I am an Indian IT Professional being deputed to Norway for a project for a minimum period of 1 year. Can you please let me know what would be my experience there on following parameters:
I understand that I have a lot of queries below and you may not be able to answer all of them, but please help me by answering at least a few of them. Based on the responses to other questions on this forum I believe that cumulatively I can get all the answers from the members of this group.
1. Salary in Oslo:
a. I work for an Indian IT Services company (in the league of Infosys, HCL, CTS etc). What is the average pay I can expect from my company per month.
b. I have heard that the taxes are too high, what percentage of my salary would go in taxes?
2. Accommodation in Oslo:
a. I don't want to stay too lavishly but a shared accommodation should be fine.What is the best way to find a place to stay for long term.
b. How much would a single occupancy room in a apartment cost me per month?
c. Are there any Indian families who provide paying guest option?
d. What are some of the locations in Oslo which I can look for which are neither very expensive nor too distant from work locations?
e. If I bring my wife for 3-4 months and during that I want to stay in an individual place then how much will I need to pay for a 1 bedroom place?
3. Food:
a. What kind of food will I get there. Are there any places to satisfy my Indian taste buds? Can you please name a few?
b. I have read in other blogs that there are shops which sell Indian spices and other staple food items like wheat flours, rice and lentils. Can you please provide names of a few stores and their locations?
c. As an Indian who eats both veg and non-veg food, what could be my monthly expense on food if I cook mostly at home?
4. Must bring items:
a. I have some time in hand before I come there, but what are the must bring utensils, clothes, medicines, and other items to Norway along with me to make my Indian life style easier?
5. Health:
a. I have a deviated septum in my nose and hence I have to take special care so that I don't get infections and don't expose myself to extreme cold. Well I understand for cold we can't do much but what about other factors. Can somebody share there experience having similar issue and are living in Norway.
b. What kind of medical facilities are available in Oslo in case I need special care for my condition?
5. Commute:
a. How difficult or easy is it to move around within cities and outside for weekend outings?
6. Indian Diaspora:
a. Is there any Indian community in Oslo which gets together and help each other and celebrates festivals together?
7. Work culture:
a. Although I have heard that the people there are very warm. What is the work culture like on a scale of 1 to 10. 1 being super busy and demanding like US and Indian and 10 being balanced like New Zealand.
Thanks in advance for your answers...