Oslo

An Essential Guide

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Introduction
Between the Oslo-fjords and Forest lies Norways capital, Oslo, a combination of city life combined
with easy access to the great outdoors. Considered a globe city, Oslo was voted beta World City
2008 and the citys population is ever growing as nations from all around the world migrate to the
city to work in the many growing industries such as banking and shipping. Although considered one
of the most expensive cites in the world, ranked closely with central London. Oslo provides a strong
and efficient infrastructure that provides a high level of living combined with the flexible and
employee focused regulations of the Norwegian employment system, including good healthcare,
compulsory pensions and generous annual leave for family related activities.
Location:
Oslo is located in South East in Norway.
Longitude 59:57 N, Latitude 10:45 E, 1 m above sea level.
Climate:
Oslo has a humid continental climate (Dfb) with a varied daylight of up to 18 hours in the midsummer and as low as 6 in the mid-winter.
Local Time:
The local time of Oslo is Central European Time (+1 GMT).
National Day of Norway:
17th May is constitutional day and the city is lined with a parade of all the school children and their
parents past the palace where they wave to the royal family. 2014 will be the 200th anniversary of
Norways independence.
Flag of Norway:
Norways flag is a red square with an off centred blue and white cross.
Currency:
The currency of Norway is Norwegian Krone (NOK).

Accommodation
Apartments
Apartments are common in Oslo and range from shared flats and bedsits to two and
three bedroom apartments. On the outer skirts of the city it is possible to find larger
homes. The transportation infrastructure in Olso is very efficient allowing workers to
commute to work via Tram, Bus and Train.
Standard Long Term Agreement - Many agreements in Oslo are subject to a three
month deposit and 1 month rent in advance, but it is possible to secure long term
contracts.
Apartment (1 bedroom) City Centre 1000 per month
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre 800 per month
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre 1,000 per month
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre 700 per month
Quick Links Guide
Long term lettings
finn
Short term lettings
airbnb
Hotels
Trip Advisor

Cost of Living
Oslo has a high cost of living but also has a strong infrastructure and healthy
environment to live, voted Beta World City in 2008. Like anywhere, the cost you incur
can range depending on your own needs. Find the right places and an expensive City can
become a reasonable price fun adventure.
Entertainment
Being the capital there are a variety of Restaurants and food establishments to choose
from, some areas of Oslo are built with entertainment in mind.
Check out the Aker Brygge by the waterfront, full of good restaurants and bars. Seafood
is common place throughout Oslo and here you can find some of the best seafood dishes
in the city. For cheaper dinning try an Asian establishment or the area of Torggata.
Restaurant bills include a service charge and VAT, tipping is not compulsory. If you're
paying by card the machine will ask for your gratitude fist before asking for your PIN so
always check first and add 5%-10% if your happy to.
On the hills on the outskirts of the City lies a ski resort with a ski jump that lights red
above the citys skyline at night. A short bus ride will ensure youre getting plenty of
exercise at the weekends and great fun for families. For nightlife, clubs and bars stay in
the city centre and look out for Stortingsgaten and the parallel road Karl Johans gate
which both run down from the royal palace and are lined with people sat outside during
the warmer months.
Utility Bills
Home telephone rental, internet subscription, mobile tariffs and data costs are usually
included within rental agreements but are not expensive, particularly for internet and
telephone a strong service is available at a reasonable price. For a full breakdown of
cost comparisons try
http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/city_result.jsp?country=Norway&city=Oslo

Taxes
Everyone who is resident in Norway or who has an income from Norway is subject to
income tax on salaries, self-employed earnings and other sources of income, although
there are various exemptions. Foreign nationals must obtain a tax registration card, a Dnumber followed by a National ID number after 6 months of working. Employers
normally deduct tax direct from employees' salaries, along with social security
contributions and a state compulsory pension. Freelancers have the option to register a
business in Norway (Which requires time and a substantial capital investment) or use
an employed solution via a tax agency.
Darwin works with several vetted Managed Agencies that specialize in Tax Solutions for
Freelancers so feel free to get in touch with them.
Quick Links Guide
Tax Offices for Norway:
http://www.skatteetaten.no/

