Pros and cons living in Norway as a foreigner | 2024

[@The_Judge300]

Yes, most Norwegians are introverts at different degrees. But some of us are not. I in many ways stick out as a sore thumb among Norwegians as I am an extrovert that talk with everyone and don't get embarrassed easily. At the same time am I not like a clown or someone desperate for attention. My advice to Sara and others, is to not be worried about being yourself. Be yourself, talk with strangers, dance on the table, sing or do whatever you like as long as you are respectful, treat others nicely and are a kind person. In fact do most Norwegians like or even love people that are that and often want to be your friend. If Norwegians get the impression that you are fun and nice person, then they are VERY interested in becoming your friend. It might be difficult to get Norwegian friends, but when you do, it is very well worth it. If you become my friend, I will do almost everything for you and if you are cold, I will give you my jacket and be cold instead of you. And many Norwegians are like that.

[@alhyak280]

well said @The_Judge300, that's finishes it all, hopefully I'll be able to be there next winter!

[@sarainnorway]

very true, I totally agree with you.. Norwegians are gentlemen 100%.... People to trust, and for sure - worth spending time getting to know... When it comes to being an extrovert.. Its probably easier said than done, but you are so right.

[@luringen947]

​@@sarainnorwayslutt med Norges reklame! Vi vil være i fred!

[@luringen947]

​@@sarainnorwayvi har nok berikelse'

[@luringen947]

​@@sarainnorwayhvis du liker berikelse, så kan du promotere Danmark for det! Vi i Norge vil være i fred!

[@AndreBendigtsen]

As a born and bred Norwegian, I feel that I have to point out that these "long winters" you're talking about greatly depends on where in Norway you live. I'm not sure where you live, but here where I'm at we basically don't get snow until december at best, and it thaws fine in march. So we're talking 3-4 months of winter. Also, what you really need to appreciate about Norway is that we have four very distrinct seasons, where all of them actually bring great things when you think about it. So I don't really see this as a con at all, but rather a huge pro. 😀

[@colc8535]

Are you in the far south ?

[@leif-kareeikeland5209]

Hun bor på Sørlandet tror jeg.

[@kissing.herbs.]

Where do you live? I want to study in Fredrikstad. How's the winter there?

[@Analfeber]

I live in Arendal, I guess the climate isn't too different from what is mentioned in the first post, and probably also not too different from Fredrikstad. Normally not much snow in Winter, not long periods of temperature below 0 degrees Celsius, but of course it can change from year to year. Last winter we had A LOT of snow, and also longer periods with low temperatures.

[@eloiseprays]

If you're not use to the cold then that's a con

[@Andre_stats_0111]

I'm Dutch, single, an introvert and don't have many friends (1 good friend to be precise) and a very small family (mother and brother). My favorite times of the year are fall and winter (can't stand temperatures higher than 20 degrees Celsius). So your cons about living in Norway sound like heaven on earth to me. 😁. Seriously, I've been in Norway several times and fell in love with the country. It's my intention to move to Norway as soon as I have the possibility. I have a job where I can work at home, so I don't really have to find a job in Norway. I'm slowly but surely learning Norwegian so that when the time comes, I can communicate on a goid, badic level. Loving your videos btw, so keep up the good work!! 👍

[@Andre_stats_0111]

@@biankakoettlitz6979 It's my dream to live near the coast, just west of Trondheim. So not that far up north.

[@a_radom_user794]

How can one move to Norway from the USA? How much does it cost and what do I need to do?

[@andreaskalpinis4797]

as someone who lives in the middle of Athens with 10 different constructions happening around my home, I'm so bamboozled to see how people live with so much peace and quite everyday, cherish it guys cuz its a huge blessing

[@sswwiinnccee]

As they say “the grass is always greener on the other side”

[@lymphy12]

@@sswwiinnccee we don't have grass

[@oh515]

To the last con. It’s also about not disturbing others. If someone sticks out too much, many people find it refreshing, but also confusing, or concerned how other people will handle it. So, in solidarity to other Norwegians around, most of them will not show off their excitement 😅 Or to signalise “don’t do this” in Norway, or in a specific situation, if you in the future wants to mingle amongst Norwegians 😂 Then you are stricken by “the Norwegian silence.” A silent socialisation every Norwegian knows about 😂 There’s also cultural differences between different places in Norway, but in general you’re right.

[@thecopyclub]

THIS IS VERY GOOD STUFF, You really go deep into explaining culture, thanks.

[@The_Judge300]

The weather and specially the winter in Norway can for sure be a BIG con, but it also depends on what you like and where you live in Norway. In parts of Norway it can get VERY cold and VERY much snow, while other parts are rather mild and little to no snow in the winter. In the north of Norway you get sun 24/7 in the summer and no sun 24/7 in the winter with the Northern Lights on the sky on cloudless days instead. Our summers can be cold with much rain or they can be very warm. We have 4 true seasons with lots of variety in the weather and temperatures. If you prefer to live where there are palms, white beaches and plus 25 Celsius all year, then Norway is nothing for you, even if we have a few white beaches 😂

[@sarainnorway]

Many amazing beaches in Norway actually yes, all countries has pros and cons - nothing is 100% amazing.. that's how the world works :)

[@forfengeligfaen]

If you're considering moving to Norway and working in a high-income profession, it's good to be aware that while taxes are high, they support a wide range of community projects and public services. The system is designed to create a well-functioning society, though it may feel like a bit of a trade-off. As you save and build wealth, there may be additional taxes to consider, like the wealth tax, and if you later choose to move on, there's an exit tax to navigate.

