• When I moved to Longyearbyen, there were a few things that took me by surprise.
• Residents here receive a ration card limiting how much beer and spirits they can buy.
• Because we live near polar bears, I'm encouraged to carry a rifle whenever I leave town.

I've always been drawn to nature's beauty, so for me, moving to Svalbard was the perfect decision. This remote archipelago, located in the Arctic Ocean between mainland Norway and the North Pole, is home to the world's northernmost town, Longyearbyen.

When I first moved, I felt as if I'd landed on another planet. Svalbard, which has over 1,000 permanent residents, is a place with snowstorms and reindeer casually roaming the streets — it couldn't be more different from my old home in Oslo, Norway.

Needless to say, there were plenty of things I didn't consider about life here until I actually moved near the North Pole. Here are five surprising things about living in Earth's northernmost town.

Alcohol is rationed in Svalbard

In Svalbard, residents need a special card to purchase alcohol, and a monthly limit regulates how much a resident can buy. Most residents can buy up to two bottles of spirits and 24 cans of beer each month.

This system dates back to when Svalbard was a mining community and alcohol rationing was introduced to prevent excessive drinking.

I'm not sure why the town has kept this tradition, but it's one of many rules that make life in Svalbard different from the mainland.

It seems that most homes are equipped with a garbage disposal

Polar bears are a constant presence in Svalbard, and keeping them away from Longyearbyen is a top priority.

When I got the keys to my first apartment, I was told that all houses must have a garbage disposal to ensure no food scraps that might attract bears are left outside.

From what I've seen, pretty much every resident uses their garbage disposal. It's not just a convenience — it's a safety measure.

Despite their name, the northern lights often appear to the south

When I moved to Svalbard, I was excited to see the northern lights. However, I didn't expect to be looking south to see them most of the time.

The northern lights are visible within the auroral zone — an area spanning across Iceland, Fennoscandia, northern Canada, and parts of Alaska and Greenland — surrounding the north geomagnetic pole. Because Longyearbyen is above the auroral zone, this natural phenomenon often occurs to the south of us.

The lights are visible throughout the long polar night when we experience 24/7 darkness for almost four months. For me, watching the northern lights feels like a magical reward for braving the Arctic cold and darkness.

The internet connection is exceptional

Despite Longyearbyen's remote location, the internet connection here is exceptional. This is because high-speed underwater fiber cables connect communications between Svalbard and mainland Norway.

NASA also relies on Svalbard's satellite ground stations for communication with polar-orbiting satellites. As a result, Longyearbyen has seen internet speeds that have rivaled those in many cities on the mainland.

Residents leaving town are encouraged to carry a rifle

One of the most surprising aspects of life in Longyearbyen is that residents are encouraged to carry a rifle and a flare gun when venturing beyond the settlement.

Svalbard is home to many polar bears, and though attacks are rare, the threat is real. Carrying a flare gun allows residents to scare the bear away, and a firearm ensures residents can protect themselves if need be. Polar bears are protected by law, so killing one is permitted only in life-threatening situations.

Obtaining a rifle license usually involves taking a safety course and passing a shooting test. In my experience, these courses aren't held frequently, so it can take months to complete the process and get a license.

Though polar bears are majestic, they're dangerous, and being prepared is nonnegotiable.