In this guide
Who lives in Ullern
Ullern occupies a stretch of the affluent west of Oslo, climbing from the fjord at Bestum and Vaekeroe up the wooded ridge of Ullernaasen toward Montebello. It is one of the city's wealthiest and greenest boroughs, characterised by detached villas, garden plots and quiet residential streets, with pockets of apartments near the tram lines at Lilleaker and Skoyen. The population is a settled mix of established Norwegian households and international families on corporate and diplomatic postings, drawn by the space, the safety and the proximity to both the water and the forest. Expats relocating to Oslo with children frequently settle in this western belt, Ullern, Frogner and Skoyen, where schools, parks, the fjord and offices sit close together, making the area a natural fit for family life.
Schools in and near Ullern
Ullern is one of the closest Oslo boroughs to the western international schools, even though the schools themselves sit just beyond its edges. The nearest options span the international, British and IB routes that most expat families shortlist.
| School | Curriculum | Location near Ullern |
|---|---|---|
| Oslo International School (OIS) | International curriculum, IB Diploma (founded 1963) | Bekkestua, Baerum, just west |
| British School of Oslo | English National Curriculum (GCSEs, A Levels) | Near Majorstuen, short hop east |
| Norlights International School (NLIS) | IB World School (PYP, MYP, DP) | Skadalen, nearby |
Schools listed are real. Curriculum and location are as published by each school; confirm current places and approval directly. For the full Oslo market see the city hub.
For an international route, Oslo International School, founded in 1963, in Bekkestua just west of Ullern in Baerum is the natural first look, reachable by a short westbound run. British curriculum families tend to consider the British School of Oslo near Majorstuen, offering the English National Curriculum through GCSEs and A Levels a short hop east, while those after a full International Baccalaureate through line look to Norlights International School in nearby Skadalen. To compare these by curriculum and stage, start from the Oslo international schools hub. Parent experiences specific to the city are gathered on our Oslo school reviews page.
Work out the true cost of living in Ullern
Model rent, school fees and daily costs before you commit to a move to Oslo.
Commute and catchment
Ullern is well connected despite its green, residential feel. Tram lines through Lilleaker and Skoyen, the metro at Montebello and frequent buses link the borough across the city, with central Oslo typically about 15 minutes away. Oslo International School in Bekkestua is a very short westbound run, which is a real advantage for families with children there, while the British School near Majorstuen is a short hop east. Oslo's public transport is efficient and integrated, and the western corridor is particularly well served, so many families manage the daily school run and the commute without owning a car, keeping one mainly for weekend trips into the surrounding forest and along the fjord.
Housing and cost of living
Housing in Ullern is dominated by detached villas and townhouses on generous plots, especially on the Ullernaasen ridge, with apartments concentrated near the tram lines lower down. Rents are illustrative and move with the wider Oslo market, but the borough sits in a premium band, among the higher parts of the city, reflecting its plot sizes and its position between the fjord and the forest. Norway has high living costs across the board, with groceries, dining and services well above the European average, balanced by high wages and strong public services, and many families budget for transport passes rather than a second car. Because international school fees are the other large line in an Oslo family budget, it is worth modelling both together. Our cost of living calculator lets you combine rent, fees and daily costs, and the wider relocation hub covers visas and the practical steps of a move. For fee bands by stage, see our Oslo primary school fees guide.
Family life
Family life in Ullern is shaped by its position between water and woodland. The fjord at Bestum and Vaekeroe gives families swimming, sailing and shoreline walks, while the forest above Ullernaasen offers trails, cross country skiing in winter and easy access to the wider Marka wilderness. The borough has neighbourhood shops, sports clubs and green space throughout, and the Bygdoy peninsula with its beaches and museums is close by. For healthcare, Ullern is home to part of Oslo's hospital network and the strong Norwegian public system, with major hospitals a short ride away. The city centre and Frogner Park are both within easy reach. If you are weighing neighbourhoods, the school finder quiz can match your family to schools first and let the right area follow. For broader context, see our guide to the best areas to live in Oslo for expat families.
FAQ
Which international schools are near Ullern in Oslo? Ullern families most often use Oslo International School in Bekkestua, founded in 1963, just west of the borough, and the British School of Oslo near Majorstuen to the east. Norlights International School in Skadalen adds a full IB World School route.
Is Ullern a good area for expat families in Oslo? Yes. Ullern is one of Oslo's most desirable western boroughs, a leafy, affluent area of villas running from the fjord to the forest, and among the western neighbourhoods where expats cluster alongside Frogner and Skoyen.
How long is the commute from Ullern to central Oslo? Ullern is well served by tram, metro and bus, with central Oslo typically about 15 minutes away. Oslo International School in Bekkestua is a very short westbound run, while the British School near Majorstuen is a short hop east.
What does it cost to rent in Ullern? Ullern sits in a premium band, among the higher parts of the Oslo market, reflecting its villas and large plots between fjord and forest. Rents are illustrative; confirm against current listings.
Does Ullern have international schools within the borough? The main international schools sit just outside Ullern, Oslo International School in Bekkestua to the west and the British School of Oslo near Majorstuen to the east, with Norlights in Skadalen. Most families reach these by a short commute or school transport.