[@dallysinghson5569]

It's a big criticism I come across particularly from Americans and Brits, they can't fathom the taxes but they ignore that the money you put into the system gives you a LOT more than in the US or UK where megacorps are subsidised by tax money.

[@forfengeligfaen]

@@dallysinghson5569 Excluding paid parental leave, I’m unsure what benefits Norway offers that the UK doesn’t. Unlike Norway, the British NHS provides free healthcare at the point of use, and English schools are superior to their Norwegian counterparts. Additionally, my American colleagues earn significantly higher salaries and pay less tax, which easily cover expenses like health insurance.

[@kalMHe]

Its as easy as you think when it comes to health insurance in the US. Health insurances try their best to benefit of off health insurance that makes it very difficult to maintain quality health care. I rather pay extra for safety sake!

[@janetrobinson6190]

@@forfengeligfaenI’m English but live in Norway now and bro you do not know what you are talking about. Norway is far superior when it comes to these sorts of things. I also don’t mind the high taxes as it seems to work out because there is almost no one “poor” here. In comparison to uk where poverty is RIFE. My wife just gave birth and we didn’t pay anything. There was only 3 other people on the whole birthing wing which meant we had unlimited help, peace, quiet, our own multiple rooms. The UK is over crowed, ridiculously high priced for things in comparison to very low salaries

[@forfengeligfaen]

@janetrobinson6190 If you're happy, that's good

[@eddiehaug]

What she says about the winter weather is completely true. What she describes is exactly what happened in Oslo in 2023. Not every year is the same, but winters are freaking long -low temps for at least 5-6 months, and summers are hit-and-miss, some summers are just 50%+ rain in the Oslo area.

[@mathish100]

and somme years the winters have nearly no snow, warmer days, even the soft ground doesn\t freeze anymore , like in the 70`'s, which had colder winters..It has changed a lot in the last 40 years.

[@parsifal102]

About your reasoning around X-factor vs the Voice in DK and Norway: Fully agree, the rudeness of some programs towards talented human beings is beyond me and so unnecessary - they should prop up peoples feeling about themselves and be constructive, and not tear down their self-beliefs. I like your values!

[@sarainnorway]

thank you SO much for sharing this thought.. Me and my boyfriend often talk about this when its that season... The Voice in Norway is amazing at constructive feedback, and giving people a good experience no matter what... where as in Denmark its a loooot of horrible feedback to talented people. So.. I don't watch X-factor anymore.. terrible show

[@juan_ubieta]

Short but very informative video. For some reason, since I was very young, I've always felt a strong pull towards Norway or Sweden. I have no ancestry there, but whenever I see videos of either country I just feel something inside of me. I have no explanation for it. Recently, in Netflix there were a couple of dramas about Norway in World War II. Very good productions and again that feeling inside while watching these dramas. Here in New York there is a shop owned by the American Scandinavian Foundation. When I go there and see authentic products from Norway I feel a strange connection. Again, I can't explain it.

[@sarainnorway]

Very interesting.. You should come visit !!

[@miloszivanov]

I always felt similar

[@Cadraved]

@@biankakoettlitz6979mine too but im not rich so unfortunately i probably wont be anle to live there💔

[@alxb211]

​@@Cadraveddon't give up! I'm sure most Norwegians aren't rich either

[@TheBoringInvestorMan]

I have that too, maybe it's the landscape and mountains and fjords.

[@leomariggio4306]

Lovely tips and infos about Norway, thanks.

[@MedioGypsy]

are you a foreigner in Norway? You are from Denmark. Neighbors of the earth. Scandinavian family. you have a history together. You are not a stranger!

[@SamMajumdar-m4v]

I have loved your video so much; you're such an amazingly down to earth chilled person yourself. I especially enjoyed your observation about Denmark. When I was living there and I asked someone in Copenhagen in my first week there where to find a good Chinese restaurant, he promptly replied "Chinese! Is that food ever any good? It all tastes the same anyway." I was shocked and taken aback and left the country two months later. Shockingly rude people and yet, "Happiest Country"! Well, they can keep it, thank you.

[@vibely.7511]

This got recommended to me at just the right time! After the results that went down I'm definitely considering packing up, leaving the US and coming to Norway. I guess all I need to do is learn the language and buy a good winter coat and I'll be all set!

[@VALiantiosous]

Do you have dual citizenship? It can be very challenging to stay more than the visa allows just to give you a heads up. Not easy for non-EU to live there.

[@ivantubez3496]

Better to stay home and not leave friends and family.

[@Just_Call_Me_Tim]

8:40 This, being away from family, is the second thing keeping me from taking some time to visit Norway. I absolutely _love_ the weather (that I know about) of Norway. I've been away from family for the majority of the time over the last 9.5 years because of the nature of my job then. I'd love to go visit Norway someday, see the country, and meet the people, but it may be a while yet. 14:00 I'm more of a "polite nod to acknowledge you exit" kind of person in public. I can be quite the chatterbox, and it seems to put a lot of people off, so it's been something I've had to work on for a really long time. Being around a more politely quiet people makes me more comfortable being quiet. I'm sure it's different for everyone, but this doesn't really seem like that big of a deal to me.

[@alaindubois1505]

Chill - sounds good to me. I can't stand Australia's hot weather, but I neither wish to go to live where I was born in Glasgow, Scotland. Portugal sounds like the 'Goldie Locks' place. A Facebook friend in Oslo says they just go to Spain in winter. And it may be possible to get to Spain by train now from Norway. If Norwegians walk slowly, their trains are said to be the slowest in the world. But is there a rush to go somewhere when the scenery is so great? It makes sense to learn the language[s] wherever you're going to spend with the people. Although the Oslo 'dialect' is the one taught to foreigners, it may impress Norwegians, if you try to speak the local dialects - if you stay further north or on the western coast. I think though, I would only live in Norway in summer, and go south the rest of the year. This is what is so good about being in Europe, it's so easy to gointo another country. In Australia, there are now terrible restrictions for older and chronically ill or disabled pensioners to even go 100km across the state border when the only interstat trains is too early in the morning now to even get a suburban train in to Brisbane to the one Queensland rail stop. There's always now a great opposition to railways - that once got people everywhere. Politicians have no idea here about people need, and our life spans go down.

