According to a report published by the Economic Innovation Group (EIG), for every dollar spent on the relocation incentive, $13.77 was generated in local labor income. Kinda sucks interviewing and being accepted without knowing where the heck you'll live. What was your final outcome? I should specify it is a remote interview since I'm still stuck in Iowa currently. We'd love to get you the information and resources you need to take the leap to move to Tulsa. Led by the local George Kaiser Family . So while I thought there would be more than one interview, it doesn't seem like it, unless visiting is mandatory with an in person interview happening at that time. Well, this is when I tell you, you can't believe everything you read or watch on the internet. Tulsa Remote is a case study in how remote work can shift economic development, and it paints a hopeful picture for smaller cities. var message="Function Disabled! I haven't heard anything bad about it yet other than it's tough to get accepted. "; function clickIE4(){ if (event.button==2){ alert(message); return false; } } function clickNS4(e){ if (document.layers||document.getElementById&&!document.all){ if (e.which==2||e.which==3){ alert(message); return false; } } } if (document.layers){ document.captureEvents(Event.MOUSEDOWN); document.onmousedown=clickNS4; } else if (document.all&&!document.getElementById){ document.onmousedown=clickIE4; } document.oncontextmenu=new Function("alert(message);return false") ", "I am loving Tulsa. Hidden Gems in Greater Palm Springs for Your Photographic Adventure! Yes, I am from Los Angeles, where the crime rate is high too! It inspired us to think of other ways to bring people into the equation, and remote work was an interesting venue.. gtag('config', 'UA-115877007-1'); Because the people in the city were super welcoming everywhere we went. The program brings remote workers and digital nomads to the community by providing $10,000 grants and numerous community-building opportunities. Aside from the $10,000 disbursed as a house down payment or over time Tulsa Remote members also get assistance with house hunting, access to co-working spaces and weekly social and . From the historic Cain's Ballroom and Brady Theater, to the award-winning BOK Center and up-and-coming Duet Jazz Club, Tulsa's music scene continues to be a thriving component of its unique culture. First published on November 14, 2018 / 2:09 PM. To analyze Tulsa Remote, Choudhury surveyed workers who moved as part of the program and compared them to two similar cohorts: those who applied to the program but werent accepted, and those who applied and were accepted but werent able to complete the move for idiosyncratic reasons (like a family member getting sick). So I turned to Sen and asked if he was down to move to Tulsa, OK, with me if we got in. Additionally, they must be working remotely full-time or self-employed. Gathering Place, Tulsa's 66-acre riverfront park, offers out-of-this-world play structures (plus bar and lounge space for those of us too big for the banana slide). It was not like that at all and lasted all of about 10 minutes. To be considered for the Tulsa Remote program, we ask that applicants meet all four eligibility requirements: You can move to Tulsa within the next 12 months. From free coworking space to inspiring educational experiences, our program is designed to make you feel at home from your first day here. Lettieri and Fikri emphasize that the wrong takeaway from the experiment is that any city can enjoy the same economic benefits by offering cash incentives to remote workers. })(window,document,'https://static.hotjar.com/c/hotjar-','.js?sv='); We had about 1.5 months to prep for the move. Some of that difference could reflect a limit of the survey: Maybe the people who were accepted to Tulsa Remote but werent able to move are uniquely disengaged from their current communities, and so arent the right baseline. Our mission has always been to attract talented and diverse individuals from across the country to Tulsa and get them connected to the existing community, said Tulsa Remote Executive Director Aaron Bolzle. I just got accepted and am looking for advice on where to move. We were still hesitant since we'd never even been to Oklahoma. Sen and I didn't visit Tulsa right away. For one thing, the cities with the most remote work are the same big superstar cities that dominated the pre-pandemic economy. It means that if you are open to making new friends or joining a new community of like-minded individuals then this is for you. I started to get envious, she said. For example, if John Doe applies on September 1st, his partner must apply