We love to explore housing possibilities in every community that we visit.  Here are four of our favorite hidden gems that got us talking:

Love to entertain and looking to move to your own little slice of heaven? You’ll be rejoicing and bells will be ringing (really!) after seeing 

, a former church converted into a truly unique, 8,071-square-foot home in Redkey, a small Indiana town filled with Midwestern charm. It also has a pool built for fun in the sun!

Built in 1910, this eight-room sanctuary, located four blocks north of Main Street and the town’s center, offers a truly one-of-a-kind living/entertainment space with soaring ceilings, beautiful hardwood, three large bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and a 4-vehicle carport.

A fully finished basement with exposed brick walls provides even more space to spread out or get your game on, and your guests will be thrilled to ring the still-intact church bell inside the old choir loft on the third floor. If partying outside is more your thing, the enclosed backyard features a spacious wooden deck, a large swimming pool, a hot tub, and a grassy area for grilling.

 Jay County is offering to full-time remote workers willing to relocate to Redkey or other nearby towns.

Imagine spending a warm spring evening on your new screened-in sun porch, hosting a massive summer party on your sprawling 2.5-acre yard, or curling up in front of your choice of five fireplaces. Yes, that’s right—five fireplaces! Even better, get paid to move to Richmond, Indiana, where this 

 with charming built-ins and original architectural details is listed for sale.

Just minutes from Earlham College, experience all the benefits of country living within city limits. And located right off Highway 40 (Main Street of America), you’re only a short drive to larger metros like Indianapolis, Dayton, and Columbus.

The best part: Richmond is currently offering a 

 to full-time remote workers willing to relocate to Wayne County. Check out these benefits!

! The nearly 5,000-square-foot home includes plenty of space to live, work and play, with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, and the ultimate spot to kick back after a long day or host friends on the weekend — a fully finished walkout basement with a gas fireplace and wet bar.

Enjoy grilling and chilling on the freshly stained deck, playing lawn games on the half-acre lot, or taking a walk in this quiet, suburban neighborhood. Or, take a 15-minute drive to downtown Terre Haute, which is home to dozens of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. Imbibe in the Terre Haute Brewing District, which hosts an annual 


All this and more (like $7,500 cash) could be yours when you choose to 

If you’re looking for a 100% move-in ready home centrally located in a lively downtown, we have an amazing spot for you in Warsaw, Indiana!

You really can’t get more downtown than this space. Located just steps from the town square, this 

 features a modern layout with 14-foot ceilings, beautiful hardwoods, granite countertops — and best of all — a private rooftop deck with 360-degree views of downtown Warsaw and Center Lake.

With everything in walking distance, you can forget the Uber fees or ditch your car altogether, if that’s your thing. Walk out the front door and nosh on Japanese, Indian, or Mexican food, then imbibe at Mad Anthony Brewing or Anthology Whiskey Room.

The condo comes fully furnished and is ready for move-in. That means no moving fees, no lugging furniture upstairs, and definitely no yard work on the weekends.


Sounds cool, right? It gets better: Kosciusko County is currently offering a 

 (including the option for money towards a mortgage rate reduction!) to full-time remote workers willing to relocate to Warsaw and surrounding towns.

Check out some of our favorite houses for sales in Kosciusko County, Terre Haute, Richmond, and Jay County, Indiana.

Richmond

Redkey

Warsaw

Terre Haute

Our Favorite Houses- Big Yards, A Converted Church, and Downtown Living

We know moving to a new city, state or locale can either be a huge hassle or a seamless experience. And moving isn’t for everyone, but sometimes a few perks and incentives can ease the load and inspire certain movers to go somewhere they’ve never been before.

Take MakeMyMove member Kelly Banuelos, for instance. The 29-year-old Las Vegas native can live wherever she wants while working remotely in tech for a California healthcare company. She’s lived in five different states over the past six years, most recently landing in 

“I think once you get out, it makes it easier to move,” Banuelos says. “I don't think I would have ever left Vegas, but I finally just made that decision.

“It was like, ‘Okay, I got to move.’ Then it's like, ‘Oh, I can move anywhere. Nothing's holding me back.’ I don't have kids. I'm not married,” she adds. “So, it's very easy to just grab your stuff and move.” 

While Banuelos relocated without assistance during her previous moves, she learned about our program to 

“I did a little bit of research, and I’m like, ‘Oh, wow! They’re literally paying you to move. Let’s move to Kentucky!’” says Banuelos, who then convinced her remote-worker boyfriend, Michael, to pack up all of their belongings into two vehicles and make the trek to the Bluegrass State — 

The MakeMyMove perks, she says, is what sold her on moving to Kentucky. In addition to a 

, Banuelos received a one-year gym membership, free tickets to festivals, concerts, and museums, free banjo lessons with a local instructor, as well as one free coffee and donut per week from a local coffee shop for one year.