[@SharmanSomerset]

Great advice Sara, big love x

[@tsl9150]

Also, you need to join an communal activity if you are going to get friends. Like socer practice, or hiking, or voluntary work, or a Church. Norwegians like to do things around strangers because then if the situation turns awkward one can retreat to the work, but still be around each other. If you are super extroverted as this girl in the Video. Then you can join a local amateur theater. :)

[@sarainnorway]

So true!

[@luringen947]

​@@sarainnorwayslutt med denne Norges reklamen! Vi vil være i fred! Og vi vil ikke bli beriket av andre kulturer eller raser

[@drjuice101]

Great information. You express yourself well.

[@gunbuster363]

When you talked about the last con and you smirked, I thought it gotta be "Norway is expensive", to my surprise, the actual con is that the whole Norwegian community is not open, wow that's perfect for me because I hate people bothering me and start "Hi what's your name where you come from"

[@espekelu3460]

You are spot on! Norwegians are a very closed people, who often make their friends already in kindergarten, or when they start school. And they often have these friends throughout their lives. Therefore, it is very difficult to find friends in Norway. Just moving within Norway can be a big strain because you have to start all over again to make friends, and as I said, it's not easy. But there are opportunities, for example you can get involved in local sports, or you can get involved in politics. A friend of mine moved to Northern Norway (Bodø), and he had played handball for several years, also in the elite series, so he contacted the local handball club after a while, and only then did he start making friends. Another one I know moved to Bergen because of work, she joined the Red Cross, and after some time she got to know several people, but it took a good deal of time before she made more friends, and was invited to parties. And as you say, you should also learn as much Norwegian as possible in the shortest possible time, because it is essential to get a job and make friends.

[@benttranberg2690]

I met an immigrant in Oslo that had just arrived in Norway. I have this odd habit of starting conversations with people, because I find it interesting to get to know them a little bit. On the other hand I don't want to start any friendship. I have few and nice colleagues, and I have a very small group of close relatives, but that's it. He was looking for friends and found it very difficult to make contact with people, he told me. He was probably polite and didn't want to intrude on me, but I do feel a tiny bit of guilt whenever I remember this encounter. To me a typical friendship like that is a shackle, and that's just the way I am. I appreciate far too much my total freedom to do whatever I want whenever I want without interference. It can certainly get lonely, but that's ok. I hope that guy found some friends.

[@kunilsen2519]

​@@benttranberg2690 I'm the same! Any relationship is work, so I have less than a handful of people I am close to. I don't feel the need to have casual friends since relationships like that feel tiresome and a bit meaningless to me. And while I'm not one to normally start conversations like you, but I find myself talking to people when I see they are isolated in group situations. I will spend time with them as long as I think they prefer it to being alone, I think of it as two isolated people just helping each other out. But I will also distance myself(not cruelly or with any ill will) when that other person starts forming potential friendships with other people. It is something I have done for as long as I can remember. I like to think I kept them company until they found a friend, but who knows if they experienced it differently. I have never felt lonely before(something I am grateful for), but I am often alone- even in group settings. I genuinely like it like that.

[@sarainnorway]

Thank you for sharing.. very true 👏🏼

[@NewLife-2-p5l]

Yes it is true, Norwegian people are closed, taxes is too much, electrisity is many times overcharged. Im a Norwegian and I have only 1 norwegian friend that live on the other end of the country, I have a foreign wife and ho do I get by living here? The truth is that I did not. I left norway as 20 years and lived abroad 25 years. Then came back when I had calmed down. Now I rather want to go and live in Russia.

[@onkelwaldo39]

«It’s difficult. to get a job in Norway if you don’t speak the language». Yes - of course it is!

[@bioliv1]

Winter lasts forever and summer is like a blink. We move to Skjolden or France. We see what happen with all the wind power plants?

[@staruletto9194]

I've lived in the outer Oslo area for a bit over 4 years now and to add to the weather... Summer can be great or awful! Seems like this summer was just nonstop rain with the occasional break for sun which was very disappointing after a long winter.

Well it's been varied, but in Oslo itself it's been sunny enough that I'd call it a slightly above mid summer! In between the showers and clouds, there's actually been loads of sun here! Sadly, it looks like the inland regions north of Oslo got an unusually cloudy+rainy summer though, I do think this was partially just bad luck, as Innlandet is usually a lot less rainy than the west coast.

[@melbeth79]

It's interesting about people keeping to themselves because I've heard that several times. Despite this I observed the opposite from another youtuber that spent three weeks traveling northern Norway. People seemed pretty approachable and even waved sometimes from the road as he drove by. I wonder if it was just because he was visiting vs living there or if it's more of a regional thing, ie: if the north is more open than the south (?). P.S. I now live in northern Ontario in Canada and our winters are usually at least 6 months so I feel you. I like it though because down south, we often just had a slushy mess.

