If there is one good thing that came out of the pandemic, it was discovering how easy it is to work from home. Many employers even stated they will never return to pre-pandemic office days, including Dropbox, Shopify, Twitter and Upwork.
If you have the flexibility to work from home indefinitely, maybe it is time for you to reevaluate where you live. There are states and cities with a lower cost of living happy to welcome you — and helping you stretch your income further than ever.
From fresh seafood and white-sand beaches to history and a lively casino industry, Biloxi is filled with young professionals and families. A smaller city, Biloxi feels more like a suburb on the coast and is quite safe for residents.
Although in Indiana, Gary is so close to Chicago that it’s easily accessible for commuters or remote workers with ties to the Midwest’s biggest city. While once known for crime, the city has seen a rebirth and businesses are making a return. By the way, Michael Jackson and Prince were both born in Gary!
Although Flint has made news in recent years for experiencing a water crisis, the industrial city is affordable, home to universities, and filled with diversity. One of the safest cities in Michigan, it’s also the state’s fourth largest and within an hour’s drive from Detroit and Lansing.
Situated along Lake Erie, Toledo is a culture-filled town with a variety of museums to enjoy. As a large metropolitan city, the community feels more like a small town in terms of friendliness and safety.
If Toledo is too big, consider the Cleveland suburb, also nestled along the banks of Lake Erie. You’ll have the best of Cleveland’s attractions and businesses in a small town that is more affordable and filled with charm.
Another Cleveland suburb, this time to the south, Medina is considered one of the best places to live in Ohio. Home to young professionals, the vibe in this small town is hip, active and fun.
Suburbs are always cheaper than big cities, which is why those near Oklahoma City’s business, attractions and lifestyle discover Midwest City. Its low cost of living and less expensive homes make it ideal for young professionals.
Surrounded by nature, this town in the northeastern tip of the state touts all of the amenities of a big city with a hometown feel. The city is known for industry and entertainment tucked away in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.
A suburb of Little Rock, Conway is a city that holds its own to its bigger neighbor. Here, most residents live and work in Conway, skipping Little Rock except when in need of something different to do. The dense town is considered one of Arkansas’ best.
Even better is the charming city of Fayetteville, which even landed in the top five best places to live by U.S. News & World Report in 2021. An active town of young professionals, Fayetteville is surrounded by the Ozark Mountains.