In this article, we present the 10 best places to retire in Norway, in the country with a fascinating history, impressive fjords, and happy people.
Many visitors say that Norway is a unique museum in the world. A northernmost populated country in Europe, also known as the land of the Vikings and medieval myths is half-covered with the snow and ice and it’s a true paradise for genuine adventurers in the golden years. Also, it is important to mention its fjords which are considered as one of the most beautiful natural miracles today. Two most magnificent fjords are Geirangerfjord and the Naeroyfjord, which are under the protection of UNESCO and represent the main characteristic of Norway.
In order to allow everyone to enjoy the nature, Norwegians have established the law called the “allemannsrett”, which means “the everyman’s right”. It allows access to any part of the country, allowing the visitors to set up a tent on any surface, or hike through areas that are not agricultural land.
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Norwegians are different from the rest of the world because they have a slower pace of life than the EU or the US. The life in Norway is calm and without any rush. It is assumed that Norwegians have a longer life span compared to other European nations because they have that kind of life’s philosophy.
From the aspect of safety, Norway’s crime rate is very low and the murders are extremely rare.
Despite the fact that it is not on our list the 10 cheapest places to retire abroad, statistics show that it is one of the countries with the highest standards, and the state, in spite of the social stratification is trying to preserve the principle of social equality.
The list of cities that we’ve taken into consideration when creating the list of 10 best places to retire in Norway are chosen based on recommendations of specialized magazines and portals such as Nomadlist, Numbeo, Page F30, LonelyPlanet. Given the fact that we have a large number of cities in circulation, the places for our final list we have chosen on the basis of four factors: cost of living, cost of rent of a one-bedroom apartment, apartment price per square meter, number of physicians per 1,000 population (%), and to these factors we have allocated the points from 0 to 10. The places with the highest costs and the small percentage of doctors per 1,000 inhabitants got the minimum points while the places with the high percentage of doctors per 1,000 inhabitants and more affordable costs of living got the most points.
Data of the number of doctors per 1000 inhabitants were taken from the portal Knoema, and data of the costs were taken from the portals Nomadlist and Numbeo.
Below we present the 10 best places to retire in Norway.
10. Sandefjord
In the tenth place on our list is Sandefjord, a town with 40,000 residents and it is one of the richest cities in the region, but people in this city, live very modestly and they are not wasteful. Houses are roughly similar, and people are driving classic cars. In addition to the meat processing, industry, and whaling, Sandefjord is also known as a tourist town. From the aspect of the cost, for the normal life, it is necessary to set aside around $3,200. The renting of a one-bedroom apartment will cost you somewhat $900 while the price of an apartment per square foot is around $250. The percentage of physicians per 1,000 population is 3.43%.
9. Haugesund
Next place on our list belongs to the city in western Norway, with 32,000 inhabitants. The main activities in Haugesund are fishing and shipbuilding. The distance from the capital city is 285 miles. Costs of living in this city are at $3,400, and for renting a one-bedroom apartment you will need to set aside $750, but if you want to buy an apartment you need to pay around $340 per square foot. The percentage of doctors per 1,000 populations is 4.09%.
8. Molde
Molde is a city located in western Norway, region Vestlandet, with 46,000 residents. It’s located on one of the most beautiful coastlines that offer the best panoramic view in Norway. Costs of living in this city are approximately $3,200, and if you want to buy an apartment it is necessary to set aside around $330 per square foot while for renting an apartment you are obligated to pay almost $900 The percentage of doctors per 1,000 population is 4.09%.
7. Oslo
Oslo is the capital and third largest city in Norway with over 600,000 inhabitants. Oslo is located on the edge of the eponymous fjord Oslo Fjord. The city has a rich flora and fauna, and the Norwegians are trying to protect nature in such way that they build a house into the natural environment in order to protect and promote nature. There are also efforts to declare the whole city zone as the wildlife sanctuary. Oslo is a financial, economic and cultural center of Norway and it attracts immigrants from all over the world, hence foreigners make a one-quarter of the population. For a quiet and normal life, you need to allocate almost $2,400. For renting a one-bedroom apartment, it’s necessary to pay around $1,350. If you want to buy an apartment in the city center, you need to pay around $680 per square foot. The percentage of doctors per 1000 population at 5.39%.
6. Tromso
The sixth place on our list belongs to Tromso. The city is located in the northern part of the country, 217 miles from the Arctic Circle, and is a true hidden gem of the North. The city has 70,000 inhabitants and it’s the ideal place for all lovers of winter sports. In this part of the country, there is no railway line, and if you want to travel to the south of the country, you will need to take a plane or car. In addition to the many museums, operas, which are known throughout the world, Tromso is also known for the development of house and techno scene in Norway in the late 80s. The city organizes many festivals such as Insomnia festival, Bukta, No Siesta Fiesta. The average costs of living in the city are almost $2,650, and for the rent of a one-bedroom apartment, you need to allocate approximately $1,600. If you want to purchase an apartment, you need to pay somewhat $170 per square foot. The percentage of physicians per 1,000 population is 11.4%.
5. Egersund
This city was founded in 1838 and it is located in western Norway. It has more than 13,000 residents. One of the biggest and also the most beautiful natural ports in Norway is located in the Egersund. For the cost of living in this city, you need to allocate around $2,550. The costs of the rental of one-bedroom apartments are around $850, but if you decide the purchase an apartment you will need to pay around $3,350 per square foot. The percentage of physicians per 1,000 population is 4.9%.
4. Halden
The city is located in eastern Norway in the region of Østfold. Halden has about 22,000 inhabitants and around the world is known for the fact that in the city is located one of the most humane prisons in the world. It’s just 80 miles away from the capital city of Norway. Halden economy is based on industry and marine, as well as in most Norwegian cities. For the cost of living, it is necessary to set aside approximately $2,600, rent of one-bedroom apartment costs around $930 while for the purchase of an apartment in the city center you need to set aside almost $300 per square foot. The percentage of physicians per 1,000 population is 3.68%
3. Harstad
Harstad is located in northern Norway and it is the second largest city in the region of Troms. The city has more than 19,000 inhabitants, who are mainly engaged in navigation and fishing. The capital city is 870 miles away. Average costs of the living amount to $3,900, and for rent of a one-bedroom apartment is necessary to allocate almost $500. Apartment price, per square foot, is approximately $300. The percentage of physicians per 1000 population is 4.78%.
2. Mo i Rana
The city is located in northern Norway and it is the second largest city in the region, Nordland. It has 18,000 residents and its distance from the capital city is 602 miles. The economy of the city is based on mining and the steel industry. One interesting thing about this city refers to the invention of Disney’s first dash of Christmas “Empty Stocking”, whose almost completed version was found in the library of Mo i Rana. Costs of living in the city are somewhat $3,000. Price for the rental a one-bedroom apartment is around $950, but if you want to buy an apartment in the city center, you need to pay around $200 per square foot. The percentage of physicians per 1,000 population is 4.78%.
1. Vadso
The first place on our list of 10 best places to retire in Norway belongs to the city Vadso. The city is located in northern Norway in the region of Finnmark and has about 7,000 residents. The distance from the capital city is 1,212 miles. Vadso is a unique place for all nature lovers and the city guarantees fulfilled and interesting life to all its residents. The economy of the city is focused on the exploitation of the Norwegian part of the Artic, and other activities are fishing and seafaring. The average costs of living in this city are around $1,900. For renting a one-bedroom apartment you will need to extract $850. If you want to buy an apartment, you need to pay around $200 per square foot. The percentage of doctors per 1,000 population is 4.78%.
