A German living in Norway gives her verdict on living in Stavanger. What's it like to live in Norway's energy capital, especially compared to life in the north? Let’s find out.

After living in Tromsø for 3 years, I made the decision to move to Southern Norway a couple of years ago and haven’t looked back since. Having settled down in Stavanger (at least for now), I’ve become much more at ease with life in Norway and all the ups and downs everyday life holds in store for you.

There are actually a ton of reasons why I prefer Stavanger over Tromsø but the following are the main 5 reasons why I like living in Stavanger so much!

Norway in a nutshell

The Stavanger region often surprises visitors and it certainly surprised me when I first moved here as well. Within just an hour’s drive you can encounter all the different landscapes that Norway is known for – from fjords and mountains to the rocky coastline and even plenty of farmlands and kilometre upon kilometre of sandy beaches.

Stavanger and surroundings really can be described as Norway in a nutshell and I feel absolutely grateful to have so much variety in nature just off my doorstep, ready for me to explore whenever I feel like it.

A very green city

This sort of goes for any Norwegian city – the fact that public green spaces are always close by – but I find Stavanger particularly green.

Whether it’s taking a stroll along the harbour downtown, going for a run around lake Mosvatnet or going for a hike around lake Stokkavatnet – there are so many nice walking and hiking trails to choose from in the vicinity of the city alone, that I don’t even have to take the bus or drive somewhere to get a break from everyday life.

Read more: Interesting Facts About Stavanger

Plus, Stavanger is super biking-friendly – I mean, can you imagine going for a bike ride around Bergen? I certainly don’t have the stamina for that…

Affordable (ish) housing

Granted, Stavanger for a long time held the title of Norway’s most expensive city but after the oil crisis of 2014, prices crashed – much to the dismay of most property owners and landlords, but coming from Tromsø where housing is scarce and thus, expensive, Stavanger offered me a much welcome opportunity to live better for a little less.

Of course, prices fluctuate all the time in Stavanger as well but the city is still far less expensive than most other Norwegian cities – especially when it comes to the rental market. While most Norwegians rather buy than rent, I know that this is not always a viable option for expats, especially not upon arrival.

Read more: Finding a place to rent in Norway

During my 3 moves within the city in recent years, I can’t say that I’ve ever noticed any housing shortage. Most apartments are in good shape and it’s totally possible to find a decent priced flat in central, yet green and quiet, surroundings.

Culture and cuisine

Stavanger might not be one of the three biggest cities in Norway, but living here, you never really feel like you’re missing out on anything. With 3 , an annual street food festival and plenty of other cultural happenings throughout the entire year, there’s almost always something to do and experience.

While I wouldn’t necessarily compare the culture, restaurant and nightlife scene of Stavanger to that of Scandinavian capitals like Copenhagen or Stockholm, I personally like living somewhere with easy access to nature while still being able to enjoy all the amenities a bigger city has to offer – and Stavanger definitely delivers this in my book!

Transport options

Last but certainly not least, Stavanger offers its fair share of transport options. While back in Northern Norway, more or less the only way to travel places (i.e. to another big city or a country other than Northern Sweden and Finland) was going by plane, here in Stavanger you can choose between taking the plane, bus, ferry or even train.

There’s a ferry connection to Bergen and Denmark, a train connection to Oslo, and plenty of bus connections to nearby Haugesund and, again, Bergen.

Of course, now if I do want to fly somewhere, my travel time (and cost) is naturally significantly reduced as I don’t have to make the way from Tromsø to Oslo first before going anywhere else, but can now easily hop on the direct plane to, for instance, Amsterdam, London, Copenhagen or Stockholm whenever I want.

This makes fulfilling my wanderlust and visiting my family back in Germany a lot easier and definitely contributes to why I enjoy living in Stavanger so much!

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Let’s face it, the Arctic is a beautiful place no matter the season. Winter brings snow-covered peaks and the ethereal dance of the Northern Lights. Summer dazzles with midnight sun, vibrant green fjord landscapes, and lively festivals.

But there’s something quietly magical about autumn in the far north that often goes overlooked.

As someone who has spent many seasons exploring Northern Norway, I’ve come to believe that autumn might just be the most rewarding time of year to visit the Arctic.

The dramatic scenery, already stunning, transforms into a painter’s palette of rich oranges, reds, and golds. There are fewer crowds, cooler temperatures, and a peaceful, reflective atmosphere that perfectly matches the season.

