Bergen is the second-largest city in Norway, but it felt more like a small seaside village to me.
I’ll admit to being a bit blasé about Bergen while I was there. But looking in through my photos, I see now that I’m starting to take things for granted. Scandinavia is chock full of quaint. Nothing ever feels crowded and cute homes close to the sea are quite attainable. You can’t beat biking to the beach, picnic basket in tow on a sunny summer day!
Moving back to the US is going to be a tough call. Things are so much prettier, calmer, and less crowded here. Will I be able to go back?
More Bergen photos to come…
smilingsurfer says
Another great set of travel photos, Sage!
Is the weather in Bergen often misty and cool? The people are not exactly dressed for a summer heat wave.
I love the colorful buildings, and the copper spire. You have a good eye. Thanks for sharing :)
Sage says
Hi smilingsurfer,
I read somewhere that Bergen is the rainiest city in Europe. They have an umbrella repair shop, so that makes sense.
Denmark has been mid-60’s with a fair amount of rainy days these past few weeks. I hope it warms up soon, otherwise it’s going to be fall again before it’s summer!
~ Sage
MaggieS says
Sage,
I really enjoy reading your blog (I heard of it first via the yayas) and about your life there in Denmark. What is making you think about moving back to the US? You’re a brave woman to have moved like you did, and I admire your achievements! Maybe, because I want to live in England, I live a tiny bit vicariously through blogs like yours!
Sage says
Hi Maggie,
Thanks for your note. I’m either brave or slightly crazy ;)
On an emotional level, I don’t like the feeling of living in a place that can choose not to renew my visa. I own property here, I pay taxes here, I have a life here, but none of it is guaranteed and that’s like a big storm cloud that’s hanging over my head.
I’ve had a horrible time with the language, which means that permanent residency is out of the question because I’ll never meet the requirements. So, my life is chopped up into increments that are determined by whoever is reviewing my visa application.
On a practical level, I’m paying close to 50% income tax here, and I also have to pay US income tax, which is insane! I’m also paying into a mandatory pension here that I’ll never be able to collect and the cash out value when I leave the country is only about 30% of what I put in and I can’t contribute to a 401K from here. So, from a financial planning standpoint, it’s a pretty grim situation.
I have awhile before I’m up for renewal (2013), so I have some time to figure things out. I don’t think I’ll be ready to leave Europe, I love it here and feel I was meant to live here.
Funny you should mention England, I’d love to live there next, in a little Cotswolds cottage!
~ Sage
Christine says
We were just in Bergen for three days. One out of the three where cool and rainy, the other two were spectacular! Such a wonderful city to walk down the back streets and look at the houses. Some seem to appear as if they are hanging on the hillside. We plan to return!