Is Moving to Oslo Worth It? Here’s What Expats Say
Get a Free Moving Quote Now!
Start Your International Moving Journey
If you are considering moving abroad to Norway, the peaceful lifestyle, clean streets and solid work-life balance of Oslo appeal to expats. Most of the people who research a move to it compare it with other European destinations before concluding their long-term goals are best served by its structure and security.
International Moving to Oslo: What to Know About Shipping from the U.S.
People planning an international moving to Oslo will find that shipping times and costs can fluctuate dramatically depending on which route you decide on (RoRo or container shipping) and the company you select. More commonly, most movers offer shared container (LCL) or full container (FCL) services as a means of reducing costs for smaller loads. Transit times to Norway vary, but typically take some weeks up to over a month – so make sure your duckies are in order.
If you are still comparing places to move to in Europe or Scandinavia, you can check out our other international relocation guides to see how moving to Oslo actually stacks up against the competition.
Oslo doesn’t advertise itself loudly, but it quietly wins people over. Many planning an international move to Norway choose Oslo after realizing how calm, organized, and nature-focused daily life is. It trades chaos for structure and offers a steady, practical lifestyle.
But is it truly worth the cost, dark winters, and cultural differences? Here’s what expats say after making the move.
What’s the Real Cost of Living—And Is It Worth It?
Oslo is costly: rent is expensive and groceries aren’t cheap. The rent for a standard one-bedroom apartment is approximately around 19,000 NOK (utilities can range from between 2,000 to 3,500 NOK extra). Food, restaurants and alcohol tend to the more expensive compared to what many expats are used to so lining up a budget of costs for your first year is essential.
But higher salaries, functioning public services and clean neighborhoods offset the financial costs. Yet most expats argue that while the cost stings initially, the stability and quality of life are worth it.
How Do You Handle the Long Winters and Lack of Sunlight?
Winters are long and dark, especially from November through January, and it does take a mental adjustment. But while some new arrivals are just groggy at first, remedies like vitamin D, bright light and winter vacations may also ease the transition.
The Norwegians do it with the idea of koselig — making things cozy and warm, being together and eating well, outdoors. When expats follow suit, winters feel less raw and more ruminative.
What’s Work Culture Like and Can Expats Find Jobs?
It may take you some time to land a job, as Norwegian employers typically value local experience and favor applicants who can speak the language. There are English-speaking jobs, especially in tech, engineering and energy but job hunters need to be patient.
Expats observe a noticeable shift in work culture once they get hired. With decent hours, low hierarchy and work-life balance a priority. This is one of the best parts for many when moving to Oslo.
How Hard Is It to Learn Norwegian—And Do You Really Need It?
Almost everyone in Oslo speaks very good English, so you don’t need Norwegian for every day life. But expats soon find out that speaking the language is a social advantage, a bureaucratic convenience and an asset on the job market.
Many new arrivals can take free or subsidized language classes. And even just a small dab of Norwegian gets you quite a bit, with locals genuinely excited that you’ve made any effort.
How Competitive Is the Housing Market—And Where Do Expats Live?
The rental market is fast, and good listings can be gone in hours. The open houses are crowded not only with bleary-eyed Norwegians, but also foreigners who, by coming to a few viewings or posting on social media (a common way to find apartments here), may even cause the landlord to raise the rent. Landlords typically favor tenants already in Oslo, and landlords usually insist on three months’ rent up front, so short-term living at first is the norm.
Élite neighborhoods such as Grünerløkka, Frogner and Majorstuen are terrific for parks and accessibility to transit. And once you find a place, housing is generally clean, in good repair and predictable in cost.
Is Oslo Really as Safe and Clean as They Say?
One of Oslo’s best selling points is its safety. Violent crime is infrequent, streets are safe and late-night walks are typically secure. Families in particular appreciate the ease of letting kids roam freely.
Everyday culture involves cleanliness as well. The public spaces are so well-kept, recycling is obviously taken seriously and the general environment feels orderly yet calm.
How Family-Friendly Is Oslo for Kids and Parents?
Once you have your Norwegian ID number, you can receive public healthcare. They hop over the road to their GP because it is cheap and once they reach an annual cap, more treatment is either free or extremely low cost.
Experts you could wait longer for, but generally the system is simple and trustworthy. For most expats, the process is far simpler than they anticipate.
How Close Is Nature—And Does Anyone Actually Use It?
Oslo is distinguished by the way nature effortlessly mixes with everyday life. There are forests and lakes, and the fjord is just minutes away — residents use all of these on a year-round basis.
Children have free healthcare, and public transportation is stroller- or kid-friendly. Families settle into schedules that seem balanced and supportive.
Is It Easy or Hard to Build a Social Life in Oslo?
Nature is seamlessly integrated into daily life in Oslo. There are forests, lakes and the fjord minutes away, and residents use them all year round. This access is one of the favorite things many expats here say about living in Oslo.
Whatever the season, whether for hiking or skiing, the city makes it easy to walk off your day at work or school with some fresh air and exercise.
Is It Easy or Hard to Build a Social Life in Oslo?
Social life is time consuming because Norwegians take a while to warm up. Many expatriates develop friendship networks around hobbies, sports or language clubs rather than from spontaneous socializing.
But once deep connections are struck, they last. Most expats find themselves with a small but tight-knit group of friends that they consider to be like-raised and who share their values and interests.
Is Moving to Oslo the Right Call?
Oslo requires adaptation — it’s high-cost, dark in the winter and takes a while to socially penetrate, but it is stable, safe and has a lifestyle balance based on nature. For some, that tradeoff makes the move entirely worth it.
If you value order, peace and longer-term quality of life opportunities then Oslo is a city to be patient with and enjoy a stable, happy lifestyle.