We had about 1.5 months to prep for the move. I use apartments.com. Tulsa Remote is a case study in how remote work can shift economic development, and it paints a hopeful picture for smaller cities. (function(h,o,t,j,a,r){ Events relating to Tulsa Remote program extends to events to help participants get to know their [+] communities better. On average, approximately one new job was created in Tulsa for every two remote workers who relocated. With the pandemic easing, work-from-home declining, and some companies pushing for a return to the office, Tulsas main competition might not be Wichita and Omaha but New York and Chicago. Over two years, about 500 people have moved to Tulsa under the program, Ben Stewart, the executive director, told me. ". Winter is chilly with chances of snow (and winter storm). 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Amid these challenging times, were still safely welcoming new members to Tulsa.You can check out our COVID-19 information to learn more about how weve adjusted. According to a 2018 Upwork report, 63 percent of companies surveyed had at least one employee working remotely, and hiring managers predicted that in the next 10 years, 38 percent of their full-time employees will work mostly remotely. The program brings remote workers and digital nomads to the community by providing $10,000 grants and numerous community-building opportunities. Tulsa, Oklahoma, wants you to move there and is offering $10,000 to sweeten the deal. The researchers explain that much of the value of the program comes from ongoing contributions to the local economy, after the one-year requirement has expired. A program paid workers $10,000 to relocate to Tulsa. We submitted our application for the apartment, put down a deposit, and moved in Mid-May 2021. May 04, 2021. Fast Company & Inc 2023 Mansueto Ventures, LLC, Tulsa paid people $10k to move there and work remotely. So she filled out a brief application, interviewed with a Tulsa native over Zoom, and was accepted after a background check. Since 2018, the Tulsa Remote program has offered remote workers moving to Tulsa $10,000 in cash, a desk at a local co-working space, and help finding housing. When is the earliest people are accepted to move to Tulsa? That just didnt happen. So we left the oversized items with both of our parents and donated a lot of our cloth. The emphasis is on weaving a social fabric among new arrivals and within the wider community. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. a=o.getElementsByTagName('head')[0]; We created Tulsa Remote to enhance Tulsa's talented and successful workforce community by bringing diverse, bright and driven individuals to the city for community building, collaboration and networking. There are lots of smaller cities that can offer inexpensive housing. 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). Tomm now volunteers for a tutoring program called Reading Partners. Glassdoor has 1 Tulsa Remote reviews submitted anonymously by Tulsa Remote employees. The foundation offers applicants $10,000 to move to. So while I thought there would be more than one interview, it doesnt seem like it, unless visiting is mandatory with an in person interview happening at that time. Its economy specializes in oil and gas, aerospace, and manufacturing. But there are challenges for other cities looking to copy the model. Ive never been to Tulsa and want to visit before I make the move. Lindzon's writing focuses on the future of work and talent as it relates to technological innovation, as well as entrepreneurship, technology, politics, sports and music. The researchers estimate that one new full-time job was created in Tulsa for every two Remoters who moved there. 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. The program, explains Stewart, furthers the George Kaiser Family Foundations mandate of reversing the cycle of generational poverty in the local community. They get 1,000 applications a week and interview 200-300 candidates on Zoom. I did not get accepted because I already had plans to move to Tulsa. 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. Tulsa also has a significantly lower cost of living than Los Angeles, so we can focus on our business Evolusenand our passion fortravel photography. The highly selective program, which awards individuals $10,000 towards relocation, focuses on creating a supportive ecosystem. The city's population was 401,800 in 2017, a 2.2 percent increase from 2000. What are some interview tips? To qualify, you must be a full-time remote worker or self-employed outside of the state. This major public-private partnership to develop the citys waterfront, the fact that theres a burgeoning art scene, I think Tulsa was positioned well, not just because of its size, but because of the assets and amenities that are here that people just didnt know about previously.. Dec 4-Notified of finalist status, filled out background check form and informed that once that cleared