Eliot and I met as teenagers 13 years ago when we taught Sea Cadets to sail in Northampton – we’ve been married for 5 and a half of those years. I’m originally from Leicester and Eliot from Lowestoft so meeting in Northampton was quite a coincidence. We actually got together as a couple when we both were living in Portsmouth – even more of a coincidence!
We saved our pennies, got married and went travelling around the world for a 6 month honeymoon. We always knew, after going back to the UK, that one day we would try living and working abroad. Our worldwide trip had inspired us to experience new things and learn about different cultures. However, jobs took over and 5 years on we took another look at our situation. Eliot got a promotion and a chance for us to try living abroad…in Norway!
It’s wasn’t quite the sunny climate we had imagined but after some thought we realised that Norway isn’t too far away from Blighty, for visiting friends and family, and it’s a great opportunity to learn how to ski! It became less the case of “Should we?” and more a case of “Why wouldn’t we?”
So here we are…living in a rented house 5 minutes west of Oslo. Pretty much everything came with us including our two cats (Merlin and Chloe) and furniture and we’re finally living the dream. We plan to give it a year and then we decide – should we stay or should we go?
We invite you to experience this journey with us – sign up to follow our blog on the right hand side.
All the best
Eliot and Sarah
A New Life In Norway 
This was really an excellent and interesting blog, Sarah! I really enjoyed what I have seen so far, and I wil for sure spend some more time looking on your blog.
Best regards your Norwegian colleague, Jane
By: Jane on September 3, 2009
at 11:46 AM
Hi you both.
What a great web site. I much enjoyed catching up with your news. I will keep my eye on it in future.
Look after yourselves.
Have a very happy Christmas.
Gerry
By: Gerry Sutton on December 20, 2009
at 2:30 PM
Loved reading your blog, but preferred your visit to us in the flesh here in dear old Adelaide. Hope your visit to Sydney and Thailand is all you wish for. Also hope we can catch up in Rome later this year. To all other blog readers these are a very special, fun loving and interesting couple.
Happy and safe travels., Mary xxx
By: mary clarke on March 5, 2010
at 1:37 PM
Thanks Mary – we really enjoyed staying with you guys – blog post coming soon!
By: sarahgoodall on April 11, 2010
at 5:55 PM
I loved reading your blog. It is amazing how much you have seen and done here in Norway!
I had a very good time, and I definitly learned new things about us Norvegians.
Happy weekend!
Vibeke
By: Vibeke Sveen on April 23, 2010
at 3:32 PM
Glad you enjoyed it Vibeke! Thanks for the comment
By: sarahgoodall on April 23, 2010
at 5:13 PM
Hi Karen
Just dropping you a line to see if you still wanted to meet up next week for coffee. I could meet you on the 3rd during the day because I only work part time or both Eliot and I can meet you on the 4th (which I think was the original plan). Let me know!
Sarah
By: Sarah on November 26, 2010
at 1:03 PM
PS Bring your warm clothes…I think we’re hitting minus 17 degrees next week!
By: Sarah on November 26, 2010
at 1:04 PM
Hi Sarah,
Greetings from Northern California! I just happened to come across your blog today while doing a search for Norwegian Christmas menus. I’m charmed! After having read through many of the blogs, links, and looking at a video I’m looking forward to doing even more.
We moved from Norway (western) when I was a child and still go back to visit family and friends as often as possible. Your blog is helping me get caught up on the things that I’ve missed by not living there.
Thank you for sharing such a delightful window into your world and expanding my world as well.
By: Brit on November 29, 2010
at 4:46 AM
Thanks so much for writing. Wow – how great that my blog reaches California! Yes, every day I learn something new about this place and now we are entering winter wonderland – we had some snow yesterday. I’m thrilled that you find the blog useful – let me know if you think I’ve missed something or should go try something!
By: Sarah on November 29, 2010
at 6:21 PM
Hi Sarah,
I’ve recently discovered your blog and am really enjoying reading about your experiences in Norway, det er kjempebra! I’ve moved to Oslo from the UK and really love the place. My boyfriend’s family is Norwegian so I’m getting a bit of an insiders view. I came across this video a little while ago and thought you might appreciate it, a bit of a guide to understanding the Norwegian people!
