Just about exactly one year ago, I wrote a post titled I Choose Travel. At the time, I was enrolled in a master’s program at Aarhus University in Denmark, which was due to start in a couple of weeks. But I had just realized that I had chosen to study for all of the wrong reasons, so I withdrew and decided to spend the next year, well, essentially seeing where it lead me.
Now, this past year hasn’t taken me on quite as extreme adventures as the previous year, which found me hitchhiking along the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border, backpacking solo through Iran, and, every parent’s favorite, sneaking into Europe’s marijuana growing capital in Albania. But that’s not to say I didn’t have my fair share of adventures this time around.
It took me on an adventure through 27 countries with my favorite partner in crime. That’s 27 countries I wouldn’t have visited had I instead chosen to study. As for that partner, I think my exact words to Dan last August when discussing the prospect of my moving to Denmark were “Our paths might cross again!” – a flippancy that now makes me cringe to think about.
It’s amazing how much can change in a year, and how huge an impact a single choice can have on your life. It’s daunting enough to make me never want to make any decisions ever again. Except that’s exactly what I’ve done.
I’ve chosen Norway.
Okay, that’s not exactly news at this point. But what I haven’t really explained yet is why I decided moving to Norway was right for me.
The dream for so many travel loving folks – especially the kind with travel blogs – is to find a way to become location independent, and I think I sort of figured out how to do that last year. But I also figured out that that’s not actually my dream at all. In fact, I think a huge drive behind my travels has actually always been to find a place to stop. I guess I’m picky, because choosing a place to call home took me a really long time.
But I was tired of being an eternal outsider, of my friend groups consisting of other fickle nomads who were always up and leaving, and of being tied to inexpensive countries where I always had a bit of nagging guilt that I was using the place for its cheap food and accommodation.
Dan was feeling the same, so we decided to move back to Europe. I think originally one of the reasons I had justified not studying in Denmark was that it would make more sense to study in Norway, where as a Norwegian citizen I would get funding from the government to study. But after I remembered that actually I always hated school and studying we still kept the idea of going to Norway.
Practically it made sense, because I already have Norwegian citizenship and speak some Norwegian, and as an EU citizen Dan can live here as long as he gets a job in 6 months, plus Norwegian is one of the easiest languages in the world for English speakers to learn. Seriously, it’s practically grammar-free. (The only challenge is getting Norwegians to stop just speaking to you in English.)
But practical reasons aside…
I love how few people there are here – Norway is enormous but only has 5 million people. I love that the national news stations will cover barely newsworthy stories like how local cows changed their feed, and that news of a car crash will prompt long discussions in local media about vehicle safety. It’s such a change from the news in the U.S., which always seems to leave me curled up in fetal position wondering how on earth we’re all going to survive.
And I love how beautiful Norway is. The sad fact about travel is that it’s made me much harder to impress, and I do love to be impressed, so I really don’t have any other choice but to move to one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
But even more than its beauty, I love Norwegians’ appreciation for their country’s beauty. It’s a country of nature lovers. People do complain that Norwegians are are cold and reserved but, um, that’s what people say about me! My people!
I also love that Norwegian politics don’t make me want to pull my hair out.
I love that my addiction to tinned fish won’t be considered weird here.
I love that people are allowed to camp wherever they want in Norway, as long as it’s 150 meters from the nearest house or cabin.
Even though the thought of meeting one terrifies me, I love there are trolls here.
I love fjords.
I love cross-country skiing.
I love that sometimes I’ll be able to see the Northern Lights!
And I’ve come to terms with the fact that my hair will probably be considered dark blonde here.
Yes, it’s going to be cold and dark for a huge chunk of the year here, but that’s why Norwegians travel! Norwegians are huge travelers and I’m excited to join in on that, especially as after the super high prices here everywhere else in the world is going to seem like such a bargain. Plus, I’ve moved to a city with an airport!
Dan and I chose Trondheim sort of randomly. I wanted to see more of northern Norway without actually living in the Arctic, and I also liked that Trondheim is on the coast but still gets lots of snow in the winter. With 200,000 inhabitants Trondheim is Norway’s third largest city, which seems like a good size. Plus it’s a university city, which I hope means that there are a lot of fun things to do in Trondheim, and maybe even some diversity! And it supposedly has a big music scene, so I’m crossing my fingers that Dan can find a Scandinavian funk band to join. Do those exist?
