I can hardly believe it has already been 3 months since I moved to Oslo! It only seems like yesterday we stood at the airport, a bit nervous, with our 6 suitcases and passports ready. And now it's already October and I'm starting to speak the basics in Norsk (Norwegian), we found a really nice place in the city we now call home and I'm starting to make friends! But really… how is it like to live in Norway?
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How is it really like to live in Norway?
I often get asked how life is in Norway and I guess everything they say is true! Yes, life is pretty expensive here. Especially as a Dutch girl it hurts every time to go into the supermarket and get a near heart attack when I see how expensive most products are! But I guess it's the same for everybody here 'cause I hear all my fellow newcomers talk about it! In the Netherlands, I used to go for a coffee with friends and do some random shopping buying things we didn't really need. Well, maybe that's a good thing…those days are so over!!! You only buy what you really need in Norway.
And, yes, nature is amazing here. With only a 30-minute train ride from Oslo you are up in the mountains where you can go hiking, skiing, or running. I've never been much of an outdoor girl but I'm really starting to like it. Every weekend we går på tur into the mountains and we even have our first hyttetur planned.
What I like most about living here?
The first weekend we spend here I wanted to go out on Sunday and do some quick shopping. Big mistake! Everything is closed here on a Sunday. I was in shock. How can a big city like Oslo be closed on Sunday? But you know what? I'm kinda starting to like that Sunday peace. The streets are empty and quiet here on Sunday even if you live in the center of Oslo. It's just an occasional tram passing by (public transport is amazing here btw) and you can spot a few people walking their dogs. Life just settles down and the rush is gone. I remember sitting on the fjord on a sunny day surrounded by families and their BBQs reading a book and it felt like those summers I used to have as a child, (I'm a 70s child) and it made me feel so happy. Life is European here for sure, but just not as hectic as in most countries.
Boots (old) from Bullboxer | Dress by IbizaTrendy | Coat 70s vintage I found in Oslo
Do you miss your friends and family?
Oh yes! Especially the first month I really needed to get used to not being able to drop by. In the Netherlands we like to go – op visit – and now I only get to see them every other month or so. I feel very blessed for their support they send me pictures and stories every day in our family app and all my crazy friends have already picked their dates when they want to visit. Now with the ending of most Covid restrictions, it's also easier for us to fly up and down to Amsterdam so the missing is manageable.
The only thing I found and still find very hard is that I'm not able to share this adventure with my parents anymore. I would have loved to share this chapter in my life with them. To tell them I'm doing alright and that I'm happy here. But I guess that's the same for all of us who are missing our mum or dad, that's the kind of missing I will never get used to.
How long will you be living there?
To be honest…we are not sure yet. First, we thought about 2 to 3 years, but we are really getting used to the Norwegian lifestyle. So anywhere between 2 and 10 years if you ask me now, but just don't hold it against me. We will just see where life takes us. I'll also not be surprised if we end up in a Finca in Portugal in a few years! Never stop dreaming!
I'll keep you posted as much as possible! I love sharing all my crazy stories with you!
With love & light,
Yvon
Ps: any advice on how to survive a Nordic winter is kindly appreciated! Drop me a comment below!
Hi Yvon!!! How hice to hear from you and your wonderful stories and adventures in Oslo!
I Love European life too. It’s so different from the States. I’m not a winter perdon and winters can bé very rough! Between cold (last winter -16C)!!!! Not good at all! Hopefully by next spring we can stay in Spain for long time. We are currently in Menorca, which my husband and i Love❤❤ we loved it so much we bought a home here, 300 metere or less from beach (walking). We are big beach lovers!!
Both of us were born in the north of Spain!!
Next month we’ll be flying back to States, it will Be nice to see our daughter and our beautiful grand daughters, which by the Way they ❤Menorca as well!!!!!
Thanks so much for including me in your blog, you are a sweet girl! And beautiful too with a Big ❤.
And of course ❤ your bohemian style!!
Who knows, maybe one Day you’ll move to Spain!!!!
Sending you love, hugs and good vibes✌🏝🏖
Author
You live in Menora now!!! That’s my dream! We hope to move more South after our Norway adventure! Hope you have a lovely time with your family! Sending you love & light, xoxox Yvon
Leuk stukje!!
Miss you too!
Lekkere dikke sokken kopen,
en liters thee en soep, en blijven knipogen naar vette Vikingen, dan komt Kiki de winter door!!
Luv you!!❤️
Author
haha! en zo is t lief!! Hoop je snel hier te zien!! liefs xoxo
Hi Yvon!!!Happy to hear that you are almost a Norwegian girl! People of the world have this, they adapt to places easily.
As Spanish I cannot give you survival advices because here winter is mild but I have heard that if you survive the first winter the others are overcome. 😉
A big hug of light sweety!!!
