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Start-Up costs moving to Norway

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will1962
  3/13/2013 11:32 EST

Company may be moving us to Gardermoen. I realize that the cost of living is high, but what I am looking for is what can we expect to pay out initially for home/utilities/vehicle/etc... I understand that folks drive to Sweden for much of their shopping because it can be considerably cheaper (especially beer/cigs). My wife and I are pretty frugel so I am sure we could live comfortable.
Also, I am having a hard time finding a site for rental homes. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

FionaMorris
  3/13/2013 12:06 EST

Finn.no covers rental properties for all of Norway.

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jtsveigdalen
  3/13/2013 17:23 EST

FionaMorris is right on using Finn. But, you'd be wise to find something once you moved here. If you chose not to have a car, it helps to live near the bus lines. Public transport in that area is fantastic and clean.

I'd recommend that you expect to pay at least twice as much as you expect to pay for a car. My car in the us was worth literally ten times more in Norway. I did not ship it, but should have. Also, you will be shocked at the price of small things here if you are not prepared. Had I to do it all over again, I would have brought with only books, kitchen gadgets and office supplies. I paid 4$ for ONE post-it note pad and just paid 12$ for three pens. It sounds petty, but the costs for everything small seem to be huge and it was our biggest problem our first two months.

As far as utilities go, I have a large home (8br) and in the dead of winter we pay about a 1000USD a month for 3 months to heat it (electric), and keep it at 62degF (too cold!). The rest of the cool months are about $400 per month for electricity.

My decent used car was about $3000.

The wages are usually commensurate with the higher costs, but do be aware that your first month or two will be a little painful.

will1962
  3/13/2013 21:00 EST

Thanks for the information! About the train system; if I am living near Gardermoen do I really need a car? I would be working at the air field there. Could my wife and I meet all of our shopping needs by using public transportation?

pianoteacher
  3/14/2013 03:38 EST

Before you consider bringing a car, you must check out the toll.no website to see how much enviromental tax you will pay. It is usually more than the cost of a new car in the US. We thought about bringing a Dodge Ram 2500 diesel pickup, and the total tax was around $65,000.00. We did not bring it, obviously. Used household goods have no import tax. Also if you want to be very frugal with furniture, you can usually find some nice things for give away or for a cheap price on www.finn.no, where you can also see houses for rent.

jtsveigdalen
  3/14/2013 08:56 EST

Yes, you could do all your shopping via public transport. It is pretty common here.

I was used to a weekly haul of 10+ shopping bags of food a week when I lived in the US (3 kids...) but here, I stop by the local store every other day and get just what I need, like everyone else here does. Where I'm from, it was many miles to the nearest food store. Here, they are everywhere as is the amazing fresh bread. This country is tops for the best bread and cheese :)

As long as you live near the bus route, you're fine to just use public transportation, *especially* in that area.

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jtsveigdalen
  3/14/2013 08:58 EST

pianoteacher is right on making sure you know the road tax on a car; my husband brought a corvette over here and although he knew what he was getting into, it was still a hefty fee. On balance, if you stay here, that tax is now built into the value of your car and your car will be worth that much more. Auto values here are unnaturally high because of that.

will1962
  3/14/2013 11:42 EST

Great Info everyone! We appreciate it!!
I am wondering if someone could help me with this:
I have translated most of these housing search items except for two;
Balkong/Terrasse = Balcony/Terrace
Garasje/P-plass = Garage/Parking Space
Heis = Elevator
Ingen gjenboere = ?
Peis/Ildsted = Fireplace/Fire
Turterreng = Walking
Utsikt = Views
Vaktmester-/vektertjeneste = ?
Dyrehold tillatt = Zoo Keeping Allowed
I'm guessing zoo keeping means Pets?

I didn't see an option on Finn.no to change to english.

jtsveigdalen
  3/14/2013 12:43 EST

Use google's chrome browser and let it autotranslate the page. Otherwise you'll drive yourself nuts. :)

pianoteacher
  3/15/2013 05:08 EST

You can use google translate to translate individual words or the whole web-site--although sometimes the translations are not accurate. Case in point: When we were looking for a house in Sola, the driving directions to the house started with when translated on google: "Begin driving at the center of the sun....":-)

will1962
  3/15/2013 15:07 EST

Thanks again!

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salamjanab
  3/17/2013 08:25 EST

Just to share my experience. I moved from UK to Gradermoen for work (at the airport).

I am renting a place in Jessheim which is 20 minutes bus to the airport and 3 busses in an hour. I am 2 minutes walk from the Jessheim centre so easy access to bus/train station, bank, restaurants and one fairly big shopping centre.

So my recommendation would be to look for a place in Jessheim centre which is close (walking distance) to Jessheim shopping centre. Even if you need to pay a bit high rent, it makes sense else you would end up paying for car anyways. I reckon you may get something reasonable for 8000 NOK a month. I had a company car which I returned (very high tax in Norway even on benefits you receive from company) and I am very happy to use buses. Monthly bus pass (Jessheim to Gardermoen airport) for NOK 640.

To search accommodation, as suggested by Fiona, use Finn.no

Good luck

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