no later than September 14th to be considered. We even offer a. Tulsa has seen unparalleled investments to public space for a city of its size. In partnership with the George Kaiser Family Foundation, which is footing the bill, Oklahoma's second-largest city announced an incentive package targeting remote workers to relocate to Tulsa. To be considered for the Tulsa Remote program, we ask that applicants meet all four eligibility requirements: You can move to Tulsa within the next 12 months. Often, this is referred to as working from home or telecommuting.. Nationally-recognized restaurants meet local Tulsa flair. Our consideration for moving to Tulsa is 100% because of the Tulsa Remote Program! If you take the relative anonymity of living in a city like New York or San Francisco, and contrast that with the Tulsa Remote experimentof a place rolling out the red carpet for you and saying in monetary, and more importantly, non monetary ways, how much they value youpeople feel good about that, adds Fikri. Are there evens or weekly/monthly meetings for the cohort? Tulsa Remote is intended for individuals who reside outside of Oklahoma at the time of application. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. So we left the oversized items with both of our parents and donated a lot of our cloth. The Tulsa metro area is home to one million people, but its population growth has been slower than many other midsize cities in recent years. Tulsa Remote is intended for individualswho reside outside of Oklahoma at the time of application. What's happening: It all started in 2018 with Tulsa Remote, . Tulsa Remote does not sell your data. How Tulsa is Helping Remote Workers: An Interview with Dustin Curzon of 36 Degrees North Cobot The leading management software for coworking spaces worldwide, trusted by coworking spaces, office hubs, and flexible workspaces of all sizes to grow and manage their communities. After decades of brain drain in rural America, Tulsa Remote is working to attract a diverse group of remote workers to live in Tulsa, Oklahoma. MailChimp Pop-up At that point I had learned that they wanted me to live in Tulsa proper and our lifestyle is more suited to the suburbs. gtag('js', new Date()); In July, she and her husband bought a house. One of the other biggest perks is that there is NO traffic; the worst traffic would be just a 5 minutes delay. I remember seeing programs like this a few years back and thought it would be an incredible life experience. November 14, 2018 / 2:09 PM Tulsa's current economic base is anchored on manufacturing and aerospace. Can I apply? We'll pay for you to live here, too. However, what really has made Tulsa "fantastic" for me, is how well . I enjoy going to all the member meetups TR arranges and free drinks, plus we get to check out different restaurants, bars, and even sporting events in the city. h.hj=h.hj||function(){(h.hj.q=h.hj.q||[]).push(arguments)}; For my interview, I tried to think of the top 4-5 things that were most interesting about me, and how I'd bring them to the table, so to speak. I did not get accepted because I already had plans to move to Tulsa. Just be yourself, we are pretty nice around here despite what you might have heard. , found that Tulsa Remoters have higher real incomes (after accounting for living costs) than they did before the move likely driven in large part by cheaper housing. There are lots of smaller cities that can offer inexpensive housing. Did you visit Tulsa? You are 18+ years old. The median home price in Tulsa is $157,20043% below the national average! We'll chat online and then meet in person to see if we're a match. Looking for a job? The Oklahoma city is the focal point of Tulsa Remote, a program offering a $10,000 grant and additional incentives to selected . by the Economic Innovation Group, a think tank, estimated Tulsa Remotes effect on the citys economy using standard models of economic development. It was one of the most widely publicized bids by a city to become a hub for remote work and so far, its succeeding, according to two recent studies of the program. On the coasts, no one could care less about their stranger neighbors. Some of Tulsa's most prominent updates are visible in the city's aesthetics and infrastructure: In the past 10 years, a mix of public and private dollars has helped build the sprawling $465. Claire Tomm decided to apply to Tulsa Remote after hearing about it from a friend whod participated. This is when we finally decided to make the move. Like others have mentioned, talk about community involvement, what youre passionate about and what you can contribute to the community. With many programs like