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Living in Iceland

With its breathtaking natural scenery and vibrant capital city, Iceland has become an increasingly popular destination to live, work or study. This remote Nordic island country offers a high quality of life, exciting outdoor adventures and a unique culture. However, Iceland’s harsh winters, high costs and small population also pose challenges. This article will explore the pros and cons of living in Iceland, costs you can expect, and provide an introduction to Icelandic culture and lifestyle.

Why Move to Iceland?

There are many good reasons someone may consider moving to Iceland:

  • Natural Beauty – Iceland is famous for its stunning diverse landscapes from glaciers to hot springs and Northern Lights. Outdoor lovers enjoy great access to hiking, skiing, and more.
  • Standard of Living – Iceland ranks near the top on quality of life indexes with high life expectancy, education levels, and GDP per capita. The society is very egalitarian.
  • Safety – Iceland has extremely low crime rates and is considered one of the safest countries in the world. Violent crime is rare and police don’t carry guns.
  • Ease of Life – Services like healthcare, education and childcare are well-supported by the government. Infrastructure like public transit and technology work smoothly.
  • English-Friendly – Icelanders have excellent English skills so getting by is easy without learning Icelandic immediately. English is widely used in business and education.
  • Exciting City Life – The capital Reykjavik offers great restaurants, nightlife, museums and a lively arts scene in a compact, walkable city.
  • Cultural Depth – Iceland has a fascinating Viking history and unique traditions. Icelandic music and literature are internationally renowned.

Living in Iceland: Pros and Cons

Despite the alluring aspects, Iceland also presents some challenges:

Pros:

  1. Breathtaking natural beauty and scenery
  2. High standard of living and quality of life
  3. Extremely low crime rates make it very safe
  4. Government services like healthcare and education are strong
  5. English is widely spoken as a second language
  6. Exciting culture and nightlife especially in Reykjavik
  7. Family-friendly with good services for childcare and work-life balance

Cons:

  1. Very high cost of living, especially for housing and imported goods
  2. Harsh, long winters with little sunlight can be depressing
  3. Small population, can feel isolated or limited socially
  4. Limited job opportunities outside certain sectors
  5. Nepotism is common and foreigners may face bias in the workforce
  6. High taxes to support generous social services
  7. Remote location makes accessing other countries more difficult
  8. Tourism has caused overcrowding problems in Reykjavik

Iceland is a rare place with stunning nature, but the winter darkness, high prices and small social circles pose challenges. The high standard of living also relies on heavy taxes and costs.

The Cost of Living in Iceland: A Comprehensive Guide

While Iceland ranks high on quality of life, it comes with a steep price tag. Living costs in Iceland are among the highest globally. Key expenses include:

Housing

  • Rent for a 1 bedroom apartment in Reykjavik – $1,500 to $2,000 per month
  • Basic utilities around $200 to $300 per month

Food and Groceries

  • Loaf of bread – $5
  • Gallon of milk – $8
  • Dozen eggs – $6
  • Chicken breast – $15 per pound
  • Eating out – $25+ per meal at an inexpensive restaurant
  • Beer – $8+ at a bar or restaurant

Transportation

  • Bus fare per ride – $5
  • Gasoline – $6.50+ per gallon
  • Small used car – $10,000+
  • Reykjavik parking permit – $45/month

Other Expenses

  • Internet – $60+ per month
  • Gym membership – $60 per month
  • Healthcare and insurancecosts are heavily subsidized for residents

In total, expect living costs to be 50% or more higher than most European countries. Iceland leverages its natural resources and tourism industry to support a very high standard of living.

Quality of Life in Iceland

Despite the harsh climate and remote location, Iceland continually ranks at the top for quality of life:

  1. Long life expectancy – Iceland has one of the highest at 83 years. The diet is fish and vegetable focused.
  2. Access to nature – Reykjavik has the ocean and mountains right next to the city. The landscape provides endless opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities and healthy living.
  3. Renewable energy – Geothermal and hydroelectric power allow Iceland to run almost entirely on clean energy. Air and water pollution are extremely low.
  4. Parental leave – Mothers/fathers receive 9 months of paid parental leave with job security. Support for work-life balance is strong.
  5. Education – Literacy rate is near 100%. Educational system regularly produces top global test scores. College is free for Icelanders.
  6. Government services – Healthcare, education, childcare and other government services are generously supported to promote high quality of life for all.
  7. Community – Small, tight-knit communities where everyone knows each other. Crime and poverty rates are very low.

Harsh as the Icelandic winters can be, the natural wonders and supportive society enable an enviable quality of life for residents. Iceland leverages its small population and resources well.

A Beginner’s Guide to Icelandic Culture

Icelandic culture has been shaped by the island’s remote location and close ties to nature:

  • Importance of Nature – Iceland’s unusual natural landscape plays an integral role in culture and everyday life. Icelandic literature and art draw heavily from nature.
  • Norse Mythology – Iceland’s Viking ancestry gave rise to Norse mythology that still influences names and festivals. Icelandic horses date from the Viking era.
  • Jónsson and Jónsdóttir – Icelanders don’t use traditional surnames. Names indicate heritage, such as Jónsson (“Jón’s son”) or Jónsdóttir (“Jón’s daughter”).
  • No Last Names – People are addressed using their first name only. First names aren’t shared – Icelanders can easily identify someone by their first name.
  • Tightly Knit Community – In such a small population, Icelanders have close-knit social circles and strongly value time with family, friends and community.
  • Love of Seafood – Fish is integral to Icelandic cuisine. A popular dish is hakarl – fermented shark meat. Whale meat is also sometimes eaten.
  • Coffee Culture – Cafes are hubs of social life in Iceland. Iceland has one of the world’s highest per capita coffee consumption rates.
  • Renewable Energy – Thanks to geothermal power, most homes in Iceland are heated without fossil fuels. Hot springs provide leisurely soaks.
  • Dark Winters – Long winter darkness can leave some depressed. Summers have nearly 24 hours of sunlight though to balance it out.

Iceland’s remote location, Viking past and close bonds to nature define Icelandic culture and daily life in a unique way. The island fosters a strong sense of community.

Best Places to Live in Iceland

Some of the best places to settle down in Iceland include:

  1. Reykjavik – Iceland’s colorful capital and only major city has the best employment opportunities, nightlife, and amenities.
  2. Akureyri – Iceland’s second largest town in the north offers beautiful mountain views and a milder climate. It’s popular with families.
  3. Hafnarfjörður – A port town near Reykjavik with a historic harbor and charming houses built from lava rock.
  4. Vík í Mýrdal – A picturesque seaside village surrounded by mountains, glaciers and black sand beaches. Great for nature lovers.
  5. Selfoss – A quiet small town along Iceland’s southern coast that serves as a gateway to attractions like waterfalls and hot springs.
  6. Grundarfjörður – This pretty fishing village has dramatic cliffs and volcanic mountains. It’s an ideal base for exploring the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

No matter your tastes, Iceland has communities well-suited to city life or small-town living against an awe-inspiring Nordic backdrop. Just be ready for winter darkness and high costs that come with residing near the Arctic Circle.

Emily Johnson

One thought on “Living in Iceland

  1. The author’s expertise on the subject is evident, and I came away feeling like I had learned something valuable. The concluding paragraph ties everything together nicely and leaves the reader with food for thought.

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