13 Best Places To Live In Norway

If you’re hoping to relocate somewhere new, then Norway could be just the place for your brand-new start!

Norway is renowned for its high quality of living – residents of the country are known for their politeness – plus, the country has spectacular landscapes and is exceptionally clean.

Let’s take a look at the best places to live in Norway for work, families, immigration, retirement, and more.

Sections

Best Places To Live In Norway

City	Reason
Oslo	Best for work
Bergen	Best for affordability
Trondheim	Best for families
Oslo, St. Hanshaugen	Best for immigrants
Fredrikstad	Best for retirement
Bergen, Sentrum	Best for young adults
Trondheim	Best for students
Trondheim and Oslo	Best for food and nightlife
Oslo	Best for singles
Oslo	Best for the LGBT+ community
Haugesund	Best for the weather
Ålesund	Best for beaches
Bergen	Best for mountains

Best Places To Live In Norway for Work

The best city in Norway for any expat hoping to find work is the capital of Oslo. The city is located on the country’s southern coast at the head of the Oslofjord inlet and is a perfect option for expats relocating to Norway to work in the country.

Some of the highest earners in the country are located in Oslo, so expats lucky enough to secure a position can count on high salary expectations for skilled work.

The main work industries in Oslo are shipping, oil and gas, energy and environmental affairs and IT. Most expats will do well if they take a course in Norwegian as the language barrier can be a shock for some.

Oslo is also very well maintained – one of the cleanest in the world – and has the atmosphere of a developed urban city while significantly less crowding than some of its international counterparts.

Kristiansand is another good city with plenty of great job opportunities. It’s located in the south and most people in the city have a basic grasp of English – the costs of living in Kristiansand are also more affordable than in Oslo.

Cheapest Places To Live In Norway

For those planning to relocate with a smaller budget, the city of Bergen is a good option. In general, Norway is quite an expensive country to live in so it’s good to keep this in mind when deciding where to move.

Living in the more rural, smaller towns of Norway is more affordable than living in the bigger cities but this comes with the expense of lower job opportunities and restricted access.

Bergen is located on Norway’s southwestern coast and is one of the more affordable cities that still has good amenities, is linked with good public transport and has an enjoyable atmosphere.

Bergen is more affordable than Oslo but the cost of food and drink is still quite expensive and it’s good to have secured a work position before you plan to move.

Another affordable choice is Stavanger, which is also in the southwest and is less expensive than Oslo. It’s the fourth largest city in Norway, so you can expect good amenities, but, like Bergen, do be prepared for the high costs of living.

Best Places To Live In Norway for Families

Norway has several good cities to consider if you’re hoping to relocate with a family. Before making any final decisions, you’ll want to take into account the crime rate, the education systems, and the amenities offered in the surrounding neighbourhoods.

Located in the north of Norway, Trondheim is a beautiful and large city with great healthcare and education facilities. Bear in mind, however, that the city does rest in the part of Norway with an oceanic climate, making winters very intense.

There are good job opportunities – most notably in the technology and education sectors – and Trondheim is known to be very safe, though somewhat isolated from the rest of the country.

Bergen is another good family-friendly choice. Both Bergen and Trondheim are slightly expensive to live in (most of Norway is!) but they’re both more affordable than Oslo and have good work opportunities.

Best Places To Live In Norway for Immigrants

Norway has a good track record of welcoming immigrants to the country, with most of the population described as having a positive and friendly attitude towards immigrants.

Oslo, Norway’s capital, is the best city for immigrants who are hoping to settle in the heart of the country and experience the best of what Norway has to offer.

While housing prices and the cost of living in Norway is high, the salaries are higher than average and the benefits of living in Norway’s main economic capital tend to balance out the cost.

There isn’t too much residential property in the centre of Oslo, but there are districts in both western and eastern inner Oslo – such as St. Hanshaugen to the west and Tøyen to the east – which offer properties at good value and close to the city centre for workers.

Stavanger is another good option for expats due to the lively atmosphere of the city, the vibrant nightlife and the good work opportunities. Stavanger also holds plenty of festivals which is ideal for immigrants hoping to become familiar with Norway’s culture.

Best Places To Live In Norway for Retirement

Norway is full of charming villages and towns, but for retirees hoping to settle somewhere larger, Fredrikstad is a fantastic option. Located in Viken County, Fredrikstad is a very old city which dates back to the 16th century.

Fredrikstad is close to Oslo for those who want to be near the capital but has a much more relaxed atmosphere. The river Glomma runs through the city, which creates some beautiful scenic views, and there are several old markets to explore during the weekend.

Costs in Fredrikstad are much lower than in Oslo, so it’s a great option for retirees hoping to move with a smaller budget. Norway is also said to have one of the best healthcare systems in the world, which is a bonus for retirees.

Trondheim is another good option for retirees. Located in the north of the country, Trondheim has warm summers and mild winters and is rich in culture.

Best Places To Live In Norway for Young Adults

Located on Norway’s southwestern coast, Bergen is one of the best options for young adults who want to move to Norway but are hoping to steer clear of the expensive costs found in Oslo.

Like Oslo, Bergen is packed full of culture and charm, with plenty of entertainment and dining options. Residents of the city also enjoy lots of outdoor activities such as hiking and swimming as there is plenty of natural beauty in and around Bergen.

Bergen City Centre, known locally as Sentrum, is where most ex-pats live due to its convenient location for work and nightlife. Bergen is also a popular student city; young adults who are hoping to study will find plenty of work opportunities as well as chances to integrate with the local community.

