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Forbes
31-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
17 Places In The U.S. That Will Pay You As Much As $12,000 To Move There (And That's Not All)
Texarkana—one of dozens of towns across the U.S. that will pay you to move—is proud of its roots. The downtown mural by artist Darlene Taylor is a local favorite and a symbol of the community spirit that's attracting new residents. Nichole Holze Thinking of making a move? What if you could get paid to move somewhere new—someplace with a lower cost of living, a better quality of life and a community that actually wants you there? That's the idea behind MakeMyMove, an online marketplace that connects remote workers and other professionals with towns and cities across the U.S. offering financial incentives to relocate. If it sounds familiar, you're not wrong—I've written about similar programs created by a village in Italy, the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma and the state of Vermont, What started as one-off headlines has become a full-blown trend. And it's a concept that's catching on fast. 'We launched at the end of 2020 during the pandemic, when we realized that newly remote workers were free agents—suddenly able to live and work wherever they wanted,' Evan Hock, co-founder of MakeMyMove, told me in an interview. 'We started with about 20 programs. Now there are more than 170 on the site, covering hundreds of towns across the country.' Hock calls it 'relocation economics'—a new kind of economic development model that flips the old playbook. Instead of trying to attract big corporations with tax breaks, towns are investing in people. And the return on investment is real. A view of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which is paying people to move there. getty 'We've worked with economists to measure the impact,' says Hock. 'For every $100,000 of income we help a town attract, it generates $83,000 of incremental economic activity each year. The lifetime value of a household is close to half a million dollars.' Texarkana, Texas is a prime example. The town launched its 'Redi-Set-Move' program in 2024 and has already attracted dozens of high-income remote workers. In return, newcomers get a $5,000 relocation bonus, tuition discounts, memberships to arts and business organizations, and even a welcome lunch with the mayor. 'We're open for business—and for living,' Rob Sitterley, president and CEO of AR-TX REDI, told me in an interview. 'This program helps us attract talent, grow our tax base, support local universities, and boost entrepreneurship. We've seen over 8,000 applications already.' The incentive package also includes a yearlong membership to a local creator space, tickets to the symphony, and opportunities for newcomers to connect with community leaders and young professionals. 'It's about more than the money—it's about building connections and encouraging people to put down roots,' says Sitterley. Melanie Daniel, who relocated from Memphis to Texarkana through the MakeMyMove program. Melanie Daniel Melanie Daniel was one of those applicants. A remote worker in the e-learning space, she moved from Memphis to Texarkana after selling her house—and dealing with one too many home repairs. 'I searched for places that would pay me to move and came across MakeMyMove. Texarkana responded within days,' she says. 'Now I live in a luxury apartment, I've made new friends, and I'm getting involved in the community. I've recommended it to so many people.' Other places are just getting started. Cedar Rapids, Iowa is just launching a program offering $5,000 in relocation cash plus local perks. 'We've seen huge investment in infrastructure and business,' says Jodi Schafer, the city's talent attraction director. 'Now it's time to invest in people.' According to Schafer, community immersion is a key part of the strategy. 'These incentives help newcomers experience the region and build relationships—two things that are critical to long-term retention,' she says. Here is a sampling of some of the best places in the U.S. that are paying people to move in 2025—and what they offer. Kress Gap in Texarkana. Nichole Holze Places In The U.S. That Will Pay You To Move There Texarkana, Texas/Arkansas This community that blends small town charm and big opportunities is offering a $5,000 relocation cash incentive, 25% tuition discount to Texas A&M Texarkana; one year membership to The Assembly Line, Texarkana's brand-new creator space, preferred membership to Leadership Texarkana, breakfast with Texarkana leaders and VIP access to Texarkana's Business Scene. New Albany, Indiana This up-and-coming town in Southern Indiana, across the river from the bourbon capital of the U.S. is offering a $5,000 relocation cash incentive, five year Dual Co-Working Space Memberships to The Root and Novaparke Innovation and Technology Campus and a $5,000 business start-up grant. Switzerland County, Indiana This rural destination offers a $5,000 