“I love food, and I love coffee, so they had me with that!” Banuelos exclaims, but says Kentucky really spoke to her when she learned about the bourbon, country music, and free banjo lessons. “I'm a huge music person. I love festivals. And I get a free banjo lesson! That’s something I've always wanted to do.”

Remote Workers Save Money and Gain Freedom to Move

The options for affordable housing in Kentucky, along with bourbon, bluegrass, barbecue, and a variety of other amenities, immediately sold Banuelos on the idea of moving to and working remotely from Owensboro, a smaller city with a population of about 60,000 — as compared to Durham’s population of 285,527.

“We found something more homey and relaxed, so I think Owensboro works,” Banuelos says.

She’s employed as a remediation specialist, making web documents 508 compliant or accessible for people with disabilities. Her boyfriend also works from home as a cryptocurrency trader.

When combining lower rent, food, and gas prices, Banuelos estimates she’ll immediately be able to save $1,000 or more each month by working remotely from Owensboro. In Durham, rent costs range from $1,800 to $2,000 a month for a one-bedroom apartment, as compared to only $1,000 to $1,100 per month in Owensboro.

“I've noticed all the food places I go to are a lot cheaper, too. Gas is a lot cheaper. So, I think it's going to be very affordable for us,” Banuelos says. “And it's kind of nice, because you have more breathing room to be able to go out and do this, go here, and travel more. For me, it's a good thing.”

And even better? Her boss is perfectly fine with the plan.

“She's super supportive,” Banuelos says of her supervisor at Alignment Healthcare. “She said, ‘I don't care where you work, as long as the work's getting done on time.’ That's a great thing to find in a company, to be honest.”

See Where You Fit In, Then ‘Put Yourself Out There’

When it comes to making new friends and finding ways to fit into a new community, Banuelos advises looking for like-minded people who enjoy doing the same things you do.

“When I first moved to Tennessee, I didn't know anybody,” Banuelos says. “And then I met a bunch of friends. I think you just have to put yourself out there.”

She’s getting to know Owensboro better by joining a local yoga studio, signing up for a library card at the local library, checking out the free gym membership, participating in bingo and trivia night at a local brewery, attending the much-anticipated 

 in June, kicking it up at some local line dancing places, and learning how to do some finger-pickin’ on a banjo. 

For other remote workers interested in moving to a new locale, Banuelos highly recommends checking into our MakeMyMove program to see which city, economy, and activities match your interests better. Then, absolutely, take advantage of the incentives that make you happy.

“It has to match your lifestyle, whatever your lifestyle is,” Banuelos says. “You need to do some research on those cities. Discover something that will make you feel that sense of community, where you feel comfortable and where you feel like that's going to fulfill your life. It's really about making sure you fit in, prior to actually making the move.

“If you do a little self-discovery, I think you'll find whether that place is good for you or not,” she adds.

How one remote worker is pickin’ and grinnin’ after discovering the right lifestyle incentive package to move to Owensboro, Kentucky.

Owensboro

Get Paid to Move, Save a Thousand Bucks a Month, and Learn to Play the Banjo? 

As we head into 2023, you might be setting goals, cultivating intentions, or choosing a word for the year. Maybe you’re wanting to read more books, spend more time with loved ones, or maybe, you’d like to increase your friend group. Of course, that’s easier said than done. 

 that most adults have a hard time making new friends, and of course, the pandemic didn’t help this trend. Remote workers may also face tougher challenges here, because research also suggests that the

 friends we are making come from our workplaces.

 Google around and you’ll find plenty of

 help navigating how to make friends as an adult

. Even with supportive partners and loving families, we still need friends. In fact, according to 

 by Dr. Miriam Kirmayer, “Our friendships are one of the most important predictors of our health and happiness.”

So, to help you think differently about how to make friends in 2023, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 ways to make new friends 

the communities on our site that are offering remote workers these opportunities!

Okay, this one comes with multiple benefits. 

Volunteering can reduce stress, provide a sense of purpose, AND help you make new friends

Here are three communities that want you to get involved:

: Board & Committee Volunteer Role Matchmaker Service

Ambassador Network to help you get connected to locals with similar interests, organizations and boards that further causes you care about

Whether you’re going to the gym or playing in an adult sports league, getting active in a group setting can help you build connections over time, which

 also suggests is an important part of developing new friendships.

Here are three communities offering gym memberships/ways to get active:

BONUS: Day Trip/Ride with Post Rock Mountain Biking Club

BONUS: Get your kiddos involved with a Free Youth Sports Registration!

BONUS: Go watch some college sports with passes to Saint Mary of the Woods and Rose Hulman Institute of Technology athletic events!

Making new friends as an adult can start by simply showing up to local events that your community cares about.

Here are three communities that want you to experience some of the best they have to offer:

 Holiday Walkway of Lights Season Pass, and Guest Judge the Window Decorating Contest

 "Seat at the Table" to Biggest Annual Community Events

Joining a local organization, like a Chamber of Commerce, can get you connected and will give you the sustained interactions that help friendships grow.

