hazelton north dakota is place in north florida, thatFlorida family gives up on small-town North Dakota,HAZELTON, N.D. — A tiny North Dakota town's promise of cash and free land lured only one family from out of state.
and Now, Michael and Jeanette Tristani and with their 12-year-old twins are hardly to tryto move from Hazelton back to Florida.
the story is real it is about Tired of crime, traffic, hurricanes and the high cost of living in Florida, the Tristanis moved four years ago to Hazelton, a dwindling town of about 240 that has attempted to attract young families to stay on the map.Jeanette and Michael Tristani stand outside their home in Hazelton, N.D., on Friday, Jan. 22 , 2010. The couple and their two childern moved from Florida to Hazelton four years ago. Now they are moving back
Michael Tristani, 42, said at the time the 1,800-mile move was "an answer to our prayers."
"We don't have to look over our shoulder to see who's going to rob us, or jump out of the bushes to attack us," Tristani said. "Taxes are low, the cost of living is low and the kids enjoy school."
But the family also found a cliquey community that treated them like outsiders. "For my wife, it's been a culture shock," he said.
Rural communities across the Great Plains, fighting a decades-long population decline, are trying a variety of ways to attract outsiders. But the Tristanis show how the efforts can fail even at a time when many people are desperate.
"It's been quite an experience, 50-50 at best," Tristani said. "It hasn't been easy. No one really wants new people here."
The Hazelton Development Corp., formed by a determined group of citizens, began running ads in 2005 offering families up to two free lots and up to $20,000 toward home purchases. Businesses were offered free lots and up to $50,000 for setting up shop in the town.
Michael Tristani, 42, said at the time the 1,800-mile move was "an answer to our prayers."
"We don't have to look over our shoulder to see who's going to rob us, or jump out of the bushes to attack us," Tristani said. "Taxes are low, the cost of living is low and the kids enjoy school."
But the family also found a cliquey community that treated them like outsiders. "For my wife, it's been a culture shock," he said.
Rural communities across the Great Plains, fighting a decades-long population decline, are trying a variety of ways to attract outsiders. But the Tristanis show how the efforts can fail even at a time when many people are desperate.
"It's been quite an experience, 50-50 at best," Tristani said. "It hasn't been easy. No one really wants new people here."
The Hazelton Development Corp., formed by a determined group of citizens, began running ads in 2005 offering families up to two free lots and up to $20,000 toward home purchases. Businesses were offered free lots and up to $50,000 for setting up shop in the town.
The Tristanis moved to the town four years ago to escape Miami's urban problems. Michael Tristani says he was prepared for Hazelton's bitter winters but not the small-town drama. Town promoters provided a free lot for his house and $15,000 in cash, but residents still treated the family as outsiders.
Now, the Tristanis keep mostly to themselves while waiting for their house to sell. And school officials worry about losing the Tristani twins as high school enrollment steadily declines.
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