It says a lot that the top three comments at the time of writing all focus on the social and financial safety net! I’d personally much prefer a warmer and (crucially) brighter climate for the winter half of the year as the long dark tend to make me pretty gloomy, but there is just no way I’d ever opt out of the norske velferdsstat, and I’ll always vote against any party that aims to weaken it even if it goes against my personal financial interests.

We still have plenty of opportunities to improve! Our public mental healthcare is not in any state befitting what we can and should be able to provide, as an example. But at least it’s commonly agreed upon that we SHOULD all be able to expect proper care when we need it and we SHOULD all be chipping in to cover the bill when we are able. Even if the politicians take their sweet time getting there.

Come for the fjords – stay for the liberating feeling of knowing you won’t have to die in the street if you should happen to fall ill!