Tired of life in NORWAY after 5 years, highly considering moving back to SPAIN
Posted by Exact-Independence89@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 52 comments
hi everyone!
I’m from Andalusia, Spain, currently working in Norway with a permanent contract (energy sector, less than 3 years’ experience (I was 2 years studying master there) ) . I’ve received an offer to return to Spain, specifically Madrid, at a big company , permanent contract, but the salary is €32,000 gross per year—over 60% less than what I currently make. Quite harsh to accept the reality.
- Do you think it’s worth moving back for this salary and downgrade?
- I’m very concerned about housing prices and cost of living specially in Madrid—is it realistic to have a good quality of life on this salary?
- Is it better to stay abroad or switch careers now before getting “stuck” in Norway? I wanna highlight, I work in a very specific sector and position (offshore) , 3 years of experience is the point where you switch or stay where you are at least from what I see in the job market.
Any advice, experience, would be welcome :)
Gold_Percentage_9836@reddit
As someone who has lived in Spain and Norway: please consider that you may also feel “stuck” in Spain.
Spain actually scores a lot lower on social mobility and most other factors that have any sort of significant meaning in adult life (my subjective opinion). You say you are a Spaniard, so you probably already have friends that inherited their apartment or in other ways get help from their parents or family. you need to ask yourself if you would also get this kind of help or if you are on your own and at a disadvantage in comparison.
Since you are considering moving for work, I guess you are not rich. You will remain a lot more flexible and independent in Norway. Being an autónomo in Spain sucks . Working sucks. In general it just sucks if you need to make money there. The people I know that stay, do so either because of family or because they want a chill lifestyle and don’t have to worry about money.
In Spain, the poor have the majority of the votes and in Norway the middle class rules. The Spanish pension system will probably go to shits, while Norway has a sustainable public system and tax friendly additional saving possibilities.
That being said, Spain is definitely a more fun country and it depends on your priorities. I believe Madrid is perhaps better for single party animals than most places in Norway.
Clear-Hunt8729@reddit
Bienvenido hermano andaluz 🤝
cottoncandee7@reddit
Do you have partner and kids or planning to have kids? If yes, my answer would be stay in Norway. As much as I have my dissatisfaction with Norway (I don’t live there, but my partner is and my kids are half Norwegians), it would be better when you have kids. Be it with working hours and parental leave. My friends who are Spanish have complained despite the culture being friendly to kids, workplaces are often less flexible or understanding.
That aside, I think the pay cut makes it not worth it.
Rocketronic0@reddit
I am almost in the same thoughts and circumstance, maybe have a chat?
Exact-Independence89@reddit (OP)
Hi! Yes, that would be nice :). Hit me on dm with telef.number and we can do whatshap call
CaptainPiglet65@reddit
According to Google, the cost of living in Norway is 50% more expensive than Spain. I compared Oslo to Madrid.
In my experience, food is dramatically cheaper in Spain, including going out to eat, etc. I can’t speak to rent. But it seems like a huge portion of your salary increase in Norway is going up and smoke. So if you’re unhappy by all means make the move.
mk87no@reddit
About a year ago did a 20 square meters "apartment" in Drammen about 9500 Nok, about 825 € or 940 US$ a month, nothing included, low standard, near a main noisy main road, and thats outside a city. Don't know how it's compared to other places, but I think that's expensive price for such a small living space outside a city 😮💨
CaptainPiglet65@reddit
Yeah, that’s a small town and you’re living outside of it? I have to imagine living in Oslo proper would be twice as much. And that’s the relevant comparison from Madrid. Either that or whatever town this guy is currently living in which I had assumed would be Oslo.
mk87no@reddit
You're right, I forgot to mention, it's about an hour outside Oslo with train/buss. (About 40min without traffic, about 20 € inn toll plazas, and 60€ for about 4-5 hours of parking)
I have lost a bit track of the conversation, but wanted to give an example of how the prices are ( unfortunately I'm not updated on prices in Oslo, but heard about people buying 14 square meters apartments in Oslo for 200 000€ ++++ a month, not sure, but confident Im pretty close.
SeanBourne@reddit
Not only is food dramatically cheaper in Spain, food in the two countries are on opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of quality. Eating in Spain is a joy and one of the best food destinations anywhere. Eating in Norway, I completely lost the urge to eat after a few days and (not out of shape to begin with) was losing weight.
