Kathy Hendrickson left Hillsboro several decades ago but when she returned this past year for her high school reunion, she decided she wanted her children to be able to experience life in a small, Midwestern town.

“(During the reunion) I was riding around town with some friends and saw children riding their bikes,” Kathy said. “I thought, ‘My children are never going to be able to do this where we live now’.”

When she returned to Florida, Kathy told her husband that she wanted her children to be able to be more independent and safe.

Her husband agreed.

So, Mike and Kathy Ghahremanzadeh moved to Hillsboro from Southern Florida in September.

“Hillsboro is safe,” Kathy said. “It’s very family oriented.”

Children Zachary, 12, and Karlee, 10, are adapting to small town living and smaller schools.

“We had security systems and cameras around our property in Florida,” Kathy said. “Here, it is so safe and much more relaxed.”

Mike’s job allows the family to live anywhere, so, why not Hillsboro?

“This town has really embraced my family,” Kathy said, making the family feel right at home.