Gjovik, Norway

Capital City

With a population of just 30,176, Gjovik is a sleepy backwater, hardly the bustling metropolis some expats may envision. The town's industrial heritage is still evident, but its remote location 45 kilometers south of Lillehammer means bureaucracy is a persistent headache for new arrivals. Winters are long and the climate can be brutal, though the town's scenic lakeside setting provides some respite. For those seeking a quiet, provincial existence far from the crowds and complexities of big-city life, Gjovik may fit the bill - but it's hardly an easy place to call home.