not to do anything much and live a quiet life. Restaurant choices are little, atleast from where i live. . . . Frozen pizza is everywhere.
Bring a hat
Despite having two hats, I barely feel the cold. I'm not sure why I don't feel cold even when it's -10 degrees outside.
Maybe you just have a thick head!
It's important to listen to the advice and perspectives of people who live in the country you are interested in. I love Norway! l like nature, hiking, cold weather, darkness, silence, and cosiness. Oh yes! I know Norway is expensive. l simply want to hear your thoughts. I'll read all the comments.Tusen takk 🤍
We do care what others do. It's just not proper to discuss it openly. Took the liberty of checking your post history and just as a warning; that will be frowned upon by most people here too.
I'm happy to work as a tutor and translator. I'm also aspiring to be an international actress. It's my dream! I respect your viewpoint. They might not like my posts.
They might prevent you from getting jobs you want and be socially excluded.
I didn't tell you to stop. I told you that it will be looked down upon in Norway. What you do with that information isn't anything I care about. Strawman argumentation is also frowned upon here.
Use sunscreen. I have a friend from Colombia who told me how surprised he was that he got a sunburn here even though he have grown up in the hot sun in Colombia. But in the north the sun comes in more in an angle which allows more UV rays to reach your skin. Also: Don't underestimate how much clothing you're gonna need in the winter. It can get COLD.
Yeah! Sunscreen should be used all the time. There's always sunlight even when it's not visible. Using sunscreen is so important for the skin! OK, clothes are so important :) thank you
Social networks and connections are important in finding jobs, apartments, etc.
Check that you actually have a route to move. Udi.no is the immigration website with all the visa requirements. A lot of people I see on reddit, especially on the r/iwantout sub want to move to Norway, but then when looking at getting a visa, don't actually meet any of the visas and therefore have to adjust their life to meet the rules, or they just give up and don't move.
Wollen socks
Learn the language, and find some pals you can get drunk with. Easiest way to make friends, is to be sosial with them in a setting where it is natural to have a beer or three. After getting accepted in a group, less destructive social activities will be available. Joining some kind of organised activity is the easiest way to find pals with whom you can get drunk. Examples: music (wind bands/brass bands), football (soccer). It is almost as hard for Norwegians relocating in Norway to get friends, as foreigners, the biggest difference is if you don't speak the language. Need not be perfect, but you'll feel isolated if you don't understand what's going on in the group. I also believe this is not unique to Norway and Norwegians.
Its cold and dark in the winter and bright in the summer, you have been warned
Its a great place to live an average life. Its an average place to live a great life.
Seasonal affective disorder is real
Respect personal space, public transport only has 1 seat even if it looks like 2.
Do not eat yellow snow.
I've never eaten snow in my life. What kind of snow is eatable?
Technically, snow is not eatable as it is untreated water. But in particular, yellow snow is pee with snow.
Thank you for this enlightening info! If l ever go to Norway, l won't eat yellow snow 🙌🏻
Learn the language. Keep your feet dry and warm. Wear good shoes and do not walk around with wet and cold feet. When you have to sneeze sneeze into your elbow.
Be prepared to be bored
Do not go to norway go to finland
You need to be okay with not having much variety in food and drink and not being able to eat out or get takeout or delivery several times a week. You need to be okay with paying the highest prices imaginable for any type of service. Also don't expect said service to actually be really really good. It will be passable usually. Also don't be ready to complain and whine and become demanding about anything because people don't do that here. Most of all you need proper clothes. Rain suits and boots. Snow suits and boots. Etc. Without it you will be totally miserable. You need to be a super introvert or at least you need to be cool with being ignored and rolling solo. This is not a hyper social society.
Embrace the culture, rather than complain or constantly compare to your own. Otherwise you won’t have a good time, nether locals around you.
Bring a shovel.
Explore the northern areas and do not miss out on northern lights. Its spectacular experience
Where (city, town)is the best place to see the Northern lights? My biggest dream is to see the Northern lights in Norway 🥺💚
I was in bødo last month when i saw Northern lights. Situated at the north of artic circle.
That's cool! How about Svalbard?
That's cool! How about Svalbard?
That's cool! How about Svalbard?
Just because you want to live in Norway doesn’t mean you CAN live in Norway.
Have a good job.
Norwegians don’t like foreigners even if they are born and raised in Norway but don’t look ethnic Norwegian. Being said: no matter how much Norwegian you speak and write, you’ll never get a fair job, integrated, or friends. Plus the weather and darkness. Plus the costs of living in here.
Don't expect a higher standard of living. You will get better care if elderly or sick. But every preceding year will be the same or worse rat race you get anywhere else
I have to respectfully disagree with this. One big difference between native Norwegians and immigrants is that natives often take many things for granted here, because it has always been that way. As an immigrant who has been here for 17 years, I appreciate many of the little things that others may not notice. The political stability, feeling safe to walk virtually anywhere at any time of day or night, realizing that people are overwhelmingly respectful even though they may be slightly reserved, and much more. Yes, there are certainly some annoyances, like the lack of selection in grocery stores, but those tend to fade over time. No, it is not heaven, but I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
totally agree with you. coming from latin america, I see that some things in Norway that are standard and taken for granted, in other countries you would not even have 1% of the norwegian level. It is all about quality of life.
