Sitting on the edge of a cliff looking out over a narrow gorge with a rushing river in Fossdalen

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They were looking for a new life in Norway. Then they found Fossdalen

From the Netherlands to a farm in Kvinesdal

Photo: Privat

Written by

Sara Stoltenberg

27 October 2026 · 9 min read

More space, nature close by and a calmer everyday life. That was the dream for Erik and Jill when they decided to move from the Netherlands with their three children. After several trips around Norway, they found the place they had been looking for – on a farm in Fossdalen in Kvinesdal.

On the farm in Fossdalen, Erik and Jill have found a daily life quite different from the one they knew in the Netherlands. Here there's room for the whole family, horses, alpacas, dogs and three cats. Jill has her own art studio, and Erik can continue his job from a home office. They knew they wanted to move to Norway. But where the family would settle remained an open question for a long time.

Familien samlet i skogen på en fottur ved Fossdalen — The whole family out hiking in the forest by Fossdalen.Photo: Privat

A joint decision

Why the whole family made the decision together

The decision to move to Norway wasn't made overnight. Erik and Jill wanted a different everyday life, with more space, nature and less stress. At the same time, it was important that their three children also wanted to move.

So the family talked about the plans several times over a longer period. The decision was to be made together.

Through several holidays in Norway, they had gotten a sense of the country, and eventually they started looking for a farm or smallholding in southern Norway.

They visited various places and went to several viewings. Many of the properties had qualities they liked, but something always seemed to be missing.

In Fossdalen, it was the nature, the water, the space and the possibilities of the farm that made an impression. Here they finally got the feeling they'd been looking for.

The fact that the house was in good enough condition for the family to move straight in was also a big advantage. The renovation could wait.

It was the nature, the water and the space that made an impression. Here we finally got the feeling we had been looking for.
Erik og Jill

Utsikt fra den ene hytta som er til utleie på gården — View from one of the cabins for rent on the farm – the nature and water were among the things that made the biggest impression when the family was looking for a place to settle down.Photo: Privat

A new pace

More space, a slower pace – and finally their own horses

Erik and Jill describe a Netherlands where space is tighter and everyday life often feels hectic. In Kvinesdal, they've gained more space around them, more freedom, and a pace that suits the family better.

They noticed the difference especially when they were back visiting the Netherlands. Having grown used to life in Fossdalen, the pace back home felt different than before.

The extra space has also made it possible to keep their own horses. Both Jill and their daughter had long wished for a horse, but in the Netherlands that dream hadn't been possible to realize. Today the family has two horses, and Erik has built a stable for them.

Over time, the animals have become a big part of farm life. Three dogs and three cats came along in the move from the Netherlands. The farm already had two cats, and since then the family has also gotten two alpacas, chickens and roosters. The chickens are allowed to roam freely.

In the Netherlands, space was tight and everyday life was hectic. Here we've found freedom and a pace that suits us better.
Erik og Jill

Jill arbeider i kunststudioet sitt, omgitt av tørkede urter som henger fra taket

Photo: Privat

For Jill, the farm has also become an important part of her creative work.

She works with art and ceramics and has set up her own studio on the property. There, among other things, she makes paint using materials she finds in the surrounding nature.

From the studio, she can open the old wooden doors and walk straight out to the horses. She also spends a lot of time out walking with the dogs and exploring the local nature.

For Erik, the move to Norway has been different on the work front. He still works for the same company as before the move, but now works from home in Fossdalen. This allowed him to keep his job when the family relocated.

En av jentene leier hesten langs en gårdsvei omgitt av skog — Both Jill and her daughter had long wished for a horse. In Fossdalen, the dream finally became possible.Photo: Privat

A new country

Warmly welcomed and happy with the school – but the dialects were a challenge

Although nature and the farm were decisive factors in where the family wanted to live, it was just as important that the children would be happy there.

Erik and Jill say they've been well received in Kvinesdal. They're especially pleased with the school and the way the children are followed up.

They feel that the teachers have time for each individual pupil, and that both the children and the parents are seen.

The language, however, has presented challenges. Even when you learn Norwegian, it's not always easy to understand the dialects you encounter.

Erik and Jill laugh at how different the Bokmål they're learning can be from the language they meet in everyday life. On top of that there's Nynorsk, and the many dialects you can hear even within Kvinesdal.

There's still a lot to learn, but the family has settled in well.

We're learning Bokmål, but there's a big difference from what we encounter in everyday life – with Nynorsk and all the dialects, even within Kvinesdal.
Erik og Jill

Stille elvestrekning i regnvær, omgitt av furuskog og lav tåke — The river Litleåna flows past Fossdalen, surrounded by forest.Photo: Privat

Looking ahead

Herb garden, renovation and renting out four cabins

Erik and Jill still have several plans for the farm.

In the Netherlands, they enjoyed growing their own herbs, and now they want to take this further. With more space available, they dream of establishing their own vegetable and herb garden at Fossdalen.

They also plan to renovate the house over time.

The property also has four cabins that the family rents out. The rentals aren't meant to become the family's main income. For Erik and Jill, it's mainly about the joy of sharing the place they themselves fell in love with, with others.

So far they've had both Norwegian and international guests. Going forward, they especially picture renting out the cabins during the spring and summer months.

Life now

A life to keep building on

Kvinesdal wasn't a specific destination when the family began looking for a place to live in Norway. In Fossdalen, they found the house, the nature and the space they wanted.

Now the children have started school, Jill has her art studio, and the horses have found a place in the stable Erik has built. There's still renovation work and garden plans ahead. The family has found an everyday life they enjoy, and a place to keep building on.

Questions and answers

Erik and Jill moved with their three children from the Netherlands to a farm in Fossdalen in Kvinesdal.

They have horses, alpacas, dogs, three cats and chickens on the farm.

Yes, there are four cabins on the property that the family rents out, but this isn't meant to become their main source of income.

They are very satisfied with the school and find that the teachers have time for each individual pupil, although the local dialects have been a challenge to understand.

They plan to set up their own vegetable and herb garden, and also intend to renovate the house eventually.