Here are three of our communities that are offering organizational memberships to remote workers:

 Noblesville Chamber 1 Year Exclusive Membership Package

 1-year individual membership to the Chamber of Commerce

(BONUS: 1-year Social Membership to Crawfordsville Country Club!)

Remember how easy it seemed to make friends in school, recreate that magic (without the boring homework *fingers crossed*) by taking a class!

Here are three communities that are investing in your learning and future friendships:

Free banjo, fiddle, or mandolin lessons with a local instructor

: Free Community Garden plot and Garden Planning Session (okay, this isn’t technically a class, but you do get help planning your garden in a space that’s sure to grow friendships right alongside your tomatoes!)

If you’re a remote worker who’s wondering how to make more friends this year, these communities have you covered. They put these incentives together to help you get integrated into the community, so that you feel welcome, find friends, and stay connected.

What are remote workers looking for in a new community? Friends! Without a water cooler to initiate conversation, they're forging new adult friendships outside of the workplace. Here are 5 ways you can do it, too.

How to Make Friends in a New Community

If you’re like me, your first experience with remote work may have come as a result of the pandemic.  Back in March, 2020, so many of us who were fortunate to hold positions that could be done remotely, were cast into this new world of virtual meetings, team chats, excessive amounts of emailing, and even a return to talking on the phone!  I was serving at the time as a university administrator, and while my work translated fairly easily, others within my organization had a tougher road.  More than two years later now, the benefits of remote work – even with its inherent challenges – have been realized on a large scale and remote work, in some form, is here to stay!

So many tools and resources have sprung up as a result of the major and rapid shift to remote work.  A particularly thoughtful, well-constructed, and easily accessible course focused on succeeding in the remote work environment is now being offered through the Purdue Center for Regional Development/Purdue Extension Community Development.  This 4-week certification was initially developed as part of Utah State University’s Rural Online Initiative (ROI) but has extended across the country through partnerships like the one with Purdue.

Recently, a young colleague of mine at MakeMyMove (

) and I took the course to experience it firsthand and gauge its value for various audiences.  The two of us graduated from college roughly four decades apart – he is an early-career professional and I am in an “encore” career.  That mirrors the age and experience spectrum of the new remote workforce and gave us a glimpse as to how helpful the Purdue course would be to a range of participants.

The course is on-line and four weeks in duration.  There’s a $199 one-time fee to participate, which opens up an ongoing line of resources (virtual career fairs, presentations on relevant topics, ability to join a network of remote workers, etc.) once the course is over.  Those who successfully complete the curriculum gain a certificate that can become part of the credentials they share with prospective employers.  The time commitment is estimated at about seven hours a week.  Only one of those hours is at a set time for a mandatory interactive weekly workshop.  There is also a brief “team exercise” that occurs midway through the course and involves working with a few other participants with whom you are matched to complete a short assignment as a group.  Otherwise, you are free to make your way through the nine modules.

The topics covered include:  framing your workday, communication, workflow, productivity and time management, working in teams, compliance issues (information security, risk prevention. etc.), and critical thinking.  There is also time spent on investigating “virtual careers” and learning how to develop your own remote job.  Many of these topics are the basics of professionalism in any work setting, but it is enlightening to explore the nuances of how they apply remotely as opposed to in an in-person setting.  Within the context of these subject areas, the course introduces and has you actively using the essential tools of remote work.  You are required to test the speed of your home WiFi, to engage in team communication through Slack, and to use Trello or Google docs for tracking workflow and developing timelines.

Each module has some interactive components that allow for you to test your knowledge acquisition along the way by utilizing video, games, and other methods that hold your attention.  One of my favorite components is the periodic interviews of CEOs and HR professionals with fully-remote companies navigating some of the shared challenges and opportunities presented by a “distributed” workforce.  Their insights are timely and applicable to both individuals and organizations on the whole.  There are also assignments to be completed and submitted each week.  They are not onerous or time consuming but are constructed in a way that makes them both practical and effective.  The grading/feedback from coordinators happens quickly and they are available to help as needed.

In the end, both my colleague and I found the course beneficial, but in different ways.  He has a facility already (as most young graduates do) with the technology that makes remote work possible, so much of that focus was pretty basic for him.  We both enjoyed the interaction with our coordinator, who works with the Purdue Extension Service, and with other participants who we met during the interactive workshops and breakout sessions.  There were participants from all four time zones, from many different fields, and at different points on their career path.  Quite a few were taking the course to better prepare themselves for entering the remote workforce in some capacity, and their needs/questions were different from those of us with at least some remote work experience.  They were perhaps the segment of participants best served by the totality of what was offered, but there was something to be learned by all!

