Best Places to Work Remotely in the US
Image by Photography and graphic design from Pixabay
Do you work remotely, or are you interested in finding a remote job opportunity? As we’ve entered a new phase after the global pandemic, we find ourselves with plenty of options.
Companies offer fully remote or hybrid work models alongside outsourcing tasks to freelancers. Moreover, we’ve seen the rise of solopreneurs, where remote work can be the name of the game.
Picture this: You are looking for remote work. Where do you go? Where the internet is great? Check. Where it’s fun being a digital nomad? Check, check, check.
You might just want to live in the best place to work remotely. We’ll explore the best places to work remotely in the US.
We’ll break down the cities with the best internet in the US and the best place to live if you work remotely. We’ll also answer a common tax question. Settle in—this is going to be fun!
Related: How Virtual Executive Assistants Help Solopreneurs
Best place to live if you work remotely
New York City
The city that never sleeps, and when you make it there, you can make it anywhere. Sinatra is still right as the Big Apple is still the beacon, the top prize in the country.
A successful New Yorker is highly regarded around the world, and for good reason. When you make it there, you can probably afford to live there and enjoy what the city has to offer.
From a hard-to-beat culinary and cultural scene to the best museums and live entertainment like Broadway shows, remote workers can also work from cute cafes or choose a tourist site instead for some inspiration.
Chicago
Chicago has the best architecture in the country, period. It’s mesmerizing and inspiring to be around these neighborhoods. And Chicagoans are super friendly.
Cultural hotspots and some fun cuisine options are also extremely attractive. In the summer, you can work outside in one of many park areas. As we’ve learned, the city is also a tech hotspot.
Miami
Design-wise and culturally, Miami is a top location. Plus, did we mention the weather? You can find a cute spot by the beach.
Tip: Go up to one of the ritzy hotels in Surfside and Bal Harbour and work from there. Top beaches and top entertainment. This city is hard to beat.
Atlanta
Another of our favorite cities and another tech hub. The weather is a plus here, too, and so is the culture. You’ll be inspired by the environment and the people. The job market is thriving, and so are the startups.
This environment is perfect for feeling motivated. Urban hotspots paired with greenery make this a great city option.
Dallas
We’ve covered Dallas in detail, and we are superfans. With its diverse cultural scene, a variety of dining options, and numerous recreational activities, Dallas provides a balanced lifestyle for remote workers.
Also, its warm climate is a huge plus.
Best US Cities for Digital Nomads
We’ll incorporate the above list but also include the rest of the factors for your new list of best US cities for digital nomads.
For this, let’s turn to Forbes again for their data. As a reminder, we’re looking at internet speed and availability, taxes, worker friendliness, cost of living, and amenities.
We’re also including the unemployment rate. If you have a job now, you might also be interested if you are looking for a new opportunity and the job availability down the line.
For the list, we’re also including the overall metro area of the city to broaden the reach.
Miami
This might be the easiest city to understand a work-life balance. A perfect beach that looks like a getaway plus the highly motivating business environment is really the best of both worlds in one.
It’s diverse and appears with international flair. The city’s growing tech scene provides opportunities for networking and collaboration.
Finally, art and culture make this a rich city for leisure activities. No wonder Art Basel is in Miami. It’s a perfect event for networking, by the way.
Indianapolis
Indy is included in our list because the costs of living are relatively low, and the city boasts a friendly business environment with a robust internet infrastructure.
Indianapolis has a strong and growing job market with opportunities in various industries, and the presence of major corporations provides stability.
Indianapolis is ideal for remote professionals. Its range of cultural attractions, parks, and recreational opportunities also contribute to a positive work-life balance.
Omaha
A city in Nebraska is included here. Surprised? You shouldn’t be. Omaha is an excellent spot for remote work. Much like Indianapolis, it offers a lower cost of housing, too.
You can enjoy a more comfortable lifestyle with your income. The job market is also favorable for newcomers and people looking for new opportunities. It’s an attractive spot overall that you should take a look at.
Check out the Old Market District online. It’s super cute.
Denver
Have you been to Colorado? Do you think of hiking or skiing? Of course. But there is so much more, especially in Denver.
The quality of life is extremely high just by the access to outdoor activities, but the city also shows a strong job market.
And, of course, one cannot forget about all the hipster cafes that make working remotely fun and easy.
Austin
We’ve covered Austin’s claim to fame and can’t stop raving about the Texan beacon. The tech scene is major and ever-evolving. It has developed into a major hub.
This environment is perfect for remote workers. Also, culturally, you might be overwhelmed a bit by the cool events and happenings, but this gives you a great chance to network.
Check out our coverage of the coffee shop scene. This blog alone might make you move to Austin.
Tulsa
Let’s close out the list with this vibrant city in Oklahoma. It has much of what the other cities have to offer. Lots of outdoor options for leisure activities.
This is a major plus. Also, the city is amazing overall, but one thing left us speechless. Getting a $10,000 cash offer to relocate to the city? Well, sign us up.
Cities with the best internet in the US
Access to high-speed internet is crucial for remote work and daily life in general. You want to produce work at a high rate without worrying about your internet connection.
Here are some cities in the US known for having excellent infrastructure when it comes to online activities.
It’s important to note that the availability and quality of internet service can vary even within these cities, depending on the neighborhood and the specific service providers.
When choosing a city or a specific location within a city for remote work or living, it’s a good idea to research the local internet service options and check for the best available speeds and reliability in that area.
We’re trusting Forbes with the following list of cities with the best internet in the US. They are not only taking into account the internet speed but also the availability of free Wi-Fi. Here are some of the best cities.
