I've been as far North as Molde/Ålesund. I hated it.

Yeah, the fjords are desperately pretty. I had a great time driving around Geiranger and the Atlanterhavsveien. Trollstigen would have been nice if it weren't rammed with caravans.

But otherwise, no thanks. It's extortionately expensive, there's nothing to do there, it's a breeding ground for billions of mosquitoes, and there's nothing good about such extreme seasonal differences in day lengths.

After having lived in Scandinavia for seven years, I think there's an enormous delta between expectation and reality when it comes to Scandinavian Winters.

Well, Molde & Ålesund are west, not north ;) Tromsø is proper north and very different from Molde/Ålesund. There's a lot more culture there, as well as being the right place for sitting in a fjord and watching northern lights. I know people who have moved there temporarily and really liked it.

But it's definitely the case that whilst the Scandinavian lifestyle often features as best life satisfaction/happiest/whatever, it's definitely down to personal preference. These countries also tend to score low on happiness/life satisfaction for immigrants, which shows that the benefits are only perceived/received by some.

I think in summer you might find the mosquitoes too annoying to be outside with, and in winter -- you have to keep in mind its not just a shorter day, its also permanently sunrise/sunset on sunny days (depending on your latitude, it could also be just really dark) and mostly slate grey skies anyway so the concept of a "sun room" doesn't really make sense. I quite like Scandinavian winter (I'm in Sweden), but its not for everyone.

It is very beautiful up in Norway though, and the Norwegians are nice people.

Yup. Somewhere in or above the lofotens. I lived in Norway for 2 years; 7 of the months in or above Narvik/Harstad. I don't recall the mosquitos being problematic. And yes, pretty much night from late October to February.

My answer is currently basically the same, but with local wilderness. Somewhere in the norther part of southern ontario or the southern part of northern ontario. I.e. wilderness, but not so wild that I have to fly in on a float plane.

I really do want to visit Norway though, and it might well sell me on switching the dream to there.

The fjords in Norway are the prettiest things I’ve ever seen. When CoVid travel bans raise, in definitely going back.