TR, 36 Degrees North Incubator, Endeavor ScaleUp, TechStars, Venture for America, and local venture capital firms, etc., to bring in ideas, talents, and funds to make that vision a reality. Tomm now volunteers for a tutoring program called Reading Partners. It doesnt have much in the way of a technology sector. Remote workers tend to be well paid; theyre in white collar digital and professional occupations, generally speaking, and those tend to come with pretty high salaries, explains Kenan Fikri, EIGs research director. The question is whether Tulsa can continue to attract remote workers when it has to compete with, say, Wichita, Kansas or Omaha, Nebraska. Am I eligible to apply? Tomm and her husband had decided their family needed a change after some personal tragedies. Those who are interested in moving to Tulsa and hold a full-time remote job based outside of Oklahoma can apply for this program. What types of incentives are program participants receiving? Should I mention that or instead say that I am thinking about moving to Tulsa but not 100% yet. The study also found that for every two household members brought to Tulsa through the program, one new local job was created. Excited to see you all soon! As part of the application process, you'll do a video interview. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Events relating to Tulsa Remote program extends to events to help participants get to know their [+] communities better. We are still documenting and gathering data for all the ways the program has helped our community, said Bolzle. The job came with a raise, which was amplified by the lower cost of living. The Oklahoma city is the focal point of Tulsa Remote, a program offering a $10,000 grant and additional incentives to selected participants to move and work remotely from Tulsa for a year. For Tulsa Remote members, that means individuals are working for a company located outside of Oklahoma. There does seem to be a sweet-spot nature, not just to the size of the Tulsa metro, but other characteristics in terms of their domestic migration pattern, [and] in terms of their lagging in a certain segment of their workforce, says EIG s president and CEO, John Lettieri. Rent - $658 Tulsa vs. $2,669 Boston, 2 BR Avg. The program organizes events and outings, and encourages Remoters to participate in local civic programs. With incredibly diverse cuisine, you can't find food this delicious, at prices this affordable, anywhere else. May 04, 2021. What Our Members Are Saying The program wants to attract "talented and energetic people" to Tulsa who care about making a difference in their local community . Thoughts on the program itself would also be useful. Throw in a low cost of living, and you'll have no trouble finding reasons to start your next chapter in Tulsa. Theyre really big on what you are able to bring to the community. Rent - $658 Tulsa vs. $1,475 Denver, 2 BR Avg. h._hjSettings={hjid:1812585,hjsv:6}; Can I apply if Im already in the process of buying a house/signing a lease in Tulsa? The foundation offers applicants $10,000 to move to. I use apartments.com. The program requires selected participants to move within 12 months of being accepted and completing the required verification steps. The participants report no decrease in productivity since moving. r.src=t+h._hjSettings.hjid+j+h._hjSettings.hjsv; Ask about their family and engage in the excitement about relocating to Tulsa! The city's population was 401,800 in 2017, a 2.2 percent increase from 2000. Rent - $658 Tulsa vs. $4,088 New York, 2 BR Avg. I found out that I was accepted and just needed to move within the next 12 months the following week. Amid these challenging times, were still safely welcoming new members to Tulsa. This was a program that was right-sized and designed to fill a lot of those gaps, and then scaled in such a way as to have a significant impact on an economy of the size of the Tulsa metro.. What should I prepare for? Bee Law [Photo: courtesy of QuirkChat]Beyond the relocation stipend, the program also provides successful applicants with one year of free co-working space, workshops, networking events, and a range of other resources. And two recent studies suggest the investment was worth it. But what makes Tulsa's program unique is its focus on remote workers. (function(h,o,t,j,a,r){ The goal is to reach at least 250. I work for a rideshare or delivery service like Lyft or Doordash. They want to know how you would integrate into Tulsa, what your skills are and to learn more about your personality. At least 12 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, The Saturday Six: Dental device controversy, scientist's