Deciding Where to Live When Working Remotely
By 2025, it is estimated that 22% of Americans will be working remotely. The remote work trend has entirely uprooted our work schedules, lifestyles and how we decide where to live. With remote work and flexibility, your job no longer has to tie you down to a location. Though some jobs may ask that you come to the office several times a week, many jobs these days allow you to be completely remote. So, with all the options out there, how do you choose where to move? Here are somethings to consider when deciding where to live when working remotely:
How to decide where to live when you have a remote job:
Consider moving to a state with no income tax
In the U.S there are 9 states that charge no income tax. This tax break can be hugely beneficial depending on where you currently live. The 9 states with no income tax are:
Nevada
South Dakota
Texas
Florida
Alaska
Tennessee
Wyoming
Washington
New Hampshire
Despite not having any income taxes, each one of these states still has some sort of a tax burden. This tax burden can be made up of property taxes, sales taxes, alcohol taxes and so forth. Be sure to do your research to figure out which of these states can offer you the best deal on your yearly taxes.
In terms of states with no state tax, remember the acronym NOMAD. These states are: New Hampshire, Oregon, Montana, Alaska, and Delaware
Compare Cost of Living
Depending on your budget and financial goals, remote work flexibility can help you if you want to save some money. If you are saving up to purchase a house it may make sense to decide your next destination based on cost of living (calculated using rent, real estate utilities, food, entertainment). In the U.S, there are many states that have an affordable cost of living. Here are 10 states with the lowest cost of living:
Mississippi
Oklahoma
Kansas
Alabama
Georgia
Ohio
Iowa
West Virginia
Indiana
Arkansas
Remember, cost of living can be relative to your lifestyle and personal habits, so remember to pick a state according to your needs.
Move back home
Though this option may not sound super exciting, moving back home with your parents can help you save some money on rent. Though it may feel like a step backward, it can actually be a smart idea if you are still unsure of where to move. That way, when you figure out where you want to go, you’ll have some money saved up so that you can pay a deposit and first month’s rent.
Sublet in a city you’ve always wanted to live in
If you aren’t tied down anywhere you should take a leap of faith and try out the city of your dreams. That being said, it may be daunting to sign a lease if you’ve never been to or lived in that city before. That’s why subletting can be a really great idea. You can try out different neighborhoods and see if the lifestyle of the city suits you. You can find sublets online on sites like Airbnb and Facebook.
Consider Van Life
This option may not be for everyone, but remote working means that you can wake up in a different place every day. What better way to do that than by living in a van. There are many benefits to van life including saving money on rent. While the initial expenses may be costly (buying the van and renovating it), once you are on the road, the monthly expenses will be far cheaper than living and paying rent for an apartment. Moreover, with van life, you won’t need as many belongings. You can sell some stuff off and make a bit of cash.
More somewhere rural
Most remote workers will be thrilled to learn that they no longer have to live in busy metropolises like San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York City. In fact, in these cities, many jobs still require you to come to the office. Why not try living on the land?
Remote work has changed the concentration of jobs in the United States. Whereas before, if you wanted to work a certain high paying job, you had to move to a big city, now you can live somewhere more quiet and peaceful.
If you’ve always wanted to try out rural life, you can with remote work. Just make sure there is wifi!
Move abroad
If you’ve always had an itch to live abroad, this can be the perfect time. There are many countries around the world that offer digital nomad visas like Malta, Spain, Germany, Georgia, Croatia and Portugal. Many with remote jobs also move just south of the border to Mexico and live there on a tourist visa.
However, when moving abroad, be sure to take the time difference into account. If you have to be online at certain times of day, it may not be wise to move halfway across the world. Also, remember to check internet speeds of your intended destination. It can be frustrating to have to remote work with slow connection speeds.
Put your stuff in storage and move around
With no one requiring that you go into the office, you don’t have to live in a fixed place. You can move around and embark on a nomadic lifestyle. One day you can be in Hawaii, and the next in Japan. In order to do this, you may want to put your belongings into a climate controlled storage unit. Depending on where you live, storage units can be as affordable as $50 a month. Whenever you come back from your nomadic adventure, your stuff will be safe and sound.
Deciding where to live when working remotely:
READY TO MOVE?
USA Preferred Movers is a professional moving and storage company that operates all throughout the United States. Whenever you decide on your next destination, we can help with all things relocation!
We can haul your belongings to a storage unit and then move them to your new home, once you decide on one.
If you need moving services, packing or storage, make sure to contact us for a free quote.