October 29, 2005
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So, who has a hankering for the country life?
If you do, the country is calling for you; from the most recent
Kiplinger's newsletter, courtesy of a potential customer of Don's:Everyone knows there is no such thing
as a free lunch. No one ever said anything about free land.
More than a dozen Great Plains hamlets are doling out plots, from 4.650
square feet in Atwood, Kansas
(bolding for Mom's sake), to nearly an acre in Lincoln, Kansas (340 and
150 miles west of Topeka, respectively). Homesteaders must build
a house within 12 to 24 months and promise to stay a few years.
Some towns add extras. Atwood families can get a free year at the
Atwood Country Club. Minneapolis (Kansas, not Minnesota) rebates
75% of city and school taxes for five years.That generosity is born of necessity. Scarce jobs and an exodus
of young people have forced rural schools and businesses to close,
threatening the towns' survival. Anita Huffhines, Ellsworth
County's economic development director, has fielded thousands of
inquiries from people across the U.S. anxious to quit city life.
Her central-Kansas county offers one-third-acre lots gratis in four
small towns.Two years ago, Beth and Robbie Seiler moved just 30 miles -
but a world away - from Salina, Kansas (pop. 46,000) to
Marquette (pop. 580). They got a free lot, built a 1,300 square
foor house and haven't looked back. They found local jobs
- tough to do in isolated burgs - and are
happy. "It's quiet and the schools are smaller," says Beth,
31. "We didn't need any other incentives." ---
Catherine M. VarnerAtwood is where my father's mother hailed, and where we took family
vacations every summer until I was 13 years old. My
greatgrandfather was the doctor in the county, whose house doubled as
the hospital.
Comments (2)
I have a hankering for the country life. In an area with no tornadoes. I think I'll stick right where I am
Oh. Well, yeah, there are occasional tornadoes.
Not to mention hailstorms.
The lightning storms can be very exciting, though. ;^p
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