cash incentive and access to a scenic lifestyle with proximity to Cincinnati, Louisville and Indianapolis. Crawfordsville, Indiana This town offers a $5,000 relocation package, plus a one-year YMCA family membership and $100 in Chamber Bucks. Morgantown, West Virginia One of the fastest growing towns in the state with beautiful natural amenities is offering a $12,000 relocation cash incentive; free co-working space and social programming, along with professional development and entrepreneurial assistance. Jacksonville, Illinois This community with small-town charm and lots of career growth is offering a $5,000 relocation cash incentive; $300 in Chamber Bucks, three months of fiber broadband service and a 'Build Your Career in Jacksonville' package including a variety of incentives. Mayfield, Kentucky The beautiful town known for its community engagement and opportunities to grow professionally is offering a $5,000 relocation cash incentive, lunch with the Mayor and other local leadership and membership to the Mayfield Graves County Young Professionals Group and Rotary Club. Columbus, Georgia This town with an affordable cost of living and lots of recreational activities is offering a $5,000 relocation cash incentive, six months of co-working space at CoWork Columbus, community connection outings, monthly mover meet ups, coffee with the mayor and a one-year membership to the Young Professionals Program and Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce. Macon-Bibb, Georgia This community welcomes newcomers with a $2,500 cash stipend, a three-month co-working space membership, moving service discounts and housing incentives. Hermitage, Pennsylvania Set in the heart of Western Pennsylvania, this community offers a $5,000 relocation cash incentive, six months of coworking space and monthly coffee networking events. Benton Harbor, Michigan This town offers $5,000 in down payment assistance and the appeal of lakeside living in a community where the cost of living is 15% below the national average. Southwest Michigan This region invites new residents with $5,000 in down payment assistance, support for partners' career placement, school enrollment help for kids and free tuition at Lake Michigan College. Belleville, Kansas This town is incentivizing homebuilders with up to $35,000 for new construction or $25,000 for the first five homes built within city limits. Hutchinson, Kansas This community adds $7,500 toward your home purchase in a town known for affordability and small-town charm. Neodesha, Kansas This town is going all in with a mix of cash and benefits: up to $15,000 in student loan repayment, free college tuition for local graduates, daycare support and property tax rebates. Montpelier, Vermont This state capital offers $5,000 in cash, free fiber internet for a year, $500 in co-working credit and a community welcome event. Greater Rochester, New York This region welcomes newcomers with a $10,000 cash incentive and additional perks like free co-working space and access to startup resources. MORE FROM FORBES: Forbes Here's How You Can Get Paid $16,000 To Move To Spain Forbes The Best (And Most Affordable) Places To Live In America: 2025 Report Forbes The 20 Best Cities To Live In The World, According To A 2025 Report
CNBC
22-06-2025
- Business
- CNBC
West Virginia, Baltimore, Tulsa: 7 U.S. states, cities and towns that will pay you to move there
Whether you're making a move to escape the high costs of a big city or just wanting a fresh start in a new place — why not get paid? There are many states, cities and towns across the United States that offer financial incentives to move there. It's something that Evan Hock, co-founder and COO of MakeMyMove tells CNBC Make It, he wishes more people were aware of. "For the first time, consumers are in the driver's seat of where they live and work. They are more mobile than ever, both through remote work, and if you're a smart person, you can pretty much get a job anywhere, and that gives people options," he says. "They are moving from places like California, New York, Texas and Florida to places that maybe have a better quality of life. As far as they're concerned, they're looking for affordability and community connection." The goals of most of these programs, Hock says, is to reach an audience of move-ready talent and grow their communities. "The places that most commonly participate are places in the middle of the country. Lots of times, it's places that have historically struggled to grow, or they've lost talent to city centers. This is a way that they can sort of open their doors and bring some of that talent back." Before applying to any of these programs, one of the most important things to do is visit. Hock says it's something he finds that many people neglect. But once that's done, go for it. "The seats are limited, so if you're thinking about making a move, it's free to apply and applying kind of gets your name in the hat, so take the plunge," he adds. As of June 2025, the following cities