Wow.! Actually I was just strolling past this site when I Google'd some random stuff concerning Norwegians and Polish. To be honest, you probably haven't met the right people if you got this impression of Norway. Tell me, do you really think these ''negative'' people are only found in Norway? Well, if you so have the impression of seeing the toothpick in your opponents eye, then try to see the big tree in your own.
I am a norwegian that has been living in Poland for six years, and I must say I like both countries. Of course, there are differences; cultural, religious, economics, habits etc. What did you expect? If you had travelled a little bit around the world, you don't even bother about these small details, each country has their differences.
Yes ofcourse, piotr123, you can make fun of norwegians doing the things we do. That just shows everyone your immaturity. Yes, we norwegians are insane people in lusekofter riding on a bike scaring polish people. Tell me, really, how old are you?
To be honest, I won't mention any negative things about polish people, because they are meerly small differences from what I'm used to. I live in Poland now, and I'm respecting their way of doing things, and they respect mine. I and my friends have met a lot of different people, racistic people, negative people, angry people that have behaved like asholes. That doesn't mean I think of Polish people that way. Rather, my friends, who are Polish are quite nice. So please, do the same for us as well, have some tolerance. There are different people everywhere.
To answer the original question, yes there are benefits living in Norway, but you have to learn the language, just the same as if you were living in Poland. Many are travelling to Norway just to work for a little while, get some money, and then travel back. If you are capable of speaking the language, apply for a job within you profession, and you will see the benefits. Yes, the taxes are higher, but the income is as well. A general payment a year is approximately 3-400000 NOK (150-200000zl) a year considering if you have a normal job (like working in a shop, teacher, nurse etc). What you expect of taxes is a general percentage of what you earn. For my part I have the maximum tax when I'm working, that means 36 %. Every piece of money I overpay for taxes, I will get back the next year. If you make above 500000 NOK (250000 zl), you have to expect to pay 50 % taxes. But hey, if you're making that much money, you are probably well fed with them.
Considering children, I do not have any of my own, but the benefits are very good. You get school for your children up to high school, where most of the fees are paid by the goverment.
Also, for you wondering why we pay the high taxes? because all those money goes to schools, hospitals, education, and everything else. That's why they way we are one of the best countries to live in, because of foundation is built upon gaining financial support for everyone. If you are not able to work, the goverment will help you, if you need an education, they also help you. That's the main target they have; to give everyone equal rights.
As far as I know, my polish friends do not have this benefit, as they do have to pay for their education, pay more to hospitals from their own pockets and financially you are the one responsible for your own good.
So if this is helping you, you're more than welcome to Norway. I have now lived in Poland for five years, and actually see the differences in the infrastructure in the society.
My workmate from school emigrated to Norway a few years ago. She was a teacher of Polish, married, with a small kid. They had another one in Norway. Her husband works in the oil industry, on a rig. I met her in the shopping center a few weeks ago, she came to visit her family in Poland. I could guess she wasn`t really happy about that Norway, she felt a bit alienated there.
