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Im not sure why it would be so hard to set up a phoneline. Did they ask for what we have as SSN?
Cost of living is high. When I lived and worked there I made about $50,000 and paid 30% tax which according to you is equal to $17,500 over here. My QOL in Norway was a lot better than here, and I make $35K here. I did live in Oslo which has property prices like NYC.
What you forget to mention with taxes is that 1 month(july) is tax free, and one month is 1/2 tax(dec.) As well as 5 weeks paid vacation. Government paid retirement.(No gambling with a 401k) Free school/university with government paying you grants every year. Free Healthcare. Public transportation that is light years ahead of US.(which doesnt say much)
Norway is not a place to go and make a quick buck like contract work in other parts of the world, but rather an excellent place to live long term. That is why it has ranked among the best places to live in the world.
I'm not trying to create a "mine is better than yours" competition. All experiences are subjective.
You are the first person that has complained about the locals attitude. Go out and drink a beer. After all, the girls are a lot prettier in Norway
May I ask what city you live in and what company you work for?
I am just know planning to do the JAA conversion so maybe I can take your $100K job and you can take my $35K job.
How and where did you do the JAA conversion?
I live in Oslo, the company as I mentioned earlier is a fine place to work (no need to mention it's name, my point is to share my European experience). Originally Posted by s10an
I am from Norway and came to the US and I have to point out that it is NOT any easier the other way around. There is the same staggering amount of paperwork when you move to the US. Immigration is a joke coming here. Try to get established in the US with no credit score or history. For the first 2 years my credit limit on a credit card was $300!!!Im not sure why it would be so hard to set up a phoneline. Did they ask for what we have as SSN?
Cost of living is high. When I lived and worked there I made about $50,000 and paid 30% tax which according to you is equal to $17,500 over here. My QOL in Norway was a lot better than here, and I make $35K here. I did live in Oslo which has property prices like NYC.
What you forget to mention with taxes is that 1 month(july) is tax free, and one month is 1/2 tax(dec.) As well as 5 weeks paid vacation. Government paid retirement.(No gambling with a 401k) Free school/university with government paying you grants every year. Free Healthcare. Public transportation that is light years ahead of US.(which doesnt say much)
Norway is not a place to go and make a quick buck like contract work in other parts of the world, but rather an excellent place to live long term. That is why it has ranked among the best places to live in the world.
I'm not trying to create a "mine is better than yours" competition. All experiences are subjective.
You are the first person that has complained about the locals attitude. Go out and drink a beer. After all, the girls are a lot prettier in Norway
May I ask what city you live in and what company you work for?
I am just know planning to do the JAA conversion so maybe I can take your $100K job and you can take my $35K job.
How and where did you do the JAA conversion?
Taxes in Norway are extremely high, (so health care is not free!) July is not tax free by the way! July's paycheck is one of the two; "vacation money" or your salary for the month, whichever is higher! The "vacation money" as the tax authorities calls it, is based on your gross salary and prepaid by yourself each month you work throughout the year. Then in July you get that money back, "taxfree".
However, you forfeit your salary for that month!
As far as "gambling with your 401k, at least you can allocate it's funds yourself, and have nobody to blame but yourself if it goes south. The Norwegian government lost $120 BILLION of taxpayers money last year, through "poor investments"! (Thats a lot of money for a country with only 4 mill. people) But, if you'd rather have these folks manage your money. Then, that is of course your choice!
The conversion to a JAA license requires; 14 written exams, a Skill Test and a Base Check, (6 t/o and landings in the actual plane if you are getting a type)
There are several ways to do this, the theoretical part is the toughest! You can do an online study through an approved school and then go to Europe and take the exams. There are a few schools in the US where you can take the type rating, Pan Am flight Academy is one of them. As far as the cost, I found through my reserch that it cost's less doing the bulk of the training in the US. The skill test must be done in Europe with a Scandinavian Examiner, (if you are getting a scandinavian license). Total cost, type included, was around $40 000, that is probably what you should expect to spend!
I am not trying to be discouraging, but be prepared to study 4-6 hrs a day for 5 months straight for the exams, The type rating can be completed in 4-6 weeks. It is a fairly big project that requires a good dose of patience!
Then, the authorities will do their part to add to the challenge!
Good luck!