Nature slows down, the pace of life shifts, and yet there’s still so much to experience.

Whether you want to witness the Northern Lights without the deep freeze, enjoy regional cuisine at a lively food festival, or simply watch the land change as the first snow settles in, autumn has something truly special to offer.

Here are five reasons why I believe autumn is the perfect time to visit the Arctic.

Autumn Colours and Snowy Mountains

You’ve probably seen lots of pictures of Norway during autumn. You know, those images where orange leaves give way to snowy mountains in the background? Well, Norway is actually that beautiful during autumn and the Arctic is no exception to that.

Admittedly, autumn begins and ends sooner in the North than in the rest of the country and it’s much colder, but it doesn’t lack in beauty. And what’s the best way to experience all this Indian Summer gorgeousness you ask?

Well I’d say either on board of the Hurtigruten cruise ships going from Tromsø to Bodø or in a car road-tripping the Lofoten Islands.

Seeing the Northern Lights Without Freezing to Death

While daytime in the Arctic lets you admire gorgeous autumn colours, there’s a different and very special light you can admire during the night: the Northern Lights!

Generally you can see them between October and March but as the winter months are usually very wet and cloudy, early autumn offers you the highest chances of making your dream to see the lights come true!

October temperatures are also much milder than January temperatures and believe me, standing outside for hours to spot the lights is way more fun in 5 degree weather than it is in -10 degrees!

SMAK – Tromsø Food Festival

My personal highlight of autumn in Northern Norway has actually nothing to do with nature but with food! takes place in late September each year and it’s the perfect opportunity to try Northern Norwegian cuisine on the cheap.

At SMAK, you can try reindeer or whale meat, Norwegian brown or goat cheese, classic pølse hot dogs and even ice cream in typically Norwegian flavours like liquorice and apple pie with cinnamon. Click here to check out other major events in Tromsø.

Experience the First Snowfall of the Season

What’s more magical than waking up to find the landscape transformed overnight? That quiet, hushed moment when you pull back the curtains and see the world outside blanketed in white for the first time. There’s nothing quite like it.

In Northern Norway, the first snowfall usually arrives sometime between late September and late October, depending on how far north or how high up you are. One day you’re surrounded by golden autumn colours; the next, a gentle dusting of snow turns the mountains, valleys, and rooftops into a winter postcard.

If your timing is right, you might witness this transition firsthand, when the Arctic flips the switch from one season to the next almost overnight.

There’s something uniquely peaceful about this early snow. Unlike the thick, permanent cover that settles in for the long winter, the first snowfall is fleeting and delicate.

It melts away quickly during the day, only to return again the next night, as if nature is testing the waters. It’s a beautiful time for photography, short hikes, or simply curling up by a cabin window with a hot drink in hand.

Sunrise, Sunset and All the Daylight In Between

Many people who visit the Arctic say that one of the things that fascinated them most was the special light they experienced.

Not necessarily the Northern Lights, but the special kinds of daylight that you can only experience above the Arctic Circle. And they are so right!

After a long summer where the sun didn’t set for four months, and a two months long polar night where the sun will not rise at all, ahead, we appreciate and make the most of all the daylight we get during autumn in the North and fall in love with all the pretty sunsets all over again.

You see, autumn is actually the perfect time to visit the Arctic and I can only recommend you to and head to the airport before it’s too late. You know, winter is coming!

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Many people dream of experiencing life above the Arctic Circle, picturing dramatic landscapes, endless winter nights, and dancing northern lights. But what is everyday life actually like in a place where the sun disappears for months at a time?

To find out, we spoke with Vanessa, a 25-year-old German who moved to Tromsø in 2014. Having spent years in Norway’s Arctic capital and travelled extensively in Iceland and Greenland, she offers an insider’s perspective on the realities of living in the far north.

From the polar night to the midnight sun, local food to job opportunities, let’s separate fact from fiction and explore what it’s really like to call Arctic Norway home. Over to Vanessa…

With this article I aim to give newcomers to Tromsø a more realistic picture of what everyday life here in Arctic Norway is really like. Let’s bust some stereotypes!

Surviving the Polar Night

Whenever I hear people talk about the total darkness of a Tromsø winter, I cringe a little. It’s true that between the end of November and the end of January, the town experiences the polar night.

But although the sun doesn’t rise, we still have daylight from around 10am to 1pm.

