Remote working is a style of work that gives people the ability to do their jobs outside of a traditional office environment. It gives flexibility to those that choose to design their days in order to take advantage of their maximum potential. Here are some great cities in the U.S. where remote working can be a superior experience.
1. Charlotte, North Carolina
Called the Queen City, Charlotte is a 330 square-mile city of neighborhoods that have grown outward from the Catawba River. With breweries, arts districts and historical areas Charlotte never lacks for something interesting to do. Home of the NASCAR Hall of Fame and more banking institutions in the country, outside of New York City, Charlotte is a diverse mix of commercial, manufacturing, and service industries.
The unemployment rate in Charlotte is 4.50% and the economy is growing. The cost of living in Charlotte is 2.80% lower than the national average, too. With a population of 872,498 Charlotte is currently the third fastest-growing city in the U.S. 28.3% of the residents are between the ages of 35 and 54 with the median age being 34.1 years old.
2. Salt Lake City, Utah
The sheer beauty of the landscape around Salt Lake City makes it a perfect destination for those who work remotely. There is hiking Liberty Park, skiing at Park City, and you can stroll the University of Utah’s Red Butte Garden or visit the Salt Lake City Public Library—a stunning piece of modern architecture.
Salt Lake City is also home to many Mormon temples. The largest was dedicated in 1893 and required 40 years to build. Although the temple is considered holy and therefore is not open to the public, many other buildings on the property are open for visits. Salt Lake City has a relatively low cost of living and recently 6.1% of the population worked remotely. Salt Lake City’s metro area is home to over 195,700 residents and the median age is 32 years old. Salt Lake City has one of the lowest crime rates in the U.S.
3. Austin, Texas
Austin, a truly popular city right now, ranks number three out of 50 for having the greatest number of people working remotely in the U.S. 8.2% of the population works in a location other than a formal office. Major categories for remote careers in Austin are:
- Data Entry
- Finance
- Accounting
- Software Development
- Legal work
Austin is also a city that has many amenities for residents who work remotely. The vast amount of green space within the city provides places to bike, stroll, and run. This is also one of the most pet-friendly cities in the country.
If you have a well-behaved dog, there are a multitude of bars and restaurants that Fido can join you at. You will find pet watering stations along most trails and there are many dog parks scattered throughout the city.
Lately, many restaurants have been doing curbside service for food and drinks. The median age of residents in Austin is 32 years old and the cost of living is approximately 9% higher than the national average. Austin consistently ranks in the top ten cities in the U.S. for quality of life.
4. Kansas City, Missouri
In order to work remotely, you must have Wi-Fi and Kansas City has the fastest Wi-Fi in the country according to Overheard on Conference Call analysis. With 4.6% of the population working remotely, Kansas City has the third-largest concentration of remote workers in their state. The top categories for distance work in Kansas City are:
- Human Resources
- Recruiting
- Computer Services
- IT
- Data Entry
Crowned the home of swing and bebop, music enthusiasts will find clubs and festivals all over Kansas City. Also known as “The City of Fountains” you can walk from the fountain to fountain while exploring neighborhoods and shops.
A world-class zoo resides in Kansas City along with museums for almost every interest from the history of jazz to visual arts. Originally a trading post for settlers heading west, Kansas City has become a thriving and diverse metropolis. The population of Kansas City is approximately 472,000 people. The cost of living is 6% lower than the national average and the median age of Kansas City residents is 35.3 years old.
5. Chicago, Illinois
There is no denying that Chicago is an amazing city for those who work remotely. Chicago is a city that has rebuilt and re-imagined itself many times since the Great Chicago Fire and with more than 20 diverse neighborhoods Chicago offers history, shopping, education, arts, and culture to match anyone’s taste. Land transportation in the city and out to the suburbs is relatively easy considering the amount of land the city encompasses and the number of people that call Chicago home.
From Lake Michigan and Lincoln Park to West Loop, Wicker Park, and the Gold Coast, there are activities, festivals, shopping, and architecture that will astound you. The cost of living in Chicago is 10% higher than the national average and the Illinois sales tax is 23% higher than the national average. The cost of housing is approximately 17% higher than the national average. 67% of the population is 18-64 years old and the median age is 34.9.
6. Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta was founded in 1837 at the end of the Western & Atlantic railroad line. Today it is still a transportation hub, though now it services the entire world. More than 1,000 international businesses operate in Atlanta and the city has the third-largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies in the country.
The cost of living is approximately 1.80% higher than the national average but the incredible number of things to do, see and participate in makes it a perfect city for someone who wants to work remotely.
Working remotely has many advantages; most importantly that you can choose the city you would like to live in. The six cities listed above are just a sampling of the types of places you can live and work remotely in the U.S.
Written by Sam Radbil
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