The list wasnt topped by new remote hubs like Tulsa, but by Washington, DC, San Francisco, and Austin. After decades of brain drain in rural America, Tulsa Remote is working to attract a diverse group of remote workers to live in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Tulsa Remote has already grown significantly since the start of 2021 and intends to build upon these economic impacts and expand further in the . So after some cocktails by Bartender Sen, I started browsing the internet, and I came upon the Tulsa Remote Program. Its a highly cost-effective intervention relative to other economic development tools, said Daniel Newman, an analyst at EIG who worked on the study. The answer seems to be they have more time to do almost everything, he said in an interview, because they spend less time commuting. by the Economic Innovation Group, a think tank, estimated Tulsa Remotes effect on the citys economy using standard models of economic development. LET THEM ENTICE YOU WITH THAT GRANT. Even before the pandemic, the program was having great. On the coasts, no one could care less about their stranger neighbors. Thats the logic that leads EIGs models to estimate such a high payoff for Tulsa Remote. The foundation offers applicants $10,000 to move to. Lettieri explains that prior to Tulsa Remote, the city had a negative net migration of about 1,200 per year, and the majority of people leaving were college-educated. Recommended for you Cobot en espaol As well as things are going so far, Tulsa Remote raises a big question that crops up in any plan to attract new companies or industries: Why not just give the money to Tulsas existing citizens? By signing up, I give Tulsa Remote permission to send me periodic news, marketing and updates. But there are outstanding questions about the program, too. Were most proud of the fact that weve retained more than 90%, says Stewart. Good luck and when it works out for you.Congratulations and welcome to Tulsa. We've been featured in "My wife and I were looking for a place to raise our son and Tulsa has been a great fit for our family. But Tulsa Remote's backers anticipate some of the participants won't be remote workers forever. Funding is currently provided by the George Kaiser Family Foundation. Since the programs launch, and especially since the start of the pandemic, Stewart says hes fielded calls from every corner of the country, and beyond, with inquiries related to replicating the program elsewhere. Google AdSense Tulsa's 30+ entertainment and residential districts offer diverse landscapes and inclusive communities for you to find the perfect place for inspiration. On top of the cash subsidies, the program, dubbed "Tulsa Remote," comes with a free membership to 36 Degrees North, a co-working space in the city, which ordinarily charges members $149 per month or more. For one thing, the cities with the most remote work are the same big superstar cities that dominated the pre-pandemic economy. Because the people in the city were super welcoming everywhere we went. Funded by George Kaiser Family Foundation, Tulsa Remote has basic requirements. For example, if John Doe applies on September 1st, his partner must apply no later than September 14th to be considered. And theyre encouraged to get to know the people in their neighborhood and become involved within their communities. The program organizes events and outings, and encourages Remoters to participate in local civic programs. We're confident you'll fall in love but want to make sure we're looking for the same things. We even offer a. It doesn't mean you have to be an extrovert since I am an introvert myself, and there are many introverts in the community. We have a couple of trips out of Oklahoma in the pipeline, so stay tuned for more on that. Psst: Our $10,000 grant can now be received as a lump sum upon the purchase of a home! At least 12 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, The Saturday Six: Dental device controversy, scientist's bug find and more, Indonesia fuel depot fire kills 18; more than a dozen missing, 3 children killed, 2 others wounded at Texas home, Man charged for alleged involvement in 2 transformer explosions, Nikki Haley slams potential GOP contenders, and Trump and George W. Bush, Duo of 81-year-old women plan to see the world in 80 days, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Alex Murdaugh trial: What to know about the double murder case. Nervous about making the move? Since 2018, the Tulsa Remote program has offered remote workers moving to Tulsa $10,000 in cash, a desk at a local co-working space, and help finding housing. But it is likely less regressive than the all-too-common strategy of cutting taxes to lure corporations. I hope to be joining you soon :), Emphasize your desire to shop locally. What's the best place in Tulsa to move to, that's nearby markets and has high safety/walkability? Since its founding in 2018, Tulsa Remote has brought nearly 1,300 remote workers to town, and a new study suggests that the investment is paying off. The program was expected to bring in around 1,000 applicants and hopefully bring 50 people to Tulsa. This is when we finally decided to make the move. According to a 2018 Upwork report, 63 percent of companies surveyed had at least one employee working remotely, and hiring