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Living overseas

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Moving to Oslo or Vienna

5 replies

hibiscus1 · 14/04/2018 12:47

I have a job interview both in Vienna and Oslo for an academic position at the university. We would be moving with a 4 year and 10 months old. We have lived in the UK for the last 5 years. Our older son is fluent in English and we would like him to continue in an English/bilingual nursery/school. I am worried about moving him as he is very sensitive and likes his routine. He has two good friends here at nursery and is very attached to them.
Has anyone of you lived in either Oslo or Vienna and would share your experience with me?
The salary in Oslo would be better but then costs of living are also higher. The good summer weather in Vienna is attractive to us. Other than that I am not sure about differences, both places have good social security...
Thanks a lot!

OP posts:
violetgrey · 18/04/2018 22:26

I live in Vienna, no children so cannot advise on schools. If you have any other questions, I would be happy to answer.
This website might be helpful www.viennababiesclub.com/childcare-schools/childcare/ages-0-3/

KingIrving · 19/04/2018 04:55

A friend of mine moved from Brisbane to Oslo. She said it is horrendously expensive (and Australia is definitely not cheap). She drives to Sweden to do her weekly grocery shopping as it is way cheaper.

Norwegian is also one of the hardest language to learn in the world. The weather and being able to enjoy more outdoor time would also push me more towards Vienna. You would be also more central and able to fly cheaply to Italy and Spain for long weekends

TheHonGalahadThreepwood · 20/04/2018 12:58

Norwegian isn't one of the hardest languages to learn, it's actually one of the easiest for a native English speaker to pick up, though it'll be even easier if you speak German. Finnish, on the other hand...

Norway is expensive, but wages are higher and social security is excellent so you get a lot back for your taxes. The university system is also a dream to work in compared with the UK - higher funding, much more humane, much less corporate, and fantastic work-life balance, though if you are a workaholic you may miss the faster pace of academic life in the UK. Having said that, if you want to make things happen then the money and the support is generally there - again, a dream after the underfunded UK.

The weather isn't great, but Oslo does pretty well compared with the rest of Norway and of course if you like skiing and winter sports then you will be ideally placed.

Is English your DS's native language? If so, he will be entitled to regular specialist tuition in it - all children are entitled to this. See above for the range of benefits you get from the high taxation. link Also, English is treated more like a second language than a foreign language in Norway so his friends are likely to catch up pretty fast as they move up the school system even thought they will be learning English from scratch. Obviously moving a sensitive child is always difficult, but I will say that the nursery (barnehage) system in Norway is excellent: well-funded, with highly-trained staff, and very focused on the children's welfare so lots of focus on inclusivity in the playground etc. Lots of outdoor activities and fresh air. School doesn't start until age 6, so he would have a couple of years to settle in, with the focus on learning through play.

hibiscus1 · 02/05/2018 16:09

Thanks everyone for your advice. I was offered the job in Oslo.
Yes my ds main language is english. Good to know that there is special tuiton for them and that the system is well funded. We would really like to start him at an english speaking nursery as I think that it would make the transition much easier for him.
We have been very fortunate in the UK with our employers and both had a great work life balance, so I hope to keep this :-)

OP posts:
Nlds · 04/05/2018 06:24

Norwegian is a germanic language same family group as English, on scale of language differences with English, one of closest languages and easiest to learn. Same as German, language of Austria.

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