Moving Incentives: Would You Move if a Community Paid You To?

_{Created in partnership with MakeMyMove}

The beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic marked a pivotal moment for the entire world. It’s crucial to acknowledge the severe hardship and grief that the pandemic caused. It’s also important to recognize how it forced the world to adapt and reimagine how work could be done.

Workplaces that had never even considered allowing their employees to work from home were now forced to figure it out. Employees who hadn’t seriously thought about working freelance or starting their own businesses were now doing exactly that. Remote work unlocked a new level of freedom for millions of Americans and people around the world.

The ability for people to live in places that truly align with their lifestyles and preferences has given rise not only to the flexibility to experiment with living in different communities but also to the rise of the digital nomad.

In 2021, the number of digital nomads, those who don’t live in any one place full-time, grew by 42%. It’s estimated that 15.5 million Americans are living this lifestyle, and the growth is steadily increasing. In 2022, an estimated 16.9 million Americans went nomad, resulting in an increase of 131% since the pre-pandemic years.

It’s no wonder then that, with this level of flexibility, communities across the U.S. are competing to attract remote workers through incentives like money, vouchers, and working spaces.

Get Paid to Move: The Rise of Travel Incentives

Government incentives to attract new business to states and local communities are nothing new. Governments have been doling out tax dollars to corporations for decades. Because of the rise in remote work, governments have only recently started targeting incentive dollars toward individuals.

This makes total sense. After all, it’s people who make the world go round and keep the economy flush with activity. However, doing your own research to figure out what cities were offering incentives was time-consuming and difficult. Enter MakeMyMove, the first and only marketing platform designed to help communities recruit new residents.

By making the process as easy and straightforward as possible, MakeMyMove has helped thousands of remote workers find towns that align with their lifestyle preferences while also putting places that some might not have otherwise considered on their radars. Muncie, Indiana anyone?

Technology Harnessed

The purpose of MakeMyMove is twofold: to help communities harness the potential of remote workers and to help remote workers find their happy place. As remote work becomes even more available and popular than it already is, many Americans are looking to relocate to places that offer a better or different quality of life. A lot of people are realizing that when a 9 to 5 doesn’t tie you to a place, there’s no reason not to seek a community that’s better aligned with their preferences.

MakeMyMove makes that transition as easy as possible, helping both remote workers and communities in an easy, seamless way.

Most people agree that moving is one of the most stressful life events. Few people actually look forward to packing, coordinating, shipping (if needed), dealing with movers, begging friends for help, or bribing them with pizza and beer, and the list goes on. Even the nomad is faced with tough decisions.

MakeMyMove simplifies the decision to relocate because it removes some of the stress that comes from the risk of financial loss. The process for remote workers looking for their happy place is as straightforward as it gets. The first step is browsing the “Offers” and “Communities” tab on the website to check out all available options and incentives. People can also complete their profiles and receive notifications with the best options for them.

Once users find a community they’re interested in, they can either express interest by hitting the heart button or apply for relocation incentives if they’re sure that’s the option for them. This is a helpful step because it lets communities know the interests of potential new residents.

If users are selected by the relocation program they choose, they’re notified and receive instructions about the next steps. The only thing left to do after that is accept the offer, reserve a spot, and confirm their move with the MakeMyMove team, which provides assistance every step of the way. It’s all pretty easy peasy.

The Future Is in Your Hands

Tens of millions of people in the U.S. are now free to move wherever they want, empowered by remote work. This has led to the development of diverse, vibrant, and economically strong communities across the country. Why not try West Memphis or Bloomington? After all, life is short, and home is always where you make it.