Drammen, Norway

With a population of 106,013, Drammen is Norway's seventh largest city. While the port town offers scenic waterfront living and access to outdoor recreation, the persistent headache of bureaucracy is a reality for residents. The city's humid continental climate delivers fairly cold winters and mild summers, with the warmest July on record averaging 22.3°C. In recent years, Drammen has reinvented its city center, adding new housing, shops, and entertainment - but the lack of a local airport means getting in and out requires some effort. This makes Drammen best suited for Norwegians seeking a smaller, more affordable alternative to Oslo, but less appealing for international transplants.