[@Randomdude21-e]

People match your energy mostly, Norwegians mostly wont aproach you, but if you start a conversation or ask question, people will be happy too help. Norwegian respect other peoples space. If you dont ask for anything they will leave you in peace😅

[@sarainnorway]

Thank you so much for sharing.. well, funny you mention it - if you meet people in Norway in nature - FORGET EVERYTHING.. they are very open people, haha.... they are in their "S" like we say - doing their favorite thing, feeling awesome.. and they often say hello and hi to everyone.. :) But I have also heard, that up north they are more open and say things straight from the gut, than in the south of Norway.. So probably more open up there :)

[@dagduesund5175]

Things are a little complex here, especially if you are in Norway for only a short time. I tell everyone here in the states that Norwegians are very polite but they are not friendly. You can approach just about any Norwegian you meet and ask questions as a tourist, they will answer your questions politely, be patient and helpful as they can be, so they seem friendly. But they won't invite you to their summer cottage for a BBQ, that is for close friends and family only. And when you meet someone in nature you can be nice, you'll more than likely never see them again.

[@melbeth79]

Thank you, Sara and others for responding and weighing in on this. I'm considering moving to Norway in the future but right now it's complicated due to responsibilies here so will probably be several years from now. Having said that, Sara, I may contact you about how certain job markets are just to get some further information.

[@gitteholm1920]

​@@sarainnorway no I live at the Polarsircle. The humour is tougher but at work they don't speak their mind. I like it when things are told directly but sadly it is not the case I wounder if I have been too outspoken sometimes😅. We moved here in September 2019. It is cold but inexpensive to heat the houses here. I heard that the elektricity prices are higher in the southern part of Norway?

[@arvosoosalu4198]

And about winter and driving with a car, i would add that, always keep a shovel and rope or chain in the car trunk, trust me ain't fun when uncle or friend calls middle of a night to bring a shovel in mid winter

[@sarainnorway]

haha... very good tip !

[@nathanielringdahl]

I lived in Norway for 12 years. What a wonderful place. I absolutely loved it. The biggest con for me was the taxes, which is why I left. But I may return someday

[@larryfrohock1138]

In countries or in areas of large countries where the local population is not open to allowing new comers into their inner circle, the new comers generally form their own group of friends comprised of mostly the new comers. This is not really bad as most of the new comers come from different countries or different parts of a large countries, so you get to try all kinds or different foods and drinks and immerse yourself in different cultures. I have experience this here in America where the local population is very clannish and almost never allow a newcomer into their inner circle. Just enjoy your foreign friends as it is the local Norwegian population that is missing out on experiencing all the fun and benefits of having foreign friends in Norway.

[@mortenBP]

Hi, Sara. Norwegian here. Where about have you settled in Norway?

[@brandmanager4595]

Calling yourself a foreigner in Norway as a Dane is a bit of a joke. You're essentially moving from one home to another in a different city. The written form of the Norwegian language is a written version of Danish. Norwegians and Danes share a common genetic heritage and have largely identical DNA. Historically, Denmark ruled over Norway and Sweden for many many years, which has created strong Nordic, Scandinavian, and Viking ties among these nations. They are distinct countries with different flags, but culturally and historically, they are as close as anyone can imagine.

[@karthikeyanc7430]

Information was very realistic about Norway. Thanks for sharing with us.👍🙂

[@sarainnorway]

Glad you liked it!

[@Fardin-gh]

Tnx for sharing your information sara🙏🌹

[@gizmosf]

I’m from San Francisco and I love the cold, gray and rainy days , and love going to the snowy mountains on the weekends so for me the weather is perfect. Learning Norwegian on Duolingo. Do you have any recommendations for learning the language as an American speaker living in the USA?

[@ZeeWolfed]

Hello really good video thanks for that !! we plan to come in Norway this years

[@PrettyPieHead]

I think some of the cons can be debatable, but as a Norwegian who now lives abroad I can definitely testify about the "openness" part. Openness with strangers in one thing (I highkey even support that tbh), but even within family/friend groups I feel as if you have to put some brakes on how much of "you" you're allowed to bring to any social setting. Together with the "men shouldn't complain" stigma I feel like these different culture influences has really made it hard for me to express myself as an adult. It only took me moving to a more expressive country to realize that. While I can often appreciate "the law of Jante" culture as it helps cultivating a healthy amount of humility I also feel like you're walking on eggshells how you're presenting yourself to not rub people the wrong way and get clowned on if you do. Maybe that's just me though. My theory is that this kind of culture filters out the self-centered *and* the socially inept to never getting to climb the social ladder, and if you're say a neurodivergent it'd make you fall into the 2nd of the two - which would explain my own situation at least (I have ADHD though I didn't find that out until I moved out of the country)

[@Rusteneuro]

But we are corrupt, just in a different way. Politicians can cheat and still come back to govern. It's a different kind of corruption -not money, but positions. We have lots of examples of this in Norway.

[@sswwiinnccee]

I did think she might be off on that one. I’ve never heard of a government that wasn’t corrupt. Some just worse than others

[@valentino1005]

Still better than other countries where all the money goes in the politicians pockets instead of our hospitals, schools and roads :)

[@Kari.F.]

Yes, but compared to most other countries, our corruption is peanuts. We wouldn't have been among the top three countries year after year on the list of least corrupt countries in the world if we weren't consistently pretty excellent. Humans are flawed, so every country governed by humans will obviously be flawed - Norway included. Excellence has to be good enough. Perfection does not exist in anything involving people because there are no perfect humans.

[@amorosogombe9650]

Model country. I wish my country could be like that but the culture of corruption and dishonesty is just so disappointing. Hopefully we'll improve but it's been one step forward two steps back.

[@ivantubez3496]

There is a lot of nepotism and high level corruption. You can't bribe the police or others with small amounts of money. If you want to bribe someone, you have to cough up a couple of months' salary.

[@wanderingone333]

As a Minnesotan of Norsk heritage, many of Sara's cons exist in this state. Many of the positives do as well.