and states are offering a financial incentive, with some paying as much as $12,000. Program name: Ascend West Virginia Incentive: Up to $12,000 or more How it works: In addition to money, West Virginia is offering prospective residents a slew of other incentives, including a free outdoor recreation package and a co-working space. To take advantage, you must live in the state for at least two years in one of the designated communities: New River George, Greenbrier Valley, Morgantown, Eastern Panhandle, and Greater Elkins. To be eligible for the Ascend West Virginia program, applicants must work remotely, have the ability to work remotely in a business based outside of West Virginia or be self-employed outside of the state. You must provide proof of employment and income prior to being accepted into the program, have the ability to relocate within six months, be 18 years or older, and be a U.S. citizen or green card holder. Program name: Tulsa Remote Incentive: $10,000 in rental grants or a lump sum after the purchase of a qualifying home and a three-year membership to a local co-working space. How it works: Tulsa launched its program in 2018. In order to take advantage of the program, you must meet these requirements: be at least 18 years of age, authorized to work in the United States, have current full-time, remote employment outside of Oklahoma, can relocate to Tulsa within 12 months of approval. Applicants must also have lived outside of the state for one full year before applying. The application process includes a 30-minute virtual interview and if you are selected to proceed, you'll be required to complete a background check and income verification before continuing. Once you're approved, Tulsa Remote will have to verify you've signed a qualifying lease or purchased a qualifying home. Approved applicants will then attend a new member orientation. Once those steps are completed, you will be eligible to receive the grant money. Program name: Choose Topeka Incentive: Up to $10,000 to be allocated to rent for the first year or up to $15,000 to put towards buying a home. How it works: To receive the incentive, your employer must participate in the GO Topeka employee transfer program and contribute anywhere from $2,500 up to $15,000. After the first year, the program will reimburse part of the total qualified relocation incentive. The city has two other programs that offer $5,000 to former Topeka residents and $5,000 to those transitioning out of the military. For these programs, the funds can be used however the recipient chooses. Program name: Buying Into Baltimore Incentive: $5,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance, 5-year forgivable loan How it works: The program is awarded by lottery 12 business days after the Live Baltimore's Trolley Tour event, which is held three times a year. Homebuyers must attend and complete all requirements of the Trolley Tour event. After that event, applicants have 12 business days to make an offer on a home, have the offer accepted, obtain a contract of sale and submit the required paperwork to be eligible for the lottery drawing. 20 homebuyers will be selected to receive the funds. For remote workers interested, it's important to note that the property must also be used as a primary residence. Program name: Talent Attraction Program Scholarship Incentive: Up to $15,000 How it works: From April 1, 2025 to July 1, 2025, the Hamilton Community Foundation is taking applications for what is known as a "reverse scholarship." Recent graduates will receive assistance with student loan debt. To be eligible, applicants must have graduated within the last seven years from a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, or Mathematics) program. Additionally, you can't currently reside in the designated areas of the city of Hamilton, but you must have plans to move there. Those interested must demonstrate employment within Butler County or have a full-time remote position. The application states that preference will be given to "those with a desire to give back to the community and become engaged in activities." Program name: Choose Ketchikan Incentive: Up to $2,000 How it works: Applicants must be at least 18 years old and fully employed. They must live outside Alaska while working remotely for a company that is also outside Alaska. Once you become a resident of Alaska, the state will pay you after a year of living there from the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend. The program is also offering up to three months of free internet. Program name: The Newton Housing Initiative Incentive: $10,000 cash How it works: The city, located approximately 30 miles from Des Moines, is offering $10,000 in cash to individuals seeking to purchase homes valued at more than $240,000. Rental properties are not eligible and homes under $240,000 shall be eligible for tax abatement. Part of the "Get to Know Newton Welcome Package" also includes getting gifts from local businesses and attending events.
