A few years ago, Mihai & Mihaiela Giurca reluctantly left both their native land of Romania to start fresh in New Jersey. In 2007 they became permanent residents and moved to a one bedroom apartment in Atlantic City. Both worked diligently to learn the language and obtain steady employment in the casino industry.
In early 2010 Mihaiela and Mihai expanded their family welcoming a baby girl named Sabina. A few months later the family realized their one bedroom apartment was not big enough for their growing family and would need to move somewhere else. Both wanted to raise their family in a rural community were they would have a yard for the children to play and enough room to have a garden.
When Mihaiela returned to work she began talking with a co-worker about what options she may have in purchasing a home. It was her lucky day because that co-worker had just recently purchased a home through the help of USDA Rural Development. Soon after that, she contacted the Rural Development Area office located in Vineland, where she met Area Specialist Debbie Tort.
Debbie assisted the Giurcas through all the necessary process to become first time homebuyers. Their wishes were surpassed when they purchased a three bedroom home with a full basement and a large yard in Egg Harbor Township, just outside of Atlantic City. This location has a reasonable commute to work with public transportation access. Rural Development provided them an affordable house payment similar to their rent payment through the Direct Loan Program.
Helping young adults return to rural communities is vital to Rural America and USDA Rural Development was pleased to help the Giurcas with this home purchase. Although they are away from their family in Romania their new neighborhood has supplied a more family friendly atmosphere and a home away from home.
In a recent visit to the Giurca’s family, Debbie spoke with Mihaiela about her new dream home. Mihaiela has planted a garden and the family is enjoying the much need space. Her daughter is thrilled to have her own bedroom and a yard to play in. “If it wasn’t for the help of Rural Development we would still be living in a one bedroom apartment,” said Mihaiela. “The home is perfect and we are here to stay.”
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