I moved to Norway recently myself, but from New York City, where I am originally from. It is something I wanted to do for a long time, in part because my grandparents came from where I am now. All these points are true (cost, permit, etc.), but it is not a shock to me when living in Manhattan in terms of prices. There are some things that are quite expensive. My wife would compare food costs to buying stuff at Whole Foods.
Summertime in Norway is holiday time. People can take up to the whole month off. There is this thing called feriepenger where the government mandates that 10.5% of your salary is saved for vacation. It really stinks for the first year. :)
Shops close on Sundays (except gas station stores and Joker) and there is one government-ran store for wine/liquor/"strong beer". I just came here a few months ago, and I sort of miss having a nighttime. These are little things though. Of course though, YMMV.
I have been pursuing new job opportunties here. Most software development jobs tend to show up in Oslo, Stavanger and Bergen (three cities I am not in, I am in Southern Norway.) It is easiest to get a job in Oslo, particularly if you follow FINN.no when you try to find dev work. So, I'd probably suggest one of those three cities if you want to come here. (Haven't been to Stavanger, but Bergen is the prettiest, but seriously rainy).
Of course, YMMV anywhere. Just remember, despite what people write in the US media: Scandinavia is not a socialist paradise. :D
(EDIT: one other thing, I love banking here. Internet banking in the US still is sort of a novel idea. I had to pay by check for my rent; now I just do it through the bank site, along with other bills. There is a bunch of things I wish I saw in the US that I see here when it comes to banking.)
The biggest point for me about this vacation time is how slow things are when you need to find work. I got a lot of "we'll be recruiting after the summer vacation." Oslo is probably different, I bet.
Regardless, I am securing work now with a company.
Oslo was not that different. I was told at my company to take July off as little business would be done so there was no point being in the office.
I found that a little disappointing as I would typically travel abroad or holidays and would much prefer to leave mid winter for a month and have a break from the darkness.
I'm now back in my home country Australia but not sure it was the right move. Weather is much better for lifestyle but life seems more complicated and to have more pressure/stress. In Norway you knew the government would look after you and while I've never used that support, nor expect to it was nice knowing it was there.
Summertime in Norway is holiday time. People can take up to the whole month off. There is this thing called feriepenger where the government mandates that 10.5% of your salary is saved for vacation. It really stinks for the first year. :)
Shops close on Sundays (except gas station stores and Joker) and there is one government-ran store for wine/liquor/"strong beer". I just came here a few months ago, and I sort of miss having a nighttime. These are little things though. Of course though, YMMV.
I have been pursuing new job opportunties here. Most software development jobs tend to show up in Oslo, Stavanger and Bergen (three cities I am not in, I am in Southern Norway.) It is easiest to get a job in Oslo, particularly if you follow FINN.no when you try to find dev work. So, I'd probably suggest one of those three cities if you want to come here. (Haven't been to Stavanger, but Bergen is the prettiest, but seriously rainy).
Of course, YMMV anywhere. Just remember, despite what people write in the US media: Scandinavia is not a socialist paradise. :D
(EDIT: one other thing, I love banking here. Internet banking in the US still is sort of a novel idea. I had to pay by check for my rent; now I just do it through the bank site, along with other bills. There is a bunch of things I wish I saw in the US that I see here when it comes to banking.)