Why I Moved Back to North Dakota
Learn why a local chose to plant roots in her hometown.
It’s easy to see why people are moving to North Dakota. It exudes a unique, captivating charm. Plus, its beautiful, vast prairies are adorned with majestic bison and other wildlife, while its thriving urban centers, like Fargo and Bismarck, bring a wealth of vibrancy and entertainment – not to mention, great jobs can be found all over the state.
For resident Keli Rosselli-Sullivan, it’s a state she’s called home twice. While she grew up in the Peace Garden State, after experiencing life in various locations, including the California coast and French Riviera, she chose to move back to her hometown to plant roots in 2011.
Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Minot. I graduated from Minot State University with a degree in social work. I moved to Minneapolis to pursue my career and ended up in human resources. Then I ended up in Chicago with my partner at the time and lived there for 11 years doing HR. I eventually opened three franchises called Curves for Women, one of those being in Nice, France. [After ending the relationship], I lived in San Diego for five years. In San Diego, I married a high school classmate, and we had a son and decided to move back to Minot in 2011 when he was 3. We knew the quality of his life and education would be better back home, and he would grow up around his cousins and grandparents. I’ve been here ever since.
Share a little bit about yourself.
I’m she/hers, and I’m bisexual. I was with a woman for 11 years and then married a man. But truly, we were better friends than spouses. We divorced when our son was 10. Then, I met the love of my life, my wife, Kristi. We’ve been together for almost 5 years.
You chose to move back to North Dakota. Why has that been a great decision for you?
Because people here are genuine. We are a community that helps each other. I met the love of my life, and my son is now almost 16 years old and thriving. I spend a lot of time advocating, volunteering and serving on boards.
Has moving back to North Dakota benefited your career?
I work for the Minot Area Chamber EDC as a workforce development/military liaison. Because of my involvement in my community and the people I know, I landed my dream job. I help and advocate for our businesses and military every day. I get to be involved with a lot of events and programs that positively impact our city.
How has moving back benefited your family?
My son loves Minot. He’s grown up with both sets of grandparents and cousins. My mom was so happy when we moved home. I was away for 20 years. We had such a great relationship. My parents divorced when I was 5, so it also allowed me to connect with my dad as an adult. He was not active in my life when I was younger; my stepdad raised me. I’m glad I moved back to have those memories with both my parents.
What types of things do you and your family like to do in your free time?
I love vegetable gardening. My wife built me a fenced-in, raised-bed garden. I love to cook, and I love shopping. My wife and I like to play darts in a league in the winter. We love playing cards at home. We recently picked up golfing because my son plays golf. The three of us will go out a couple of times a week when he’s with us.
What aspects of North Dakota do you enjoy, and why would you recommend the state to a visitor or newcomer?
Our state offers some pretty amazing things, and one of those is summer. We have the most beautiful summers. It doesn’t get dark until 10 p.m. We have fun places to travel to, like Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Lake Sakakawea and Lake Metigoshe. Minot has a lot to offer with its arts scene and up-and-coming downtown area. This summer, we will have a mural painted on an old grain elevator; it will be the only one in the state. Check out the Union Silos project. Yes, winters can get cold, but we have ice fishing, skiing and curling. I love that our skies are so clear that you can see the aurora borealis in the night sky. The school systems are solid, and our cities are safe. We have the open prairies where you can see for miles.
This article was sponsored by the North Dakota Department of Commerce.