If you are interested in adding to your arsenal of “remote work ready” skills, a fan of lifelong learning, or simply seeking opportunities to connect with the growing community of remote workers globally, this will be time well spent.  Check out what Purdue has to offer: 

https://pcrd.purdue.edu/remoteworkcertificate

A thoughtful, well-constructed, and easily accessible course focused on succeeding in the remote work environment is now being offered through the Purdue Center for Regional Development/Purdue Extension Community Development.  Check out our review of this 4-week certification was initially developed as part of Utah State University’s Rural Online Initiative (ROI) but has extended across the country through partnerships like the one with Purdue.


Become a More Effective Remote Worker: Our Review of a Remote Work Certificate Program

Remote work has revolutionized what many people look for when it comes to their careers. Working remotely comes with a slew of benefits that in-office work simply cannot offer. If you are part of the population that has been avoiding remote work so far, these 10 perks might change your mind.

To start this exercise, I did what most people in the world do when they have questions: I Googled (yes, it’s recognized as a verb by the dictionary) “benefits of remote work” and opened the top 10 articles discussing the benefits of remote workers. I then went through all of them and wrote down how many of them brought up each benefit, and ranked them by number of mentions. As a remote worker, I decided I am qualified to let my preferences break ties.

When your commute can be a short walk to your desk instead of a drive to the office, you cut down on pollution. Less traffic means fewer emissions, leading to improved air quality and less pollution. While it is true that just one person changing from in-person to remote work does not make a big impact, the work-from-home movement has enough participants to have a significantly positive environmental influence. Choosing to work from home makes you part of this noble process, and helps us all breathe a little easier.

Exercise and a balanced diet are especially important for remote workers, since they tend to be sedentary. Working at home makes it easier to make healthy food choices and gives you more time to exercise. It is also possible to semi-passively slip in exercise throughout the day by using equipment like an exercise band or pull-up bar at your office door. You might also consider a standing desk, which is a healthier alternative to the traditional setup.

Working from home also reduces your exposure to germs. You no longer have to worry about sickness being passed around on public transportation or in the office. This advantage is especially valuable in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

When workers are not centralized in one location, office politics and drama tend to die out. Conversations are much more intentional in remote environments, because they must be carried out over chats, emails, and calls. This kind of communication also makes problem resolution less intimidating. It is much easier to simply send your boss an email about an issue than it is to sit down across from their desk behind a closed door. Therefore, remote work tends to allow a greater number and variety of new ideas.

When working from home, you can create your own personalized workspace. You can set the temperature to be as cool or warm as you want, decorate however you want, have as many accessories as you want, and never have to worry about justifying any unconventional preferences. Instead of trying to get comfortable in a mass-produced, off-white cubicle, you get to create a work environment that helps you flourish.

Remote workers are generally happier and less stressed than their in-office counterparts. This is partly due to a combination of other factors on this list, but also, when away from the office, you don’t have to put up with the annoyances that come with it. You avoid the stress of commuting, and. You can dress and express yourself however you want.

You also get to enjoy the amenities and comfort of your own home. There’s no need to pack a lunch or contend with fridge bandits; you can snack as you please, and you can use your own appliances and dishes (no more smelly fish in the shared microwave). Away from the kitchen, you get your own private bathroom. Pet lovers also get to enjoy the company of their furry/feathery/scaly companions.

Commuting can be surprisingly expensive, especially with the higher gas prices of recent times. Driving back and forth between work and home every day also puts a lot of miles on your vehicle, leading to more frequent repairs and a decreased vehicle lifespan. And, if your office is in a busy city, parking may not be free, which can be a huge financial drain.

Commuting and in-office work also encourage drive-through food and drinks much more than working from home does. Restaurant stops do not cost much, but the expenses can quickly add up with frequent visits. When your bedroom is your office and your kitchen is your break room, you are much more likely to eat the less expensive (and healthier) grocery store food instead of taking trips to restaurants.

Remote workers can also save money on clothes. Because work-from-home companies often have a more relaxed culture than in-office companies, remote workers often do not have to buy “business” attire. A presentable shirt usually suffices for video meetings, and the rest of the time you can wear whatever you feel most comfortable in.

Working remotely does not just mean working from home; you can mix up the location to have more variety in your work life. In addition to your house, you can spend the day at the library, a coffee shop, or anywhere else with free Wi-Fi. If you have an internet hotspot, your options open up even more, allowing you to work in parks and other unconventional locations. There are other choices too, such as coworking spaces, but they may cost money to use. Another great aspect of working from anywhere is that it allows you to make your home wherever you want, be that a beautiful countryside, a region with a particularly low cost of living, or even a roaming RV or van.

Not working in an office also means you can work on the go. If you have to attend to personal tasks, you may be able to make some work progress along the way. A remote arrangement also makes arranging vacations much easier, as you can simply bring your work with you if there is a schedule conflict.

In an office, people can barge into your workspace whenever they want. When you work remotely, they have to send messages or call you. This makes any interruptions less disruptive and less frequent. Micromanagement decreases in a remote environment for the same reason, and a more hands-off style of leadership lets you approach work with the methods that work best for you. When you have peace and quiet, you will probably find that you tend to be more productive.

