Moving to a new state is an excellent way to change scenery and explore a new part of the United States.
In 2021 alone, the U.S. saw a rapid decline in the rate of Americans who moved, and only approximately 8.4% of citizens moved residences, the lowest annual rate since 1948.
Several cities are paying residents to move there to combat a decrease in moves within the United States. Keep reading to learn about five U.S. cities that will pay you to move there and to determine which one is the best option for you and your family.
What U.S. Cities Will Pay You To Move There?
Five U.S. cities across the country are hoping to receive new residents with the use of incentives in states ranging from Connecticut to Kansas. Each city has unique attractions, benefits, and specific requirements that will qualify you for compensation.
Morgantown, WV
Morgantown, West Virginia, is home to West Virginia University, museums, wineries, scenic views, and nature preserves. The beautiful landscape includes hiking trails, lakes, rivers, canyons, valleys, and historical monuments.
Despite the many draws of Morgantown, the city and mountain state have seen a rapid decline in population in recent years. In response to a lower population, the program Ascend West Virginia has implemented incentives for remote workers in the state.
The program offers a total cash incentive of $20,000 to incoming residents, with $10,000 paid in the first year, followed by $2,000 granted the following year as long as they remain in the state.
To qualify, newcomers can move to Morgantown, Shepherdstown, or Lewisburg. Not only can incoming residents receive financial compensation to live in Morgantown, but qualifiers can also procure a recreation package valued at approximately $8,000. This program features vouchers for various outdoor activities in the area and free gear rentals for up to two years after their arrival as a resident in the state.
West Virginia has a notoriously low cost of living, beautiful small towns, and very affordable real estate, among other perks.
First-time residents and homebuyers have eligibility for stipends that can cover moving expenses and help provide a cushion to make your experience in Morgantown your own.
Since the program’s foundation in 2021, qualifying incoming residents have made West Virginia’s cities their home.
If they qualify after applying, movers to the area can enjoy the pristine natural landscape and low costs of housing. To top it off, they’ll receive financial compensation for their move.
Anchorage, AK
Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska and a cultural mecca for the state, complete with glaciers, hiking trails, and no end to outdoor activities.
Residents can fish, hike, sightsee, and explore wildlife and nature preserves. The area is home to museums, galleries, restaurants, and distilleries.
Since 1976, Alaska has paid residents. In the year 2021, new residents of Anchorage received approximately $1,114 for living there. This program is called the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend, and the primary qualification is that citizens must be Alaska residents who remain living in the state for the entire year.
In addition, Alaska residents do not have to pay any state taxes. To apply, prospective residents and their families can complete an application between January 1st and March 31st.
New Haven, CT
New Haven, Connecticut, is located along the coast of Long Island Sound, home to Ivy League Yale University and museums, stores, restaurants, and countless outdoor attractions.
The New England city’s coastal views, historical monuments, and activities, such as hiking, boating, tours, and nightlife, make it a desirable destination for prospective residents and visitors alike.
For those who aspire to own their first home, New Haven will provide up to $10,000 in forgivable loans to buyers who are purchasing their first home as of the year 2022.
For incoming residents who purchase a historic home, they can qualify for up to $30,000 in forgivable loans to complete renovations on the residence. Any student who graduates from the New Haven Public School District can be eligible for free in-state college tuition.
Topeka, KS
Kansas’ capital city, Topeka, is a historic city with attractions for the whole family, art museums, monuments, restaurants, and stores.
Popular destinations include the Great Mural Wall, Topeka Zoo, Yesterday's Motorcycle Museum, events at the Kansas Expocentre, and the Mulvane Art Museum at Washburn University. Downtown Topeka is constantly developing, with new attractions and businesses appearing each year.
The city’s relocation incentive program, Choose Topeka, offers newcomers up to $15,000 for moving, working, and residing in Topeka. To qualify for compensation, new residents need to purchase a home in the city.
Those who opt to rent can qualify to receive up to $10,000 for moving. Prospective movers can apply with the city and would be able to get payment after one year of living in the city if their application is accepted.
Remote workers can receive up to $10,000 if they own a home or $5,000 if they rent, and Topeka offers many co-working spaces for full-time remote work in the post-pandemic job market.
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore, Maryland, is the state’s epicenter for entertainment, job opportunities, cozy neighborhoods, and decedent options for food and drink.
