Your Expat Community in Oslo

Oslo offers a high quality of life, efficient public services, and stunning natural surroundings. But it’s not all sunshine. According to the Expat Insider 2024 survey, Oslo ranked 42nd out of 53 cities. Expats often find it difficult to make local friends and experience a more stagnant social life, as well as facing high living costs.

If you’re open to a slower pace, value nature and balance, and don’t mind putting in a bit of effort socially, Oslo has a lot to offer. It may take time to feel settled, but many expats find their rhythm here eventually.

Oslo might not be huge, but each neighborhood feels like its own little world. Where you live can shape your experience of the city, from quiet parks and a family-friendly atmosphere to a vibrant arts scene and easy access to the city center. To help you decide where to start your search, here are some neighborhoods that tend to be popular with expats.

Frogner: Frogner is known for its high rents, upscale cafés, and parks, including the famous Vigeland Sculpture Park. It’s popular with expats looking for a peaceful, well-to-do neighborhood that’s convenient to city life.

Grünerløkka: It’s a favorite among young people, creatives, and expats who enjoy a social atmosphere and being part of the city’s buzzing cultural scene. Packed with cafés, galleries, vintage shops, and colorful street art, Grünerløkka has a lively, youthful energy that makes it one of Oslo’s trendiest spots.

Sagene (including Torshov): Sagene is a mostly residential neighborhood located northwest of the city center. It has a relaxed, down-to-earth vibe with its green surroundings, riverside walking paths, and a balanced mix of old charm and newer housing. It’s a solid choice for families or anyone looking for a slower pace without being far from the city center.

Stovner: Stovner is farther out but much more budget friendly. It’s a diverse area with its own feel, plenty of community life, and straightforward transit into central Oslo. Good for newcomers wanting affordable space and easy commutes.

Most people start their search online, and popular websites like Finn.no and Hybel.no are great places to browse rental listings for everything from shared flats to full apartments. It’s also worth checking out Facebook groups like, where people often post available rooms or short-term rentals. Another option is to use specialized agencies, which can be more helpful for those who want more guidance and support.

Keep in mind that the rental market in Oslo can move quickly, so it helps to be flexible and ready to act fast when you find something suitable. And while prices can be high, especially in central areas, expanding your search to neighborhoods just outside the center can give you a good mix of affordability and access to the city. Most importantly, don’t hesitate to ask around or talk to locals. Personal networks can be surprisingly helpful when looking for housing in Oslo.

Oslo is known for its relatively high cost of living, so it's good to have an idea of what to expect before you settle in. The city offers a high standard of living, great public services, and a strong social safety net, but these perks also mean everyday costs like rent, groceries, and eating out can add up. That said, salaries usually keep pace with the cost of living, with the average monthly salary in Oslo is 53,900 NOK. Many essentials, like healthcare and education, are publicly funded, which eases some of the financial pressure.

How much you’ll spend each month really depends on your lifestyle and preferences. But to give you a general idea of what to expect, here’s a breakdown of typical monthly expenses in Oslo:

Oslo is Norway’s biggest city, so it comes with the usual urban challenges but overall, it’s still considered a safe place to live. Most people feel comfortable walking around even at night. That said, it’s good to be a extra cautious around Oslo Central Station and parks, especially late in the evening. These spots can sometimes attract more street activity, such as visible drug use or pickpocketing. Staying in well-lit areas, watching your belongings, and avoiding quiet streets at night can help you feel more secure.

Oslo’s transport system is run by Ruter and is well-integrated. It covers metro, trams, buses, ferries, and local trains in one unified ticketing system. Whether you're riding across town, taking a ferry to the Oslofjord, or heading into the suburbs, all these modes work with the same tickets.

You can buy tickets using the Ruter app, which is a convenient option and gives real-time updates on departures and routes. Tickets are also available at machines in major stations and at kiosks. You should buy your ticket before boarding. Tickets aren’t sold on board most services, and riding without one can lead to a hefty fine.

Metro (Tbane): It's fast, reliable, and frequent. With five lines, it runs through most of the city, including suburbs.

