Tennfjord

«It is simply wonderfully beautiful here. The colours on the sea when the sun goes down, taking a walk down to the pier where you might find someone fishing for mackerel… We’re exposed to the open landscape, and the view is striking,» says Arnt-Ove Tenfjord. The former journalist knows his village inside and out. And the people who live here.

«We have many neighbours from abroad – Germany, Italy, and several other countries. It’s a delightful mix, I think. People here are friendly and calm, I would say. Tennfjord is a safe and lovely place for children to grow up. Here, they can play freely in nature or grab a football and head outside,» he explains.

Tennfjord lies sheltered at the innermost point of the Grytafjord in Haram Municipality. Around 1 700 people live here, and many of them work at the important cornerstone company VARD. The shipyard is part of a global group and provides solid jobs for hundreds of people. The village is also home to Tenfjord Industrier, where four generations have produced a wide range of products for customers worldwide in aquaculture, offshore and inshore fishing, as well as sport angling.

But it’s not only economic growth that defines Tennfjord. The population is also increasing, with new families continuing to settle here.

«I completely understand why people want to live here,» Arnt-Ove laughs.

«It’s so peaceful and quiet here. However, it is less than a 20-minute drive to the region’s largest shopping area Moa, just outside the city of Ålesund. And in just over half an hour by car, you’re at Vigra Airport.»

Although Tennfjord is undeniably rural, it sort of sits right at the heart of… a lot! Daily life is easy here; modern homes, a brand-new school, excellent sports facilities, and a lively youth club make it an ideal base for families. Tennfjord has seen significant growth in recent decades. As the community has evolved from a quiet village into a more sought-after residential area, balancing development with the preservation of local qualities has become an important consideration.

Also worth mentioning – for most people in Tennfjord, Digernes is just as important as Ålesund. It’s where locals stop by the Vinmonopolet for a bottle of wine or two, grab a coffee or lunch at Braud, let the kids run wild at Epic, or meet up with other parents on maternity leave. It has become a natural meeting point for the whole area.

From Tennfjord, you’re only 10–40 minutes away by car from nearly anything you might want. You’ll find shops, cafés, cultural events, workplaces, and the wider services of neighboring villages and towns. Tennfjord may be quiet, but it offers the perfect center point for a full and balanced life.

The youngest children in Tennfjord attend Tennfjord Kindergarten, where 45 kids get to explore beautiful natural surroundings. It’s only a short walk to the forest, the mountains and the shoreline; all are places the children get to discover throughout the year. The older children go to Eidet School, a brand-new school covering grades 1 through 10. Pupils from the neighbouring village of Vatne also attend, bringing the total number of students to around 400.

Tennfjord also has two grocery stores that locals visit regularly. At the village shop you often meet your neighbours, making it a natural social hub.

And of course, it’s not far to the large shopping centre just outside Ålesund, Moa, where you can find everything you need in shops of every kind.