Whether you’re planning to buy or rent, here is everything you need to know about apartments in Norway. Welcome to our comprehensive guide to apartments in Norway. Whether you're moving to this beautiful country or simply looking to relocate within it, this article will help you navigate the ins and outs of Norway’s property market. We'll explore the various types of Norwegian apartments, from a charming historic bygård in the heart of Oslo, to a modern, energy-efficient new build with all the modern amenities. We'll also dive into the nuances of renting versus buying, and provide helpful tip ..read more

There is help available for residents of Norway when it comes to housing costs. Here’s what you need to know about housing policy and benefits in Norway. It’s no secret that living costs in Norway are high when compared to other countries. That’s especially true when it comes to finding affordable property to buy or rent. These days, electricity is expensive too. Amid rising costs, many people don’t have enough income to cover their housing expenses. In such situations, it is possible to apply for financial support from the government. This is what you should know about housing benefits in No ..read more

An introduction to fjernvarme, or district heating in Norway. What is it, how does it work, and why does so much of Norway have it? As temperatures plunge across Norway, thoughts as always turn to heating. Foreigners considering moving here often email to ask us what to expect in terms of heating, energy bills and so on. Heating your Norwegian home in cold weather can be done in a multitude of ways. Electric heating, heat pumps and wood-burning stoves all have their benefits and drawbacks. One of the cheapest and most sustainable ways to heat your home in Norway is district heating, called fj ..read more

When buying or renting a house in Norway, you may come across a heat pump. Read about what they are and how they work. Ask any Norwegian how to reduce your energy bills and heat pumps are likely to come up as a topic. These machines are famously efficient at converting electricity into heat for your home, but they are bizarrely unpopular in the US and Canada and almost non-existent in the UK. With energy prices skyrocketing, maybe it’s time to take another look at heat pumps and how they can help households make ends meet. And what better place to look than Norway, where half of households ha ..read more

In Norway, wood burners are a common sight in houses, apartments and cabins. Here’s what you need to know about this important heating source. If you’ve ever been to Norway, you may have noticed how widespread chimneys are, even in large cities like Oslo. On a cold winter’s day, you will see smoke rising from many of them. Wood burner in a Norwegian cabin. Photo: Antonio Galvez Lopez / Shutterstock.com. Heating with wood is common in most northern regions of the world. But wood burners in apartment buildings, which are very common in Norway, are almost unheard of in many large American cities ..read more

How much does it cost to rent a house in Norway? New data from SSB reveals the average rental prices in 2021. Buying a property is difficult enough let alone in a foreign country with a different way of doing things. Therefore, renting a place to live is the usual first step for a newcomer to Norway. We get a lot of questions about renting a house in Norway. The problem is that there is no easy answer when it comes to finding accommodation. What is suitable for one person might be wildly unsuitable for another. But thanks to the annual rental market survey (LMU) from Statistics Norway, we can ..read more

Norwegian cabin culture is nothing short of a national obsession. Here's what you need to know about cabins in Norway. There are many, many thousands of cabins, cottages, and lodges all over Norway. Some are located high up in the mountains, others by the coastline. Some are basic, while others have all the mod-cons. But regardless of their size or amenities, they all have one thing in common. The hytte is an integral part of friluftsliv, the Norwegian outdoors lifestyle. Visit Norway goes as far to say that the hytte is part of the Norwegian soul. Norwegians are keen skiers and hikers. Ownin ..read more

Buying a home in a housing cooperative is a common method of home purchase in Norway. Let's take a look at the world of the borettslag. Having lived in apartments for the majority of my life, I'm familiar with the concept of a homeowner association. The owners of each unit pay a monthly or quarterly membership, which goes towards maintenance and improvements of the buildings and grounds. When we bought a home in Norway a few years ago, we became members of the local association. It manages more than 200 properties on the estate and holds semi-regular meetings. It also rents out the small comm ..read more

Renting accommodation rather than buying is a smart move when you first move to Norway. Here's what you need to know. We strongly advise all new arrivals to rent a place to live for at least their first year or two. It's best to rent somewhere small on a temporary or short-term basis, for a number of reasons. Firstly, you can keep costs low while you adjust to your new lifestyle and figure out where you would like to live on a longer-term basis. Secondly, life in Norway may not suit you after all! In these circumstances, you won't be locked into a long lease that costs you a small fortune to ..read more