[@bard6184]

Hmm. It might be a con that you have to learn Norwegian, but that doesn't mean it's an unreasonable requirement. At least, I don't think so. Besides, if you exclude the very oldest Norwegians, I think the population is actually very skilled in English when compared to many other countries. And I don't recognise the part about loneliness due to not speaking Norwegian either, this Indian friend of mine almost has to force some people into speaking Norwegian. They seem to want to speak English with him, while he just wants to learn our language. I'm totally with you on the winter and the weather, though. I get depression from the darkness every single year. I like snow, but with climate change we have close to freezing rain and wind instead. And that really sucks. You're probably right about the biggest con too.

[@suvetar]

Thank you for sharing this, very important things to know - It's a good job I am quite an introvert! Guess you covered this elsewhere, but I'd love to know why you moved to Norway? Tusend Takk!

[@EternalBliss-z3d]

I have lived here 10 years, I'm more introvert, but I have tried to get in some of the people friend circle, but no success and I have let that go. I have my friends back my home country. I have a daughter here with now my ex norwegian partner and even her dad has not accepted me fully into the inner circle. Norwegian are very smiley and friendly outside in shops etc, but when you want to step in their home, you most likely going to get your foot stuck between the door. 😅P.S For me Estonian, you as Danish, Swedish and Norwegians are very similar, mostly because the language part. So when I see you I see you as relative to norwegian.

[@perolavlien2096]

The only part of Norway with snow from October is Northern Norway.we can have snow in October in the South, but it disappears quickly .It does not come to stay before December Or January.Very dependent on area.Rogaland only have snow for a few days a year.Regarding how you feel about Norwegians being closed.You have not just broken the "code" yet.Many shops and restaurants in Oslo have employees that only speaks English,(something I don't like). Language barrier is not worse here than many other countries.Try working in Southern Europe without speaking the language!No!Most people have some knowledge of English very different from Southern Europe.I think most of your cons is about living in another country .Except weather! I agree with you fully!Well not actually the weather but the darkness in the winter is worse I think with daylight from 9-15 only.(South)Northern part only a bit light between 12-14 !

[@babyfox205]

How is it finding friends if one lives outside city in the suburbs far way? Norway looks like many houses far far away from each other, I like to live in a place like this, but even in Montenegro where we live that way now, it's tough to see friends since they're far away all the time so you see them like once a week when everyone drives together for a picnic 😊

[@pikeshike]

In which part of the country do you live? Here in Oslo the winters are usually from November to March. Things are usually not cancelled due to weather conditions. I worked one year in Newfoundland and some days there were only Norwegians coming to work due to what they called "snow storms" which were what I would call normal snow falls with no storm or wind at all 😊

[@thunderwing2124]

I like the opening song. I hope you don't remove it for your other videos

[@lindafrost8969]

Sara thank you for being honest about Norway. Glad you mention the LONG WINTER, and how it can be very cold and to get around. Very sad to hear how Norway is not open to people from other countries. I would never fit in Norway....where people are not open, to meet others.

[@frodemarkhus3692]

I like you video.Im i Norwegian but im agreed with most of you cons and the wether is terribly.And you are beautiful 😀

[@babyfox205]

and for the heavy snow - do some people have a snowmobile taxi service in the suburbs or remote locations? (to pick up someone on the snowmobile and go?). Or that would be too expensive? Snowmobiles are same price like cars more or less, why not get a snowmobile and do a taxi for people who are getting caught in deep snow :P I have a business idea :)))

[@anderstollestrup]

Great video, Sara. I'm also danish - was it hard not knowing norwegian when you arrived, or did just go easily ? After all norwegian and danish er pretty much alike ....

[@sarainnorway]

Well.... It was very scary to suddenly try and speak Norwegian because of that... That - in theory, they are able to understand danish... But I am so glad that I speak Norwegian now

[@carinaronning5585]

​@@sarainnorwayHi 😊 Nice video 🌸 Do you live in a really small place/village? They are more closed of in some of the small towns/places and some can also can struggle abit more in regards to dialects. Both to understand others, if in another Scandinavian languages, and being understood themselves. ❤ Used to be big City folk that struggled most some 30-40 years ago. ❤ I don't have the same impression on some of the things mentioned in the video, but we are all different and experience things and people different aswell 😊🌸 In regards to the topic of language issues for Danish/Norwegian, I have no trouble to understand most dialects in Danish, but some do struggle with that. And some don't understand all dialects in Norwegian, so It's almost easier to speak English to each other. 🤣🙈 When I was in Roskilde at the Roskildefestivalen some twenty years ago I met some Danish and Swedish people. All the Danish talked danish to the Norwegian and all the Norwegian talked norwegian to the Danish. But some of the swedes struggled so much to understand both other languages, so we ended up speaking English all of Us to include the swedes. 😅❤️ Some dialects are almost another language, and not all Norwegian understand all dialects in their own language, as I'm sure is the same in many countries 😂🙈

[@Toxicdemon2]

I am a introvert. And I LOVE to be alone. For example solo riding my motorcycle all day. Or just sit inside and watch movies/ listen to music. And when I was in Bergen, even tho there are obviously more people in a city. It did in no way give me a crowded or forced feeling. I am learning the language now. But that Bergen dialect confuses me from time to time 😂

[@studiomossige2997]

A lot of your cons really depends where in Norway you live. In Stavanger a lot of foreigners work in oil and english is the language there, and we hardly have snow here😅. Also is a lot more international here…

[@ShamelessDKing]

I really liked the video because it gives it to use straight. Im 19 turning 20 in January and I really want to move to Norway as soon as possible the only obstacles I have is language and jobs. Can you offer advice to someone who is as young as me?