bug find and more, Indonesia fuel depot fire kills 18; more than a dozen missing, 3 children killed, 2 others wounded at Texas home, Man charged for alleged involvement in 2 transformer explosions, Nikki Haley slams potential GOP contenders, and Trump and George W. Bush, Duo of 81-year-old women plan to see the world in 80 days, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Alex Murdaugh trial: What to know about the double murder case. I had my semi finalist interview last Thursday. Here are some details of our move and our experience with the program and the city. We're paying remote workers $10,000 to move to Tulsa. This is a BETA experience. Our ideal candidate is open to calling Tulsa their home long-term and meets our core eligibility requirements: Full-time remote employment or self-employed outside Oklahoma. /* Must be below squarespace-headers */(function(){var e='ontouchstart'in window||navigator.msMaxTouchPoints;var t=document.documentElement;if(!e&&t){t.className=t.className.replace(/touch-styles/,'')}})(). The remote workers who moved to Tulsa have a higher standard of living than they had before, theyre engaged in their new community, and most plan to stay. Since I had a remote job at the time, we might qualify. We've already driven back to LA for work and seen our families a few times during our first nine months. The total drive time from LA to Tulsa straight shot is over 21 hours. Selected as part of the inaugural cohort of Endeavor's Heartland ScaleUp. Can I still apply if I just recently moved to Tulsa? Tulsa Remote is not able to aid in the acquisition or approval of such credentials (work visas, etc.). Even so, the report is good news for Tulsa Remote, and Choudhury thinks theres a simple reason why the programs participants are more involved. a.appendChild(r); What are my options? I got an email asking for a background check and income verification about two weeks after. This blog highlights my insights and experience with TR and the city for you to consider before you apply. "Anything they buy in the city, that's helping our economy and tax base," Perry said. Heres how it worked out. All told, Tulsa Remote is estimated to have contributed $62 million in new labor income to the local economy in 2021. Getting to see more of the country is one of our goals for 2021 and beyond. We shouldnt underestimate how important the pure signaling alone is; thats certainly a big part of it, says Lettieri. If anyone has any questions hit me up happy to answer. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. ), Lower cost of living compared to other major cities in the US, You can move within 12 months after you are accepted, You have full-time remote employment, or you are self-employed outside of Oklahoma. It is no coincidence that the program has sought to attract roughly the same number of new residents. Rent - $658 Tulsa vs. $2,248 San Diego, 2 BR Avg. We've been here for almost nine months, and we've loved it so far! As we considered why Tulsa has been successful, I think its a lot of the place-making attributes that the foundation and the city have been focussed on over the last decade or so, he says. The city limits do not include surrounding areas such as Bixby, Broken Arrow, Sand Springs, Sapulpa, or Jenks. But for now, that question counts as a good problem to have. a=o.getElementsByTagName('head')[0]; Whats counts as community involvement? So when the 29-year-old entrepreneur was deciding where to launch her video-based social network for anime and geek fandom, QuirkChat, she had a lot of options to consider. Over two years, about 500 people have moved to Tulsa under the program, Ben Stewart, the executive director, told me. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. How did that go? $10,000 (either via monthly stipends or lump sum if you purchase a home in Tulsa), Opportunity to meet like-minded individuals through the Tulsa Remote community. Dont tell them youre going to move either way lol. Grab your laptop and take a break with dozens of choices around town. Tulsa Remote is not the only program of its kind the state of Vermont announced a much-publicized. You are eligible to work in the United States Can Move to Tulsa Within the Next 12 Months Psst: Our $10,000 grant can now be received as a lump sum upon the purchase of a home! Are you now a Tulsan? Sen & I moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, from Los Angeles, California, in May 2021 with theTulsa Remote(TR). ". Over 90% stay beyond the year., Since moving to Tulsa this past June, Law has herself hired four locals, and has no intention of leaving once her term is up in the summer of 2022.