We recently launched a survey asking expats about their life in Norway. One of the questions was ‘What would you like to see more of on the Stavanger Expats site?‘. We received many great suggestions that we hope to integrate. If you have not taken the Survey you can do so here – it is short and sweet!
There were many asking for certain information that is already on the site. We suggest that you have a good look around the site. We are not just a blog, but a full website. Check out search function too if you need help. We understand it is easy to miss something, there is a ton of information floating around on this site.
So back to the questions you had…
A Yellow Pages of expat businesses would be great!
You’re in luck! We have one currently going here. Any expat can send me info about their business and we will list it.
A list of stores would be nice to see!
We have a very detailed list of stores. We try to keep it up to date, but of course not every store in the town is listed. You can see Shopping Stores and Entertainment Places.
You should have a calendar with expat events and local events. You should host more specialty events.
We have a calendar with expat events! We feature some non-expat related events, but we figure if we featured every event in this eventful town we would overload everyone. When we list non-expat related events we try to consider how a non-norwegian speaker would do at said event. See the calendar here! (Also, on the homepage, we feature all the events at the first of the month – and the article says the whole month.)
We would love to host more events. But truth is Cynthia and I cannot be covering more events, between maintaining the website and the 5 monthly events we have already – we don’t have much time left. It would be different, of course, if this was our ‘real’ job, but everything on Stavanger Expats is on a volunteer basis. However, if you would like to sponsor an event or host a specialty event contact us! There is a need for it, and if it is something you like then you are the perfect person to moderate such an event!
You should have a forum for more in depth discussions. I am part of the Stavanger Expats Facebook Group, but sometimes it would be nice to have more.
We thought the same thing long ago when we launched the site, here is our forum. Have a look at it, there is some discussion going on in it, but it of course could always use more.
You should talk more about sports, especially outdoor sports.
Article: Where the slopes are
Article: Golf: Tee Off in Stavanger and Beyond
Article: Sports in Stavanger – Individual Sports
Article: Sports in Stavanger – Team Sports
Article: Sports in Stavanger – Winter Sports
Page: Stavanger Expats | Sports
I would love more information about getting my driver’s license switched over.
Check out this article and read the comments too!
Article: Do You Need a Norwegian Driver’s License?
Other Driving related Articles:
Resource: Toll Roads When Driving in Norway
Article: Road Trips in Norway
Article: Purchasing a Used Vehicle in Stavanger
Article: Maintaining A Vehicle In Norway
Article: How to Avoid Getting Traffic Fines
Show us more about the Norwegian Culture please!
We know we are lacking here, we will try to be better with this in the future. However, here are some articles that might help.
Page: Holidays in Norway
List of Articles: Norwegian Attraction’s
List of Articles: Norwegian Food
Series: Culture Shock Norway
Information about renting and Realtors?!
Check out this page for Realtors.
Article: Housing In Norway
Article: Buying a Property in Stavanger
Article: Renting a House in Stavanger
Article: Selling a House in Stavanger
Map Download: Stavanger boroughs and distance from Sentrum
More on politics and the elections would be great!
For the time being we are staying clear of politics and religion. We are all aware of the arguments they can cause between people and we would like to be neutral on the subject. We might in the future do an overview of the system, but that would be it. (The way I see it is that most who cannot speak Norwegian, cannot vote yet and those who can vote, can speak Norwegian and read up for themselves.)
So do you have any questions about the site or have suggestions of things you would like to see? Let us know in the comments…
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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!
2 comments
Lani Cantor
Sep 13, 2011
One more article for Norwegian culture (specifically work culture): http://www.stavangerexpats.com/the-grind-norwegian-style-interview-on-working-in-norway
I agree about the events, it would be great to have more events, especially at different times, but it would be REALLY great to have different people with different interests hosting events! Doesn’t have to be anything special, but if you are planning an outdoor event, walk, or lunch in town why not let others know about it?
Jeff
Sep 13, 2011
Ladies, all I can say is WOW you both have put so much time and effort into this!
A HUGE THANKS from a pair of new arrivals.