By: Sophie on May 28, 2011
at 9:39 PM
Brilliant Sophie – thanks for sending the video. Oh, that sums the place up brilliantly. It reminds me…I need to write a post about “The Oil”. I love it how the Norwegians refer to it as “The Oil” just like in the video. Glad you’re enjoying the blog. Let me know if you think I’ve missed something.
By: Sarah on May 31, 2011
at 9:55 PM
Hei! Fellow Midlander here (Northampton, actually!) who has just moved to Oslo, on my own, to start a new life. I’m also writing a blog and have very much enjoyed making my way through yours :)
By: David Nikel on May 29, 2011
at 10:49 AM
Welcome to Oslo David! You’ve arrived just at the right time…the summer is starting and it’s just wonderful and green. Quick tip: buy some black out blinds. You won’t sleep otherwise! Let me know your blog address. Would be happy to reference on my site! Also let me know if you want to guest post on here!
By: Sarah on May 31, 2011
at 9:53 PM
Hi Sarah the address is http://www.diaryofdavid.co.uk and I would love to write something in the future :)
By: David Nikel on May 31, 2011
at 10:18 PM
Ursula and Alex here.
We have just seen the news and hope that you both OK.
By: Ursula on July 22, 2011
at 5:46 PM
Hi Urs, Alex – yes, we’re fine but pretty shocked. Can’t believe the devastation in the city. It was a pretty big bomb by all accounts. We were going to pop into Oslo tomorrow but I think we’ll probably stay away for the moment. Are you both well? Sarah xx
By: Sarah on July 22, 2011
at 5:51 PM
Hello,
I am so glad I came across this blog. It’s so hard find british people who have moved to Norway. I have been reseaching for some time now and I aim to move to Norway in a couple of years. I started learning the language 5 months ago with a private tutor, its quite hard at times but I am enjoying it. I have so many questions, but I will read all your site first.
Thanks
Chris
By: Chris from Leeds on October 10, 2011
at 1:31 PM
Hi Chris – great to hear from you and thank you for the feedback. It’s so nice to hear from readers and even better when they find it useful! Good luck with the language – Eliot and I have been taking lessons for 2.5 years now and we’re still not speaking fluently (but I think that might be because we’re a little lazy with it). It’s such a wonderful country. Good luck with the move!
By: Sarah on October 16, 2011
at 10:44 AM
Hi there, I’ll be visiting my brother-in-law and his family in Norway soon. What advice would you give about what to bring? Bottle of whisky? Jamaica Ginger Cake? I’ve thinking stuff with the most price differential or things you can’t get there. Thanks for any suggestions!
Dave
By: Dave on March 22, 2012
at 11:39 PM
Well my normal shopping list goes something like this: Nurofen, Lemsips, Colemans Cheese Sauce, 4 bottles of wine (full allowance) and lemon curd! Ginger cake sounds nice though! Perhaps you could take some hot cross buns and Cadbury’s creme eggs – can’t get those over here :-)
By: Sarah on March 23, 2012
at 11:49 AM
Hi Sarah, Your blog is a great read! I am a norwegian currently living in the US, and your blog fills part of my home-sick-heart, but from an interesting perspective! I hope you’ve found it easy enough to get settled in, as I know it can be quite hard for foreigners to feel at home there, with the dark winters and all.
By: darkerlefay on May 26, 2012
at 7:44 AM
Hi and thanks for leaving a comment. So nice to hear that my blog is entertaining for Norwegians around the world. We’ve settled in pretty well. We have really tried to integrate with Norwegian society and have some great Norwegian friends. This has really helped us. I looked at your blog and was so nice to read how 17th May is celebrated in Portland. I just love the way Norwegians are still patriotic even though they live in different countries. You’ve inspired me to write a blog post about it :-)
By: Sarah on May 26, 2012
at 9:48 AM
Sarah,
I found your blog in my search to learn more about sailing in Norway. I see that you all went sailing and have some good friends who sail in Norway. I am looking to charter a sailboat in Norway next summer and looking for information on great places to sail to/from/around for a week trip.