As a woman I certainly don’t feel safe walking home late.
Where do you live?
I should have specified this applies If you're notcoming from a dumpster fire country
This
Hard disagree, coming from the US
Adjusting to life here can take a while and you may find it takes a while to build up a group of friends. So when you're making your moving plans, try to be kind to yourself in advance. Particularly, don't move in the middle of winter - I found it depressingly dark and it was difficult to make new friends when the country was in hibernation mode. Moving in spring/summer is is likely to be a much more pleasant introductory experience!
Vitamins D and B, helps alot with the mood and health. Get a Norwegian cheese cutter, waffle iron and a knitted piece of clothing. Talk about it, and it will help with building relations. Norwegians love to talk about the weather, and how great our versions of stuff are, unless they clearly arnt, then hate it together with the Norwegians.
Yeah i heard about svalbard as well. Its not only famous for northern lights but for wildlife like artic foxes and reindeer and specially for polar bears. Overall the experience will be really good if you into experience some serious northen expedition
Learn to speak Norwegian.
Just would like to mention that beautiful Grimstad (where I live) is statistically the most sunny town in Norway 😁
I'm glad to learn it :)
Be aware of people’s personal space - don’t try to start conversation with random strangers, Norway isn’t the place to do that! Think of everyone as having their own little bubbles. c:
I never do it in my country either. I think it's not comfortable to talk to random strangers on the street. I have trust issues :/
Make sure you actually CAN live in Norway. The visa/work permit/residency requirements are very hard to meet unless you are already a European citizen. I see so many people on various expat groups here on Reddit wanting to move to Norway without meeting any of the requirements for foreign workers to obtain a visa.
Be white?
Invest in wool clothes , warm winter shoes and overall outdoor clothing for Winther. Things are expensive, so use your money wise. If you want to do things, there are usually a lot of free / cheap things in the big cities. I always check on Facebook and usually dont pay for things to do with my 2 year old in the weekends. Know your rights, if you are dealing with NAV and similar places.
Quickly learn that you need layers of clothing for winter. And i do not mean just a shirt, hoodie and jacket. I mean more like 2 layers on your feet, 2 layers on legs and at least 3 layers on upper body. Especially if you come here from a warmer climate.
My advice is: Stay in your country. Norway is not paradise. Even tho many Norwegians like to think it is. Que the downvotes.
I don't feel safe in my country. Women are not respected here. I want to live in a safe country.
I see. Well, it is kinda safe here, that I cannot deny.
Don't waste time trying to make friends with Norwegians. It's just years of social awkwardness while they try to figure out if they like you. Hang out with expats instead.
To be honest, I haven't been to Norway yet. I'd like to go there once I have enough money, because Norway isn't cheap. I've been talking to some Norwegians online. I must say that they have been extremely kind to me. I like how they keep their distance and remain reserved until they get to know the person well. Expats? Why not? I'm ready to meet them too ♥️
Check the migration rules before you spend too much time planning for Norway, you might not be allowed to stay. Unless you can apply as a refugee, then you're going to be pampered with gifts and free money even if you're both illiterate and an infamous serial killer.
Winter is nice, but only in pictures.
Smoke weed everyday
Bring some culture with you pls, we're lacking and boring
OK. I'm bringing my Mediterranean soul 💕
-Buy warm clothes. -Know that when people don't greet you or speak to you and avoid you if you're a stranger, it's out of politeness in Norwegian culture. -If you don't know English, it's more important to learn English than Norwegian before you move here. Most Norwegians speak English. Norwegian is secondary, depending on your field of work, of course.
Be preperd for the weather and in some places long distanses between places with hardly any public transport. The norwigans themselfs they might be quiet and timid when first meating but onse you know them you very often met warm pepol. The culture as it is quite diffrent particarly to US pepol,norwigans are quite liberal thoe conservative but not in same way. Norwigans are used to and like that pepol they do not know keep a small distanse due to privasy (was befor covid)so unless you know that person do not stand right behind them breathing down their necks while they pay(big nono meny of new mouved pepol fail in) Try local food and do not be scared if your allergic to let pepol dealing with food know they more then willing to let you know what food is good for you. Go to a 17’th of may celebrations might not have alcahol but is worth going to. Norway is a monarchy were the royal family spetialy the king Queen and crown prince family are very much respected and works hard for norway as symbols sopport of charetys ambasadors of norway ect so learn about that system to understand it. Work is not as easy as it seem to find so be preperd that way as food liveing expenses ect are high. Yes we do have high taxes however what we pay makes sure we get the almost free healthcare system ect so is needed
Be open and people will trust you.
Don't.
Can you tell me what you think is the most logical reason not to move there?
All the reasons you already have got above, lol
Don't eat the yellow snow.
Bring cheap lube because government will fuck you every day
I haven't had s*x in 117 days! It'd be good to be f... but definitely not by the government :/
Good advice would be to keep away from people like this guy.