managers predicted that in the next 10 years, 38 percent of their full-time employees will work mostly remotely. In exchange, successful applicants are required to call the city home for at least 12 months. It's not the first time cities and even states have offered cash to entice would-be residents. They believe that Tulsa Remotes selection process, which intentionally seeks out talent that is needed but otherwise lacking in the city, is what ultimately drives its success. Oklahoma is one of the very few states whose cities rely entirely on sales tax for the government operating costs, said Perry. Tulsa Remote, a program that provides $10,000 grants to remote workers who relocate to Tulsa, OK, has seen a 36% uptick in applications since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) in March. Whats counts as community involvement? Tulsa remote challenges the notion that remote and virtual must equal placeless. One of the other biggest perks is that there is NO traffic; the worst traffic would be just a 5 minutes delay. LET THEM ENTICE YOU WITH THAT GRANT. From academics to engineers, you're sure to find your "people" in Tulsa. Tulsa Remote will also give you money to visit before moving, so you can see the apartments in person when you visit. In my hometown in Wilkinsburg, [part of the Pittsburgh metro area], there were a lot of promises made that the recruitment of tech talent would impact other places besides the city [of Pittsburgh], he said in an interview. Hi, I have my semi-finalist interview day after tomorrow. Thats especially true when the program involves attracting outsiders. Tulsa also has a significantly lower cost of living than Los Angeles, so we can focus on our business Evolusenand our passion fortravel photography. With the pandemic easing, work-from-home declining, and some companies pushing for a return to the office, Tulsas main competition might not be Wichita and Omaha but New York and Chicago. And as effective as the GKFFs $10,000 stipends have been, its not sustainable to get in a bidding war with other cities to lure workers. Our consideration for moving to Tulsa is 100% because of the Tulsa Remote Program! The question is whether Tulsa can continue to attract remote workers when it has to compete with, say, Wichita, Kansas or Omaha, Nebraska. All Rights Reserved. I was moving either way and was actually already under contract on a house. I way overthought the interview. Those who are interested in moving to Tulsa and hold a full-time remote job based outside of Oklahoma can apply for this program. During the first nine months we've been in the city, we have already: Joined the state-approved incubator at 36 Degrees North. Dont know much more about the process as of yet, but I know next step is at least one video interview. The interview process in order to be considered for the grant is fairly standard . There are lots of smaller cities that can offer inexpensive housing. During our consideration, we liked that Tulsa is in the middle of the country, and there are so many opportunities for road trips! Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Its economy specializes in oil and gas, aerospace, and manufacturing. For Tulsa Remote members, that means individuals are working for a company located outside of Oklahoma. He said yes, I applied, and the rest was history. I use apartments.com. American Airlines is the city's biggest employer, accounting for 7,000 jobs at its global maintenance and engineering facility, according to a 2017 report from Moody's Investors Service. For applicants that need to transition to remote work from a non-remote position, Tulsa Remote may require confirmation that they are able to work remotely. The median home price in Tulsa is $157,20043% below the national average! I got an email asking for a background check and income verification about two weeks after. Tulsa Remote is an incentive program offering $10,000 to out-of-state remote workers who move to Oklahoma. Can I apply if Im already in the process of buying a house/signing a lease in Tulsa? The Tulsa Remote team reviews each application. Tulsa Remote participants were more likely to say they intend to stay where they currently live than the candidates who were accepted but didnt end up moving. Exhibited my photography work during the Accidentally Wes Anderson: THIS IS AN ADVENTURE exhibit in the Philbrook Museum of Art. Once youve been accepted into the program and completed the required verification steps, youll receive information about the option to join us in Tulsa for a self-guided or hosted visit. I found out that I was accepted and just needed to move within the next 12 months the following week. Individuals must be at least 18 years of age to apply. I should specify it is a remote interview since I'm still stuck in Iowa currently. Three months after the move, Tomm switched jobs; she now works for a company in Michigan as a UX and design consultant. The deal includes $2,500 toward relocation costs, a $500 monthly stipend and a $1,500 bonus at the completion of 12 months in the city, according to the program's website. In July, she and her husband bought a house. Tulsa Remote provides resources to help finalists discover and secure suitable housing before they move to Tulsa, including a new housing portal. Far less congestion