!function(c,h,i,m,p){m=c.createElement(h),p=c.getElementsByTagName(h)[0],m.async=1,m.src=i,p.parentNode.insertBefore(m,p)}(document,"script","https://chimpstatic.com/mcjs-connected/js/users/e2a1c94371de8d9fbce37f174/c1afc46532954c025b953796f.js"); Since 2018, nearly 1,300 talented individuals have joined our ranks, found "home" in Tulsa, and are helping shape one of America's greatest cities. With festivals, races and celebrations happening throughout the year, you'll struggle to find a weekend with nothing to do. More than 2,000 people have moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma because of Tulsa Remote, a program that pays remote workers $10,000 to move. The interview process in order to be considered for the grant is fairly standard . 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. ), 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. I way overthought the interview. And two new studies suggest the program is working: the participants are experiencing a higher standard of living due to the citys low housing costs, and are engaged in the community. Because the people in the city were super welcoming everywhere we went. 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. The George Kaiser Family Foundation is funding the program in its entirety and expects to spend somewhere between $250,00 to $500,000 in 2019 on 20 to 25 program recipients, but there's no hard limit to how many the program will welcome. Tulsa Remote provides resources to help finalists discover and secure suitable housing before they move to Tulsa, including a new housing portal. Tulsa Remote, a program that offers people $10,000 to move to Tulsa, Okla., for a year, started in the fall of 2018, but has seen a spike in demand during the pandemic. I am not going to lie; I was worried about safety because research says Tulsa is unsafe. 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 if you have a business or a business idea supported by technology or is technology-enabled, then apply to this program as well. This means we will be spending at least another year in Tulsa and will be growing our company here in the city. Last September, A Gathering Place came into fruition as an inclusive riverfront parkwith a childrens adventure playground, a skate park, restaurants and gathering spots. I Run Tulsa Remote. Here's How It's Benefited Our City. - Business Insider Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Apparently they only accept those who are interested in moving to Tulsa. With hundreds of acres of wilderness areas, urban parks and greenspaces, Tulsa offers countless opportunities to get outside, get some fresh air and explore. LET THEM ENTICE YOU WITH THAT GRANT. You are 18+ years old. November 14, 2018 / 2:09 PM Working from home? You could get paid $10,000 to do that from Tulsa That kind of thing. We were still hesitant since we'd never even been to Oklahoma. 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 . It is no coincidence that the program has sought to attract roughly the same number of new residents. 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. })(window,document,'https://static.hotjar.com/c/hotjar-','.js?sv='); We shouldnt underestimate how important the pure signaling alone is; thats certainly a big part of it, says Lettieri. I found out that I was accepted and just needed to move within the next 12 months the following week. 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. Tomm now volunteers for a tutoring program called Reading Partners. The researchers estimate that one new full-time job was created in Tulsa for every two Remoters who moved there. What are some interview tips? Exhibited my photography work during the Accidentally Wes Anderson: THIS IS AN ADVENTURE exhibit in the Philbrook Museum of Art. In Tulsa, an 8.517 percent sales tax, one of the highest in the nation, funds the city's operating budget, he explained. 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. r=o.createElement('script');r.async=1; The so-called superstar cities are still winning, both for in-office jobs and even for work-from-home. With Tulsa Remote you get a built-in community, instead of coming here on my own, which was kind of intimidating, says Law. 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. Simply just be yourself! 4 City People Who Moved to Tulsa for $10,000 Have No Regrets We've been featured in "My wife and I were looking for a place to raise our son and Tulsa has been a great fit for our family. Tulsa also has a significantly lower cost of living than Los Angeles, so we can focus on our business Evolusenand our passion fortravel photography. Were going to stay here for sure, she says. 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. Those selected for the program must live within Tulsa city limits. Andre Perry, a researcher at Brookings who studies urban development and inequality, supports the basic idea of attracting knowledge workers but cautions that it doesnt always deliver. Has anyone taken advantage of Tulsa's Remote worker program? It doesnt have much in the way of a technology sector. I should specify it is a remote interview since I'm still stuck in Iowa currently. window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; One of the other biggest perks is that there is NO traffic; the worst traffic would be just a 5 minutes delay. And two recent studies suggest the investment was worth it. When is the earliest people are accepted to move to Tulsa? The best time to visit Tulsa would be Spring and Fall. In 2019, Tulsa Remote participants ages ranged from 22 to 64. Bynum addresses attendees at an event tied to the Tulsa Remote program. $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. What types of incentives are program participants receiving? Am I eligible to apply? Need some desk space to get things done? If selected for the program, do I have to live downtown? Tulsa Remote is designed for individuals who have full-time remote employment with a company outside of Oklahoma. Hidden Gems in Greater Palm Springs for Your Photographic Adventure! So we left the oversized items with both of our parents and donated a lot of our cloth. You may opt-out by. Tulsa is seeking digital nomads to put their roots down here. Individuals must be at least 18 years of age to apply. Tulsa Remote introduces these newcomers to others by partnering with local organizations to host regular events and meetups to help these newcomers get better acquainted. Tulsa Remote - Economic Innovation Group (To its credit, GKFF has other programs focused on poverty alleviation, racial equity, and job creation in Tulsa.). Tomm and her husband had decided their family needed a change after some personal tragedies. In July, she and her husband bought a house. Video interviews are conducted with each finalist selected. We'll chat online and then meet in person to see if we're a match. You are not eligible for the program if youre in process of buying a home or renting an apartment. They believe that Tulsa Remotes selection process, which intentionally seeks out talent that is needed but otherwise lacking in the city, is what ultimately drives its success. Thoughts on the program itself would also be useful. 