The best of both worlds
Malene and Tom Erik found the place for career, family, and hobbies
Malene Fredbo Sund and Tom Erik Øyen were looking for a life where they could combine careers, hobbies, and family. They found it on Lista.
"Giving up good jobs was never on the table. But we wanted something more. Family nearby, a home with a big garage, and access to nature without having to queue for it," says Malene.
Love at first sight
They met while both were studying at NTNU in Trondheim. Malene from Lista, Tom Erik from Sandefjord. It was love at first sight, and it wasn't long before the couple started mapping out their future together.
Trondheim is a fantastic city to be a student in, but it's far from both our families. The climate is also harsher than south of Dovre. So we agreed we'd move south once Tom Erik finished his studies and we were ready to start a family.
Malene Fredbo SundThey were open to settling anywhere between Oslo and the Rogaland border, but it had to be somewhere that could offer interesting, relevant jobs. For both of them.
If you're going to spend years getting an education, you want to actually use it.
Tom Erik ØyenHe is an electrical power engineer with a master's degree in energy and environment. She is a biomedical laboratory scientist with a master's in technology management.
What they left behind. What they gained.
Student years, far from family
- Rented apartment
- Far from family
- Harsher climate
- Crowds to reach nature
Three acres with room for everything
- Smallholding with swimming pool
- Double garage and barn
- Large lawn and kitchen garden
- Babysitters five minutes away
It's quite remarkable to get a place like this for the price of a medium-sized apartment in Trondheim.
Malene Fredbo SundRemote from Accenture
After graduating, Malene landed a job at Accenture's Trondheim office, one of the world's largest consulting firms. She joined an international team working on Helseplattformen in Helse Midt-Norge, delivering a unified patient records system for both specialist and primary healthcare.
When Tom Erik finished his studies, both started applying for jobs further south. Malene chose to be upfront with her employer, letting them know that a move was coming and that her resignation would likely follow.
It was only a matter of hours after I mentioned my plans before I was called into the boss's office. I had no idea what to expect, but I was met with understanding and an offer to keep my job and bring it with me on the moving truck.
Malene Fredbo Sund
I've got the best of both worlds. Almost all the meetings are digital anyway.
Malene Fredbo SundFrom Kristiansand to Lyngdal
Tom Erik's first job offer came from Kristiansand, but on his very first day at work he got a call from Agder Energi (now Glitre Nett), who needed a project engineer in Lyngdal.
That made the choice of where to live a lot easier. Farsund was always our first choice.
Tom Erik ØyenTom Erik did have to endure half a year renting a room at his in-laws' on Lista before the dream house appeared. "It was perfectly nice. But we couldn't exactly put down roots there either," he says with a grin. The housing market was slow at first, then it opened up.
In the barn: Tom Erik's collection
On their three-acre plot they have a spacious house with a swimming pool, a double garage, a large lawn and kitchen garden, and a barn where Tom Erik can pursue his great passion.
My great love is American cars. In that sense, moving to Lista turned out to be a pretty good fit.
Tom Erik Øyen
In the barn · Chevrolet Camaro Z28, 1982 In the barn stands a 1982 Chevrolet Camaro Z28. Tom Erik received it from his father when he was 13 years old. "I'm still working on it, so right now it doesn't leave the garage," he adds.
Tom Erik has no shortage of vehicles to choose from when the mood strikes:
- Chevrolet Camaro Z28, 1982 model
- A Volvo
- A BMW
- Motorcycle
- Father-in-law's motorcycle
- Two ride-on lawnmowers
- One push lawnmower
- Moped
- Tractor, for the two mornings a year when Lista actually gets snow
- A boat (as Malene is quick to point out)
Dramatic nature, right outside the door
Both love the dramatic, contrasting landscape of the region and get out into it as often as they can, by car, by motorcycle, by boat, and on foot. The Lista beaches are the crown jewel and their favourite spot to walk Ludo.
We'll soon need to buy a bucket and spade for the beach. We're expecting a little one in February. It's wonderfully exciting. And we couldn't be happier that we already made the move, because the babysitters are just five minutes away.
Malene Fredbo Sund