Repeatedly Moving Thousands of Dollars from New York to Oklahoma - What Incitates Such Repetitive Action?
A remote worker, who grew up in Brooklyn and lived in the nearby suburb of Pelham, New York, for over 20 years, has found a new home and opportunities in Tulsa, Oklahoma, thanks to the Tulsa Remote program.
The Tulsa Remote program, launched in 2019, aims to attract remote workers to Tulsa to diversify the local economy and reduce its traditional dependence on the oil and gas industry. The program offers a $10,000 financial incentive to remote workers who relocate to Tulsa and commit to living there for at least one year.
Beyond the cash incentive, Tulsa Remote provides several additional benefits to participants. These include membership at a co-working space for 36 months, opportunities for volunteering and social engagement, and access to a supportive community of like-minded professionals.
The program has been highly successful, attracting over 3,600 remote workers since its inception, with many coming from large metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. Retention rates are strong, with about 90% of participants staying longer than the one-year commitment and around 70-75% still living in Tulsa several years after joining. It has generated over $4 in local economic benefits for every $1 spent on incentives.
The individual was able to take advantage of the Tulsa Remote program and moved to Tulsa in search of a new home. They found a spacious one-bedroom apartment for $1,600 per month, located across from the Arkansas River and within walking distance of a beautiful park. The $10,000 stipend helped cover the costs of the move, which totaled nearly $7,000 with moving companies and travel to Tulsa.
Since moving to Tulsa, the individual has found a handful of new friends through attending Tulsa Remote events and has overcome their fear of exploring new spaces and places. They have also noticed an improvement in their quality of life, as rent is more affordable compared to New York.
In addition to the financial benefits, the individual has also found personal and professional growth in Tulsa. They have been able to pay off their significant credit card debt due to the lower cost of living in Tulsa and are on track to be debt-free by the end of the year. They have built their career, performed poetry at events, and created a life they never could have imagined in Tulsa.
Tulsa's culinary scene is diverse and highly praised, and the city's music scene is impressive, with artists like Pink, Bad Bunny, Hozier, Joy Oladokun, and the Wu-Tang Clan performing at Tulsa's premier concert hall, the BOK Center. The individual's old apartment in New York would have cost approximately 3,500 US dollars per month after a rent increase, while their new apartment in Tulsa costs less than half that amount.
The people in the individual's life in Tulsa have supported them in a way they've never experienced before, and they have found a community that values and supports their talents and aspirations. The Tulsa Remote program offers remote workers a supportive network, professional workspaces, and opportunities for personal and professional growth, making it an attractive option for those looking to relocate and start a new chapter in their lives.
What about the opportunity to improve personal-finance was attractive to the individual who moved to Tulsa? The individual was able to pay off their significant credit card debt and is on track to be debt-free by the end of the year due to the lower cost of living in Tulsa, compared to their old apartment in New York that would have cost approximately 3,500 US dollars per month after a rent increase.
