Accommodation in Oslo
Oslo has several neighbourhoods, each with a specific character and reputation. Where you live in Oslo is more important than your profession. When meeting a Norwegian, you should expect to be asked where you live, even before you are asked what you do. Employers will also often ask this question during interviews. It can help determine your salary level.Oslo is basically split into east and west. The west is generally more expensive. The east is often less expensive and has a younger, or immigrant population, as well as a lot of character.
Price Range
What you can be sure of is that the cost of housing in Oslo is quite high, though it differs by neighbourhood. Living centrally raises rents and prices, as does space. A one-room flat will cost between 6,000 - 10,000 NOK per month and prices only go up from there, to 50,000 NOK a month for a large apartment in Frogner. Apartments can cost from over 1 Million NOK for a studio to 6 to 8 Million NOK in Frogner. In order to gain more space and/or gardens and access to water, you would look at options in the suburbs. Nordstrand is one option to the east, as is Snarøya (also one of Oslo’s wealthiest areas) to the west.
Style and Quality
Properties are of a high standard, since the country boasts strict building laws. Insulation is very good by necessity, since the cold weather season lasts long.
Houses and apartment buildings differ greatly in style and layout. On one end are the older buildings in the classic style with high ceilings, long thin hallways flanked by rooms, and one or two bedrooms and one bath. There is normally very little storage except for a basement or attic unit, and rarely any security.
On the other end are the newly built and modern glass apartment buildings around the harbour. Houses offer a similar range, from century-old dark, wooden houses with grass roofs to square, light, concrete buildings featuring large glass windows and security gates.
Where to Look
Good places to start looking for housing before leaving your current home is in the real estate section of the newspaper Aftenposten, or on the website www.finn.no . Look for the sections marked Eiendommer and Eiendomsmarkedet. A list of other Norwegian newspapers can be found at www.norske-aviser.com . These services list all the different offerings for sale or rent by neighbourhood. If you don’t have a real estate agent or destination manager helping you, look in the newspaper to see when the visnings (showings/open houses) are each week and spend some time visiting each place that interests you.
One thing to keep in mind is that the real estate market in Norway is hot. There is more demand than supply for many areas, so you may suddenly find yourself in a bidding war. Most places are rented or sold within days of going on the market. So before you begin your search, decide on your budget, get the loan and funding you need settled with your bank or company and if you find your dream place, make a first bid as soon as you can. And prepare to go higher.
Other Useful Housing Information:
- There is a boligkontor (housing office) in every bydel (neighbourhood) in Oslo. Boligkontoret gives advice on housing, so it's a good idea to get in touch if you are looking for a place to live.
- The county of Oslo also charges a fee each quarter for municipal services like trash disposal, chimney sweeping and water that vary by property. In 2010, Oslo county utility fees for trash disposal, chimney sweeping and water will be 8,000 NOK for the year.
- Due to Norway's weather, properties can suffer hidden damage. If the property differs significantly from the prospectus given by the seller/estate agent, the purchaser will normally be able to claim a reduction of the properties selling price, or compensation within five years of taking possession of the property.
- There is a lot of information available online about what to consider when buying or renting property in Oslo. Advice and links are plentiful, so spend some time getting informed and choosing the best solution for you.
