Michelle and Magnus settled in Kalvåg
The restored fishing village won them over, and the municipality’s relocation package tipped the family north across the border.
Michelle and Magnus, who have two small boys, say it plainly. This spring they bought a house in Gamlevegen on Frøya, and they thrive there. Michelle Louise Koi Gjelsvik is from Florø, and Magnus Gulestøl from Kalvåg. After many years in Bergen they had decided to move to Florø — until the recruitment package from the elected officials in Bremanger made it far more favourable to move further north.
Back to the coast, with two small boys
When we visited them at home in Kalvåg, the family had just celebrated the third birthday of little Kian Johan. Out on the veranda the little brother, Milan Koi, lay sleeping in the fine spring weather.
Michelle has got a job as a kindergarten teacher, and Magnus is in the North Sea. There he works as a drilling and maintenance operator — two weeks out and four weeks on land.
What tipped them over the border
They say it was the economic package that tipped them over the municipal border into Bremanger. The housing grant of 200,000 kroner, repayment of student debt by 30,000 kroner a year, and free kindergarten — all of it adds up to a lot of money for the young family.
«When Kian started kindergarten it cost three thousand kroner a month,» Michelle says.
The housing grant of 200,000 kroner, repayment of student debt by 30,000 kroner a year, and free kindergarten. All of this adds up to a lot of money for us.
— Michelle Gjelsvik
Close to everything
For Magnus, the distance to Smørhamn and Florø is short when he goes to and from work.
«You reach Bergen by boat in four hours, and from Florø it is an hour’s flight to Gardermoen. Måløy is also close, so we lack nothing,» he says.