Many remote jobs support a flexible schedule that allows you to work whenever you want, without mandatory start and end times (aside from scheduled meetings). Performance is judged by outcomes and/or hours worked, not when they work those hours. This lets you schedule your work around your life, not the other way around. You can take breaks (and even naps) whenever you want, and take care of personal tasks when most convenient.

The best part of working remotely is arguably the time you save. Time is the most valuable resource, and the pursuit of other resources almost always ultimately leads to the gaining of more time. Not having to go to the office means you don’t have to spend your valuable time on a get-ready-to go routine and a commute that can last an hour or more, just for one leg of the trip. This savings usually equates to 1-3 extra hours in the day that can be used for family, friends, hobbies, sleep, relaxation, exercise and anything else you want.

https://news.gallup.com/poll/348743/seven-u.s.-white-collar-workers-still-working-remotely.aspx

https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/feature/15-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-remote-work

https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/benefits-of-remote-work/

https://about.gitlab.com/company/culture/all-remote/benefits/

https://www.wework.com/ideas/professional-development/management-leadership/benefits-of-working-remotely

https://fortune.com/2021/04/17/remote-work-home-hybrid-model-future/

https://www.lumapps.com/digital-workplace/benefits-of-working-remotely/

https://himalayas.app/advice/remote-work-benefits

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/benefits-of-working-remotely

https://www.usemultiplier.com/blog/benefits-of-remote-working

https://www.spica.com/blog/remote-work-advantages-disadvantages

https://escalla.co.uk/blog-remote-working-5-benefits-challenges/

Top 10 Benefits of Working Remotely

I used to wake long before sunrise, gingerly stepping from bedroom to bathroom to kitchen, trying my hardest to keep little children asleep while I readied myself for work. Once they opened their eyes, all time disappeared, and the mad race toward daycare and the office would begin. I do not remember a single day when I won that race. I’m guessing few parents do; the shuffle between work and home so often feels like a predetermined loss on both sides.

But today, like many days now, I wake relatively rested in the glow of early morning sunlight, grab a pair of jeans from the bathroom floor, throw my hair in a Mom bun, and stack plastic plates high with homemade muffins. I reheat yesterday’s coffee on my way out the door, four little boys with full bellies and backpacks trailing behind me.

When I arrive home an hour later, school drop off complete, I am itching to start my work day. The house is quiet as I flip open my laptop and log on to that first meeting. From my office, I can clearly hear the buzz of the washing machine reminding me to switch loads between emails. Around lunchtime, I pull a package of chicken from the freezer, place it in the crockpot, and toss in the remaining ingredients for our dinner tonight. I whip up another batch of muffins since our current stockpile is quickly fading, then microwave leftovers and move my computer to the dining room table. I eat lunch while plugging away at an article due by the end of the business day.

There is a knock on the door a little after 2 o’clock. I greet the gentleman who has come to pump our septic tank. I open the garage up, show him to the backyard, and return to my edits. An hour later, I hear another knock and hand him a check. Thirty more minutes and I’ll need to leave to get the kids. I’ll take my last call of the day from the car as I sit in the dreaded (but now more productive) pick-up line.

 indicates that 57% of employees say working independently in a remote location is more productive and a majority feel like they think more creatively when they are remote. I certainly find that to be true as I surprise myself by hitting deadlines, all while taking breaks to switch over laundry or throw dishes in the dishwasher.

These days, I am able to work from home until 5:15 and still be ready to cheer on one of our four boys at football or soccer practice by 5:30. Gone are the days I would have to be out of the office a few minutes before 5 to make it to kid activities. And if truth be told, I would have spent a portion fo that evening wrestling with guilt for being the first person to leave the office. Regardless of how our evenings are spent, whether it’s going for a walk together or snuggling up around the TV, these after-business hours together were rare before the gift of work-from-home entered our lives. Now, with life’s mundane tasks checked off our list intermittently throughout the work week, we are able to consistently rely on this time each evening to connect and recharge.

Few things have done more to help lighten the load of employed parents than the shift to remote work. With more and more companies deciding to loosen the reigns and allow employees to trade in-office hours for at-home convenience, parents have begun flocking to jobs offering increased flexibility and understanding for working Moms, Dads, and caregivers.

These folks with full-time careers outside the home have struggled to keep up for years, most especially mothers, who often have to carry the weight of both the working world and their entire family upon weary shoulders. A 9-hour work day with any kind of commute or after-hours obligations, leaves little time left for babies (or big kids) waiting at home. Raising children is hard enough without feeling like you spend all day long on a treadmill.

We’ll be talking about how remote job opportunities has improved the quality of life of professionals for a long time. We’ve been given the gift of time, time to be productive and time to breathe. These two seemingly disconnected things could not be more dependent upon one another. When parents are provided the space to accomplish necessary household tasks, the hours dedicated to work are more sharply focused, given that life’s daily stressors have already been handled. Weekends and holidays become periods of relaxation instead of hours reserved for all those things lying in wait on an ever-growing to-do list.

