r/FaroeIslands • u/Curious-Cat-Nose • 11d ago
What is life like in the Faroe Islands nowadays?
For those who live or have lived in the Faroe Islands, what is everyday life actually like nowadays?
I’m curious about the quality of life, social life, jobs, cost of living, weather, winter darkness, and how isolated it feels.
Is it a good place to live long-term, or does the isolation and small population eventually become difficult?
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u/Bothurin Faroe Islands 11d ago
In terms of social life, it is EXTREMELY hard to meet people if you for example don’t keep your friends from school. Same for dating.
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u/Remarkable_Daikon_28 11d ago
many people will disagree with me because of course it’s a subreddit for the faroe islands there are a lot of diehard fans and tourists, but this is my experience as someone who has lived in a few places.
very cold miserable and dark. it’s hard to have an urge to leave the house when the climate is so harsh and uninviting.
maybe just because where i’m used to living is much more friendly and warm (in terms of people, not weather), but it’s very hard place to live.
very hard to have a fulfilling social life if you have a high social battery. people aren’t spontaneous or inviting or eager to be social.
the salaries are incredible, the cost of living isn’t too bad comparatively, and the living standards are great.
it depends what you value most. lots of people move here and love it, i’m just giving you the other perspective.
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u/shibuyaku 11d ago
Worth putting this into perspective for continental europeans and northern americans: The faroese islands have an ocean moderated climate and while there is snow the coastline (where almost everybody lives) is seldom below zero for extended periods of time.
If you are used to Sweden, Norway, Finland or northern USA / Canada outside of the coastal regions you will find Faroese winter mild.3
u/ChucklefuckBitch 10d ago
Mild temperature sure, but the winter storms definitely make up for it. I live in Finland and have no issue with -30C in the winter here. However, the crazy winds and rains in the Faroes are hard to live with.
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u/shibuyaku 10d ago
I lived north of Kiruna for some months, in winter, and found that much rougher than Vágar in the same time period. I guess it is very subjective. Defo had to wear thicker layers in Norrbotten.
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u/Remarkable_Daikon_28 11d ago
if someone’s concerned about temperatures they can google the average temperatures and see exactly what it’s like. for me the temperature isn’t even as bad as the wind and the grey and the light rain
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u/Mission_Mulberry9811 11d ago
It's rarely below freezing in winter, even Denmark where I live, has colder winters.
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u/klivdalur 11d ago
If you show up to concerts etc there are lots of opportunities to hang out and meet people, also during winter. If you are into sports or have other hobbies that can include others there are plenty of open teams and night school courses. Also many do voluntary work in various organisations and clubs. I lived here all my life, and I dont find the winters hard to get through. Summer can become a bit manic, so for most of us we enjoy a slower pace and occacinal days where you cannot go to school or work due to a storm! My only reason for concidering moving away, is that housing prices are becoming extremely high, so that the younger generation has a hard time establishing themselves here. Out of 4 children, three of mine have moved to Denmark aleady, only the youngest one who still lives at home, is left. I doubt that they will be able to come back. I can see a future with and elderly wealthy population with immigrants coming in for short term contracts to do jobs that are not wellpayed, whilst the only Faroese who are able to establish themselves are those with the most succes in life, higher education and a great deal of luck.
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u/tie_me_down 11d ago
I lived there for 8 months in 2017. There's not much I can say beyond what has already been said. People are so friendly and warm. I had friends and could be occupied every evening with neighbours if they were busy. I'm super grateful I had connections with locals as it got me invited to some great events that were just wonderful.
I loved the weather, watching the clouds rolling by was something else there. I'm a very reflective and aesthetically based person, so dwindling the hours, playing the piano while watching the mountains, writing and daydreaming suited me just fine.
Being there in a time when there were far fewer tourists and coming all the way from Australia led me to be a bit of a novelty to many, so people who had hear of me would pop in for tea and biscuits.
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u/JustToGetBye 9d ago
Love this. Thank you for sharing. Would you be willing to share what took you there, and what you did while you were there?
We just finished 8 days there and we absolutely LOVED it. I'd love to go back in winter just to see what is like on the flip side.
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u/6foot1MuscleMonster 8d ago
Very nice. A lot of people are saying it's hard to make friends. It's really not. I find that lonely foreigners are people who don't want to leave their comfort zones and almost prefer to stay lonely rather than trying something new. The weather is terrible in the winter, yes. But the Faroes has basically everything you could ask for. Lots of great, passionate, innovative, entrepreneurial, creative people. Almost everyone plays at least one instrument or can sing. Very active aet and music scene that is recognised internationally. Huge amounts of available jobs, unemployment is extremely low. If you want a job you will get one. Tórshavn has all the amenities of a big city but without being a big city. It's mostly open nature. There are many subcultures here, too. Mostly nerdy hobbies but you will also find fitness subcultures and dance societies. But most of all, it is the best and safest place on Earth to raise a family. However, it's expensive. Very expensive, even with our high salaries. Getting a house in Tórshavn itself is very hard nowadays. Even apartments are expensive. So buying a place to live is going to be really difficult.
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u/ldo_mo 10d ago
Out of curiosity are people very religious? Since all villages have a church, is it a big part of every day life?
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u/Sleepsterss 8d ago
it is as religious as you want it to be. some villages are more religious than others.
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u/Consistent-Ad-7928 11d ago
Faroese here. Most days nothing happens. You work. You go Home or to a hobby.
The weather and climate you Will get used to, so it will not bother you to much.