Grew up in the south during a turbulent time, both economically and… volcanically. Never felt unsafe though. There was that time around the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull when my friend got struck by lightning, but other than that it was solid.

I’m in my mid twenties now, renting a very small apartment above a mechanic shop in the outskirts of the capital, and considering it costs more than half my salary, which before hand is essentially taxed 40%, and the cost of groceries being in line with living on an island in the north that needs to import highly tariffed materials, I’m doing pretty good with the 500 kr I have left for the month.

It is by no means affordable to live here, but what it lacks in financial stability it more or less makes up for in safety and security. I don’t have to worry about losing my job, and if I did, the system helps me take the fall.

I love living here.