Should You Move To Another State If You Can Work Remotely?

Although you can stay in one location if you work remotely, that doesn’t mean you should stay there. Working from home can provide the freedom for you to consider living across the country, if not the entire world. Relocating can allow you to build skills you wouldn’t have otherwise and help you to save financially.

By Timothy Mably

It might be advantageous to move to another state if you work from home. Depending on a variety of factors, from your industry to your personal life and finances, you might want to consider relocating.

Almost 59% of people work from home throughout the U.S. Whether professionals choose to work remotely for reasons of convenience or because it’s a part of their field, they may not be aware of the freedom they have.?

Consider Relocating to Build Skills

Executive resume writer and interview coach Sarah Johnston says, “Depending on your industry, it could be very advantageous to move out of state — or gasp, even out of the country.”?

Johnston recounts having clients who worked for a season in Germany and Japan to gain specific experience to build their careers. She explains, “They have said they would have never risen through the ranks without that experience. I've also had clients move to New York for unparalleled finance experience or Houston, Texas for oil and gas work.”?

Johnston has also had clients who chose to move closer to their company’s headquarters. Their relocation helped them feel closer to their work and provided the opportunity to potentially network in person. If they aimed to stay within the company for an extended time and seek a promotion, their move could open some doors.

Relocate Early in Your Career

As college graduates enter the job market today, they are being met with more remote opportunities than there have ever been. For that reason, they might not think beyond working from a place they’ve lived for a long time. However, even if you can work from where you currently are, it doesn’t necessarily mean you should stay there.

“If you are a young professional who values growth and learning opportunities, then it's a good idea early in your career to go where you can have the most exposure,” says Johnston. This can provide formative personal experience and create a foundation to grow your career .?

Relocating at a young age can also help you save more money by living in one state instead of another. It’s important to be aware of tax laws which can differ across states. Certain states don’t collect income tax, including Florida, Alaska, South Dakota, Nevada, Texas, Tennessee, Washington, and Wyoming. However, there are other ways that you might end up paying additional fees despite saving money in taxes, like a reciprocal tax agreement. Some states permit workers to live in one state where they pay taxes while working in another state.

Prioritize Your Well-being

Social influencer at Canopy Servicing, Angela Snyder recently made a career transition, going from working fully in-person to fully remote. Realizing that she could work from anywhere, she chose to move to another state. Snyder says, “Since I can work from anywhere, I decided to move to a new state and city in order to meet new people, explore a new place, and just mix things up.”

Describing herself as an avid traveler, her move to a city with an international airport was also good for her general outlook on life apart from her job. Prioritizing simple and impactful things can set you up for success working remotely, as you remain intentional about your surroundings.?

She says, “If you have the freedom to work from anywhere , choose a place that will make you happy and increase your quality of life. In my opinion, remote workers should take advantage of the amazing opportunity to live wherever they want: whether it’s closer to family or friends, on the beach or in the mountains, in a more affordable area, etc.”

Many cities throughout the country are hubs for remote workers, like Seattle, Austin, and Kansas City among others. Factoring in things such as cost of living and opportunities to network are relevant to consider during the decision-making process.

Be Proactive in Building Relationships

You should also think about ways you can build relationships and root yourself over time in an unfamiliar setting. Johnston warns job seekers that it tends to take around 6 to 12 months for a new city to feel like home. “I have learned that no matter where you live, at the end of the day, people are people. We all have similar needs: to be respected, loved, and known. I have found kind, wonderful people in every city I've lived in.”

Since there are larger amounts of remote professionals living in specific areas, there is a greater chance they are seeking friendships as well. With so many transplants living near each other, community might be easier to come by than you think. Johnston says, ”The other benefit to living in a location for a while is that you start building relationships outside of the office and in the community — at places like the gym, places of worship, social clubs, etc. These social connections can be powerful long-term professional connections as well.”

She once polled her followers on LinkedIn , asking, "If you relocated for a job, was it worth it? Are you glad that you made the decision to move for more opportunities?” Out of 3,630 votes, 52% said it was a great decision and only 10% expressed regrets.

If you work remotely, moving can be an important option to consider for your career and overall quality of life. Without a traditional office, your home becomes your workplace, which includes the city you live in. Weigh the costs and benefits of where you’re currently located and research the possibilities that come with moving for both your professional and personal life.

Top Takeaways

Should you relocate to another state if you’re working remotely?

• Consider relocating if you can build skills in another state or part of the world that you can’t build where you currently live.
• It might be advantageous to relocate near your company’s headquarters if you intend to stay within the organization and network in person.
• Relocating at a young age can also help you save more money by living in one state instead of another. It’s important to be aware of tax laws which can differ across states.
• If you work from home, you should prioritize your well-being in where you live, factoring in things such as scenery, family, friends, and finances among other things.
• It takes around 6 to 12 months for a new city to begin to feel like home, so it’s important to be proactive in building relationships.