CaptainPiglet65@reddit
Lmfao. Fish boiled potatoes chocolate and polse (hot dogs)
Roverbug@reddit
If you're unhappy you should move. You can always get a better job later. But are you really sure life will be better if you move to another place? I mean it's not like it used to be. People are becoming adults. They settle down. They spend time with their family. The things you had when you lived in Spain might be gone forever today.
Have you done enough to get a social network in Norway? Is it the society? Some problems can't be fixed and then it's better to move. But chasing an illusion does not give you happiness.
Qqqqqqqquestion@reddit
If you work offshore 2 weeks on 4 weeks off you can do what a lot of Norwegians do: live in Spain and only travel to Norway for work.
Some people keep a studio in Bergen or Stavanger, but only stay there when they have to.
strzibny@reddit
Do you already have savings from the high Norwegian salary? If not, work a bit more and save aggressively for return. No point in living in Norway if you miss Spain.
Minimum_Rice555@reddit
As someone living in Spain, it's a tough one. I personally wouldn't live anywhere else, but I understand for you as Andalusian, Madrid is almost as far as Norway, in some sense. (Meaning, family and social network is not within 30 minutes etc).
That said, Madrid is one of the "to be" places in 2025, not just in Europe but globally. It's that good. Food is excellent, shopping is available, live is pretty good and convenient. The streets are buzzing with life. I personally never thought a city can be so good. It has the green areas, pretty nice and elegant, I personally really like its architecture a lot.
tigbit72@reddit
That said, Madrid is one of the "to be" places in 2025, not just in Europe but globally.
That's a reach honestly.
SeanBourne@reddit
Obviously all subjective, but in a lot of expat circles, I have heard this a decent bit in the last year or so.
Puzzleheaded-Sun7418@reddit
I am from Madrid, lived abroad for 10 years, and came back home a couple of years ago (but in my case I’m feeelancer).
What do you value and want in your life? You already know it is a big cut in the payment and you already know how the working culture is over here. You can live with that salary but it will be not a lot especially with the current rent prices.
Think if the rest is worthy to stay. In my case I also lost money with the move but I’m ok with it and I’m very happy here
StillHereBrosky@reddit
I get that you guys have good social services, but wow to get paid that at an international company is crazy to me.
worldisbraindead@reddit
I assume you are fairly young since you got your Master's about three years ago. By "young" I mean 30 or under. So much of this depends on your goals in life. So, in order for many of us to give you constructive input, it would be helpful to understand where you want to be in five years...ten years...twenty years. Not what location...but what goals are important to you?
I'm now in my mid 60's and I was always goal-oriented. I wanted to have a successful and fulfilling career, make a lot of money, get married, and have a family. I was able to achieve those goals, but typically, there are usually trade-offs and compromises usually come with everything.
Can you tell us more about what you want out of life as opposed to your concerns about housing prices or worries about the job market?
Exact-Independence89@reddit (OP)
Yes, you’re absolutely right. Right now, I work at a company mainly for financial stability, but my real passion is building something of my own. I’m always working on new ideas and projects with friends or business partners in my free time. Unfortunately, because of time constraints, progress on these projects tends to be slow and none have really taken off yet. But if I truly commit to something, I’ll work my ass off and fight for it until I get there.
Looking ahead, my goal is to build a strong business network and eventually reach a point where I don’t have to worry about my monthly salary or job security. I want the freedom to take risks, innovate, and grow businesses. Ideally while living somewhere a bit more exciting than Norway. Most importantly, I want to be able to spend quality time and enjoy life to the fullest.
Historical-View647@reddit
I can imagine it would be easier to network in a more sociable country like Spain with one caveat: You need to learn Spanish asap if you go there.
Exact-Independence89@reddit (OP)
I am spanish hehe
Historical-View647@reddit
I see. Your heart already seems to know Spain is better for it, that's the vibe I'm getting from your OP. In that case I wouldn't waste time in Norway! Even your partner is not from NO, so nothing really keeps you there but the money. If your profession allows you to switch to remote working and your company allows, it would be the best solution. Madrid would be a paradise on a Norwegian salary. :)
If not, think about moving but Madrid has become expensive. If you're in the position to negotiate for working remotely and work from some smaller city with cheaper accommodation around Madrid it would be better.
worldisbraindead@reddit
Thank you. That's helpful.