But most importantly, Trondheim is super pretty. As in, I left my apartment for ten minutes to quickly take some pictures to show you guys, and this is what I saw:
Now, I know there are many things about Norway and Norwegian culture that will drive me absolutely mad, but I’m moving here with an open heart, because it would just be so cool to live somewhere I truly loved. The United States was never that place for me, Thailand and Japan didn’t quite do it for me either, but maybe this time? I guess first I’ll have to find a job.
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i wondered what made you move there! now i know 🙂 norway is a great place. it wasnt the place for me (i dont like too much down time and i hate racism- funny enough now i live in germany hahaha) but it’s such a wonderful country for all the reasons you mentioned above. i needed an in between- somewhere in between the US and norway. germany is suiting to me so far 🙂
im jealous of your nature! aside from the US and canada, the only other place that took my breath away constantly was norway. and that was 75+ countries later. it’s hard to describe the beauty to those who haven’t been. and many europeans have no idea how beautiful norway is. it’s so weird. people in germany think it looks like southern sweden or finland 🙂 i tell them to get up there as soon as they can because theyll be blown away.
i think it is great you settled in a ‘big’ city. people are much more open minded and do travel somewhat (i do find norwegians to be amongst the least traveled of many developed countries although they do love them some syden trips or will go to london purely to go shopping). i had issues outside of bergen with things like that, but once i got to oslo, life was golden <3 im heading up to norway for a few days this fall, probably just oslo, but if youre in the area, lemme know! would love to meet up!
enjoy your time there and good luck immersing into the culture!!!
Haha when I published this post I actually wondered if you would comment and was a little nervous that you would dash my hopes and dreams! I think it’s funny that I’m very jaded about life in Germany, where you’ve just moved, and you’re probably also a bit jaded about life in Norway, where I’ve just moved. Here’s hoping they suit us a bit better! I do think they will though.
My biggest concern about moving here was definitely the lack of diversity – a reason I wanted to be in a larger city – but I’ve actually been pleasantly surprised so far. It’s crazy how much Norway seems to have changed in the past few years. I even noticed it in my grandmother’s teeny tiny town in Telemark. Though trying to get things done here seems to be as difficult as ever; I’m going to have to learn to be a much more patient person!
Anyway, keep me posted about your visit to Norway, maybe something will come up to bring me down there. Or, you know, if you ever want to take a weekend trip to Armenia or something 🙂
Yay, congrats Silvia! It’s pretty easy to see why you chose Norway. I’m excited that you’re on a new, expat adventure in a completely different part of the world than me. It must be bizarre to be out of Southeast Asia!! Ugh, and I feel you on the whole job thing. I should probably get one of those soon…
It’s so weird to no longer be based in Asia! Um, I am the worst at job searching though – I don’t even know where to start. So instead I’m responding to comments on my blog… haha.
I wish Icelandic had that no grammar thing happening! It looks like you chose a beautiful place to live, and so many reasons you listed are why I love living in Iceland as well 🙂
Seriously, Icelandic looks SO hard! I’m still struggling with getting people to stop switching to English with me, but I’m feeling optimistic 🙂
Trondheim looks so beautiful, I’m pretty sure it would woo me enough to stay a while too. I really, really want to visit Norway (I don’t know why I haven’t yet, living in Scotland it’s the next country to the right!
I hope you find yourself marvellously settled and comfortable, the beginnings of a fresh adventure! Good luck finding work, I hope you find something perfect.
Oh, and Norwegian really has no grammar? Jeez, what the hell am I learning Finnish for! Tee hee 😉
Haha Rachel, I am so impressed that you would choose to learn Finnish. I don’t think I would dare try!
Wisely chosen, Princess Sylvia, but please keep on blogging, if only about herring and ice.
And stay out of Penang. Best, jz.
I’ll keep that in mind when I have nothing left but fish to write about! And you won’t be the first person whom I’ve promised that I’ll never return to Penang.
having read your about page (and found it very humourous) I find it “natural” for you to choose Norway! I’ve never been but it looks very picturesque! I’m wondering though how the winters compare to Massachusetts’ ones! Wishing the best of luck to you!
I’m excited and nervous to see how the winters compare as well!
“It’s such a change from the news in the U.S., which always seems to leave me curled up in fetal position wondering how on earth we’re all going to survive.”
Sadly, this is just so true and with an upcoming election the mass media insanity is off the charts.
Your photos certainly tempt the traveler to visit Norway! I’ll be interested to read how you manage the dark winters.