The added flexibility of even one or two “work from home” days brings a noticeable change to a caregiver’s typical work week. With decreased commuting times comes less burn out, less expense, and less stress trying to get from the office to a kid’s soccer practice on time. Parents who previously had to shell out hundreds of dollars in after-school care are now home to welcome their kids off of the bus themselves. Entire lunch hours reserved for running errands can instead be used for their intended purpose – eating lunch (and maybe busting through a few emails between bites). Lunch is a good thing. Hangry and highly effective do not go hand in hand.

Our crew at MakeMyMove, many of us remote workers ourselves, believe it is worthwhile to take inventory of everything the past few years has taught us in terms of what priorities are truly important. The long list of “office” tasks easily accomplished from the comfort of our homes or community spaces like libraries and shared work environments has done wonders to help us reset our eyes upon those things in life that matter most – each other. And while a global pandemic can hardly be seen as advantageous, it would be nearsighted to ignore the benefits that followed in its wake. For countless full-time employees with families at home, the migration to remote working opportunities likely sits right at the very top of that relatively short list:

Remote work supports the wellbeing of employees, as told by a full-time marketing professional and mom. 

Remote Work: A Working Parent Reflection

Whether you are a hiring manager or a remote worker looking to improve your effectiveness, we have compiled a list of the traits of highly effective "work from home" team members. 

High quality communication is key in remote work. Projects are often worked on asynchronously, and coworkers are often separated by great distances. Nobody can stroll over to a teammate’s desk to ask a question or give instructions. Therefore, communication for remote work needs special attention.

Organization: Remote communication is clumsier than in-person communication, even during video meetings, and especially over email. Messy communication results in confusion, frustration, and wasted time, so it is crucial to be organized and clear. No one wants to be talked over in a meeting, or receive a solid wall of text whose message meanders among semi-related ideas before reaching a questionable conclusion (followed by “Sent from my iPhone”). Such messages can be ineffective and often require unnecessary work from the reader. A concise string of thoughts organized logically into paragraphs that support the main idea is much more effective and reader-friendly than a hastily-banged-out email can ever hope to be.

Responsiveness: In personal life, it is usually fine to respond to messages hours after receiving them. However, when working remotely, it is important to have a greater sense of urgency. Coworker messages are often questions about how to proceed, requests for help, or instructions for a task. Especially when there are multiple time zones involved, delayed responses can cause more trouble than is immediately obvious. Responding quickly allows others to continue their own work unimpeded, and/or have peace of mind that their directions have been read and understood.

Clarification: Unfortunately, remote communication is not as rich as in-person communication. Because of this, it is harder to tell if someone is confused, has questions, or needs help. Therefore, remote workers should give extra care to keeping everyone on the same page. After talking about complex concepts, givers of communication should ask if the receivers have any questions or concerns. Receivers should be open and honest, and not afraid to ask for help or ask questions, even later in the day, week, or month. Potentially looking silly for a moment to get on the right track is well worth it. Otherwise, the final product of the receivers’ work may be unhelpful or late (which is much worse for reputations).

Whether it’s a formal affair involving a slideshow and leadership team, or just a routine report meeting, the ability to give a good presentation is vital for many professionals. In addition to conveying important information, it demonstrates that the presenter “knows their stuff” and is a competent, valuable member of the organization.

Preparation: The best presentations are those which see success before the meeting even starts, in the preparation stage. The presenter should begin assembling and studying their information far enough in advance that they have enough time to create a cohesive and organized presentation. If the presenter prepares and organizes their information with the audience in mind, they will be able to convey even unfamiliar and complex concepts. 

Visual Aids: They should be easy to read, have high image quality, and not use any distracting colors or typefaces. The presenter should make their visual aids far enough ahead of time that they can review and proofread them before the presentation.

Practice: After the information is assembled and visual aids are finalized, it may make sense to practice the presentation. For short or routine presentations, this step can probably be skipped, but for momentous occasions, such as speeches, group orientations, and meetings with high-ranking people, the presenter should practice their presentation at least once. Practicing in an empty video meeting or while looking in a mirror allows the presenter to see themself and how well they are delivering the information.

Delivery: If the presenter was diligent in the preparation stage, they should be primed and ready when it is time to actually give the presentation. By this point, they should be so familiar with their ideas that they can worry less about remembering what to say, and focus more on how they are coming across. The presenter should be dressed and groomed appropriately (at least on the top half of their body that the camera will see). Their background should be tidy and devoid of anything distracting. If the presenter chooses to use a virtual background instead, it should not be distracting either. The camera should be at about face level. During the presentation, the presenter should maintain good posture and look into the camera, not at their screen. This may feel unnatural, but it will make them seem more personable and focused. The presenter should speak calmly and clearly, only use professional language, and try to avoid filler words (“like,” ”um,” ”uh,” etc.). At the end, the presenter should ask their audience if they have any questions.