would be invited to come in person to check Tulsa out. Am I eligible to apply? The so-called superstar cities are still winning, both for in-office jobs and even for work-from-home. We'll pay for you to live here, too. You have full-time remote employment or are self-employed outside of Oklahoma. The standard answer is that knowledge-sector jobs that can be done remotely are high-paying and tend to have spillovers to the local community at least when housing costs dont rise enough to cancel out those benefits. We saw more and more of those members stay beyond their two years of service, he says. We moved to Tulsa Oklahoma with Tulsa Remote! Those who are interested in moving to Tulsa and hold a full-time remote job based outside of Oklahoma can apply for this program. Tulsa Remote is intended for individualswho reside outside of Oklahoma at the time of application. Static.COOKIE_BANNER_CAPABLE = true; We'll chat online and then meet in person to see if we're a match. It's a growing segment of the workforce. While we try to accept a wide variety of movers and shakers into our program, we, unfortunately, can't invite everyone. 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. Claire Tomm decided to apply to Tulsa Remote after hearing about it from a friend whod participated. Rent - $658 Tulsa vs. $2,111 DC, 2 BR Avg. In my hometown in Wilkinsburg, [part of the Pittsburgh metro area], there were a lot of promises made that the recruitment of tech talent would impact other places besides the city [of Pittsburgh], he said in an interview. The conversation was short and easy. We finally went in mid-March 2021 and spent six days in Tulsa to check out the city and to apartment hunt. It doesnt have much in the way of a technology sector, and it has a smaller share of residents with a college degree than the U.S. as a whole. 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. With community workshops, art showings, local fabrication spaces and unique shops, the opportunities to express yourself are endless. For application purposes, all domestic partners/family members must apply in the same two-week calendar period. Rent - $658 Tulsa vs. $2,669 Boston, 2 BR Avg. A lot of that money stays in the local economy.. He adds Tulsa Remotes success is partially owed to the appeal of the city itself, which he describes as a hidden gem, as well as other redevelopment efforts that have been undertaken in recent years. Then the applicants would get thanks for trying or congrats emails. 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. There is no deadline at this point, but we might close the application at any time, so people should apply now, said Bolzle. Psst: Our $10,000 grant can now be received as a lump sum upon the purchase of a home! You are 18+ years old. Apparently they only accept those who are interested in moving to Tulsa. Absolutely. The first step is to apply for Tulsa Remotehere. We have a couple of trips out of Oklahoma in the pipeline, so stay tuned for more on that. Remote workers have high-paying jobs, and that income trickles out into Tulsa as they spend it. We've already driven back to LA for work and seen our families a few times during our first nine months. No. MailChimp Pop-up , the success of local economic development programs requires bridge-building across communities within a city and the involvement of local residents in the planning process. November 14, 2018 / 2:09 PM Along with the introduction of Tulsa Remote, 2018 has ushered in other community-related initiatives in Tulsa. Tulsa has a great cost of living, and likely cheaper housing than where you currently live. Throw in a low cost of living, and you'll have no trouble finding reasons to start your next chapter in Tulsa. On the coasts, no one could care less about their stranger neighbors. Has the arrival of remote workers benefitted the city as a whole? In exchange, successful applicants are required to call the city home for at least 12 months. Are you now a Tulsan? Jared Lindzon is a freelance journalist and public speaker born, raised and based in Toronto, Canada. If so, Tulsa Remote will pay you $10,000 to move to Oklahoma. The family sold their house in Madison, Wisconsin, and six months after being accepted into the program, they arrived in Tulsa. As well as things are going so far, Tulsa Remote raises a big question that crops up in any plan to attract new companies or industries: Why not just give the money to Tulsas existing citizens? In 2019, Tulsa Remote participants ages ranged from 22 to 64. Tulsa Remote is a case study in how remote work can shift economic development, and it paints a hopeful picture for smaller cities. It was not like that at all and lasted all of about 10 minutes. It's not the first time cities and even states have offered cash to entice would-be residents. Amid these challenging times, were still safely welcoming new members to Tulsa. /* 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/,'')}})(). Tulsa Remote is designed for individuals who have full-time remote employment with a company outside of Oklahoma. Theyre really big on what you are able to bring to the community. