Moving can be an expensive process, but what if you could pick up your life and try somewhere new with a little financial help? Some parts of the world are happy to assist if it means attracting skilled labor — with added benefits for the wider local economy and community. Check out these six cities and countries that will pay you to move there in 2024.
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa bills itself as the “world’s largest small town,” a place where you can enjoy all the benefits that come with living in a big city while retaining the strong community ties associated with smaller ones. Since 2018, Tulsa Remote has helped more than 2,500 people relocate to Oklahoma’s second-biggest city. Accepting that the city itself couldn’t offer sufficient job opportunities to attract working age professionals, it turned its attention to those employees who could work anywhere. Successful applicants can receive a $10,000 payout as long as they stay in Tulsa for at least a year. In addition, recipients can take advantage of free desk space at 36 Degrees North, a popular downtown co-working space.
Topeka, Kansas
While you initially might not consider Topeka the most lively place to be, there’s more than meets the eye. With the city’s passion for live music and the arts, myriad eateries, craft breweries, and acres of leafy parks and trails, there’s always something to do on the weekends in this city of about 125,000.
The Choose Topeka program offers a relocation package to talented professionals seeking new opportunities. There are several options to explore, each offering monetary perks. The main focus of the program is the Employer Match Incentive, through which you could receive a payment of $10,000 to cover rent or $15,000 to buy a house in Topeka or Shawnee County. With the cost of living in Topeka estimated to be around 15% lower than the national average, that financial cushion you crave could be waiting for you in the Midwest.
Noblesville, Indiana
Ever thought about moving to the Hoosier Heartland? A partnership between Make My Move and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation puts $5,000 on the table for those considering a move to Noblesville. Home to about 75,000 people, Noblesville is located in a convenient spot, on the northern fringes of Indianapolis and within easy driving distance of both Cincinnati and Chicago.
The full package of perks and benefits doesn’t end with the cash, either — recipients will also score membership to the COhatch Noblesville Coworking Space and to the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce, as well as leisure perks such as a “Dine Around Town” package and season passes at two local golf courses.
Frankfort, Kentucky
The same company can also relocate you to Frankfort, the capital of Kentucky and about a half-hour drive from the state’s second-largest city, Lexington. With a current population of nearly 30,000 people, Frankfort is offering a handful of potential new residents a $5,000 cash incentive plus a range of benefits to help them settle in. For instance, there’s an opportunity to “Mingle with the Mayor,” tours of Historic Frankfort and the Buffalo Trace Distillery, a free round of golf at Juniper Hill Golf Course, and an invite to a progressive dinner with existing residents.
To be eligible to apply, you need to be a U.S. citizen living outside of Kentucky with a salary of at least $60,000 a year in a job that can be retained after the move. You’d also need to be able to move within six months.
United Kingdom
The British government is eager to attract teaching talent from overseas as part of its “Get Into Teaching” program. If you’re a qualified physics or languages teacher, the program offers an international relocation payment of £10,000 (about $12,700 USD) to help with moving costs, accommodation, and related expenses.
To qualify, you must already be in receipt of a teaching job offer in one of the approved subjects. Other conditions apply, too — for example, you must hold a relevant working visa and you can’t move to the U.K. more than three months before your start date. Applications open at the start of each term.
Italy
If you’ve ever dreamed of living la dolce vita in Italy, then purchasing one of its 1 Euro Houses could be the answer. Across the country, villages and towns experiencing depopulation faced an unsightly consequence — watching the condition of their abandoned housing stock deteriorate and local businesses close.
In a radical approach, some local authorities have signed up for a scheme in which outsiders commit to renovating and restoring these empty properties in exchange for an unbelievable bargain of an asking price — yes, really as low as 1 euro (though prices will vary). From the Valle d’Aosta in the north to Puglia in the south, a wide selection of Italian real estate is on offer. Precise terms and conditions also vary, and fees and taxes will apply. Strictly speaking, Italy isn’t paying you to live there, but if you’re happy to put the work in and meet the necessary requirements, an Italian residence could be yours for a steal.
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