[@dagduesund5175]

You need to be Norwegian, Swedish or Danish. I know Schengen area people move to Norway but I do not know what the process is like for them to get permanent work status. Otherwise, your best bet is to become an engineer and get a company who wants you to arrange for your work status. I do know a number of American petroleum engineers in Stavanger. If you get offshore experience in the oil industry in Alaska, I think that would be helpful. Not easy to get work permission even if you marry a Norwegian, but possible. If you don't fall into any of the above categories, then your only shot is to be a refugee from the mid-east, otherwise you have to move to Svalbard.

[@Feline-friend007]

Im south african, been living here since 1999. I agree that the culture is not open, in fact, i find it to be quite oppressive, albeit in a subtle manner. One adapts, one learns that there are things one cannot do or say, and then i meet an american (for example) and i feel like i can breathe light again. But i have become an insular scandinavian myself, i must admit 😂 though hearing Danish being spoken does lift my spirits too, for danes are more fun after all. Can you imagine lars von trier coming from Norway?

[@sarainnorway]

haha... like your story Feline. Thank you for sharing, and at this very moment, I do not remember who Lars Von Trier is ..

[@Feline-friend007]

@@sarainnorway a really depressed film director who made some brave films that i predict will stand the test of time. Also, he clumsily made a hitler joke at the cannes film festival, which caused him a touch of bother i daresay. I liked "melancholia" starring kirsten dunst, but i should warn you that this science fiction pic is one of the darkest works of art i was ever dumb enough to encounter 👌

[@jeffsaxton716]

I'm an American and have Norwegian ancestry. No, I'm not from Minnesota, I'm from Utah. I think I might feel at home in Norway. Im introverted, egalitarian and socially liberal. And most of all, I don't mind cold weather! My DNA analysis showed some Sami ancestry.

[@fredrikbergquist5734]

In Sweden you can get by with only English, most persons under 60 understand it and many big tech companies have English as their working language when it comes to documentation and in meetings.

[@brittascharmsandbeads9057]

It's the same in Norway... Do you really think that Norwegians are less educated than Swedes ? 😄😄😄 There are some businesses where English is the main language... And you can have friend groups that are very international and where English is used a lot. However if you move to a new country permanently and actually want to understand what is going on around you, and be part of the culture you have to learn the language. For example, if you are visiting someone for a party in their home, it's unreasonable to have the whole party speaking English just for you. Or that would be ok in the beginning when you are new in the country... But with time it's pretty "entitled" to have a big group of people speaking a foreign language through a whole evening when they are in their own country with mostly with people from their own country. Also, the ability to learn theoretical school subjects such as mathematics, geography, science AND FOREIGN LANGUAGES vary... So in all countries there will be some people (with a lower iq) who do not master this as well as the average person. As a foreigner you come across these people too... And it's your responsibility as a person who is resourceful enough to have moved abroad, to be able to communicate with them.

[@fredrikbergquist5734]

@@brittascharmsandbeads9057 no I do not think Norwegians are less educated, quite the contrary especially when it comes to English. Norway is a NATO member and kind of facing the Atlantic and the US while Stockholm is facing east, some even call Stockholm the ”suburb of Moscow!” Also Sweden is a member of EU which is maybe not looking east but maybe southeast. I have actually been to a party in Sweden with a few persons that didn’t speak Swedish and everyone spoke English when the person was in the circle of talking. Swedish pride in their nation is probably the lowest in the world, it might be that countries that were occupied during WW2 value their nationality and freedom more. I don’t think IQ means a lot for ability to learn language it is more connected to musicality and ”right brain” aspects. Aspergers are extremely bad at language but might be PhD’s in science. Talking about lower IQ one of my pet interests is why religious beliefs is more common among non academic people accordin to statistics. Maybe the have a talent that is lost in intellectuals.

[@brittascharmsandbeads9057]

@@fredrikbergquist5734 I'm a teacher fully educated from Lærerhøyskole and University. I have worked 27 years as a full time teacher mostly in grades 5 to 7. And my opinion is that results in the school subjects that I mention has a lot to do with iq !!! In fact mostly to do with iq, when we don't count in pupils/students with difficult backgrounds that prevent them from doing their best. Some people have a special ability for languages, pronunciation and grammar. They will of course have the very best results. But generally pupils/students have mostly the same results/grades in all the theoretical school subjects (those that I mention in my first post).

[@fredrikbergquist5734]

@@brittascharmsandbeads9057 I think that IQ is a problematic thing and today many talk about seven aspects of it where the old IQ were alot about mathematical, logical thinking that is connected to science. Today we have EQ, talent of bodymotion, talent of music, talent of visual art etc. It is true that we perceive a person that is fluent in language as more intelligent: the word ”intelligence” comes from Latin ”inter lingua” which means ”ability to read between the lines” something that is very close to language learning. I do not challenge your formal competence and there is probably some correlation but it is not the whole story. The connection between IQ and something biological make me feel uneasy.

[@brittascharmsandbeads9057]

@@fredrikbergquist5734 You should not feel uneasy about facts of life... 🙃

[@c.ladimore1237]

jeg håper å flytte til norge en dag når jeg får nok penger. fredrikstad i sør. jeg vet det blir vanskelig siden jeg er en selvstendig kunstner. men det er drømmen min. but i have been learning norsk for a while now, so i got that going.

[@NorkelFjols]

That's interesting, as a Norwegian, I think of Denmark as a very chill culture/country. (That's not to say that Norway isn't also..)

[@lijojake]

Tak for the honest information Sara. So basically make Danish friends in Norway :)

[@petrossssss]

You are Very beautiful and smart person! Congratulation, your videos are excellent! Thank you about your information. Please can you make a video on finding a house and a job? Tusen Takk from Greece!

