Oslo is quirky, yet impressive. Norway’s capital city is home to the Nobel Peace Prize Award. A winter sleigh ride around the city's compact center reveals quaint shops and beautiful 17th-century buildings that give way to a world-class ski jump in the middle of the city. This is but a taste of the capital’s unique character. Good-natured, down-to-earth, frank: Norwegians are as refreshing as powder snow. Their pragmatic outlook is an attribute in more ways than one: it’s a survival tool that gets them through Oslo’s long dark winters and its seemingly endless summer days. Oslo may be expensive but the standard of living is excellent. Residential areas are clean, well maintained, modern and there is a good choice of areas in which to live. Those looking for upmarket houses and apartments should look to Frogner. If you prefer a lively, trendy environment, head for Grünerløkka. Young professionals prefer Tøyen as it’s close enough to walk into the city center, while a more family atmosphere can be found in the pretty neighborhood of Kampen. As a language, Norwegian is fairly challenging to pick up. However, the non-polyglot need not despair; Norwegians have a near-perfect command of the English language – and they love speaking it. While Oslo is by no means crowded, recently-introduced laws requiring the upgrade of buildings, including schools, have resulted in an outflow of families and schools to the outlying suburbs. With the prohibitive cost of cars and fuel, commuting by train is often locals’ first choice.