Trams (Trikken): Trams are great for getting around central Oslo. They’re easy to get on and off, run frequently, and are ideal for short journeys around the city, even though they're not the fastest option. The routes go through many of Oslo’s popular spots.

Buses: Buses fill in the gaps where the metro and trams don’t reach, especially in outer areas or smaller neighborhoods. They also run late into the night and even have special night buses on weekends.

Ferries: You can take ferries to the islands in the Oslofjord like Hovedøya or Gressholmen. They leave from Aker Brygge and are included in your regular Ruter ticket (Zone 1).

Bikes & Scooters: Oslo has a city bike system called Oslo Bysykkel. You just rent a bike using the app and return it to any station. Electric scooters are also everywhere and are handy for quick trips.

Once you register with the Norwegian National Registry (Folkeregisteret) you are enrolled in the National Insurance Scheme (Folketrygden). This grants you access to public healthcare services, including your own general practitioner (fastlege) who handles most medical needs, referrals to specialists, prescriptions, preventive check-ups, and chronic care management. All residents are entitled to register with a GP and can change their GP up to twice per year via Helsenorge.no.

In case you need urgent care, you can contact the local emergency room service (legevakt) at 116 117, and always call 113 for life-threatening emergencies.

Most healthcare services are publicly funded, but you’ll usually pay a small fee (around 160–200 NOK per GP visit and a bit more for specialists) until you reach an annual limit of about 3,000 NOK. After that, you get an exemption card (frikort) that covers the rest of the year, making further treatment free. Emergency care, hospital stays, and services for children under 16 or related to pregnancy are generally free from the start. You can manage appointments, prescriptions, and test results easily through the official online portal, Helsenorge. Private health insurance isn’t required, but some people choose it to speed up waiting times, get access to a wider range of services, or cover co-payments and treatments not included in the public system.

You can read more about this in our Healthcare in Norway article.

Oslo has a very seasonal climate, so you’ll experience everything from snowy winters to bright, mild summers. Winters are cold, with temperatures often below freezing and regular snowfall. What catches most newcomers off guard is the limited daylight. Snow is common and tends to stay longer in the forests and outer neighborhoods than in the city center. In December, the sun doesn’t rise until around 9 AM and sets before 4 PM, which can feel quite intense if you’re not used to it.

Dressing well is important for coping with the cold. Wearing layers and using materials such as wool will keep your body warm. It's also important to have an outer layer that can withstand wind and rain. If you can, include reflective patches to increase visibility in traffic, especially on days when it gets dark early. Since roads can be slippery in the winter, you may want to opt for non-slip shoes.

Spring arrives slowly, and March can still feel wintery, but by May things warm up and the days start getting much longer. Summers in Oslo are mild and pleasant, usually around 20 °C. It usually doesn’t get too hot, and the long daylight hours, especially in June and July, when it stays light until nearly midnight, make it easy to enjoy the outdoors.

Autumn brings cooler weather again, with more rain and shorter days starting from October. By November, daylight hours are already dropping quickly. It may take some time to adjust to the weather in Oslo, particularly if you’re used to a warmer or sunnier climate. Still, with the right clothing and by staying active during the darker months, most people find their own ways to enjoy the seasons.

You can definitely get by in Oslo with just English, most people speak it well and you’ll most likely have no trouble navigating daily life. In our Expat Insider survey, 64% of expats find it easy to live in Oslo without speaking Norwegian.

Although, as in any country, learning the local language can make a real difference in the long run. Speaking Norwegian can help you feel more integrated, open up more job opportunities, and make it easier to build local friendships.

Meeting people in Oslo can take a bit of time, but there are plenty of ways to build a social circle if you’re open and proactive. Joining local hobby groups, sports clubs, or language exchanges is a great place to start, and apps like Meetup can help you find events and communities based on your interests. At InterNations, we also host regular events, and our interest-based groups are perfect for making new connections and forging international friendships.

If you’re working or studying, you can also take advantage of after-work gatherings or student networks. Volunteering at organizations or signing up for local classes (yoga, dance, art, etc.) is another relaxing way to meet people.