”A living life” - Exploring Place attachment and ”The good life” on Sandøya, an island community in Southern Norway

Abstract

The concept of lifestyle has become much more important in contemporary, and especially western, social life. This must be seen as part how individual are more free to choose who they want to be, and consequently how and where they want to live. Eith refers to lifestyle there is a growing number of people who relocate on the basis of a belief that there is a more fulfilling way of life available elsewhere. This is the starting point of how the two women presented in this paper, ended up moving to Sandøya, an island community in the southern part of Norway. This paper is an exploration on the two women’s experiences and notion of living “The good life” on Sandøya. By looking at the different aspects of the social, as well as physical environment my informants are part of, I explore the process of Place attachment. Additionally, I look at how Place attachment is expressed and mobilized in action and behavior connected to an attempt to sustain a vibrant community on Sandøya. A preconditions for “The good life” according to my informants.