From city hustle to coastal calm, wind in your hair.

FAMILY BOND AND DREAMS

Øyvind Vågen Jægtnes (43) and Iren Baaserud Risvoll Jægtnes (40) had long toyed with the idea of moving to Hidra, an island they had strong family ties to. Øyvind, who was born in Stavanger and raised in Eastern Norway, has had a close relationship with Hidra all his life through family holidays. He owns houses both on Vågen (Våjen, as the locals call the place) and Langeland on the island, where respectively his father and mother grew up.

"Hidra has always been a base for us," says Øyvind. "I have so many good memories from my childhood here, and it feels good to be able to give our own children the opportunity to experience the same."

BACK TO ISLAND LIFE

Iren, originally from Stord, also had an attraction towards a life closer to nature. Having grown up on an island myself, the idea of returning to a quieter, more natural environment was always appealing. "I have always appreciated the silence and the closeness to nature," says Iren. "When we started discussing the future, it became increasingly clear to us that we wanted to give our children an upbringing that was more in harmony with nature."

Their children, Avienda (13) and Arya (9), were born in Oslo, but have mostly lived in Drammen. Although they had thrived in the city, they too began to look forward to a life with more space and freedom on Hidra.

SUDDEN CHANGES STARTED THINGS

The plan was originally to move to Hidra when the children grew up, but fate would have it differently. When the secondary school the children were to attend in Drammen - the Montessori school - was suddenly closed, the family had to reassess the whole situation. "We had talked about moving to Hidra for many years, but we imagined that it would only happen when the children had finished school," explains Øyvind. "But when the school they were going to attend was closed down, we had to make a decision sooner than we had planned."

FATHER TIPS SON

At the same time, Øyvind got a tip from his father about a vacant position in Flekkefjord Sparebank, which accelerated the process. "We laughed a bit at first and thought it might be a funny thought, but suddenly it became serious," says Øyvind. With a versatile background that extends from cinema operator to unix administrator, and later as an analyst at Santander and was involved from the start when Komplett Bank was established, he was well equipped for new challenges. Although he did not get the original job he applied for, bank manager at Flekkefjord Sparebank, Heidi Nag Flikka, had a new and more relevant position tailored for him as Head of risk and compliance in the bank. This is how the bank got Øyvind on the team.

FLEXIBLE JOB AND THE HOUSE THEY WANTED

At the same time, opportunities also opened up for Iren, who has a solid education with a bachelor's degree in economics and business law from BI. She has experience from positions in finance from Oslo and Drammen. Iren was able to move her position in the state from Drammen to Lyngdal, which made the move possible for her as well. "Everything fell into place in a way we never imagined," says Iren. "Suddenly there was no need to wait any longer."

With the jobs secured and a charming house for sale in Vallås, the family decided to carry out the move. They chose to buy a second-hand house, as in the district there is often "more house for the money" than building new. Øyvind moved down in March, and Iren and the children followed at the end of school.

COAST AT KIRKEHAVN

For the Jægtnes family, moving to Hidra was more than just a geographical change; it was a step towards a lifestyle they had long desired. "The nature here is fantastic, with fresh air, the view over the sea, the wind and the calm pace," says Iren with a smile. "There is something special about waking up to the sound of waves and being able to walk straight out into nature."

They have settled in a second-hand house in Vallås, a place they describe as a little paradise. "It's not just that we've got more housing for the money out here," says Øyvind. “There is also the feeling that we have really found a home that suits us. The view from our house over Kirkehavn and out to sea is something we could never have had in the city."

WORK/HOME BALANCE

In everyday life, both Øyvind and Iren combine office work with a home office, which gives them the flexibility to enjoy everything Hidra has to offer. "It's a perfect balance," says Øyvind. "We can work efficiently, but at the same time be present for the children and utilize everything the island has to offer." Iren adds: "The fact that we can work from home gives us a freedom we really appreciate. We can spend time together as a family in a way that feels more natural here.”

AN EASIER EVERYDAY – IN THE MIDDLE OF NATURE

Free time is often spent outdoors. Øyvind and the children love to fish, and it is not unusual to find them at the lake or at one of the many idyllic fishing spots around the island. "We have always fished together, but out here it has become an even bigger part of our lives," says Øyvind. Iren has also found joy in island life through hobbies such as gardening, sewing and painting. "There's something about the silence here that inspires creativity," she says.

The children have also settled in well in their new home. Avienda has started at a theater in Flekkefjord, which she enjoys. "The theater has become a big part of my life, and it's wonderful to be able to continue with it here," she says. Arya, who plays the piano, also plans to start theater in the fall. "It's exciting to have new opportunities, even on a small island," says Arya.

THIS IS WHERE WE BELONG

It is clear that the Jægtnes family has found their new home at Hidra. "We are enjoying ourselves very well here, and have really settled down," says Øyvind firmly. "We're not going to move from here." They feel that they have found their place in the world, a place where they can grow and thrive as a family.

"We are very happy with the choice we have made," concludes Iren, as she looks out over the beautiful view from their house. "Hidra is everything we dreamed of and then some. This is where we belong.” For the Jægtnes family, the move to Hidra has proven to be more than just a choice to move; it has been a journey towards a new lifestyle, a new way of being a family, and a new chapter in life.

When I finally ask them what they like best about Hidra and Flekkefjord, these points come up: Nature, fresh air, the view out to sea, the wind and the calm pace. It sounds as if the Jægtnes family has landed - well.