Grafarvogur is the second largest district in Reykjavík and has a population of slightly over seventeen thousand population. The district has been in development for decades, and the first part of the development was the commercial and industrial area built in the seventies and the eighties. It is the largest and most active commercial area in the city of Reykjavík. In fact, the city of Reykjavík has barely developed a proper area for industrial and commercial activity since this area was finalized. Most of the larger industrial development in the Capital Region has been left to Kópavogur and Hafnarfjörður, the nearby Capital City neighbors.
The shoreline and hills are characteristics of Grafarvogur
The fact that the district has a long shoreline defines the character of all the neighborhoods within Grafarvogur. Another characteristic is the hills, which made the whole area perfect for single-family homes. In the southern part of the district, the view over Reykjavík center and the old city from most houses are spectacular. While in development, residents of Gravarvogur developed a strong neighborhood identity, almost like the district was a specific municipality. One of the reasons might be the size and combination of commercial and residential areas that convey the feeling that this is not just a suburb but also a community with its identity.
An excellent district in Reykjavík with neighborhoods that have good access to outdoor activities
In Grafarvogur, there are great opportunities for outdoor recreational activities. The walking path along the coastline is spectacular and gives a great view of Reykjavík old town and the surrounding mountains. In Grafarvogur, you also find a challenging golf course located in the area of the old farm Korpúlfsstaðir. The farm has an important place in Iceland’s history because of the huge dairy farm that was built early in the last century by Iceland’s most prominent entrepreneur, Thor Jenssen. The main building is still standing, now housing the golf club and artist's studios. Through Grafarvogur runs the river Korpa further enhancing the outdoor options.
Reykjavík offers basic service to its residents in Grafarvogur
Service for residents is of similar quality as for all districts and neighborhoods in Reykjavík. Kindergarten, primary and secondary schools, library, great sports centers, and sports facilities. But then again, more complaints have been submitted by the residents to the city council from Grafarvogur than in most other neighborhoods or districts. Maybe the residents in Grafarvogur are more conscious of their rights within the democratic society and are not shy about taking advantage of those rights.
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