Haha I guess you can expect lots of dark photos on this blog come winter…
seems like the right choice – especially as all the things you love makes you sound SO norwegian 🙂
Haha I hope so!
Gorgeous photos! Norway sounds awesome, I’d love to travel there one day!
I’m sure you would adore Norway!
Congrats Sylvia — its so awesome to have that feeling of resolution and making a clear cut choice, isn’t it? I — or I should say we- keep vacillating between travel and permanent lifestyle and can’t quite seem to decide which way to go. :/ Each option holds great allure, but ultimately doesn’t seem to fulfill everything we want. Lately we’ve been considering expat route more, though it’s hard to tell whether we would actually like it. I guess, as travel taught us, you just gotta go out and do it!
It does feel really nice to have made a decision, especially signing a lease so that I HAVE to stay here now, but I still keep getting the urge to book a flight somewhere, so I guess I’ll have to wait and see how this “settling down” thing really goes for me!
Trondheim looks so pretty!
It really is! Well, when there’s nice weather at least 🙂
At the end of this blog post, I heard a voice inside my head screaming “I want to move to Norway too!!!” Haha but seriously, seems like the perfect place for you! I’d love to find that perfect place someday too–sadly, the US doesn’t quite seem to be the one for me either. However, I could probably never survive in Norway because I do NOT do the cold. Like, at all. So if there exists a Norway with a more temperate climate, I’m down!
Haha yeah, you have to be okay with the cold to live in Norway – it already feels like autumn here!
Oh wow- Norway sounds wonderful. I knew about your dual citizenship- so figured that was part of the reason, but I can see it is so much more that that- Norway is really stunning! Is this the first time you have lived long-term in Norway? I didn’t know the language was so easy to learn- I want to try now haha. My younger sister lives in the Netherlands and she had the same problem with everyone there just speaking perfect English to her. But then she went to classes which meant she could then speak more Dutch to her boyfriend instead of English, and she is really great at Dutch now. So hopefully Dan can do something similar and he’ll be fluent in no time. I’m excited for you both!
This is the first time I’ve lived long-term in Norway! It feels a little weird technically being Norwegian but then also not really being Norwegian at all, haha. Dan is doing a language intensive now, so hopefully he will be just as successful as your sister!
I totally agree in what you say about the Norwegian media. The German media is just the like the U.S.’s – it’s all about war and hate and fear. And the Norwegians find it news-worthy if there’s a bump in the road 😀 naaaa seriously, I feel like when the media are more calm and laid-back, that reflects on the country. Norwegians don’t panic as fast as Germans or maybe Americans do and I definitely enjoy this calm and laid-back life in Norway. On the other hand, it will drive you mad when it comes to other aspects of your life like your internet problems or your job. You can find this calmness also in the working culture and sometimes it’s just not appropriate from a German point of view…. especially not, if 10 hours before a university conference starts, almost nothing is ready and your boss and co-workers want to finish things one hour before it starts even though the work that still needs to be done takes 4 hours and you as a student employee have to convince your boss that everyone better do a night shift…. hypothetically speaking of course ehhhemm…. 😀 but good luck!! the good things always prevail… most of the time 😉
Haha wow! My mom moved to Germany when she was 19 to study there (she ended up staying 7 years) and this makes me wonder how difficult it was for her to keep up at first! Norwegians definitely seem super laid back when it comes to work (and customer service). Though I guess at least studying in Germany is a lot less work! I spent a year at gymnasium there and could not believe how little homework we had compared to America, where schools are all about giving hours and hours of mindless busywork.
I can see why you chose to settle in Trondheim – it looks absolutely gorgeous! Good luck getting settled there!
Thanks, Ashley, I hope I can settle in quickly!
Hi Silvia! I just recently discovered your blog and I’m very excited to be reading through your adventures. Solo traveling in Iran? Wow! You’re a tough woman! I must say Norway wasn’t on my top list of countries to visit in Europe until I read this. Now for sure I’ll have to stop by 🙂
When you do go to Norway, you’ll definitely have to come up to Trondheim!
Trondheim looks amazing, I’m excited to read about your Norwegian adventures! I hope you’ll keep us posted on how the Norwegian learning goes!
I will! At least as long as it’s going well – once I stop writing about it you’ll know that I’ve given up, haha.
Trondheim sounds like a good choice, everyone I met in Norway had spent some time studying there and it seems like a dynamic, youthful place. I’m dying to know what you used to take and edit your pictures of Trondheim? The quality is mindblowing!
