Website Spotlight - MakeMyMove

The  Today Show segment: "Inflation Relocation: Some Are Getting Paid to Move to Rural Cities" (May 15) showcased the growing trend of remote workers relocating to more affordable rural areas with the help of financial incentives programs like MakeMyMove.

MakeMyMove has moved more than 1,000 people to their happy places in the past few years and we see no slow down for this trend. Interest, in fact, is up 3 times what it was even during the pandemic. Part of that may be due to unaffordable costs in bigger cities, which seems unaffected by today’s new consumer price index info.

I had a chance to learn more in this interview with MakeMyMove VP of Marketing Christie Hurst, mom of 3.

What signs are there that remote working is here to stay - at least for some positions?

We've seen a number of studies that show remote work is now a solid part of the national work scene. See this and this. Also, workers themselves are ensuring the trend continues, and our experience shows they continue to want remote positions. Interest in our programs has increased three times its pace even during the pandemic.

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Why can it be a good financial move to relocate to more rural areas?

For movers, especially in congested, expensive cities, relocating to a smaller, more rural area will come with immediate financial benefits: The cost of living is nearly always less than larger, urban areas, including the cost of food, housing and amenities. It’s almost like getting a raise. Our movers tell us they can actually afford homes with yards for their children, something they’d feared they’d never be able to have. These lower costs enable families to save more for other things, as well.

What are some of the other benefits of relocating for remote workers?

Many of our movers tell us they were attracted by incentives being offered by communities, but in the end, it was the people themselves - not the offers - that sealed the deal. Our movers are finding themselves a part of a community whereas before they felt disconnected or simply not a true part of their neighborhoods where they may not even know their neighbors. The communities we work with actively act to welcome the movers in - some have helped them find homes and even organized playdates for children. One of our communities introduced a new family to the school principal. Another community enlists the local football team to help unpack movers’ moving vans. Often, community offers will include memberships in local service clubs or on board, and ongoing activities designed to help the newcomers “find their people” and join the community.