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. On top of the cash subsidies, the program, dubbed "Tulsa Remote," comes with a free membership to 36 Degrees North, a co-working space in the city, which ordinarily charges members $149 per month or more. Tulsa has seen unparalleled investments to public space for a city of its size. I'd be interested to know who you interviewed with, the kinds of questions they and you asked. Details. Funding is currently provided by the George Kaiser Family Foundation. And they estimate every dollar spent on the program creates $13 in economic activity. Tomm and her husband had decided their family needed a change after some personal tragedies. According to the study, the average annual income of program members is nearly $105,000. Of the nearly 800. The following steps are to check out the city either in person or virtually (I recommend you to check out the city in person for a full experience) and make your final decision if you want to make the move. Dont know much more about the process as of yet, but I know next step is at least one video interview. Hidden Gems in Greater Palm Springs for Your Photographic Adventure! Thats especially true when the program involves attracting outsiders. I should specify it is a remote interview since I'm still stuck in Iowa currently. EIG released another study of remote work. The program wants to attract "talented and energetic people" to Tulsa who care about making a difference in their local community . And if you're selected, you'll have to relocate to Tulsa within the calendar year. But LA is not bad in my personal experience, and I've lived there for over 20 years. Interesting that you say that. Tulsa Remote is not able to aid in the acquisition or approval of such credentials (work visas, etc.). IF YOU TELL THEM YOU ALREADY HAVE PLANS TO MOVE HERE, YOU WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY DISQUALIFIED. I work remotely for an Oklahoma-based company. How did that go? You may opt-out by. What it does have is a lower cost of living compared to other cities. LET THEM ENTICE YOU WITH THAT GRANT. Are there evens or weekly/monthly meetings for the cohort? 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. 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. Today I have my interview with the Tulsa Remote Program which was one of my selling points for moving to Tulsa. Rent - $658 Tulsa vs. $4,088 New York, 2 BR Avg. It doesn't mean you have to be an extrovert since I am an introvert myself, and there are many introverts in the community. We've been here for almost nine months, and we've loved it so far! First published on November 14, 2018 / 2:09 PM. Video interviews are conducted with each finalist selected. Our consideration for moving to Tulsa is 100% because of the Tulsa Remote Program! But there are outstanding questions about the program, too.. "; 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") "So many people share with us that they're attracted to potentially moving here, especially from people in more expensive cities," wrote Levit in an email to CBS News on Wednesday. Nervous about making the move? No. In the first cohort, 90% stayed past the first year. This is a BETA experience. In a recent study, Prithwiraj Choudhury, a professor at Harvard Business School who studies remote work, 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. The interviewer asked a few standard questions like why I wanted to move to Tulsa, questions about my remote job, and if I had any questions or concerns about the city. Good luck and when it works out for you.Congratulations and welcome to Tulsa. Parking is plentiful (and widely free!). Press J to jump to the feed. 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. (To its credit, GKFF has other programs focused on poverty alleviation, racial equity, and job creation in Tulsa.). All episodes. What kind of remote work do you do? Tulsa Remote does not sell your data. Rent - $658 Tulsa vs. $3,519 SF, 2 BR Avg. As part of the application process, you'll do a video interview. The Tulsa Remote program opened to applicants in November 2018. 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. 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. 