Author
Thank you so much Marta! I guess I just have to wear a lot of clothes and keep on smiling! xoxo
Peace Avon ☮️ I so enjoyed reading about the awesomeness Oslo has to offer! ( except the $ chicka ching) I’m glad you’re happy and look forward to your next story . I’m 59 and have never had a “ fan” , much less sending a comment back. But.. I’m a boho girl too and you wear the look beautifully 💟 I live in the US, in Florida and I’ve never seen snow, but I’d say layers gurl.. 🥶 lol and stay inside by fireplace . xo
Lovely to hear your ongoing adventures! Sounds like you are adapting your lifestyle and embracing the ‘new’ life that you are both making. Log fires, comfy warm throws and lots of hot chocolate are the way to see the Winter out ! Peace & Love x
Author
Thank you so much Gail! I’m kinda excited too for the upcoming winter! Lots of blankets and hot chocolate it is! xoxo
Author
OMG. I’m so jealous of you
Cindy, living in Florida! Yes, snow is on its way here and I just need to layer up! xoxo
Hi Yvon, all the best for your adventure! What you need in winter is
sunny mindset- even if it is dark outside most of the time
hot spiced wine
Sauna
Downjacket
Boots fur-lined
Cap with earlaps
Wintertyres for your car- don‘t forget!
……. or a plane that takes you to a country where it is warm to spend the wintermonths 😉
Have fun, Alexandra
Ull er gull! 😉
Author
hahahaha… I just bought a massive amount of wool underwear, socks, and sweaters. Bring it on!! xoxo Yvon
Hi, here in Norway the winter is cold and dark. It has its advantages and disadvantages. If you are used to a lot of light and sun, it can be a little difficult in the beginning. I love the time of darkness too. It is very cozy and relaxing to crawl under a blanket on the couch with candles, a good book and a good cup of tea, go for walks when it is dark and the street light shines in the snow. Visit museums and go to a cozy cocoa bar afterwards. All seasons have their charm. Now that the Christmas season is approaching, there will be very cozy Christmas markets at both Spikersuppa and Youngstorget, you must visit them. I hope you will find nice sides to this season as well, even if it gets cold and dark. Big hug
Author
Thank you so much Anne! I’m kinda looking forward to the winter as well! I’m used to the darkness as we have little light in the Netherlands as well, but I don’t know how to handle massive amounts of snow 🙂
And I definitely need to visit those Christmas markets! On my list for this winter! xoxo Yvon
Hi Yvon, wat klink je heerlijk positief. Super om te lezen hoe je je draai vindt daar. En de taal leert, knap! Alles dicht op zondag vind ik niks, maar wel de rust die je beschrijft, heerlijk! Kan me van verschillende reizen herinneren dat de zondagen niet zo leuk waren, en dat het soms zelfs vrijwel onmogelijk was om een restaurantje te vinden voor het avondeten.. Verder ben ik, zeker thuis, prima in staat met te vermaken, lekker bezig met mijn foto-albums, koken, mijn inloopkast en de inhoud (een heerlijke hobby!), dus dan maakt het niks uit!
Noorwegen is een prachtig land, ik was er in 2019 voor het laatst. Toen heb ik op de Preikestolen gestaan, dat stond op mijn bucketlist. De trekking naar de Trolltunga ging vanwege het slechte weer helaas niet door, maar dat komt een andere keer. We zijn toen doorgereden naar Runde, papegaaiduikers fotograferen. Echt heel gaaf! Ik ben wel heel benieuwd hoe het daar zal zijn in de winter. Ben zelf alleen in de zomer geweest, als hetjuist heel lang licht is. Ik hou van licht, lijkt me niet zo fijn als het het grootste deel van de dag donker is. Dus elke zonnestraal meepikken zou ik zeggen! En ik denk dat je net als de Noren moet zorgen voor zo’n aansluiting op je auto, zodat ie niet kan bevriezen!
Ik moet trouwens iets minder goed naar jouw foto’s kijken, ik zie elke keer weer iets leuks. Heb net laarzen besteld (Bulboxers). Oops, I did it again!
Lieve warme groet,
Natas
Author
Dank je wel Natas! Het leven is echt goed hier en stiekem ben ik ook wel een beetje nieuwsgierig hier naar de winter. Misschien ga ik eindelijk wel leren skiën of langlaufen! en, OMG, heb je de laarzen gevonden?? Ze zijn echt top he! Veel plezier ermee! xoxo Yvon
Oh, leuk, ik heb in het verleden ook gelanglaufd, in Noorwegen. Sinds 2008 ski ik, en ik vind het geweldig! Een heerlijke manier om je hoofd leeg te maken, heerlijk! Ik hoop dat we aankomende winter weer kunnen gaan.
Ik wacht nog op de laarzen, en ik hoop dat ze goed passen, ik heb soms maat 40, soms 41. I’ll keep you posted! Fijne zondag nog! X
Love your emails and looks!! So glad you’re doing well and starting to like it. Be Well & Stay Safe
So excited to see your cold winter boho styling! I find it so hard to get the balance right between boho & warmth/practical!! I learnt last year that flares soak up the rain = wet cold legs!!! Pleased your settled in well!! Love your blog & insta!!x
Hello Yvon. It’s Elaine from railwaybarnoldswick1 on IG. I’m messaging you from here because I have had my IG account hacked and stolen from me. who ever it is, is using ivyyou679ccmail.uk on my account. I can’t get to my account now and it is very upsetting, frustrating and worrying. I have notified IG and let them know. my friends and family have reported it stolen to IG. I can’t get in touch with other friends I have made because I only know them on IG. I have hopefully found a way to let you know so that if you receive any links or messages from this person it isn’t me. I also follow Constance who crochets the ponchos and I know you know her, so I would be so grateful if you could let her know as well. She does know me as Elaine. If you want to reply to me please email me on railwaybarnolds@yahoo.co.uk. Thank you so much. lots of love. Elaine.