Norway is fast becoming a popular destination for expats looking to experience a new lifestyle. But despite the fact that this country has a lot to love, some aspects of the lifestyle of this country are difficult for expats to cope with. We are talking about the unfriendly mood of the locals. Especially in relation to the Russians, who were warned by the Russian embassy in Oslo back in October about discriminatory measures taken by local authorities (details here).
It is estimated that around 16,000 emigrants from Russia lived in Norway during the pre-Covid period. The vast majority of them moved to the northern European country back in the 90s. Prior to this, the number of compatriots in this state was hardly more than 100. But what is the life of a foreign resident in Norway like today?
According to the Express, an InterNations Expat Insider survey asked expats around the world to rate their home based on several important factors. 80% of “settlers” rated Norway highly in terms of career growth and were very impressed with the balance between work and personal life. “I love the balance between work and personal life! This has a big impact on leaving me enough time for my family, social life or any other activity,” explained one of the participants.
Indeed, the world of work in Norway is famous for its openness, since everyone can find out how much another person earns. Anyone can use the Norwegian online system to find out how much their neighbor, friend or colleague earns. The system is designed to increase transparency in the world of work and reduce the wage gap in society.
But at the time, expats complained about the lack of social media. According to them, it was very difficult for them to get used to the local culture, and almost 30% reported that they did not feel welcome in this country: the attitude of the locals was as cold as the climate … A third of those surveyed said that the local population was generally unfriendly, and more than 60% said they had difficulty making friends.
“I don't like the difficulty of building personal contacts with the locals. It is difficult to overcome the feeling that I am a stranger to them, ”complained the survey participant. This is also proved by statistics: more than 30% of respondents said that they did not have a support system in Norway, and one in five was dissatisfied with their life there.
The expats were also dissatisfied with the country's nightlife and cultural offerings, with many restaurants having poor service ratings. In addition, Norwegians tend to place a high value on personal space and will not interact with strangers in public. Talking to a stranger or even offering to help him can be perceived as anxiety in Norway. Whereas in many Russian families, especially where the traditions of the Soviet era are still strong, help and care for other people are instilled from childhood. We add that in Norway a Russian is considered to be one who was born in Russia or who has both parents from the Russian Federation.
Against the backdrop of the constant feeling that those who came to Norway for permanent residence will be a stranger there for the rest of their lives, emigrants feel completely safe there, and 95% of respondents confirmed this. Almost 80% more answered that they can openly express themselves and their opinions. Norway is also highly rated when it comes to the natural environment, with almost 100% of visitors having a positive view of it.
Most expats live in Oslo, Norway's capital, which is just a short flight from the UK. Other popular destinations include Bergen, Trondheim and Stavanger. Most Russian “settlers” live in the north of Norway. So, in Finnmark, every 7th year, according to data for 2019, was a native of our vast country.
Earlier, Turprom wrote that “The popular archipelago broke off relations with Russian tourism: tourists from the Russian Federation are no longer served.”< /p>
For those who care about a healthy lifestyle, we recommend reading: “Doctors Named 4 Signs of Latent Diabetes.”