6 ms·

Moving to Norway for Work

9 points by Johnnb 4y ago

As a software engineer I’m thinking of moving to Norway. Employment won’t be an issue. However, I only know a few Norwegian phrases. How is the English comprehension, especially in a professional context? Will I be able to get by? I’m also interested in the dating scene, I find Norwegian women in general to be beautiful. Is the dating scene quite different from let’s say American or more Central European? I will eventually be looking for a long term relationship, but as a middle aged, balding guy I might not be the most desirable!

ddorian43 4y ago
Have you ever been there? Maybe travel for a month there and see how/if you like it.
xrayarx 4y ago
IMHO this should be "ask hn"
speedgoose 4y ago
You can easily find a job that doesn’t require Norwegian speaking skills at all. We are many immigrants who speak mostly English at work. The dating scene is a bit different, more gender equal perhaps, and plenty of people are into middle aged bald guys. You may have to exercise a lot to keep up with the average citizen though.
- 2143 4y ago
  > We are many immigrants Didn't know there's substantial immigration into Norway. Is it as diverse as, say, the United States?
  - speedgoose 4y ago
    I don't know much about the united states but here are the stats from the Norwegian state: https://www.ssb.no/en/innvandring-og-innvandrere/faktaside/innvandring https://www.ssb.no/en/innvandring-og-innvandrere/faktaside/i...
xrayarx 4y ago
You might want to learn a few things about Norway first [1] You also have to deal with sunset/sunrise being different from what you are used to, except you are from Alaska or similar high latitude. Best to travel there first or before making the jump. [1] https://www.lifeinnorway.net/things-you-must-know-before-moving-to-norway/ https://www.lifeinnorway.net/things-you-must-know-before-mov...
throwntoday 4y ago
To anyone who has immigrated to Norway, how does one find work there? It's on a short list of countries I wouldn't mine laying roots in. I'm American if that makes a difference.
- speedgoose 4y ago
  If you work in IT and can breathe you will very likely find a job. An an American it will be easier than if you come from China or Iran. I think the USA administration is the most annoying as you will have to keep paying taxes in USA as well (I assume you are from USA because otherwise you would say the country and not the continent). You can browse Finn.no or the who is hiring HN threads.
bckygldstn 4y ago
You'll have no problems getting by in English, either professionally or in day-to-day life. Most software business is officially done in English, and most people you'll interact with speak very good English! But if you're planning on living in Norway long term, I strongly recommend making a serious effort becoming at fluent in possible in the language. As in start learning now, take intensive classes while there, set aside 30 mins every day for structured learning, and keep all that up for a few years. • It's isolating having every new person start speaking to you in Norwegian, then you having to interrupt them and ask to switch to English. A group of Norwegians talking will change languages when you join them, which can make you feel guilty or make you feel less like socialising. • Many Norwegians are nervous or self-conscious to speak English (even if they speak it better than some native speakers!) so you won't get to experience their true chatty self. • Children learn Norwegian before English, so if you have kids in Norway with a Norwegian partner you may not be able to communicate with them as well as your partner until they're a bit older. You also won't be able to communicate with your kid's friends or other children. • Lots of humour, pop-culture, memes, puns, graffiti is gated behind Norwegian. • If you're looking for a relationship, not speaking Norwegian limits your options. And finally the obligatory: really think this through. It's a massive life change to live in a new culture, perhaps unimaginably large if you've never done it before. That you find Norwegian women hotter than your local dating pool is (aside from being gross) such a small factor compared to all the differences between your life now and moving to Norway. Spend a month there in an Airbnb, read the local news every day, follow local influencers/subreddits/tiktockers, watch local tv. Again, the effort of doing all of this is miniscule compared to uprooting your whole life and moving somewhere you have no ties.
- nicbou 4y ago
  This is excellent advice. I moved to Germany many years ago, and picked up the language along the way. Yes, people often speak English, but they subtly dislike the burden of translation to be shifted upon them. People became markedly nicer when I no longer needed English, even if I stumbled often. It's harder to get things done, harder to make friends, harder to know what's going on. You're missing an awful lot of the country's rich cultural context. You end up sheltered in the very real "expat bubble". As you said, expect to put a lot of work into it. I worked harder than many to learn German, and I'm still ashamed of where I stand. If you start in the expat bubble, your colleagues and your friends speak English, and regular practice is more difficult. I tell people about as much on my website about moving to Germany. Your comment gave me much better words to explain it. Thank you!
surprisetalk 4y ago
> I’m also interested in the dating scene, I find Norwegian women in general to be beautiful. You seem like a nice person, but this phrase comes off as creepy. I would recommend NOT saying things like this if you're looking to meet people. > I will eventually be looking for a long term relationship, but as a middle aged, balding guy I might not be the most desirable! This immediately makes me like you! If you end up creating a dating profile, lean into this spirit.
- p1esk 4y ago
  >>> I’m also interested in the dating scene, I find Norwegian women in general to be beautiful. > this phrase comes off as creepy How could you possibly interpret that phrase as creepy? What's creepy about it?
  - surprisetalk 4y ago
    In general, don't comment on people's appearance. It's obviously okay to have preferences, but it's safer to stay away from certain phrasings if you want people to feel safe around you.
    - p1esk 4y ago
      In general, don't comment on people's appearance. Ever heard of a concept of compliments? I've been praising appearance of beautiful people since I was a teenager - never once I encountered anyone who would get upset about it.
  - nicbou 4y ago
    People want to be liked as individuals, not fetishised as members of a group.
    - Handprint4469 4y ago
      He's not saying he likes them _because_ they are Norwegian, but rather that in his experience he tends to be attracted to Norwegian women.
stopin 4y ago
[flagged]
Johnnb 4y ago
Thank you all for great advice! I have spent time in Norway and loved it. I’m aware of how dark it can get, but it doesn’t phase me. Also, skiing is something I love
bjourne 4y ago
Not speaking Norwegian will make finding love much more difficult. Norwegian women are indeed beautiful but so are Norwegian men...

