Shared apartments, spare rooms and roommates in Oslo

The price of accommodation in Oslo is usually restrictive. Former students claim that the cost of living in Oslo is so high that living in a shared flat is essential for a student's budget.

If you move to Oslo for a season,  you will live in a multicultural environment since your flatmates will be from different parts of the world. Whereas most of the population of the Norwegian capital are internationals who come from different countries, therefore there is a great combination of different cultures in its streets.

Advantages and disadvantages of sharing a flat in Oslo

These are some of the pros and cons of living in shared flats in the Norwegian capital:

Advantages of sharing a flat in Oslo

• The lower rent of a spare room will allow you to live in this city with a student budget, you can then enjoy other activities and experiences.

• Norwegians can seem shy at first, but if one of your roommates is local, you will surely find a friendly and fun person who wants to share the details of their culture with you.

• Winter days in Oslo are very short, so living with other students will allow you to keep your mood upbeat, helping you to spend those days better if you are not used to living in such darkness.

Disadvantages of sharing a flat in Oslo

• Partying in Oslo is expensive, which is why many students prefer to have gatherings in their apartments regularly. You should find out if they are usually done in your apartment and talk with your colleagues so as not to bother each other.

• In some apartments the cost of heating is not included in the price, so you have to ask the owner if it is included or not. In addition, you have to reach an agreement with your roommates about the use of it so they don't get cold or hot, depending on what they prefer.

Erasmus App for your exchange programme in Oslo

The Apps for Erasmus+ make your experience in Oslo much better and simpler since in them you will find a lot of relevant information for planning and life in the city. For example, you can read student tips that encourage you to take advantage of the months you have in the city to enjoy the natural surroundings of the city, such as its fjords, its forests, and the places to ski and go sledging.

How to meet people in Oslo

In addition to sharing experiences with your flatmates and getting to know them as much as possible, we advise you of some other options you have to meet people in the Norwegian capital:

Student associations in Oslo

The University of Oslo has several student societies you can join based on your interests. For example, you will find associations of different sports (including volleyball, swimming and shooting), nationalities, religions, and other interests such as Archaeology, Cinema, Formula 1 and various board games.

Facebook groups for Erasmus in Oslo

There are several groups on this social network dedicated to Erasmus and international students. In them, you will be able to meet other students from different parts of the world, in addition to being able to connect with those who will be in the city at the same time as you, since most are organized according to the academic year.

WhatsApp groups for Erasmus in Oslo

Students from associations and Facebook groups often create WhatsApp or Telegram groups to be more connected, especially once they have arrived in Oslo. Joining them will allow you to organize plans and easily join those proposed by others.

Tips for living in a shared apartment in Oslo

Here are some recommendations for life in the Norwegian capital:

• If you choose an apartment far from the city centre, you should purchase a monthly public transport pass. Single tickets are more expensive. On the other hand, if your apartment has a good bicycle connection, you can also buy a second-hand one and save on transportation costs.

• On May 17 each year, Norway's National Day, Constitution Day, is celebrated. If you are lucky enough to be in Oslo on that date, you will find the streets full of parades, parties, bands playing music and locals dressed in their traditional costumes, called bunad. It is a very interesting day to delve deeper into Norwegian culture and traditions!

Frequently asked questions about sharing a flat in Oslo