Living in Stavanger is not cheap – We are the 6th most expensive city in the world (according to yahoo). So we thought that we would share our tips for saving some kroners!
1. Enjoy free Entertainment
We host a weekly Wednesday morning coffee meet up and a monthly pub meet up, come join us for some drinks and a good time – check our calendar here.
UNICEF holds a monthly pub quiz. Grab some friends and your thinking hats to test your skills and have some laughs.
If you are a reader and love books there is a monthly book swap. Join up with other readers to trade and talk about books you like
INN Stavanger offers many monthly events for expats, most of which are free – more info here.
Red Crossing (Red Cross) in Stavanger has many expat realated events, like a monthly cooking group and multiple language study/discussion groups – more info here.
There are many ways to entertain yourself in Stavanger, one of them is the great nature. You can take up some water sports like kite surfing, cannoning, or fishing – read more about them here. You can join the local footbal, American football, hiking club or running club – learn more here.
Also, make sure to follow our events calendar for more events!
2. Shop in the markets and smaller stores
I always assumed going to the market in the Sentrum would cost more – well that is not true. Everyday but Sunday in the Stavanger Sentrum there is a Farmers’ market between the Cathedral and the large H&M. The market has fresh fruit, vegetables and eggs. Also, on Saturdays I have noticed a few plant booths. Make sure to take cash, they are open roughly from 8-16. Added bonus, you get out to town! See where it is on the map.
The first Saturday of the month at Nytorget there is an Organic Farmers’ market from May to October – more info here.
Shop at the Butcher’s like Idsøe and Gabas. Not only are you getting local meat, you are supporting local business. Personally, I love that I am getting more selection than the grocery store and often it is noticeably cheaper.
3. Watch for food sales and stock up
I have noticed that every few months ICA does a 10kr- sale, this is great for stocking up on products at a fraction of the cost.
The American and UK expats like to shop at Helgø for those products that we are missing from home. Word to the wise – just go for what you are missing, Helgø’s groceries are much more expensive then the other stores. There is also, Bunnpris & Gourmet Middelthon as an alternative.
Shop at the ethnic stores – you will get more variety and save money! In Stavanger they are all in the same area. See a list of ethnic stores here.
4. Save on clothes!
Watch for the after-holiday sales. I personally remember that the one after Easter had huge savings.
Shop at Fretex (thrift store). There are 2 Fretex in Stavanger Sentrum – Vaisenhusgata 5 (House-ware, furniture and clothing) and Breigata 20 (vintage and clothes). There is a large Fretex with home good, furniture and clothing in Mariero at Langflåtveien 15. I am always shocked at the quality at Fretex, compared to many of the thrift stores I am used to back home this is great quality. You will find many brand new things at Fretex too, with the tags!
For kids clothes go to the Stavanger Kids Sale in the Autumn or shop at Tijn & Lieve (interview).
5. Save on home-goods
Shop at Fretex for home-goods.
Ask the store clerk when their next sale is. They are rather nice about letting you know ‘if you just wait 2 weeks that item will be on sale‘ – just ask!
Look on Finn.no. There are many sections: Free/Give Away, House, Cabin & Garden, Furniture, Interior & Kitchen, Appliances, and Sports Equipment.
for saving money in Stavanger? Share them!
** click photos 2, 4, & 5 for source
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About Fonda LaShay
Fonda is an American who has been living in Stavanger since July of 2008 with her Norwegian samboer. She enjoys tea, visiting with friends, music, taking photos and traveling. She loves the rain, but really dislikes when her feet get wet - this is always challenging since it rains so often in Stavanger. Follow Fonda LaShay on Google+ Fonda is a design blogger - blogging about design, architecture, photography, and music. Check out her blog!
6 comments
control.ganesh
Aug 25, 2011
HI Fonda,
Thanks for above info. I have a question for you. DO you know the name of the shop where we can buy home furniture which is slightly defective. I heard this from one of my friend. The shop is located some where on the way to Ålgord.
thanks
ganesh
Fonda
Aug 25, 2011
Hello! I have heard of it, but I have never found out exactly where it was.
An alternative is at Living, they have a ‘Dings & Dents’ section. Also, Bolia (even though they are pricey) has a floor model sale always rolling at Kvadrat.
Stranger
Aug 25, 2011
Control.ganesh, that shop is located on fabrikkveien. If you drive from Sandnes sentrum towards Gandal on Jæerveien.once you reach rema 1000 on right handside need to drive on Kvernalandsveien on roundabout road 505 it is a bit downhill and then turn right on fabrikkveien and drive on it till you see big wearhouse type a building on your left.
Fonda
Aug 26, 2011
I looked it up on google, thanks for the directions.
Interstil (Returns & Discontinued Furniture)
Fabrikkveien 40
4323 Sandnes
Sadie
Sep 6, 2011
To add to the info about the market in the centre of town, there are currently a few small stalls selling apples, pears and plums (along with the last of the berries!). These seem to be really small local producers selling the fruit from their own orchard, and are very reasonable. Most will let you try before you buy too, so make sure you ask for their recommendation if you’d like to try a different variety to normal.
Also, my tip would be make friends with a fisherman! A friend of ours is always dropping off a couple of mackerel that he’s caught – free dinner! Or of course, you can always stock up on fish from the fish market/supermarkets when it’s on offer, and freeze it.
stuthejock
Sep 18, 2011
Also if you are needing more office type furniture for a home office etc, the Fretex depot out at Lura, ( Torneroseveien 7, 4315 Sandnes ) Have usually got a stack of ex oil firm desks / chairs etc etc etc Not always the cheapest, but you will find proper high quality items.