Things to know before relocating to Norway from USA

You must have thought about moving to Europe at least once in your life. Europe has many great countries, so it’s not very easy to pick just one. Scandinavian countries were always known as one of the best places to live due to various reasons. For this reason, moving to Norway sounds like a very good decision. However, it’s not that simple to move internationally or to make a decision in the first place. While you can find a million reasons to move to Norway, it’s even easier to come up with just one reason that will convince you not to move. The most common problems with an international move are the language barrier and moving preparations. You can easily solve moving problems with overseas removalists. Additionally, here are other things to know before relocating to Norway from USA this year.

What are the things to know before relocating to Norway from USA?

No matter how great one country is, you will need to understand that things will be different. Every country has its specific living style, language, rules, etc. While you don’t have to completely change your current lifestyle, you will have to make some changes. For this reason, you first need to be completely sure that moving to Norway from USA is something you can do. International relocation is a huge investment just that you spend a few weeks in Norway and then decide to come back home. Therefore, before you even start preparing for your relocation, you should first research Norway and what is like living there. Also, it’s an even better option to visit Norway a couple of times before you move there. Some things that you should know about Norway as a foreigner are the following:

• Language
• Weather
• Laws and rules for non-EU residents
• Lifestyle
• Cost of living

What should you know about Norway?

Norway is actually a kingdom and it has a population of around 5,5 million. Oslo is the capital and biggest city in Norway. The official language is Norwegian. According to professionals, English speakers can easily learn Norwegian as its very similar to the German language. In fact, you will have an easier time learning Norwegian than some other popular European languages such as Spanish or Italian. Additionally, almost everyone in Norway speaks English fluently or knows the basics. For this reason, you will have no problem getting around Norway after your relocation with door to door international movers until you learn the language. However, some job positions require knowledge of Norwegian such as in healthcare. You can even easily find a job with only the English language as many big companies in Norway is willing to hire foreigners without knowledge of the Norwegian language.

How much does it cost to live in Norway?

It’s not easy to say if Norway or USA is more expensive. The living costs depend on many factors such as your living style, carrier, salary, where you live, etc. Overall living costs are higher in the USA than in Norway. Housing costs are more reasonable than in the USA. Additionally, you as a foreigner can buy a property in Norway to move into with international household movers. As buying a house is a huge investment, you should first consider renting. Rental prices will depend on many factors such as size, location, etc. The rental prices go from $450 up to $4500. However, for the price of $4500 a month, you get a big house with a nice view and location which is not something you can find in the US. Food is in general more expensive in Norway than in the US and eating in restaurants is very expensive.

How to find a job in Norway as a foreigner?

The hardest part of moving to Norway is finding a job. As you are a foreigner who comes from a non-EU country or will be staying longer than 90 days, you will have to get a residence permit. First, you need to apply for a temporary residence permit. A temporary residence permit usually expires after 1 to 3 years and it’s renewable. There are three types of temporary residence permits for work, students, and family reunification. After you lived continuously in Norway for three years, you are eligible to apply for a permanent residence permit. This permit lasts forever, but you will have to renew your residence card every two years. This might all sound a little bit confusing at first, but you will soon see it’s not complicated or hard. However, you will have to visit a couple of institutions and lose some free time.

What are some cultural differences in Norway?

Well, the biggest difference between Norway and US is the language. However, the living styles are also different. For example, people in Norway work usually work five days a week and 9 hours a day. Weekends are mostly free. When you first move to Norway, you might get the impression that Norwegians are cold and unfriendly. However, this is not true, but rather Norwegians understand politeness a little bit differently than Americans. For example, Norwegians respect the concept of personal space. They will not get into your face or start a conversation on the street with a complete stranger just like that. But, once you get to know Norwegians, you will see they are actually very nice people that you can trust and hang out with. Just give them time and space to get to know you.

Is Norway a good place for you?

As you can see, there are many things to know before relocating to Norway from USA. The most important ones are about laws and rules first and then about life in Norway in general. Moving to Norway certainly is not a bad idea or decision. Sure, it can be cold as summer lasts only for about three weeks. But, Norway is a beautiful country with many advantages and charms. For this reason, don’t give up and start preparing for your relocation in advance.

References:

https://www.internations.org/norway-expats/guide/housing