Those who want to be closer to the ocean should consider the charming town of Kristiansand. Like Bergen, outdoor activities and sports are common here – young adults who are hoping to spend lots of time in nature will do brilliantly in Kristiansand!

Best Places To Live In Norway for Students

Norway is known to have some great educational institutes; the most known and commonly chosen city is Trondheim. The city is located in central Norway on the Trondheim Fjord.

It’s estimated that about 25% of the population is international students which makes it the ideal choice for students who are hoping for a large expat community.

Some of the main universities are; the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Queen Maud University College, and the Norwegian Institute of Technology.

The city is charming with a host of amenities and attractions for new residents to enjoy. It’s famous for the Nidaros Cathedral and is also well connected to other major cities in Norway – it’s very close to Oslo.

Tromsø is another good option for students, particularly those who enjoy being close to nature and spending time outdoors. There aren’t as many university choices here because of the rural nature of the municipality.

Best Places To Live In Norway for Food and Nightlife

Trondheim is also the food capital of Norway and is known for having three Michelin-star restaurants. Norwegian cuisine is typically a range of food easily found in Norway such as bread, cheeses, and sursild (pickled herring).

There are many cafes and restaurants throughout Norway for newcomers to work their way through as they discover the main flavours of Norwegian cuisine. Trondheim and the surrounding region of Trøndelag are known for their fantastic locally-sourced produce and you can expect high-quality food in markets and restaurants.

When it comes to entertaining nightlife, Oslo is the best city in the country for those hoping to party until the early hours. There are some excellent nightclubs in Oslo which cater for different music tastes and different event types.

One of the best districts for shopping, eateries and nightlife is Majorstuen; the district is also easily connected to the centre as well as other districts in Oslo.

Best Places To Live In Norway for Singles

Oslo is the best city in Norway for single people but keep in mind that the costs of housing and the costs of living are higher than in other cities – if you’re a single person with a smaller budget, it may be better to consider other options.

If you’re happy to potentially share accommodation, then you’ll find plenty of other singles looking for roommates and flatmates which can also be a great way of meeting new people.

For those who have the means, Oslo is one of the best places to settle as a single person. The active job market means there are plenty of job opportunities, and there is a big single population in the city for meeting new people and forming new connections.

Oslo has good public transportation – there’s easy access to buses, trams and trains, though you will find the city centre to be compact enough to easily walk.

Bergen is another good option for singles, with lower living and housing costs than Oslo. There is a large arts and music scene in Bergen making it the ideal spot for a single person hoping to spend time getting to know and engage with Norwegian culture.

Best Places To Live In Norway for the LGBT+ Community

Norway is a very welcoming and accepting country and LGBT+ rights are ranked as some of the highest in the globe. Oslo is one of Norway’s biggest cities that celebrates the LGBT+ community and one of the best cities to consider for relocation.

The gay scene in Oslo is small but vibrant and you’ll find that most restaurants and bars welcome all communities. There isn’t a specific gay village, as such, aside from one of two specific bars, but that doesn’t mean that the LGBT+ community isn’t welcomed or celebrated.

Oslo holds an annual Pride parade with performances catering to all members and identities of the LGBT+ communities.

Trondheim is another good city to consider if you’re a member of the LGBT+ community looking for a welcoming area. The university city has a large student culture which is generally accepting and open to the LGBT+ community, plus there are regular Pride events throughout the year.

Best Places To Live In Norway for the Weather

The weather in Norway can be surprisingly deceptive – most of the country has a maritime climate which means that its summers are warm and winters are mild – due to the influence of the North Atlantic Ocean, the weather in Norway is generally much warmer than one might expect.

However, as you venture away from the coast and inland, the winters do become much harsher and the areas within the Artic region can be very frigid.

The young city of Haugesund is one of the best cities in Norway for those hoping to experience good weather. The city is located in the southwest of Norway and, due to the oceanic climate, it has very mild winters and lovely warm summers.

Stavener is another city with good weather for those hoping to relocate to a warmer location. It’s south of Haugesund and has similarly mild winters with summer temperatures rising to the twenties.

Best Places To Live In Norway Near Beaches

Norway’s coastline stretches from the Arctic Circle to the North Sea. This dramatic coastline offers the chance to explore some breathtakingly wild and beautiful beaches.

Ålesund is a port city located on the west coast of Norway. It’s known for being an old town with a charming atmosphere and lovely access to Norway’s beaches. Most of the beaches in and around Ålesund are sandy and ideal for swimming, surfing, kayaking and windsurfing.

Oslo is another good option for those who want plenty of access to the coast. The city lies on most of Norway’s southern coast and those who are hoping for good access to urban amenities and natural beauty will do well in this city.

Best Places To Live In Norway Near Mountains

When it comes to the best city in Norway near the mountains, the city of Bergen takes the cake. Nicknamed the “gateway to the fjords”, Bergen is surrounded by natural beauty, including some of Norway’s most beloved mountains – the seven mountains.

The seven mountains are perfect for hiking, climbing, trailing and walking and they draw hundreds of tourists each year. During the winter, skiing is a common activity, with dedicated slopes and resorts operating to keep skiers safe.

As Norway is known for its craggy and mountainous landscape, it’s no surprise that there are several other options for mountain lovers. Tromsø is another good Norwegian city for those hoping to be up close and personal with mountains.