I think it might be advantageous for your to stay at your current job for a bit longer, while both trying to advance your position within the company and saving as much money as you can. The job being offered to you in Madrid is not worth considering at this time for two reasons. First, If they believe you to be a valuable asset to their company, they surely aren't showing it in terms of salary. This is not even a lateral move. This is a 60% cut in salary. I could understand taking a small cut in pay if other circumstances were appealing to you...like maybe it was a prestigious company you always wanted to work for or it could advance your professional value a few years down the line. However, this is such a huge cut that they are basically saying, "we don't value your professional worth". Second, if there is no urgent need for you to return to Spain right this moment...wait until a better offer comes along. Spend another year or so building your professional CV and, more importantly, building up some savings. While that might be a challenge considering the cost of living in Norway, having some money in the bank will give you options!
In the meantime, while you are working and earning a living, keep your eyes open in your desired field and look for business opportunities that may have gone unnoticed by others. Regardless of the business or industry you are in, there are always better ways of doing things. I won't pretend to understand the Energy sector, but, it seems that technological innovations are a constant. If you want to come back to Spain, try and think about something you've learned in Norway that could be of benefit to the energy sector in Spain. I don't know what that is, but it could be something right in front of your nose that you just never paid attention to. Is there some efficiency that you can bring to Spain that is being ignored because of shortsightedness on someone's part? Not knocking Spain, but how many times have you asked why something is done a certain way only to get the response, "Because we've always done it that way."?
Be patient for the next year or two and wait until the right opportunity comes along. This one isn't it. Also, if you want to get to a point of not worrying about a monthly salary, taking a massive pay cut now is not going to help your cause. In fact, I suspect you will feel that you are being taken advantage of and this will lead to a very unhappy situation for you.
As someone who is probably more than twice your age, I've had time to ponder the question of quality time versus always chasing money. It's a very tricky balance and not always easy to achieve. I used to think that many people in places like Spain or Italy, where people spend more time and energy on enjoying life than being professionally productive were somehow a bit crazy...until I got older and understood the importance of enjoying life to the fullest. That said, I am not sure I would have changed much if I could go back in time because all my ambitions when I was around your age allowed me to get fairly wealthy...which has given me extreme freedom over the last 20 years or so.
RedditorsGetChills@reddit
I'm an American in my early 40s, most likely about to relocate to Spain to work anywhere I want remotely for my US employer. Salary is really good here, but will probably drop quite a bit for Spain.
But I'm very similar to you about growing networks and wanting to start businesses, so I can make my own time. I currently work in tech, have worked in entertainment, video and photography, and lived in Japan for over a decade. I'm ready for tbag quality time and freeness to start building, and from what everyone tells me, Spain is the place. I know you're Spanish, but a lot of foreigners are finding it to be a good place to start their business from ideas they had.
While the salary is lower, the cost of living is as well. I'm in Los Angeles, used to live in Tokyo, and when people tell me something is expensive, I've always been able to remember paying more. When I see prices in Europe even with adjusted net salaries for locals, things are way more affordable for daily life. Rent and mortgage is a different story, and one I'm not well versed in.
Just think, at what are are you going to be ready to start those fun ideas that turn into businesses. If that's far in the future, Norway. If you want to start getting ready with it, Spain. It's what I'd do knowing what I've read about you.
Candid-Plant5745@reddit
60% less, i’m sitting my fat ass in norway.
Gunzhard22@reddit
I don't have an answer sorry, but I'm curious what you don't like about Norway, I am considering moving their myself.
Exact-Independence89@reddit (OP)
Life here feels pretty plain. Norway is safe and beautiful, but you will get tired of the landscape jajaja. Daily life is really monotonous, nothing happens and the society feels dehumanizing—people tend to keep to themselves, and it’s hard to make real connections. The high cost of living and long, dark winters don’t help either.
Gunzhard22@reddit
Thanks, I live in the US and have had my fill of people for perhaps the rest of my life haha, so beautiful landscape and isolation sounds pretty good, but good to know. I didn't realize the cost of living was higher there than Spain.
Interesting-Tackle74@reddit
Haha. In that case you have no idea of Europe.
Gunzhard22@reddit
Well I'm mostly comparing housing markets. Homes in Norway are way cheaper.
Interesting-Tackle74@reddit
Well, I didn't know that, but it sounds reasonable, bc in Norway there is a lot of space.
I know from my aunt in Sweden, that housing prices there are declining, bc of their fear of a war with Russia.