It’s such a special time! On a clear day, the skies turn a brilliant pink-orange just before it gets light outside and before it gets dark again. In between these times, the skies are mostly blue and the locals call this the ‘blue hour’.

As lovely as it is, if you’re not used to the polar night it can be difficult to adjust. It’s important to keep up your usual sleeping routine and not sleep in until midday just because it’s dark outside!

In the absence of real sunlight, many Norwegians drink fish oil to keep up their vitamin D levels while I personally enjoy going to the solarium to pretend…

Seeing the Northern Lights

If you’re planning a trip to Tromsø at the darkest time of year with the hope of seeing the northern lights, chances are you’ll be disappointed.

In order to see the lights, the skies must be clear. November & December are known for being rather wet and cloudy.

Even if you visit in October or March when the statistics are in your favour, there’s still no guarantee if you only stay for a couple of nights.

All you really need is patience, because on a clear night you can see them from downtown Tromsø. An organised northern lights tour is only really worthwhile on cloudy nights, as the tour guides will drive as far as Finland in search of clear skies.

How Cold is Winter in Arctic Norway?

Incredibly cold, right? Well the good news is, winter in Northern Norway is surprisingly mild, at least on the coast which benefits from the warming factor of the Gulf Stream.

While temperatures from November to March can plunge well below -20C inland, they usually stay between -5 and +5C in and around Tromsø. And yes, we do get a lot of snow.

A word of warning though: The wind can make it feel so much colder, so come prepared regardless!

Bathe in the midnight sun

The most misleading term about life in Tromsø is the ‘midnight sun'. I really pity the thousands of tourists who visit Arctic Norway each summer to see the famous midnight sun, only to be greeted with cloudy skies and rain.

What the midnight sun actually means is the period of time from late May to late July when the sun doesn’t set.

If you’re lucky enough to visit on one of those few days with clear skies, then yes, you can see the sun at midnight. Otherwise, you have the pleasure of looking at grey, albeit light, skies for 24 hours a day!

Expect an average temperature of around +10C. It does get warmer but even though it’s summer, pack a fleece and some sweaters. You won’t regret it.

Exploring the Great Outdoors

Many new arrivals plan to experience the Northern Norwegian nature by going hiking or mountain climbing every day. While that’s not impossible, you will need a car if you don’t want to hike the same trails day after day.

Most of the city’s 70,000 inhabitants live on a tiny island in the middle of a fjord. It’s really frustrating if you’ve just arrived and can’t yet afford a car as everyone around you tells tales of their exciting hiking tours.

We do have beautiful nature in and around Tromsø, but most of it is unfortunately only accessible by car.

Culture and Events in Tromsø

If you want to go to the theatre, dine at hip new restaurants and go clubbing every weekend, life in the Arctic might not be right for you.

Having said that, Tromsø is by no means a boring place! There are a surprising amount of festivals and major events throughout the year.

Fore example, we have the Midnight Sun Marathon, , Sami Week and much more. So, unless you’re used to going out every night of the week, you shouldn’t get bored here.

Everyday Dining in Tromsø

Search for Norwegian food online and you’ll find images of reindeer stew or dried fish. While restaurants in the north do offer that, you’re much more likely to stumble across the likes of ‘taco Friday’ and Grandiosa frozen pizzas.

Despite the massive fishing industry, Norwegians generally eat far unhealthier food than you’d expect. Don’t be surprised to find bread with sugar, and pizzas with taco topping. How rates of diabetes aren’t far higher here is beyond me.

Finding a Job in Arctic Norway

It's well-known among Norway's international community that finding a job in Norway can be a real challenge. yet, it’s a common misconception that there are no jobs available in Tromsø outside the fishing and tourism industries.

The Norwegian University of the Arctic (my alma mater) is situated in town and attracts thousands of students and researchers each year.

Many biologists but also people who are studying law and medicine find that Tromsø offers excellent academic opportunities. I work in digital marketing, which I could do anywhere in the world.

Cost of Living in Tromsø

If you think that life in the Arctic is expensive, well, you’re unfortunately right! Rental prices are insane and the housing market is tough.

Food and other everyday items can cost more than in the rest of Norway because of the high shipping costs. This also means the selection of food can be limited, although I live near a giant Europris where they do sell some German chocolate and candy!

Surprisingly, fruits and vegetables are available all year round although the quality and price are not always what you might expect.

I hope this gave you some insight into what everyday life in Tromsø and Arctic Norway is really like. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions!

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