Thanks, Camille! The full list of my camera gear and editing tools is in my “Things I ❤” page. I also just switched to shooting in RAW instead of jpeg mode, which I think helps as well!
From the time I spent in Trondheim earlier this year, it seems like a great base in Norway! I’m kind of jealous. As an American, I have little hope of ever living somewhere like Norway. But I can dream, right?!?
I remember earlier this year reading you say that you could live in Trondheim and being SO relieved, because I hadn’t yet been there at that point! I’ve actually met a few American expats here – maybe it’s not such an impossible dream? You should at least visit again!
Oh my gosh I loved this post!! It resonated so strongly for me… the whole idea about finding a home and never being quite satisfied living somewhere just becuase it it cheap. This is EXACTLY how i feel about aus- it is home. Can’t wait to see how this goes for you! Big love girl 🙂
That’s so nice that you feel that way about Australia! I was always really jealous of people who loved their homes, because I never felt that way, but maybe now in Norway I can change that!
Norway looks like such a beautiful country to stay for all the things you have mentioned in your post, as well as the city of Trondheim. Keep posting nice articles about Norway and we can enjoy a bit of Norway as well 🙂
Of course, I’m excited to explore more of Norway and share it with you guys!
Congratulations on picking a place — looks like you picked an extremely beautiful one! Traveling is about finding yourself (as cheesy as that sounds) and it looks like you did just that. Great photos!
Haha it’s cheesy but so true!
Velkommen! Hope you will enjoy our beautiful city! 🙂
Tusen takk 🙂 I do think I’m going to like it here! As long as I find a job soon… haha.
I remember you talking about Trondheim and the idea of living there when I met you and Dan in Burma, and now I see it’s happened for you! And what a fantastic choice. I share all the reasons you listed for why you love Norway too.
Really, just how crazy gorgeous are those old wharf buildings? I need to go back.
You DO need to go back. Like, maybe then we can hang out for more than 10 minutes, ha.
Trondheim is SUPER pretty. Will you please post stories on job hunting adventures? I’m so curious about where an entrepreneurial nomad like you will end up working!
Haha considering my atrocious Norwegian skills, I don’t think my first job here will be too glamorous, but maybe that will make for better stories?
Having been to Norway twice in the past five months, I can certainly understand why you’d want to move there. The country is mindbogglingly gorgeous! And I love to commitment to nature and exercise. I’d definitely take up hiking if I lived there. I’m looking forward to your dispatches from your new home – Trondheim is on the short list for places I want to visit this winter. Maybe our paths will cross yet! Good luck getting settled.
You’ll definitely have to let me know if you make it out to Trondheim!
This is a beautiful post and it looks like Trondheim is a great place to settle. All the best.
Thanks, Janet, I’m hoping Trondheim will work out for me!
This was a lovely post. You found home but it was because you left it for a while to get a different perspective- smart! That’s the beauty of travel, yes? Also, from an American — I HATE our news. I don’t have television and if the news is on at work, I agree with you that the news stories make me wonder if it’s the end of days. Norway sounds amazing and I can’t wait to visit your country someday.
I hope you make it out here sometime!
Velkommen til Norge! 🙂
Tusen takk 🙂
You should do an apartment feature next! I can’t wait to hear about your move to Norway and the things you have been up too now! Also, I love the colorful homes in the neighborhood! So amazing!
Haha a few people have asked for apartment photos, so maybe! I need to get a coffee table first though (you know, super important things like that).
I have not been to Norway but some of my ancestors have come from Throndheim and I have been blessed with your pictures of the city just to glimpse into the beauty of the area. I would like to know about the price difference between the USA and living there. Are daily living costs different,are there Thrift stores and any American fast food restaurants. I’m quarter Norwegian and I love the sweaters that I have found at Thrift stores. I wish I was young again but hey I can take a week maybe two to come visit. How is the medical. Good luck to you and I will look forward to your information and the pictures of the things that you love.
Living costs are higher here, but salaries are as well, so I think in the end people end up spending a much smaller percentage of their salaries on living costs here (and medical is free). You should visit Norway sometime!
I love! love! love! this post.
I like the fact that you come out and say that you love and appreciate your ancestral countr, and the fact that you know what’s best for you and the life that you want to live. Oh, and your posts are fab!