Schooling
Oslo is an international city and English language is commonly used and taught in
schools. There are a variety of international schools available from English taught
lessons to schools offering the IB. See the link below for specific details.
Schooling is compulsory from 6-16 and the school year runs over two terms from midAugust to late June the following year. Primary school consists or Grades 1-7 and covers
the ages of 6-13, Lower Secondary covers grades 8-10 and ages 13-16, there is then the
option of Upper Secondary for three years from 16-19 grades VG1-3. Majority of
schooling in Norway is public schooling with 93% of Upper School attends being in the
public system.
Some useful links:
http://www.norway.org.uk/ARKIV/education/englishschools/
http://www.oslointernationalschool.no

Travel
Oslo offers an effective public transport system comprehensive of trains, trams, buses,
metro, public bikes and boats all coordinated by Ruter . Find a Trafikanten (Ruter
Service Centre) in oslo central, at the airport of in Aker Brygge and you can get maps,
timetables and tickets.
Oslo uses a zones system and tickets are priced for how many zones you pass through
and are suitable for all modes of transport. Once activated the ticket is valid for 1 hour
of travel in the zones permitted. PAYG Travel-cards and longer timed tickets are
available. Fines for not validating your ticket or travelling ticketless are at least 750
NOK.
Taxes charge a minimum fee depending on the time of day, company and location and
then a fee is charged for time and distance. Prices are displayed on stickers on the
window so be sure to check these before entering as some companies can charge a lot
more than others. All companies accept Visa/Mastercard but you need to inform the
driver before making your journey.
Quick Links Guide
Airports:
Oslo, Torpe Or Rygge
http://www.visitoslo.com/en/transport/transport-airport/
Public transport information:
https://ruter.no/en/

Top 5 Sites To See

Holmenkollen Ski
Museum & Tower
Kongevn 5, Oslo Norway
A historic landmark in the Norwegian
consciousness, Holmenkollen embodies
more than a century of skiing tradition.
Inside the actual ski jump is the
Holmenkollen Ski Museum, the world's
oldest ski museum. The museum
presents over 4,000 years of skiing history and polar exploration artefacts. The observation
deck on top of the jump tower offers panoramic views of Oslo. Open 365 days a year!

Nordmarka
Nordmaka, Oslo 890, Norway
A vast forest that reaches almost all
the way to the large mountain
ranges. Wth tons of beautiful lakes
its perfect for swimming, fishing,
hiking, cross-country skiing,
exploring and relaxing both in the
winter covered in snow and in the
summer when the views change to a
palette of greens.

Oslo Opera House

Kirsten Flagstads Pl.1, Oslo 0150,
Norway
Norways largest performing arts
institution and commissioned by
Norwegian architects Snhetta, the
building on the Waterfront became
famous for being the first Opera
hose to allow visitors to walk, run
and ski on its roof.

Fram Museum The Polar Ship Farm

Bygdoynesveien 36, Oslo 286, Norway
Fram is the strongest wooden ship ever built and still holds the records for sailing
farthest north and farthest south. At the Fram Museum you can come on board the ship
and see how the crew and their dogs lived and managed to survive in the coldest and
most dangerous places on earth - the Arctic and the Antarctic.

Vigeland Sculpture Park

Kirkeveien, Western Oslo, Norway
Vigelandsparken is one of Norway's most
visited attractions with more than 1 million
visitors every year. The unique sculpture
park is the life work of the sculptor Gustav
Vigeland (1869-1943) with more than 200
sculptures in bronze, granite and cast iron.
Vigeland was also responsible for the design
and architectural outline of the park. A
monumental artistic creation with a human
message that is well worth seeing.

For more Information on Oslo visit: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/