7 minute read
$10K Payday: Cities Pay Digital Nomads to Relocate
By Jamie May
PROGRAMS ATTEMPTING to lure digital nomads and remote workers with a promise of $10,000 or more have been popping up across America. All you have to do is move to the specific area and stay put for a set amount of time. What’s the catch? Other than a few basic requirements, there really isn’t one! We talked to teams in three regions who run programs to draw remote talent to their area, as well as a few people who have already been through the application process and made their move.
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ASCEND WV
Source: Ascend WV
Brad D. Smith and his wife, Alys Smith, are behind West Virginia’s Ascend WV program. After a successful tenure in Silicon Valley, Brad and Alys saw the value in Brad’s home state and funded the organization to help remote workers call the Mountain State their home. Not only will you find New River Gorge—our 63rd national park—in West Virginia, but the terrain is perfect for climbing, hiking, kayaking, whitewater rafting, golfing, skiing, biking, and more. Outdoor adventure enthusiasts with the ability to work remotely will have a hard time passing up the offer to relocate here.
MAKING THE MOVE
Ascend WV includes multiple towns, each with its own vibe. Each town will have an Ascend coworking space that will also double as a community hub. The Ascend Experience Coordinator for each town facilitates gatherings, activities, and social outings to not only create camaraderie among group members, but also help them integrate into the local community.
PROGRAM PERKS
Dolly Sods Wilderness Area
Source: Ascend WV
Among the perks of acceptance to the program is $12,000. The first payment comes after your first month of residency in West Virginia, with payments throughout your first year totaling $10,000. At the end of the second year, you’ll receive the additional $2,000.
For RVers Matt and Stacy Cook, the West Virginia mountains have been the perfect place to settle down. “We are most excited about the connection between our personal goals and the town culture,” said Stacy. “We have upcoming projects to establish our basecamp, which will allow us more RV travel time around West Virginia.”
For RVers Matt and Stacy Cook, the West Virginia mountains have been the perfect place to settle down
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be 18 or older, employed full time, able to prove remote status, and currently living outside of West Virginia. Those who are self-employed may also apply. You must relocate within six months of being accepted.
Ascend WV: At a Glance
$10,000 for one year
$2,500 in outdoor gear rentals
$2,000 bonus at 24 months
Relocation grace period of six months
To find out more, visit ascendwv.com
TULSA REMOTE
Source: Phil Clarkin
More than 1,400 remote workers have already relocated through Tulsa Remote, which offers a coworking space free for 36 months once you’ve made your move.
The program also has an inherent sense of community. Tulsa Remote has meetups, professional workshops, volunteer opportunities, and other options for collaboration.
Justin Harlan, managing director of Tulsa Remote, said, “Many of us on the leadership team have called Tulsa home for years, but we know everyone comes with different hobbies and interests. Part of the program’s orientation includes a one-on-one chat with a team member so that we can help align individuals to find ways to explore their passions in Tulsa.”
MAKING THE MOVE
Free coworking space is a perk of Tulsa Remote
Source: 36 Degrees North
Trae Sjogren, a former vanlifer and freelance animator who now calls Tulsa home, said the application process was straightforward and easy. “What really gave me the confidence to commit was the idea of living among a like-minded group of people who wanted to take a risk and experience a new chapter in their life,” he said.
Since moving to Tulsa, he has founded a branding and animation firm. “Tulsa doesn’t get in the way. You can access people, resources, and fun with ease. [There is] no traffic, no pretentiousness, [and] tons of support,” he said.
PROGRAM PERKS
The $10,000 incentive is provided in installments over the course of the year, or all at once if you decide to purchase a home in Tulsa. You also get free space to work at 36 Degrees North downtown. The program benefits package is rounded out with access to events and other perks.
Source: The Gathering Place
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be remote workers (full time or self-employed), age 18 or older, permanent residents of the United States, not currently living or working in Oklahoma, and able to relocate to Tulsa within 12 months.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Applications are currently open and reviewed on a rolling basis.
Tulsa Remote: At a Glance
$10,000 for one year
36 months of free coworking space
12 months
Relocation grace period of 12 months
To find out more, or to apply, visit tulsaremote.com
REMOTE SHOALS
Source: Armosa Studios
The culture here is creative, the musical roots run deep, and the Southern hospitality is real—this is The Shoals. Spread across two counties in Northwest Alabama and made up of four main cities (Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia), the area attracts remote workers and digital nomads with its climate and affordable cost of living, as well as Remote Shoals’ promise of up to $10,000.
The Shoals sits on the Tennessee River and offers a variety of things to do, including outdoor activities, festivals, concerts, art, shopping, dining, and more. It’s also famously known for being home to recording studios where musicians including Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan made their mark.
Mackenzie Cottles of Shoals Economic Development Authority said, “We know that many people moving with our program have no ties to the area and minimal connections. We become their resource for anything in the community, whether that be real estate, plumbers, connections in the community, etc. We want to ensure The Shoals becomes the best home possible for our participants.”
MAKING THE MOVE
Source: Shoals EDA
After living the RV life, working remotely for 21 years, and spending two years on the road as a digital nomad, Phyllis Jones, IBM royalty and payment offering manager, came across the Remote Shoals program and felt it was the perfect time to apply.
“It’s a risk, but we nomads are pretty risk-tolerant people. For me, it was an opportunity to explore a new part of the country more fully, continue to work remotely, start to work towards life with a home base again, and think about what next year will bring,” said Jones.
PROGRAM PERKS
Upon application, participants complete a questionnaire online, and then a video interview. Once selected, the participant has six months to relocate to the area. The incentive amount is based on income, and ranges from $6,000 to $10,000, paid out in installments at relocation, at six months, and then upon completion of the program terms.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be 18 or older, a resident of the U.S., employed full time or self-employed, and not currently living in The Shoals.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Applications are always open at remoteshoals.com and are accepted on a rolling basis.
Remote Shoals: At a Glance
$6,000 to $10,000 for one year
Relocation grace period of six months