9 points by Johnnb 4y ago

ddorian43 4y ago

Have you ever been there? Maybe travel for a month there and see how/if you like it.

xrayarx 4y ago

IMHO this should be "ask hn"

speedgoose 4y ago

You can easily find a job that doesn’t require Norwegian speaking skills at all. We are many immigrants who speak mostly English at work. The dating scene is a bit different, more gender equal perhaps, and plenty of people are into middle aged bald guys. You may have to exercise a lot to keep up with the average citizen though.

2143 4y ago
> We are many immigrants Didn't know there's substantial immigration into Norway. Is it as diverse as, say, the United States?
- speedgoose 4y ago
  I don't know much about the united states but here are the stats from the Norwegian state: https://www.ssb.no/en/innvandring-og-innvandrere/faktaside/innvandring https://www.ssb.no/en/innvandring-og-innvandrere/faktaside/i...

xrayarx 4y ago

You might want to learn a few things about Norway first [1] You also have to deal with sunset/sunrise being different from what you are used to, except you are from Alaska or similar high latitude. Best to travel there first or before making the jump. [1] https://www.lifeinnorway.net/things-you-must-know-before-moving-to-norway/ https://www.lifeinnorway.net/things-you-must-know-before-mov...

throwntoday 4y ago

To anyone who has immigrated to Norway, how does one find work there? It's on a short list of countries I wouldn't mine laying roots in. I'm American if that makes a difference.

speedgoose 4y ago
If you work in IT and can breathe you will very likely find a job. An an American it will be easier than if you come from China or Iran. I think the USA administration is the most annoying as you will have to keep paying taxes in USA as well (I assume you are from USA because otherwise you would say the country and not the continent). You can browse Finn.no or the who is hiring HN threads.

bckygldstn 4y ago

You'll have no problems getting by in English, either professionally or in day-to-day life. Most software business is officially done in English, and most people you'll interact with speak very good English! But if you're planning on living in Norway long term, I strongly recommend making a serious effort becoming at fluent in possible in the language. As in start learning now, take intensive classes while there, set aside 30 mins every day for structured learning, and keep all that up for a few years. • It's isolating having every new person start speaking to you in Norwegian, then you having to interrupt them and ask to switch to English. A group of Norwegians talking will change languages when you join them, which can make you feel guilty or make you feel less like socialising. • Many Norwegians are nervous or self-conscious to speak English (even if they speak it better than some native speakers!) so you won't get to experience their true chatty self. • Children learn Norwegian before English, so if you have kids in Norway with a Norwegian partner you may not be able to communicate with them as well as your partner until they're a bit older. You also won't be able to communicate with your kid's friends or other children. • Lots of humour, pop-culture, memes, puns, graffiti is gated behind Norwegian. • If you're looking for a relationship, not speaking Norwegian limits your options. And finally the obligatory: really think this through. It's a massive life change to live in a new culture, perhaps unimaginably large if you've never done it before. That you find Norwegian women hotter than your local dating pool is (aside from being gross) such a small factor compared to all the differences between your life now and moving to Norway. Spend a month there in an Airbnb, read the local news every day, follow local influencers/subreddits/tiktockers, watch local tv. Again, the effort of doing all of this is miniscule compared to uprooting your whole life and moving somewhere you have no ties.

nicbou 4y ago
This is excellent advice. I moved to Germany many years ago, and picked up the language along the way. Yes, people often speak English, but they subtly dislike the burden of translation to be shifted upon them. People became markedly nicer when I no longer needed English, even if I stumbled often. It's harder to get things done, harder to make friends, harder to know what's going on. You're missing an awful lot of the country's rich cultural context. You end up sheltered in the very real "expat bubble". As you said, expect to put a lot of work into it. I worked harder than many to learn German, and I'm still ashamed of where I stand. If you start in the expat bubble, your colleagues and your friends speak English, and regular practice is more difficult. I tell people about as much on my website about moving to Germany. Your comment gave me much better words to explain it. Thank you!

surprisetalk 4y ago

> I’m also interested in the dating scene, I find Norwegian women in general to be beautiful. You seem like a nice person, but this phrase comes off as creepy. I would recommend NOT saying things like this if you're looking to meet people. > I will eventually be looking for a long term relationship, but as a middle aged, balding guy I might not be the most desirable! This immediately makes me like you! If you end up creating a dating profile, lean into this spirit.

p1esk 4y ago
>>> I’m also interested in the dating scene, I find Norwegian women in general to be beautiful. > this phrase comes off as creepy How could you possibly interpret that phrase as creepy? What's creepy about it?
- surprisetalk 4y ago
  In general, don't comment on people's appearance. It's obviously okay to have preferences, but it's safer to stay away from certain phrasings if you want people to feel safe around you.
  - p1esk 4y ago
    In general, don't comment on people's appearance. Ever heard of a concept of compliments? I've been praising appearance of beautiful people since I was a teenager - never once I encountered anyone who would get upset about it.
- nicbou 4y ago
  People want to be liked as individuals, not fetishised as members of a group.
  - Handprint4469 4y ago
    He's not saying he likes them _because_ they are Norwegian, but rather that in his experience he tends to be attracted to Norwegian women.

stopin 4y ago

[flagged]

Johnnb 4y ago

Thank you all for great advice! I have spent time in Norway and loved it. I’m aware of how dark it can get, but it doesn’t phase me. Also, skiing is something I love

bjourne 4y ago

Not speaking Norwegian will make finding love much more difficult. Norwegian women are indeed beautiful but so are Norwegian men...