Overcoming Work Challenges: Remote work necessitates adaptability and flexibility because when colleagues are spread apart, coordination is not quite as smooth as when everyone is in the same place. Therefore, remote workers should expect the occasional misunderstanding or unexpected change of plans, and be prepared to maintain a positive and productive mindset when such challenges arise. Employees that are able to roll with the punches and stay open to evolving their work style will more easily reach their full potentials than employees that resist change.

Overcoming Personal Challenges: Being adaptable as a remote worker can also be personally beneficial. Life outside of work can be messy and chaotic, but those who can be focused in unusual places and circumstances can stay on top of work responsibilities while also putting out personal fires. For example, just being able to work while riding in the passenger seat or in the school pickup line opens up lots of possibilities for unconventional productivity.



When working remotely, employees are not supervised like they are in an office, and if at home, the more familiar environment can lead to a detrimental blurring of the line that separates work life and home life. Because of this, it can be challenging to stay on task. Family members, personal interests, and the internet’s ocean of distractions are much more accessible while away from the office.

Work Environment: Effective strategies for staying focused differ from person to person, but the right auditory experience and the right surroundings are two of the biggest factors. Background music is helpful for some, but distracting for others. Some people like to mute their phone notifications, but others do not mind them. Some people like going to a coffee shop or park to work. Some people like to have a dedicated spot at home where they consistently work. Still others frequently change up where they go for the day. It is all about finding what works best personally.

Time Management: The Adaptability section mentions working on the go. This can be done well, but it can also be done poorly. Time management is one of the most important tools for being an effective remote worker. By planning time blocks and sticking to them, and making up any work that is left over at the end of the day, remote workers can attain a positive integration of their work and personal lives instead of a detrimental mix-up.

How many Zoom meetings involve audio malfunctions? Remote workers must have basic technical skills in order to succeed in a digital work environment. They must be proficient with a personal computer, and likely a cell phone. Additionally, they must be effective with the software and applications their company uses. They should know basic troubleshooting techniques, be able to resolve low-level technical difficulties, and be able to contact support if the problems are beyond their ability to solve. It also never hurts to ask a support group! 

Good judgment brings the other five points together and fills in the cracks. It is an umbrella term in this context, describing the mixture of common sense and professionalism. It means being polite and positive around others, not burdening coworkers with personal drama, having integrity, putting in due effort at work, and generally trying to be a valuable asset to the organization instead of a detriment. It entails taking pride in one’s self-presentation and work, and revealing values through personal conduct.

Here at MakeMyMove, we love to support remote workers and everyone living either full or partial WFH life. From tips on getting more done in a day at your home office, to exploring communities offering relocation incentives, we're here to support a growing community of remote workers. 

Discover what work from home companies look for in remote worker hires. 

The 6 Characteristics of the Most Effective Remote Workers

Committed to remote work and eyeing relocation, remote workers are giving up water cooler talk, craving community where they live.

A national survey of remote workers conducted in July 2022 found that remote workers remain strongly committed to their work-from-anywhere lifestyle and are open to moving to improve their quality of life.

“My state is one of the most expensive states with the absolute highest taxes so while I love the area, I don’t know that I can continue to live here and have any kind of quality of life.”

As many as 23 million remote workers say they could move more than 2 hours away in the next 12 months and more than half (53%) think it would be a fairly easy process.

Younger remote workers are more mobile — 29% of 18-24 year olds and 24% of 25-34 year olds say they are “very likely” to move more than 2 hours away in the next 12 months compared to 14% of 45-54 year olds and 13% of 55-64 year olds.

More than half (56%) of remote workers say they would be better off living someplace else, a sentiment that is stronger among remote workers under 35 (60%) and remote workers with children (58%).

Even as pandemic fears ebb, the desire to work from home remains strong. More than half (61%) of remote workers rate the freedom to work from home as very important and 27% rate it as somewhat important.

Our research found that remote workers are more likely to be younger, highly educated, and higher income. These workers are confident in the demand for their skill sets. Nearly 3 out of 4 (74%) said that they could easily find a new job if needed.

What do the remote workers want in their communities?

To determine what remote workers want in a new community, Bellwether Research tested 37 attributes – ranging from cultural and social dynamics to infrastructure and pocketbook issues – that could play a part in considering where to move. From these, we identified a handful of table stakes that were most important to all remote workers – 

cost-of-living, safety, reliable high-speed Internet and high quality medical care.

 After these “must-haves,” the following attributes rose to the top:


 Remote workers value a connection with their community, including personal and professional friendships, and (for some) being closer to extended family.

 Remote workers desire more open and green space for living and recreational opportunities.

 Some remote workers (those with children) value access to quality K-12 while younger remote workers are interested in higher education opportunities.

“The community we currently live in is very busy with heavy traffic during peak times. The houses available do not have large yards or space. We are interested in relocating to an area that gives us a larger yard, more privacy and less traffic.”