I’m a Northern British person living in Germany and I’m fascinated by the Nordic States because of their classic beauty and their raw wild state, and the fact that it’s peaceful, quiet and serene as well as being as colourful and adventurous as they come. Northern Europe is fabulous and Trondheim looks so pretty!
A fellow Brit once asked me where I would choose if given a choice of a summer paradise or a winter wonderland.
I chose the winter wonderland.
p.s. I choose the cold LOL!
Wow, what a year you had, Silvia, 27 countries, that’s enormous! You experienced so much more than if you would have chosen to study in Aarhus. I bet Norway is quiet a contrast to the many countries you have visited, but I can totally understand your wish to finally settle down somewhere and Trondheim looks super-pretty! I am curious to find out what life in Norway holds for you.
http://travellingcolognian.com/2015/08/17/one-day-in-kanchanaburi/
Fantastic honest post! Keep posting! I love Norway, too. My sister moved to Norway last year. She is still adapting. But she is glad that she has made this choice. I hope you don`t regret, too. Best regards!
That’s wonderful that your sister is happy with her choice! I’m also feeling good about life here 🙂
Ahhhh I did a master’s program in Aarhus, too!
And if I were European (and thus had access to an EU passport), I can totally see myself choosing Norway =)
No way! I could have been following in your footsteps, sigh.
Oh my goodness we loved Norway too! It was so amazingly beautiful! We really enjoyed how dog-friendly it was as well. The “coldness” (I don’t really think so) of the Norwegians was easily broken by my dog, Alfie. They sure love dogs!
What a fit country too. I was quite impressed. We stayed near Trondheim as well, and it’s a great city! Did you go to the Dromedar Kaffebar by any chance? They had this amazing spicy mocha… Oh and I miss all the cheese and fish. Yummy.
I would love to call it home someday, though I’m not an EU citizen unfortunately. What a great country.
Norwegians DO really love dogs! I haven’t been to the Dromedar Kaffebar, but it sounds like I need to go!
You should! They have great tea as well. It’s on the expensive side, but it’s soooo good that it’s worth it for a treat. 🙂
I moved from Utah to Trondheim in April, because I grew up in Trondheim and had an opportunity to move back. I agree with you that it is a beautiful town. I especially like it now that it is covered in tons of snow.
Good luck on your job hunt. I found out today that I got a job, and I have applied to 15-20 jobs since April, and got my job in Trondheim today. Super excited, because I feel that will really make me feel re-integrated back into the Norwegian society. I found my job through Finn.no, and it was a slow process, but so worth the wait. Good luck to you.
Wow, congratulations, you must be SO happy to have found a job! I actually moved down to Rauland on a job offer, but I think I will likely return to Trondheim eventually. It really is so pretty!
Hi Silvia,
I am amazed after reading your blog..Travelling can give someone the pleasure which is not compared with anything in the world, what say? I intend to travel some places in future but NORWAY will be my first choice(I am excited after reading your blog).Also the glorious northern light is my dream to see once in my lifetime.However I forgot to introduce myself..Hi This is Sabuj Maity from Kolkata(City of Joy),India.I am an entrepreneur.We have an IT company based in Kolkata,India.Me and my girlfriend Debaleena(nick name Sandra) wish to come to Norway to witness the beauty of the nature(as I heard its really amazing there).I wish when we will come I will join you and your partner Dan,so you can guide us.
Please continue your blog as all are really interesting( I read how you save 44,000$ for travelling )..One day I also want to start my blog about our(Me and Debaleena) travelling experiences..
Thanks
Hi Silvia,
I happened upon your blog via the Royal Norwegian Consulate General in San Francisco on Facebook, and I’m so glad I did! I have very strong Norwegian heritage and I lived in Bergen from 2005-2009 for grad school (marine biology). I feel like you do such a great job of capturing how easy it is to fall in love with Norway, and all the Norway-isms that are so awesome. All of my friends were Norwegian and they were some of the best I’ve ever had! I wish I had been able to stay longer but without a permanent job, I had to move back to the U.S. Too bad I’m not an EU citizen or have dual Norwegian-American citizenship! I’ve also moved around a lot in my life (not quite as much as you, but Minnesota, Texas, Connecticut, Baja Mexico, Norway, Texas, and now California) and I understand that feeling of wanting to find someplace to stay. It’s been 5 years since I was back in Norway and it’s definitely been too long! So happy that Norwegian Air has started these super cheap flights, hopefully I’ll get back there within the next couple of years.
~Ingrid