* It rains a lot more than Oslo, but not as much as in Bergen
* There are a lot business people (especially oil people), but the population is really diversed. I think there are people from 90 nations living in Stavanger
* It is a very cosy city, with small streets, a lot of coffee shops and MANY pubs. (good night life). I love the city myself
* There is a happy little surf scene, but it is growing fast (after what I've heard - haven't lived there for 1,5 years). It is not crowded in the week days yet though.
* There are probably ten times more surfers in the summer compared to the winter
* There is a lof of flat swells, and a lof of onshore winds. The wind is the biggest problem really. But there is always some place you could surf. The days during the year when the wind and the swell is right the surf is great.
* You could live by the beach and work in the city, but then you'll need a car
* The nearest good ski place is Røldal, 3-3,5 hours drive from Stavanger. You could also try Sirdal (www.sirdalsferie.no) several small ski places, but not so good (1,5 hours from Stavanger).
* There is a lot of things to when it is flat: skating, climbing, cycling (don't know what you like to do
)