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Travel + Leisure
19-05-2025
- Business
- Travel + Leisure
This Southern City Is the Most Welcoming Community in the U.S., Report Finds
About 8.2 million Americans moved between states in 2022, and as census data shows, that number is only going up year after year. If you're one of the millions looking to pack up all your stuff and move to a brand-new state in 2025, MakeMyMove has a few places for you to consider. In April, MakeMyMove, an online relocation marketplace for recruiting remote workers, released its list of the most welcoming places in the U.S. It noted in its findings that "these cities and regions have gone beyond traditional growth strategies to successfully attract and integrate new residents, proving that a thoughtful, hands-on approach can reshape a community's future." It added that it selected these destinations for their "innovative approaches to population growth," including via initiatives like Columbus 2025, a project aimed at increasing "prosperity, reducing poverty, and improve overall quality of life for a stronger and more vibrant region for decades to come," and the Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) program, whose mission is "to solve the deep-seated issue of population retention and growth in Eastern Kentucky." After reviewing all the programs and efforts, it named Columbus, Georgia, a city tucked along the Western border of the state, as the No. 1 pick, thanks to its "precision in people-matching." "Columbus is strategically growing its population, with a community talent strategy aiming for a 4 percent increase by 2026," the findings stated. "Their matchmaking approach thoughtfully selects movers who will relocate for the long term. The Columbus team doesn't just recruit remote workers—they connect them with local leaders and community opportunities to ensure they stay." Coming in second is Eastern Kentucky, which earned a top spot thanks to its neighborly care. "What distinguishes it? A deeply rooted culture of hospitality, where residents personally welcome newcomers—sometimes with home-cooked meals, assistance with moving or even a ride to town," it stated. And rounding out the top three is Noblesville, Indiana, known for its "concierge-level" community integration. It added, "The city's hands-on approach ensures that newcomers feel like part of the community from day one." "These communities understand that relocation isn't just about moving boxes—it's about building a life," Evan Hock, the co-founder and COO of MakeMyMove, shared. "The leaders behind these programs are creating real human connections, removing barriers for newcomers, and proving that a welcoming community is the best incentive of all." Want to find even more welcoming communities? See the full list and what makes each destination special enough to call "home" at
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MakeMyMove initiative sparks national interest in Central Indiana
In 2020, a group of Indianapolis-based economic development professionals decided to try something different. Rather than attracting businesses to the community, why not attract individuals, specifically remote workers, to the community? 'We're in 17 states right now and Indiana is the first in the nation to have a statewide recruitment program,' MakeMyMove COO Evan Hock said. 'With 34 local programs across the state, all of it is sponsored by Indianan Economic Development funds.' Those interested in moving to Indiana can apply on the MakeMyMove website and receive thousands of dollars in incentives. Communities set up their own incentive programs. 'Noblesville, for example, has $15,000 in cash and amenities, including memberships to the Chamber and the local co-working space," Hock said. "You can pick your spot based on the region and the program they offer.' Zionsville is participating. So is Muncie, Greenwood and everywhere in between. The incentives are meant to help movers get involved and explore the community they've chosen. The closer they are to Indianapolis, options like tickets to racing events, sporting events and more are available. Participants must be moving in from out of state and they must bring a remote job with them. The organization's goal is to recruit 50 new households by the end of May 2025 and Hock said they are 10 percent of the way there with many more in the pipeline of the application process. Central Indiana has proven to be an attractive option. According to Payscale, housing in Indianapolis is 22% lower than the national average and the cost of living is 10% less. 'The first mover we had came to McCordsville. They were able to get a home with more space and a different pace of life. It's whatever suits your preference,' Hock said. 'It's a new way for communities to grow and we're continuing to scale up the program.' It's a win-win for everyone, according to Hock. Not only are there incentives for families moving in, but it's also a great opportunity for the economic vitality of the community. 'We have a software engineer from Silicon Valley come to Indy and they're bringing that spending power with them," Hock said. "Remote workers are free agents and they are coming in from California, Texas and Florida looking for affordability and community connections. They're finding that in places like Zionsville and Lebanon.' For more information on the program, visit the website at
