Hi Greg,
Speaking Norwegian is important in landing a job. While nearly everyone speaks fluent English, Norsk is still the business language. Unless you work in tech as a developer or some other type of job where speaking with people/customers is not so important, it’s pretty important to speak norsk.

People like to do business/interact in their mother tongue, and for good reason.

Friends don’t mind speaking English, but definitely prefer Norwegian usually… which provides a greta opportunity to learn. People won’t laugh at you if your Norwegian sucks so you should always at least be making the effort to speak norsk.

I’m not fluent, but I can read/listen without problem, I can speak it decently, and I’m still working on the writing (most difficult). I suggest that anyone who wants to move here start learning the language asap.

Great list of reasons! Super cool you left the USA to live in Norway. I’m thinking of moving there as well, just wondering if you speak Norwegian? Is this something required to make friends and have a job? I understand the majority of Norwegians speak fluent English but aren’t so keen on making friends that require them to speak English all the time. What has been your experience with this?

Thanks!

I’m not so sure that I agree with the very negative picture you paint.. i have lived n the US since the mid 60’s, and am currently visiting my hoetown of Trobdheim.. I find the people to be much more service oriented than they were while I was youg. I ca’t speak to Norwegian businesses, as such, but notic within my own family how hard they all work. Just my 2 cents. Jeg elsker Norge, spesielt Trondheim. ??

Thanks for being honest.

Also relevant could be the arab (% or number) population of this city.
I bet this decision was driven by anti-jewish streams that have nothing to do with Norway and its indigenous people. If intellectual Norwegians still exist in and/or around this city, they should perhaps address this issue.