Gunzhard22@reddit
Oh yikes. The world is getting scary...
Big-Conversation6393@reddit
I never lived in Spain but I think its also very hard to make connections in Spain. Sure people are friendly and chill but at the end of the day to have a meaningful connection is hard? For sure I would prefer Spain over Norway. At least life would be less heavy and little bit chill but real connections? I dont think so.
nadmaximus@reddit
I spent a long winter in Normandy one summer
mk87no@reddit
I'm a native Norwegian, and planning to move from Norway myself, I don't quite fit in it seems, and I'm born , and grown up here 😆
On that difference in salary, I wouldn't be sure either, maybe look for another job ? Skip finn.no try instead weworkremotely.com, upwork etc, search a little around. I would believe you could get a better pay than that somewhere else
Pecncorn1@reddit
Not sure what you do in the industry but I worked offshore almost my entire life on a 28 & 28 rotation. I lived where I wanted to on my off time, but the company paid for the tickets.
I was a construction manager, with a masters should be able to find a job in the industry anywhere you want. Also why is the salary so low? I retired in 2015 ...or got downsized I should say. The scale back then was 180k USD per annum after taxes which the company paid. You should cast a wider net if you in the energy sector offshore.
Forgot to add I was a contract employee so no benefits or buy out when I got the boot.
LeneHansen1234@reddit
Norway is not for everyone, that's for sure. The long dark winter months can seem endless. It's a wealthy country but also very expensive, and the salaries are surprisingly low at the upper end. The low educated on the other hand have quite high wages. It's a egalitarian society, very safe and tranquil. Or boring? Depends on your attitude.
If you want to start a family and maybe own a house I would consider carefully where this will be more achievable. And when thinking a couple decades ahead Spain might be unpleasantly hot in the summer. Like today, another heat wave with temperatures over 40, and it's only early june. I much prefer 15C but that's me.
JosebaZilarte@reddit
Have you been able to build a support network in Norway (aside from the workplace)? Because if, as I suspect, the answer is no, I would recommend going back to Spain.
That initial salary is nothing to write home about (and you'll have to pay 30-50% of it in rent and transport), but Norway can be extremely depressing and, at the very least, I would not not blame you for leaving the supposed "happiest country in the world" behind.
bruhbelacc@reddit
Depends on your goals. Some people don't like depending on family or spending too much time with them.
JosebaZilarte@reddit
When I talk about a support network I am not just talking about family, but also good friends. Something that it can be surprisingly difficult to find in Scandinavia. Specially, for us Spaniards, who operate in a different wavelength when it comes to that (and who are often confused with middle-eastern immigrants, resulting in strange exclusions from many groups).
bruhbelacc@reddit
It might be for some people. For me, I don't search for close friends and having a few people I chat with about shared interests is enough.
proof_required@reddit
That's even a struggle in Nordic and Germanic countries. Small talk is considered as "fake". If you try to chat someone randomly they might think what's wrong with you.
bruhbelacc@reddit
I mean online.
proof_required@reddit
What do you talk at work though? Does it go beyond how was your weekend and weather? People compartmenatlize a lot their life in these countries - work buddy, kindergarden friends, vacation friends, hang out buddies..
bruhbelacc@reddit
It's about the weekend and weather and I don't like it lol.
Exact-Independence89@reddit (OP)
I’m really grateful to have found my partner, who is from eastern europe and in that sense, I feel like I’ve “made it” in an important area of life. both of us have been a bit disappointed with the quality of life in Norway (doctors, how expensive it is, food, ... ) —it can feel VERY boring and lacking in excitement, DEHUMANIZING from my perspective.
AdventurousRun29@reddit
I am curious how does the healthcare system works in Norway compared to Spain?
skylar0889@reddit
Why not everytime you're free from work rest 1 day or 2 then travel back home? You have atleat min.1 month free from work since you work offshore?
iamjapho@reddit
I can barely stand a long layover in any of them Nordic countries. You are The harsh cold weather is only surpassed by the cold harsh personalities of the people. It’s great that it works for them but for latins the rest of us closer to the Mediterranean it’s can be a real challenge to adapt. I would jump ship for less money in a heartbeat.
Trip-poops@reddit
I don’t think it’s worth it with that salary. The cost of living is skyrocketing and you would probably spend more than half of your income on rent if you wanted to live alone.
But that’s just my perspective! If you really want to come back to Spain and leave Norway it could be worth it for you