If 2020 was anything positive, it was perhaps the year that remote work became mainstream. For years, the merits of working remotely had been talked about by analysts and think-thanks, but it was more of a theoretical concept.
With the pandemic, companies across the globe moved to a remote work model, and many have decided they’re not going back to traditional in-person work any time soon.
That’s changed how people live. If you were once living in a tiny New York City apartment, you might have decided to move somewhere more suburban and enjoy more space and a dedicated home office.
There are things you have to consider, like Wi-Fi speed, the cost of living, and options for things like coffee shops and co-working spaces when you want a change of scenery.
If you’re looking for a new city to call home, the following rank as some of the best for remote workers.
Raleigh, NC
Raleigh is a beautiful and thriving city. It’s very business-friendly, it’s only a few hours from the beach and the mountains and the weather is mild. There’s a big Millennial population, and it has above-average broadband speeds thanks to the fact that it’s a university town.
The downtown area is packed with restaurants and bars, and there are abundant outdoor activities within the city and nearby.
Raleigh is also part of the Research Triangle, along with nearby Durham and Chapel Hill.
Austin, TX
Austin is known as a progressive and tech-driven hub in Texas. The weather is great, the nightlife is world-class, and the city is known for being home to some of the best chefs and restaurants in the world.
There are around 300 days of sunshine in Austin, and they have incredibly fast broadband speeds.
The outdoor activities are unparalleled as well, particularly in the spring and summer.
The one downside is that since Austin is so popular, the cost of living is increasing compared to other parts of Texas.
Nashville, TN
There’s no state income tax in Tennessee, which might be reason enough to move to Nashville. Nashville is also one of the best cities in the world for music, and they frequently have food and wine festivals.
It’s been recently ranked as one of the best places in the world to go for a visit, and you’ll never be short on entertainment.
If you love the outdoors, it’s just about two hours from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix is known for its many unique coffee shops, which are perfect places to get work done when you’re ready to leave the house. Phoenix is also packed with startups, so you’ll feel right at home among like-minded entrepreneurs if you own your own business, and the city has a new, affordable and safe light rail system so you can get around.
During your free time when you aren’t working, some of the best things to do in Phoenix include hiking the desert or heading to Camelback Mountain for outdoor recreation. There’s also South Mountain Park and Piestewa Peak.
Day trip options include the Grand Canyon, which is about three-and-a-half hours north of the city, and Sedona, with its beautiful red rocks.
Salt Lake City, UT
Finally, Salt Lake City has become one of the preferred destinations for remote workers and people who want to relocate, often in search of a lower cost of living from places like California.
Utah is the youngest state in America, as far as its population. There are a lot of young professionals moving there for the many career opportunities, and it’s currently one of the best cities in the country in terms of the job market. There’s even Silicon Slopes, which is a tech hub in the Wasatch Mountains. Companies like Oracle and Adobe have a presence there currently.
The weather is mild in the summer, hiking is popular, and there are skiing options nearby.