Spokane
Spokane, Washington has highly reliable internet access. The city basically runs at lightning speed. The internet is super fast, so you can work comfortably.
It’s also great for Wi-Fi hotspots. They’ve expanded their fiber-optics networks, and there is healthy competition among providers.
Kansas City
Dorothy would probably be confused that she’s still in Kansas, but we’re thinking you should go there, too. Google Fiber was first introduced in Kansas City, providing gigabit-speed internet access.
This has led to other providers improving their services in the area, and everyone profits from that. Rest assured, there is no wizard behind the curtain either.
Richmond
Richmond, Virginia benefits from strong internet connectivity due to a combination of factors, including investment in infrastructure, competition among providers, and its status as a regional economic and cultural hub.
This has encouraged internet service providers to expand their networks, offer high-speed options, and maintain quality service in the area.
Austin
The tech mega hub in Texas has numerous high-speed internet options that include AT&T Fiber and Google Fiber. Austin is the top tech hub on the list and is still emerging as a Texas powerhouse.
The city’s infrastructure has received much attention and investment.
Springfield
Springfield, Massachusetts enjoys strong internet connectivity due to investments in digital infrastructure and competition among providers.
The city’s urban setting, educational institutions, and economic activity have made companies compete to offer the best internet. This benefits residents and businesses with broad and fast coverage.
Greenville
Greenville, South Carolina boasts super-fast internet. The city has been growing, and so have the tech investments. Greenville is business-friendly, and its tech scene is thriving.
Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina
Also one of the fastest growing areas in the country, Raleigh-Durham benefits from strong tech infrastructure. The whole area offers access to fiber-optic networks from a variety of providers.
Salt Lake City
In Utah, SLC has a growing tech industry, and it offers high-speed internet from various sources.
San Francisco
It should be absolutely no surprise that Silicon Valley comes with top-notch internet options as well as all kinds of emerging tech.
There are many different sources to detect the city with the best internet in the US. Some calculations are by downloading speed.
Boydton, a city in Virginia, takes the crown for smaller cities.
Generally, states with higher population densities and increased investment in tech infrastructure are better positioned for faster internet speeds.
Moreover, urban areas often have faster internet as compared to more rural regions. When we go by average internet speed, which states come out on top?
It’s Maryland! Followed by Virginia, the District of Columbia, Delaware, and at number five is Washington. The exact same ranking can be found for the fastest internet speed in the US.
What to Look for in a City as a Nomad
There are many variables at play here. Let’s say you’ve already landed your dream job, or you work for yourself. And now you are ready to move to a place where working remotely is not only easy but fun.
What are the determining factors?
Internet
Internet connectivity is critical, as we’ve seen above. When you choose a city to live in for remote work, make sure that the city has a reliable internet infrastructure, including high-speed internet providers.
Cost of Living
This will include costs like housing, utilities, food, transportation, and other everyday expenses. The cost of living in megacities like New York City or LA is much higher than in other regions.
If you choose a place with a lower cost of living, you can spread your income further and maybe afford more amenities.
Alternatively, you could also choose to work less. For this calculation, we assume you have a remote gig that pays equally, regardless of where you choose to live.
Quality of Life
Of course, money is also a factor here. The more you have available, the higher the quality of life might be. However, here, we focus on what the city has to offer.
How can you fill your life recreationally, socially, and culturally? Furthermore, is it a safe place? What about healthcare facilities and educational institutions?
Quality of life is high when everything is available. Quality of life might differ from cost of living. People love New York City because their quality of life might be high regardless of the cost.
Another factor: where did you come from? If you are very far away from your friends and family members, that might lower your quality of life.
Jobs
If you don’t have a job yet but are looking for a remote gig, it’s wise to do research prior. Where can you find the best jobs based on your profile? Go where job prospects are high. You’ll also find like-minded people, which strengthens your social prospects, too.
Taxes
This is also part of the cost of living and an important one. Research local tax laws, including income taxes, property taxes, and sales taxes, as they can vary significantly from one city to another and may impact your financial situation.
Take time to carefully evaluate each factor. This might already help you choose a city that best suits your remote work and the lifestyle you had envisioned for yourself. Choose and set your priorities and goals and follow these.
You’ve chosen the path of remote work, and you might have the flexibility to put yourself and or your family first.
Tax Guide: Are remote work expenses tax deductible?
Things changed in 2018. Since then, employees can no longer claim remote work deductions easily. However, if you’re self-employed and a freelancer, there are deductions you can claim.
Home office expenses
You may be able to deduct a portion of your rent or mortgage, utilities, and maintenance costs if you have a truly dedicated area that is exclusively used for work.
A true home office. This means you work there regularly and exclusively.
Internet and Phone
You can potentially deduct a portion of those expenses if you use them for work purposes. The same goes for office supplies.
Transportation
Do you have travel expenses for work? You may be able to deduct those expenses, too.
Education
It’s always valuable to further your career, and there are tax benefits related to your business.
Recommendation
Keep accurate records of all those expenses in order to claim a deduction. We recommend a log book including all receipts.
We also recommend consulting with a tax expert. Erin Pohan is the tax pro we trust. Reach out to UPKEEPING and schedule a consultation.
Is Remote Work Here to Stay?
Of course. Remote work as we know it might evolve and so will regular office work. A flexible model is here to stay. The demand is here and is likely to stay here with further tech developments and a global outlook on business.
Companies will develop policies that are aligned with their productivity requirement and employees will continue to have preferences that might include a hybrid model.
Furthermore, many jobs can be done remotely so people will also look for those in particular. We are counting on remote work to stay. How about you?