These quieter, quality-of-life attributes were ranked much higher than those requiring major infrastructure investment such as proximity to an airport, public transportation, or a vibrant downtown area. This could be good news for small towns that are known for their hospitality, affordability, safety, peaceful scenery, larger single-family houses and yards.

What do the youngest remote workers want in their communities?

Like all remote workers, Gen Z and Millennials prioritize cost-of-living and safety while also expressing a desire for community connection. After that, their unique values begin to emerge. As the most racially diverse generation in our country's history, Gen Z workers value racial diversity in a community, as well as access to women's reproductive/abortion care - the only cohort for whom these are top considerations; they also appreciate culture (art, music, museums) and job opportunities to help advance their careers.

Millennials - the oldest of whom are now 40 years old - are focused on finances, low local taxes, and a $5,000 relocation incentive. This generation also puts a high priority on access to education, for themselves and their children.

Bellwether Research conducted a representative survey of 

. The full sample was balanced to approximate a target sample of adults in the United States based on Census (CPS 2020)  proportions broken out by age, gender, race, educational attainment, Hispanic ethnicity and Geographic Census region. Weights were applied using iterative proportional fitting (raking) to approximate marginal distributions. Data was weighted for respondents that provided responses to all demographic weighting variables. After weighting, responses were filtered based on remote work status. 

Total sample size of remote workers = 1,024. 

Crosstab percentages are weighted proportions while N-sizes for the total sample and sub samples are unweighted. Respondents had the opportunity to take the survey on their mobile phone, computer, or tablet. Due to rounding and weighting, percentages may or may not equal 100%. The margin of sampling error for the full poll is +/- 2%. The margin of error for full-time remote workers is +/- 3%. Margin of sampling errors do not include design effect adjustments and can be approximated1/sqrt(N)

is a survey-based research technique used to quantify how important a given item is relative to others in a given list. A MaxDiff question shows respondents a set of items, asking them to choose what is most and least important, and iterated multiple times with random sets of options. When the results are displayed, each item is scored, indicating the order of preference across all respondents. MaxDiff, short for maximum difference scaling, is sometimes referred to as best-worst scaling.

The MakeMyMove 2022 Remote Worker Survey set out to understand how committed remote workers are to remaining remote, how many remote workers are likely to move, and what they're looking for in a new community.

Remote Worker Survey Results, 2022

Schitt’s out there. Let us help you find it.

If the past two years have taught us anything, it’s that life is too short (and days are too long) to be stuck in a place that you don’t love. Once our doors clicked shut and the world went quiet, we were forced to contemplate what we left behind. The months that followed helped us determine whether or not we missed any of it. Some of us discovered we were exactly where we belonged, while others realized their home sweet home wasn’t really that sweet. Pandemics have an uncanny way of putting everything into perspective, especially once you’ve hit your seventh Schitt’s Creek marathon. There’s just so darn much growth in those Roses. Could anyone really excavate their best selves just by landing in the right zip code?

As we race into the second half of yet another year, it may be time to ask ourselves if there really is something better out there. Are there delicious fruit wines just waiting to be discovered? Smalltown renditions of Cabaret to be seen? If so, what are we still doing here? Because in the ever-wise words of Moira Rose, “Who knows what will befall us tomorrow? You could be hit by a Mack truck or bopped on the head by a tiny piece of space debris.”

How do we find our own little haven of self-discovery? Sometimes all you need is a good connection. At MakeMyMove, we work to introduce quirky towns across America to just-right residents looking for a new place to call home. With the mass exodus from traditional 9-to-5’s to remote work opportunities, eager talent are reevaluating their surroundings, and some of them aren’t loving what they see. Every day, more and more of these highly qualified folks are deciding to set out in search of community and a change of scenery, especially those thinking about settling down to have a “bébé.”

And family-friendly neighborhoods aren’t the only draws to small-town living. With costs on the rise, city kids are questioning if that downtown life is worth the price. Quaint, more remote towns offer a lot more for a lot less; people who could barely afford to rent a studio in the city are able to purchase their very own home once they reach one of our partnering communities. Furthermore, in these smaller towns, outdoor spaces are plentiful should another global pandemic strike (or God forbid, you have to do a temporary stint at the local motel with your family).

Will there be a Café Tropical? A Blouse Barn? A delightfully swanky apothecary run by two beautiful boyfriends? Not exactly. We can’t promise you the Roses’ favorite hang-outs, but we can promise you your very own. Each of these select communities comes to the table with their individual sense of style, welcoming residents, and plenty of delicious diners. We’re certain you’ll find a corner booth and a cup of coffee that feels just like home. Simpler, small-town life 

 exist, and it exists in more places than you ever imagined.

Home of Oklahoma State University and the birthplace of Red Dirt music culture, 

Life's too short to be stuck in a place you don't love. With a little help from us here at MakeMyMove, we can help you find you very own Schitt's Creek, a destination of your remote work dreams. 

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