Why live in Vegårshei?

Vegårshei is an inland municipality in southern Norway, with a population of about 2,200 residents. It offers the best of both worlds, from a central location with easy access to shops, cafés, schools, and sports facilities, to more rural settings in cosy hamlets. Thanks to its diverse range of activities and proximity to the coast, as well as the E18, Vegårshei has become a popular place to settle. Vegårshei Station on the Sørlandsbanen also ensures convenient rail connections, both eastwards and westwards.

Living in Vegårshei

Although it has a small population, Vegårshei provides amenities for all ages, encouraging an active lifestyle and tight-knit community. The municipality values outdoor recreation, investing in sports facilities and event venues throughout the year. At the heart of everyday life are friendly cafés, local shops, and frequent gatherings that bring neighbours and visitors together.

Myra is Vegårshei’s administrative and commercial centre, home to the town hall, schools, shops, cafés, church, and sports arenas. Several residential developments with available plots are located here, and the railway station is only a couple of minutes away. Regular bus services connect Myra with Tvedestrand and Arendal.

Ubergsmoen is a smaller hub featuring a grocery store, café-bakery, and petrol station. Situated about ten minutes from the E18, it offers a quieter pace of life without sacrificing easy access to regional transport links.

Activities in Vegårshei

Vegårshei’s varied landscapes of forests, rolling hills, and lakes provide excellent opportunities for hiking, fishing, bathing, and canoeing or kayaking. Lake Vegår is a particular favourite among anglers and water sports enthusiasts. Local ski and activity centre Vegårshei ski- og aktivitetssenter, based in Myra, hosts a variety of options year-round, including an alpine slope, a sledging area, and facilities for cross-country skiing and biathlon training—which also accommodate roller-skiing in summer. A frisbee golf course, mountain bike trails, and a short walk to the nearest bathing spot complete the outdoor experiences on offer.

The Vegårshei bygdetun museum showcases the region’s history, hosting summer events and exhibitions that illustrate traditional ways of life. Popular bathing spots include Langøya and Høl by Lake Vegår, both equipped with toilets and a floating jetty, while Vaskarplassen by the Storelva river in Myra offers changing rooms, a barbecue area, and a sand volleyball court.

For those seeking a scenic short hike, the day-trip cabin Orrestaua sits about 30 minutes’ walk from the school and ski centre, along a well-marked trail.

Food and hospitality also play a role in local recreation. Caféhjørnet in Myra and Daily Dose in Ubergsmoen provide cosy spots for lunch, cakes, and ice cream, while Færsnes gjestegård offers both overnight accommodation and meals made with local ingredients, alongside guided activities like fishing or cycling tours.

Study in Vegårshei

Families in Vegårshei benefit from a choice of childcare facilities, including two private nurseries (Dyrebo and Ljøstadsaga) near Myra, plus a municipal nursery with branches in Myra and Ubergsmoen. A single primary and lower secondary school, Vegårshei skole, accommodates around 300 pupils from years 1 to 10.

For upper secondary education, the closest schools are in Tvedestrand and Arendal, about 25 to 40 minutes away by bus. Higher education options lie within a 45- to 90-minute journey at the University of Agder campuses in Grimstad and Kristiansand, or at the University of South-Eastern Norway in Porsgrunn.

Work in Vegårshei

Vegårshei’s economy is sustained by a range of small and medium-sized enterprises. Construction and related trades are particularly strong, reflecting local expertise and demand. Many residents commute to the surrounding towns and cities—such as Grimstad, Arendal, Tvedestrand, Risør and Kragerø—within a 45-minute travel radius.

Local businesses include Vegårshei Trevare, a carpentry workshop, Vegårshei trappeverksted – Trapperingen, which specialises in stair production, Brownells Norge, an e-commerce retailer, Hergun sveiseindustri, focusing on welding services, and Sunde regnskapskontor, offering accounting support. These enterprises, along with the option to commute, create a balanced setting for those who value smaller communities and access to varied career paths.