[@simonjaanivald3268]

Totally agree with the nature part and people are in general friendly and polite , But Norway is not that free of corruption as you might think and the politicans at the top have not the people in their interests, they are serving the global elites as in almost all western countries at the moment . Also "svenske tilstander" is starting to creep in over the border. Norway is not what it was just 5 years ago. Also to be added Norwegians and Swedes are very comformative people and this works great as long as the people running the country wants the best for its people, when that turns people will not understand what is going on or have the currage to speak up . Being seen as different is considered worse than than death in Norway.

[@Kelp_Farming]

AS long as people arent rude and go home at some point, that is fine. Refuge by definition means going home at some point.

[@jolysh]

Spot on :-)

[@sarainnorway]

Thank you!

[@Kjetterix]

My GF didn't speak Norwegian when she moved here 8 years ago, only, Portugese, Spanish, French and English. She got a job easily in Telenor. Now she speaks Norwegian.

[@Stephanie23390]

In my mind Denmark also has this amazing nature. Am I wrong?

[@RRJRG]

Norway is a great country to live in. However, norwegian friendships here are made in kindergarden and kept for life. After that, forget it. That is the culture here. Even for norwegians from different cities it is not possible to find new norwegian friends if they move to a different city. The good news is there are many other friendly nationalities you can befriend very easilly, especially in Oslo. As per the 9 winter / fall months, you can be used to, and even learn to enjoy, like I have managed to 🙂

[@MountainWoman68]

Sounds like the Seattle Freeze. Which is not surprising considering the huge Scandinavian population here.

[@abdulsadiq5183]

I like your profile and everything you said about Norway. How can l get job in Norway?

[@finn9]

are u at sangeslandsvannet ? looks like it. Beautyful place

[@sarainnorway]

Thank you so much, yes this video was actually filmed there.

[@mikekveck7445]

Does anyone have tips for an American can move to Norway. I'm pretty sure my ancestors would never have left there if they could see the way the U S. has changed in the last 8 years

[@Ollerecovery]

I wonder what you paid for energy, because i dont find it to be expensive to heat my home, i use about 20 000 Kwh per year to run all of my home, i'm using 100% electric energy.

[@SheylaBayramova]

In which city are you living? I heard in Oslo there are many eng speakers and that it is not a problem to integrate

[@Stick1034]

Hi Sarah great video! Do you have like a discord so that people can ask stuff related to Norway?

[@sarainnorway]

I am working on that, thanks for asking !

[@bell4textu973]

You`re spot on. You have to learn the language in order to get a job....and true friends for that matter. Due to snow. It depends where you live. 5 meters above sea level or 700?

[@Ståle-KristianAndersen-r5l]

They dont say anything rude in the voice cuz they have qualification rounds that arent shown on tv. Everyone can sing that do blind auditions on TV

[@sarainnorway]

They have pre-rounds in x-factor as well - and they cast "not" good singers on purpose, just to cut them in half when they show up, thinking they have been chosen because they were good.. and then BAM.. makes it even worse.

[@tahaderraji7376]

Authentic person

[@sarainnorway]

thank you so so much, I really appreciate it!!

[@tonyndungu5709]

Watching from Kenya

[@NaomiStorm-cb9uv]

What if you live in the forest is that illegal there?

[@synthphonix]

Fresh air, clean water and space/nature

[@miloszivanov]

that's the biggest one for me

[@SigmaExplorer9]

I heard from a friend from that was born and raised there the process to become a citizen in Norway is really complicated and expensive. Is this true?

[@Osloyes]

Hi! Very nice video! You inspired me very much to talk about this topics (my channel is about tourism in Oslo) I am new in KZbin, and it was so good to find your channel!👍🤗

[@sarainnorway]

Thank you. Best of luck!

[@katsiurek6221]

The weather seriously is a nightmare here in Norway! Goodbye mental health 💫

[@relaxingmind3004]

Hi Sara, as we know Ireland is a member of EU but not the part of Schengen Area. Can Irish Citizens live and work in Norway?

[@benttranberg2690]

Interesting observations. I think I disagree somewhat that there is a "do not disturb" culture, though some people are certainly like that. It's more that you have to spend some time to get to know people before they open up. I believe a large part of the population is shy, and to some extent hides that with various other behavior.

[@sarainnorway]

thank you for sharing.. well.. no matter how good you know people here, I don't feel like they are very "how are you today" at all... its totally different in the states for example..

[@benttranberg2690]

I used to live in Grimstad and Arendal, in Agder. People were much more likely to greet each other in these smaller cities, even if strangers. Then I moved to Oslo, and there was a marked difference. You can't even get eye contact when meeting strangers in the streets. That felt very strange to me in the beginning. Everybody just hurry past you. You're lucky if they respond if you greet them while walking in Nordmarka. I now live in Vestfold. This is more relaxed than Oslo, but a bit more serious minded than Agder. My closest relatives live on Tjøme in Vestfold, a small island with around 3.000 permanent residents, where people know each other and greet each other. In the summer the population increases to around 40.000, and these additional people also tend to greet each other while walking in the nature reserves. It's the same pleasant situation in the tourist destinations in Larvik, where I live.

[@SylvainBOSSON-og8fi]

Interesting to Know about the winter worst than denmark

"Worst" is a wrong word, I took the bus from Oslo to Italy in the early 2000s and Oslo was totally fine, maybe around 19 or possibly 20 degrees C. And then one time we got off in the southern half of Germany, it was from 9-11 degrees C at that place and it felt so chilly to me I've almost never felt similar. Like, Oslo does not feel like that when it's 10 degrees, to put it like that. Germany, UK, Netherlands and Denmark can actually feel worse than Norway at higher temps than Norway, around 9-12 degrees, sometimes it feels like hell. While Norway can be okay sometimes at 7-10 MINUS C. -- IT's NOT AS SIMPLE AS TO SAY "WORSE."