Home to many historical monuments, including the Washington Monument, George Peabody Library, and Edgar Allen Poe’s former home, the area is chock-full of new attractions to explore and adventures to embark on.
Currently, citizens who move to Baltimore can qualify to receive up to $5,000 in down payments and closing costs if they purchase a home in the city with their program, Buying Into Baltimore.
New residents must have a homeowner’s certificate from the homeownership counseling program to qualify. Qualifiers must also purchase a home for a price lower than $517,500 and have that residence as their primary home.
Other Locations To Consider
With remote jobs becoming more prevalent, many other cities also offer remote worker grants, tax credits, free land, student loan grants, and other welcome packages designed to bring self-employed entrepreneurs and remote workers to their states.
Some other great cities and programs to consider include:
- Tulsa, Oklahoma (TulsaRemote)
- Newton, Iowa (“Get to Know Newton”)
- The Shoals, Alabama (Remote Shoals)
- Montpelier, Vermont
- Bemidji, Minnesota
- West Lafayette, Indiana
- Lincoln, Kansas
Why Do Cities Pay You To Move There?
Population declines in certain states can harm their economic health and leave local businesses struggling.
Providing financial incentives to move to states with lower populations benefits the states that will pay and those that struggle to handle vast population increases.
For instance, highly-populated states such as New York and California have resulted in housing crises and difficulties for residents finding employment. In contrast, states such as Alaska and Virginia, with low populations, suffer from economic challenges that harm small businesses in the area.
By providing incentives to move to less-populated states and cities, the economic health of the citizens of the U.S. and the cities themselves can grow and recover from hardship.
Individuals can benefit from programs that provide economic and personal financial incentives, as they can live in a new and exciting area they have never lived in, or perhaps even visited, before.
What’s the Easiest Way To Relocate?
Although moving can initially seem daunting, with the right help and strategies, it is easy to make your move as stress-free and fun as possible.
Whether you are moving alone or with your whole family, packing mindfully, decluttering, and shipping your car will streamline the process, leaving you to relax and enjoy the ride.
Pack Mindfully
In moving to a new state, it is a great idea to start your journey by creating a checklist of what you will pack each week, beginning with the items you will not immediately need.
Before adding items into boxes, ensure you have the appropriate packing materials such as boxes, labels, tape, scissors, markers, and protective materials such as bags, bubble wrap, or newspaper.
Labeling each box and keeping items from each room together will guarantee a simple unpacking process. It is a good idea to keep essential items separately packaged so you can easily access them.
Leaving ample time, preferably six weeks or more, to pack before your move will allow you to appropriately organize your belongings without feeling the need to rush.
Declutter
Before you begin to pack, it is recommended that you create a list of the items you need to help you determine which belongings you can discard or donate.
The fewer items you need to transport unnecessarily, the better, so it is a great idea to declutter your belongings before moving to a new state or area. If you are moving to a new residence, you may want to determine what appliances will already be included in the home so that you can leave some of your old appliances behind.
Ship Your Car
When moving to a state across the country, movers can drive or fly to their new home.
Although driving allows them to transport their car from their old residence to their new one, long-distance drives can put added wear and tear on vehicles due to harsh weather conditions and added mileage. Long drives can also put drivers at a higher risk for accidents and create added stress when navigating areas they have never driven through before.
To combat the added hassle of driving across the country, movers can instead choose to fly to their new home and enlist the trusted services of a car transportation service.
A vehicle transportation provider, such as Carvaygo, will transport your car safely from point A to point B and offer open, enclosed, and expedited car-hauling services.
The Bottom Line
Although moving can initially seem daunting, your move can be streamlined and stress-free with the right help and the right services.
Once you have chosen your new home and begun the moving process, you can rest easy knowing your vehicle will be shipped with care and precise expertise with car-hauling services from Carvaygo.
Are you interested in car-hauling services? Click here to see how easy car-hauling can be with Carvaygo.
Sources:
Top 9 Cities That Pay You To Move There | Nexus
These 11 Cities Will Pay You To Move There | Zillow
Moving Statistics: Industry Trends & Data 2022 | Ruby Home
How Much Would It Take You To Move To West Virginia? | WUSA
Here Are 6 States That Pay You To Move There | PODS
City of New Haven Ranked #1 Place That Will Pay You To Move There | WTNH News 8