than cities like Austin, Atlanta and Dallas. IF YOU TELL THEM YOU ALREADY HAVE PLANS TO MOVE HERE, YOU WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY DISQUALIFIED. But what makes Tulsa's program unique is its focus on remote workers. Are you now a Tulsan? and our A program paid workers $10,000 to relocate to Tulsa. to the local community at least when housing costs dont rise enough to cancel out those benefits. It was intriguing to see how Black entrepreneurs were building back up Tulsa, as a Black entrepreneur and founder myself, says Law, who was invited to be one of 842 members of Tulsa Remotes 2021 cohort. Tulsa has a great cost of living, and likely cheaper housing than where you currently live. With internationally recognized coffee roasters and breweries, there's always a place to refuel. Andre Perry, a researcher at Brookings who studies urban development and inequality, supports the basic idea of attracting knowledge workers but cautions that it doesnt always deliver. As long as the program continues to have a positive impact on the community, we will continue it.. "They need warm bodies.". Not a week goes by without hearing from one city thats thinking of this, everyone from Alaska to Hawaii to Georgia to New York State, he says. Food, housing, transport, healthcare, etc. In 2019, Tulsa Remote participants ages ranged from 22 to 64. Housing in Tulsa costs about one fifth the price of housing in Los Angeles or New York. Rent - $658 Tulsa vs. $2,069 Seattle, 2 BR Avg. Which makes most of us super open to meeting new people and new like-minded friends. No. Cookie Notice Over the last four years, more than 2,000 people have moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma because of Tulsa Remote, a program sponsored by the George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF) that pays remote workers $10,000 to move. Remote workers have high-paying jobs, and that income trickles out into Tulsa as they spend it. So when the 29-year-old entrepreneur was deciding where to launch her video-based social network for anime and geek fandom, QuirkChat, she had a lot of options to consider. This was a program that was right-sized and designed to fill a lot of those gaps, and then scaled in such a way as to have a significant impact on an economy of the size of the Tulsa metro.. Of the nearly 800. Rent - $658 Tulsa vs. $1,500 Chicago, 2 BR Avg. While we try to accept a wide variety of movers and shakers into our program, we, unfortunately, can't invite everyone. We submitted our application for the apartment, put down a deposit, and moved in Mid-May 2021. It's a growing segment of the workforce. That just didnt happen. We moved to Tulsa Oklahoma with Tulsa Remote! I was selected as a semifinalist for the Tulsa Remote program and my interview is next week. But for now, that question counts as a good problem to have. Remote workers have high-paying jobs, and that income trickles out into Tulsa as they spend it. I'd be interested to know who you interviewed with, the kinds of questions they and you asked. I dont currently work remotely, but I can transition to remote work in my current role. You are not eligible for the program if youre in process of buying a home or renting an apartment. The city is also aiming to become one of the country's largest technology and business hubs. Besides receiving much press coverage during its 2018 launch, Bolzle said Tulsa Remote has provided a significant return on investment for Tulsa. In creating Tulsa Remote, Stewart says he was inspired by Teach for America, a non-profit organization that deploys graduates from the countrys top universities to low income communities to teach for two years. Aside from the $10,000 disbursed as a house down payment or over time Tulsa Remote members also get assistance with house hunting, access to co-working spaces and weekly social and . The program requires selected participants to move within 12 months of being accepted and completing the required verification steps. I started to get envious, she said. All told, Tulsa Remote is estimated to have contributed $62 million in new labor income to the local economy in 2021. Sen & I moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, from Los Angeles, California, in May 2021 with theTulsa Remote(TR). Tulsa is not the only city that offers remote workers cash in exchange for taking up residence, but researchers warn not every city stands to enjoy the same economic benefits in return. I enjoy going to all the member meetups TR arranges and free drinks, plus we get to check out different restaurants, bars, and even sporting events in the city. However, what really has made Tulsa "fantastic" for me, is how well . This major public-private partnership to develop the citys waterfront, the fact that theres a burgeoning art scene, I think Tulsa was positioned well, not just because of its size, but because of the assets and amenities that are here that people just didnt know about previously.. If selected for the program, how soon can I move? Better binge watch your favorite shows before you get here. Glassdoor In my hometown in Wilkinsburg, [part of the Pittsburgh metro area], there were a lot of promises made that the recruitment of tech talent would impact other places besides the city [of Pittsburgh], he said in an interview.