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. Recommended for you Cobot en espaol As long as the program continues to have a positive impact on the community, we will continue it.. The . It takes roughly 13 minutes max to get anywhere in Tulsa; in any other city, that's the minimum time it takes to drive 0.6 miles. Multiple calls to a Tulsa spokesperson were not immediately returned. Luke Scuitto, who moved to Tulsa from Washington, DC in 2020 and works remotely for a nonprofit, also connected to the local community through volunteer work. Claire Tomm decided to apply to Tulsa Remote after hearing about it from a friend whod participated. The Tulsa Remote program, however, is not necessarily the right program for all cities hoping to attract highly paid remote workers. Since its founding in 2018, Tulsa Remote has brought nearly 1,300 remote workers to town, and a new study suggests that the investment is paying off. If selected for the program, do I have to live in Tulsa? Lettieri explains that prior to Tulsa Remote, the city had a negative net migration of about 1,200 per year, and the majority of people leaving were college-educated. So any community involvement is what they want to hear. And as effective as the GKFFs $10,000 stipends have been, its not sustainable to get in a bidding war with other cities to lure workers. 36 Degrees North, a dynamic coworking space in Downtown Tulsa, provides a place to get work done and collaborate with other local entrepreneurs and remote workers. Thats the logic that leads EIGs models to estimate such a high payoff for Tulsa Remote. Tulsa Remote is a unique recruitment initiative aimed at attracting talented individuals to Tulsa. The program brings remote workers and digital nomads to the community by providing $10,000 grants and numerous community-building opportunities. They would recommend coming to Tulsa to visit and see if its a good fit before accepting. The idea is that some may eventually start their own businesses and permanently relocate to Tulsa, according to Ken Levit, executive director of the George Kaiser Family Foundation. It doesnt have much in the way of a technology sector. Is Tulsa Remote offering jobs to the people who apply? I asked about the next steps, and was told they meet to talk about how many spots are left and decide yes or no on those interviewed for the week. Often, this is referred to as working from home or telecommuting.. This all happened between Mid October to Early November 2020. What Our Members Are Saying What to Expect When Visiting Horseshoe Bend, Arizona, Top 6 Things to Do in Oklahoma City: 48-Hour Guide. 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). Nationally-recognized restaurants meet local Tulsa flair. Tulsa's 30+ entertainment and residential districts offer diverse landscapes and inclusive communities for you to find the perfect place for inspiration. , this one reporting which cities had the highest share of work done from home. Each community is unique, and has to have a unique set of data that theyre monitoring and working through regularly, says Ben Stewart, the senior program officer at the George Kaiser Family Foundation, which designed and funded the Tulsa Remote program. Tulsa was categorized by McKinsey Global Institute's recent Future of Work report as a "stable city" in the "mixed middle," described as having modest postrecession GDP and population growth, a prosperous past but uncertain future, and neither thriving . So I turned to Sen and asked if he was down to move to Tulsa, OK, with me if we got in. Last year, while researching the Tulsa Massacre, Law came across an ad for a program called Tulsa Remote, which enticed remote workers and entrepreneurs to the mid-sized Oklahoman city with a $10,000 relocation stipend. I've visited Tulsa a couple times and I agree, you Tulsans are very welcoming. Born in Rochester, and raised and educated in North Carolina, shes also lived in Atlanta, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Oakland, and Los Angeles. The program organizes events and outings, and encourages Remoters to participate in local civic programs. After the pandemic I knew I wasnt going to go back to California, so I was in limbo looking for that next place to call a home base, she says. GKFF says it works hard to ensure that Remoters will be active in and connected to local communities, and it considers these factors when screening applicants. With incredibly diverse cuisine, you can't find food this delicious, at prices this affordable, anywhere else. Thats especially true when the program involves attracting outsiders. Just be yourself, we are pretty nice around here despite what you might have heard. In order to be eligible, applicants currently must reside outside of Oklahoma, be 18 years of age or older and can work and live in the United States. The goal is to reach at least 250. While monetary incentives help bring people to town, Lettieri and Fikri believe that other local amenities and support structures ultimately inspire them to stay, allowing the program to generate lasting value. Far less congestion than cities like Austin, Atlanta and Dallas. Like others have mentioned, talk about community involvement, what youre passionate about and what you can contribute to the community. During the first nine months we've been in the city, we have already: Joined the state-approved incubator at 36 Degrees North. Did you visit Tulsa? We were still hesitant since we'd never even been to Oklahoma.
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