Thanks
By: Dimitri on June 20, 2012
at 5:02 PM
Hi Dimitiri – apologies for he late response. For some reason I didn’t see this comment. What a fantastic idea! I don’t know of any charter companies but I did a quick search (in Norwegian) and found these options. Might be worth contacting them. http://seilcharter.com/ or http://www.katcharter.no/ – good luck :-)
By: Sarah on July 22, 2012
at 8:54 PM
Hi Sarah, Great blog! This is Yuriy from NorwegianClass101.com. Is there anyway to get in touch with you via email in regards to an affiliate partnership? I’m looking for Norwegian language/culture related sites and came across yours. You can reach me at affiliates@NorwegianClass101.com. Thx.
By: Yuriy on July 10, 2012
at 9:35 AM
Hi Yuri – my email is sarahgoodall1@yahoo.co.uk. All the best,
By: Sarah on July 13, 2012
at 9:56 AM
Just found your blog and am really keen to read it.
I have been here for over 11 years (How did that happen?!!) after moving over from London. I am Scottish but randomly met my now husband when I was in London for a job interview.
We live in Oslo West too so if ever you are in need of a cup of tetley or cream tea, feel free to drop me a line!! Good luck.
By: Kim Christie Ostberg on August 17, 2012
at 1:27 PM
Hi Kim – great to hear from you and so nice to meet (virtually) another expat from Blighty. I would love to meet up for a cup of tetley (only another Brit would understand just how heart warming that offer is). Will email you privately :-)
By: Sarah on August 18, 2012
at 9:03 PM
I have just come across your blog today. I actually live in the US. great state of wyoming. We have lived in a variety of different states here in the us as well as traveled to a few different other countries including Korea, UK, Netherlands,France & Italy. My husband has recently received a job offer to transfer to Stavanger. We have 2 children ages 6 & 4. I am absolutely loving reading all your blogs. It is very informative as well as entertaining. I am still researching to see if Norway will b a good fit for our family. Thank you so much.
By: Jillian Woehlkens- Morris on January 2, 2013
at 9:31 PM
Hi Jillian – wow, how exciting! I know what must be going through your mind at the moment having been through that. I guess the difference is that we didnt have kids when we moved. I would suggest a visit although i know its a long way to come. Norway is very family friendly and if you want your kids to get closer to nature then i dont think you could pick a better place than this country. Winter sports and su,mer hiking. The west coast is lovely and lots to explore. Its a 30 min flight away from Oslo so not too far from the capital. Glad you enjoy the blog. I need to write more frequently. Sarah
By: Sarah on January 6, 2013
at 8:59 PM
Hi Sarah,
I just came across your blog!
I live in a village called Mawsley just outside of Kettering and my children went to the Sea Cadets and learned to sail there. We are regular visitors to Thrapston and members of the middle Nene Sailing club. I came a across your blog whilst researching Norwegian Houses which have inspired me to produce miniature wooden copies. I’m a police officer but hoping to return to being an artist in the near future and one day move somewhere which will inspire my creativity. Looks lovely in your part of the world. Do you speak fluent Norwegian and has it been difficult to learn?
Regards
Vanessa
By: Vanessa Robinson on May 9, 2013
at 3:16 PM
Oh wow Vanessa – what a small world!!!! Yes, Eliot and I taught at Thrapston for several years. I’m just wandering if perhaps we taught your children at some point :-) I’m afraid we don’t speak fluent Norwegian. We did try though…but we didn’t quite crack it. We can get by with broken Norwegian but we often end up speaking English. I can see the frustration in the eyes of folks we’re talking to since their English is so good and they want to speak it. Doesn’t make it easy :-)
By: Sarah on May 16, 2013
at 9:57 PM
Hi Sarah
What a great blog. Norway for me has always been home away from home (Manchester, UK).
I have family there and love visiting them and Norway. (I’m actually going this weekend :) yay for me).
I’ve always been in two minds about upping sticks and moving to Norway though and always thought the change from a very urban background to the lifestyle in Norway would be too much for me but the more I read your blog the more I am thinking of moving.
Thank you for all the information you have provided.
By: Hassan on February 21, 2014
at 1:47 PM
Thanks for the comment Hasson – you’re very welcome!
By: Sarah on April 20, 2014
at 10:41 PM