[@princereloade8599]

Very nice video

[@sarainnorway]

Thank you so much ☺️

[@noragrttingespestyl6804]

We ysed to have x-factor ant his other show called Idol, where a lot of the humor was at the expence of the poor singers. Idol did this to people as you g as 16. Thankfully it is better now!

[@Imevul]

Wait a minute, you're Danish? You for sure don't need to speak Norwegian to get a good job then, but might need to adapt your Danish to be a little easier to understand. Many job postings say they require you to be fluent in Norwegian, but will happly accept Swedes and Danes anyways because of the mutual intelligibility. I've never met a single Swede or Dane that could speak Norwegian well, and I've only ever met two Norwegians that could pull off a Swedish accent. (Though many do try, unfortunately...) In a sense, I think it's difficult to become good at it specifically because the languages are so similar. As an introverted Swede living in Norway, I've never had an issue with making friends here either, and only speak horrible Svorsk at best. Mostly just Swedish with a handful of Norwegian words mixed in, but just enough that my mother will complain... It does make things more difficult for non-Scandinavians though. There's enough of us around that you basically have to (somewhat) understand 3 languages, but as long as you can speak one of them (or English), you're fine. For the non-Scandinavians reading this: if you have trouble understanding Swedes or Danes that you meet in Norway, or even a particular Norwegian dialect, just let us know! We'll happily try to speak slower, more clearly, or even explain a word in English if needed.

[@Ystrly]

Well it must be much easier to get along with people in norway when you look like them.

[@theskyykid]

I love Norway and I wanna go study in Norway the next year but with that being said, I'm also an extrovert and not such a big fan of winters but rn I feel like no...I'll definitely manage to make some good nice friends and meet new people and bond with them it's okayy I can be an ambivertt for that caseee and well manage mild winters if m in mid norway? ! Idk ..... i really wanna go live in norway for the rest of my life I love everything about it but winters and the introvertedness of peoplee idk If I'd be able to deal with that?! Although I'm sure that in the upcoming years more people will be coming to live in this country cause whyy nottt just look at ittt!!! So Idk.... What would You advixe on this?? I'm 18 so I need much guidancee cause I don't wanna make a haste decision just because I'm obsessed with Norway🥺 It's a big decision of my life!!

[@_Viking]

The only mild winters you get, is in the Østfold region. Even the capital Oslo can get cold winters.

[@ivantubez3496]

Better to stay home with your family and friends.

[@theskyykid]

@@ivantubez3496 yes honestly

[@ivantubez3496]

@theskykiddd Take a 2 or 3 years 1. . Maybe it would be better to go to sweden.

[@christgab6779]

hello Sara i thought of going to Norway for some unskilled job. is it hard to find job for a foreigners like me in Norway?

[@joeyp1927]

Norway? YES-way!!!

[@jericoba]

I live in Sweden, and I can attest to the cons you mention in Norway. Sweden is very similar in that regard. Unfortunately.

[@sarainnorway]

Interessant.. thanks for sharing!!

As a Norwegian, I think Norway was more open as short time ago as the early 90s. My grandma always used to talk to some ppl when going around her town back then. In the Oslo area, frankly many are scared of immigrants. We had an extremely high trust society, and "certain things" have made so that we trust eachother less and are more afraid, then of course ppl talk to eachother less. I notice it myself as a Norwegian guy concerning women, many walking around outside are so afraid, even of me. And in the early and mid-90s, open home parties sometimes still happened, in Oslo that's almost over, only those few who get invited now. I encourage you to think about "hmmm... why might that be?" To me its extremely ironic that immigrants complain about "cold norwegians" when we're colder because of immigrants who've abused our past openness and freedom. PS. With that said, I would agree that the Norwegian culture generally is a bit more on the quiet side compared to many others. Almost the polar opposite of say the latin/south american cultures. That is true. Might it be because of our low pop. density and location under the north pole, in a country close to the size of Germany, with 5.6 million ppl in it. Also more remote from central Europe than Sweden or Denmark. Maybe...

[@mehauebe]

Has your openness and freedom been abused by immigrants? or are you just speculating memories of abuse that never happened to people that never did it?

[@franklin_503]

What if I want to start an Academy to teach Spanish or English? Would that work?

[@melaniecarrillo5951]

what career or job do you have to be able to live in Norway?

[@velvet6187]

How much time one need to learn Norwegian to professional level?

[@aasama]

One important thing to know is this: If you moved here after you were 16, you wont ever have the rights to the minimum level of disability payments. Unless you are a EU/EEA citizen ofcourse. Also applies if you are Norwegian and left to work abroad before you were 36. But yeah the vibes are chill, until something goes wrong or you run afoul of an ancient xenophobic law thats been perpetuated for years because "thats just what we do here".

[@bovinejonie3745]

How do Norwegians feel about dogs?

[@markussmedhus9717]

It all depends on the owner.

[@TheLownoise]

norwegian here, Feelings are our own problem and we dont put the burden on others :P the weather is an individual problem and media overhype. and i love wintertime, cant handle the 20c in the summertime at least then i have to sit still or bee in the water and CERTAINLY not working :P and we norwegian love danish people more than us self :P :P

[@kunilsen2519]

Feelings are not shared with just anyone, gotta be with a trusted friend or family member. But for the most part, in my experience, we try not to burden anyone too much.

[@fifamobiletivaal4383]

Can you apply for permit if you can work remotely for company outside norway?