NorwayExplainedOsterøy is the big, brooding island you pass when cruising Osterfjorden from Bergen, a place of steep green hillsides, quiet coves, and timeworn boathouses. It sits so close to the mainland that it feels like you could almost step across, yet the villages and valleys keep their own rhythm. I grew up visiting relatives here … Read more
Tucked at the far end of the Mofjorden, Modalen is one of Norway’s smallest municipalities and one of the easiest places to feel like you’ve slipped off the map without actually going far from Bergen. Think mirror-still water, steep green walls, small farms clinging to the hillsides, and a tiny village center where everybody seems … Read more
Øygarden is where western Norway meets the open North Atlantic. Picture low, windswept islands stitched together by bridges, with fishing cabins tucked into coves and sea eagles cruising overhead. It feels remote yet sits just beyond Bergen, making it an easy add-on to any Fjord Norway itinerary. Whether you’re here for rugged coastal hikes, war … Read more
Lysøen is a small, pine-scented island south of Bergen with big character. Famous as the summer retreat of violin virtuoso Ole Bull, it mixes light forest trails, polished rock outcrops, and sheltered coves with airy views toward Bjørnafjorden. On a good day the light here feels almost Mediterranean, with the sea flashing between the trees … Read more
Moving to Norway means stepping into a system that is tidy, digital, and pretty strict about rules. Paying tax here is straightforward once you understand the flow: register yourself, get the right ID and tax card, check your tax return, and pay what is due. As someone who grew up in Norway and has helped … Read more
Bodø has grown from a windy northern town into one of Norway’s most interesting small cities. With a lively food scene, easy access to the Lofoten gateway, and a brand-new airport district on the way, demand for rentals has climbed. If you are moving here for work, study at Nord University, or planning a long … Read more
Norway has a way of getting under your skin. Maybe it is the fjords and quiet forests, or the social trust that lets kids nap outside in prams. If you are a US citizen thinking about making the leap, you are not alone. Plenty of Americans settle here to work, study, or join family, and … Read more
Moving to Oslo or changing apartments and wondering what rent looks like? You’re not alone. Norway’s capital is a high-demand city with a tight housing market, and prices reflect that. As someone born and raised here who has rented in several neighborhoods, helped international arrivals settle in, and watched the market through cycles, I’ll walk … Read more
Sitting in a green valley between gentle farmland and the rugged Lifjell mountains, Bø in Telemark is a classic slice of Norwegian countryside with a playful streak. People come for summer swims and water slides, for quiet forest walks with blueberry-stained fingers, and for winter skiing on surprisingly steep slopes just a short drive from … Read more
Bergen is Norway’s rain-soaked charmer, wedged between seven mountains and the sea. It is a university city, a shipping and energy hub, and a magnet for outdoorsy people who want fjords at their doorstep. That mix keeps the rental market lively year-round and extra competitive every late summer when students arrive. If you are planning … Read more