The 10 U.S. Cities Where Remote Workers are Happiest
While working in a traditional office definitely has its perks — like easy access to printers and copiers, conference rooms for team meetings, and free coffee in the office kitchen — one in two people who are working remote due to the coronavirus would like to stay remote full-time, even when their offices reopen.
While some may be perfectly happy with the life they've curated over the last year, under the most undue of circumstances, others may be looking for a change. If that's you, these 10 US cities feature amenities, communities and WiFi speeds that cater to those who work remotely.
1. Portland, OR
With its creative energy, entrepreneurial spirit and thriving cafe culture, Portland features a work culture for every type of employee. Remote workers find this laid-back town especially appealing for its plethora of public-WiFi locations — 650 and counting! — at coffee shops, co-working spaces and taxpayer-funded buildings like the Multnomah County Library. Statewide, Oregon boasted one of the highest percentages of remote workers in the country even before COVID, so they’re definitely doing something right.
2. San Francisco, CA
Once a bohemian beacon and now a tech-industry hotspot, San Francisco includes numerous amenities for those who work from away. Under normal social conditions, like those we may see later this year, “digital nomads” congregate in this coastal city for its networking opportunities. At the same time, aspiring Silicon Valley tech superstars feed off of each others’ energy, making San Francisco a great place to meet new collaborators and co-workers, even without the built-in community of a home office. Cost of living can be stratospheric here; San Francisco currently tops national lists of the most expensive American cities. But if you have some cash to burn and place value on great WiFi and a strong remote-work culture, the City by the Bay could be perfect for you.
3. Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, like San Francisco, benefits from a thriving tech-startup scene, opening up plenty of positions (both remote and on-site) for workers interested in that kind of work. Phoenix’s fast internet speeds, warm temperatures and relatively-low cost of living in comparison to West Coast destinations like San Francisco and Los Angeles adds to the Arizona capital’s appeal among work-from-homers.
4. Denver, CO
Even before COVID-19, Denver featured one of the nation’s highest percentages of remote workers — and for good reason. With a generally high quality-of-life quotient, a sizable number of WiFi-equipped coffeeshops and co-working spaces, and major companies like Chipotle and Molson Coors headquartered in Denver, the city makes an excellent home base for digital nomads.
5. Dallas, TX
With a lower cost of living than other high-profile telecommuting hubs like San Francisco and New York City, Dallas takes some financial pressure off of its remote workers, upping its desirability factor. Throw in a diverse population of over 7 million, rapid download speeds and a strong business community, and you’ve got an ideal situation for working outside the office.
6. Austin, TX
Dallas isn’t the only Lone Star city with solid remote-working potential. In the years before COVID, Texas’ capital witnessed record-breaking population growth, nearly doubling its remote-worker percentage in the process. In the last year, even more people have flocked to the capital. Luckily, the city’s been investing in its high-speed internet access, providing those setting up shop in Austin coffeeshops and co-working spaces with seamless browsing and web-conference capabilities.
7. Milwaukee, WI
Like Dallas, Milwaukee offers accessible rent pricing (one-bedroom apartments typically go for under $1000 a month), making it an easy sell for budget-conscious freelancers. Milwaukee is home to over a dozen colleges and universities, so you’re never far from a cafe with speedy WiFi. If you’re looking for an office or coworking rental when things feel safe again, Milwaukee has plenty of reasonably-priced options.
8. Atlanta, GA
Atlanta’s relatively-low costs and plentiful centers of higher education bear similarities to Milwaukee’s remote-working benefits. Plus, the great weather and bounty of outdoor spaces provide a series of beautiful workspaces for large parts of the year.
9. Tampa, FL
Another affordable town with strong infrastructure for remote workers, Tampa telecommuters enjoy a financial break based on Florida’s absence of state income tax. The city’s growing economy and efforts to encourage a business-friendly community make it very welcoming to remote workers, and the balmy temperatures don’t hurt either.
10. New York, NY
Yes, NYC is expensive. Yes, it’s a competitive town where it can be really tough to “make it”. But it also features one of the most extensive and diverse job markets in the nation, and if you’re a freelancer working remotely, you’ll benefit from the city’s newly-instated “Freelance Isn’t Free” Act, which establishes clear protections for contractors ensuring prompt payment and the right to written contracts.
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