"I've lived in Oslo for 7 years and this is where I built my life with my family. It's a city that can seem cold at first, but once you know it, you never want to leave."
— Ingrid
Why Oslo?
Oslo is the capital and largest city of Norway. It concentrates most of the job opportunities, cultural institutions and the international community. It is also the most cosmopolitan city in the country.
+ Pros
- Norway's most dynamic job market
- Large international, English-speaking community
- Excellent public transport
- Rich cultural life (museums, concerts, theatres)
- International airport with many daily direct flights to London and direct flights to the US (e.g. New York/Newark)
- Nature within reach (forests, fjord, skiing 30 min away)
- Quality international schools
- Cons
- Highest cost of living in Norway
- Very tight property market
- Long, dark winter (6 hours of light in December)
- Less "typically Norwegian" city
- Social integration can be difficult
Where to live in Oslo?
Oslo is divided into several neighbourhoods with very different atmospheres. Here are my recommendations depending on your profile:
Grünerløkka
Trendy neighbourhood with cafés, bars and vintage shops. Young, dynamic atmosphere.
Frogner
Chic residential neighbourhood close to Vigeland Park. Ideal for well-off families.
Majorstuen
Central and well served. Shops, restaurants and quick access to the metro.
Tøyen
Neighbourhood undergoing gentrification. More affordable but changing fast.
Nordstrand
Quiet residential suburb by the fjord. Perfect for families.
Sentrum (Centre)
Central business district. Convenient but less residential.
We've lived in Grünerløkka for 5 years and it's perfect for our family. We have everything within walking distance: parks, schools, shops, and a village atmosphere in the big city. It's more expensive than before but it's worth it!
— IngridCost of living in Oslo
Oslo is the most expensive city in Norway. Here is a realistic budget:
| Expense | Single | Couple | Family (2 children) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 12,000 NOK | 15,000 NOK | 18,000 NOK |
| Food | 4,000 NOK | 6,000 NOK | 10,000 NOK |
| Transport | 850 NOK | 1,700 NOK | 1,700 NOK |
| Leisure | 3,000 NOK | 4,000 NOK | 5,000 NOK |
| Other | 2,000 NOK | 3,000 NOK | 4,000 NOK |
| TOTAL | ~22,000 NOK (~$2,330 / £1,740) |
~30,000 NOK (~$3,180 / £2,380) |
~39,000 NOK (~$4,130 / £3,090) |
Working in Oslo
Oslo concentrates most of the jobs in Norway, especially in the following sectors:
Sectors that are hiring
- Tech & IT: Startups, scale-ups and large companies (DNB, Telenor, Schibsted)
- Finance: Banks, insurance, investment funds
- Healthcare: Hospitals and clinics (strong demand)
- Education: International schools, universities
- Tourism & Hospitality: Constant demand, especially in summer
Average salaries in Oslo
| Job | Annual gross salary |
|---|---|
| Senior developer | 750,000 - 1,000,000 NOK |
| Engineer | 650,000 - 900,000 NOK |
| Marketing manager | 600,000 - 800,000 NOK |
| Nurse | 500,000 - 600,000 NOK |
| Waiter / Hospitality | 350,000 - 450,000 NOK |
Finn.no (the most used), LinkedIn, NAV.no (the public employment service), Karrierestart.no (for recent graduates)
Schools and nurseries
Oslo has an excellent public education system, as well as several international schools. Most are fee-paying private schools receiving state support, so fees are usually well below UK or US private-school fees, although Oslo's schools are the most expensive in Norway.
International schools
- Oslo International School (OIS) - IB programme, ages 3 to 18, at Bekkestua
- British School of Oslo - English National Curriculum, IGCSE and A-levels (opened 2023)
- Northern Lights International School - English-language international school
- Asker International School - English-language international school, west of Oslo
- German School Oslo and Lycée français René Cassin - German and French curricula
Our children go to the Norwegian public school. Education is free and of good quality, and it's the best way for them to integrate and learn Norwegian. They now speak both languages fluently!
— IngridWhat to do in Oslo?
Free activities
- Stroll through Vigeland Park (monumental sculptures)
- Explore the Nordmarka forest (skiing, hiking)
- Swim on the fjord islands (summer)
- Visit the Opera House and walk on its roof
- Wander around the Aker Brygge area
Must-see museums
- Munch Museum (The Scream and other works by Edvard Munch)
- National Museum (Norwegian and international art)
- Viking Ship Museum at Bygdøy
- Fram Museum (polar exploration)
International & English-speaking community
- InterNations Oslo community (regular expat events)
- Facebook groups: search for "Expats in Oslo"
- Meetup.com groups (hiking, running, board games, professional networking)
- Language cafés (språkkafé) run by the public library (Deichman) and the Red Cross
- Embassies: the UK, US, Canada and Ireland all have their embassy in Oslo
Questions about Oslo?
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