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. What should I prepare for? In the first cohort, 90% stayed past the first year. Needless to say, I didnt get accepted. Hopefully those who come across this post will have better luck. He said yes, I applied, and the rest was history. When selected applicants arrive in Tulsa, they get a warm welcome. Rent - $658 Tulsa vs. $3,519 SF, 2 BR Avg. (function(h,o,t,j,a,r){ Its a highly cost-effective intervention relative to other economic development tools, said Daniel Newman, an analyst at EIG who worked on the study. / CBS News. We mailed many items that were not fragile, like cloth, bedding, etc., fit everything else plus our cat and dog into our SUV, and started our trip to Tulsa. I am moving to your city in the next couple weeks. Ive never been to Tulsa and want to visit before I make the move. Born in Rochester, and raised and educated in North Carolina, shes also lived in Atlanta, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Oakland, and Los Angeles. May 04, 2021. 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. . Summer is hot and humid. I got an email from Tulsa Remote about a week later notifying me that I am a semifinalist and am advancing to the next step with a video interview that happened within the same week. The Tulsa Remote program, however, is not necessarily the right program for all cities hoping to attract highly paid remote workers. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. It inspired us to think of other ways to bring people into the equation, and remote work was an interesting venue.. While the Oklahoma state population has increased 14 percent since 2000, Tulsa's population growth has been sluggish, according to Census data. The program brings remote workers and digital nomads to the community by providing $10,000 grants and numerous community-building opportunities. "Tulsa is most definitely on the come up, and the opportunity to build my company here alongside an incredible community of passionate individuals has been amazing,". To qualify, you must be a full-time remote worker or self-employed outside of the state. 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. Has the arrival of remote workers benefitted the city as a whole? Tulsa Remote is a unique recruitment initiative aimed at attracting talented individuals to Tulsa. The city limits do not include surrounding areas such as Bixby, Broken Arrow, Sand Springs, Sapulpa, or Jenks. This includes: currently working with a realtor, in escrow, about to close on your home, have closed on your home, have already purchased a property in Oklahoma, or have signed a lease prior to completing your background check and being formally accepted into the program. Sen & I live in Downtown Tulsa, where we can walk to most places. We'd love to get you the information and resources you need to take the leap to move to Tulsa. Tulsa Remote does not offer employment of any kind. We'll give you some money to help with relocation expenses, a monthly stipend to keep things moving and the rest when you've finished the first year. Claire Tomm decided to apply to Tulsa Remote after hearing about it from a friend whod participated. We've traveled to Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Missouri, and Texas and stopped in 16 cities (not counting cities we've visited before moving to Tulsa). The term remote employment refers to individuals who do not have to physically travel into their place of work on a daily basis. No, you are not eligible to apply if you recently moved to Oklahoma. 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. Either because we all are remote workers or moved away from our home towns, etc. Remote Work Program - Tulsa Remote Psst: Our $10,000 grant can now be received as a lump sum upon the purchase of a home! So after some cocktails by Bartender Sen, I started browsing the internet, and I came upon the Tulsa Remote Program. Tulsa Remote is intended for individuals who work remotely for an organization that is not based in Oklahoma. We are planning to live in Tulsa proper. This is when we finally decided to make the move. 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.. How did that go? "Anything they buy in the city, that's helping our economy and tax base," Perry said. Tulsa Mayor G.T. A community for Tulsa Oklahoma and surrounding areas. Tulsa Remote is not the only program of its kind the state of Vermont announced a much-publicized. Less like a job interview, more like a first date. Tulsa's remote work experiment a $62 million success - Fast Company Far less congestion than cities like Austin, Atlanta and Dallas. 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. Leaving the Bay Area: Hundreds of remote workers bite on Tulsa's offer 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. Just in case anyone is planning on applying: DO NOT TELL THEM YOU ARE OR HAVE PLANS TO MOVE TO TULSA. Static.COOKIE_BANNER_CAPABLE = true; His work at Tulsas Equality Center led to an additional part-time job and helped him meet more members of the community. The catch is that you have to work somewhere else. First published on November 14, 2018 / 2:09 PM. 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. Transcript. Tulsa Remote was estimated to add $62 million in new local earnings in 2021 $51.3 million directly attributable to relocated remote workers and $10.7 million from the employment boost . 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. Privacy Policy. 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. The foundation offers applicants $10,000 to move to. Sen & I've met so many interesting individuals in the Tulsa Remote community and are great friends with many of them. The City of Tulsa and other community organizations lend their support to ensure program participants are fully immersed and engaged in the community. What was your final outcome? At that point I had learned that they wanted me to live in Tulsa proper and our lifestyle is more suited to the suburbs. Question for people who did the Tulsa Remote program : r/tulsa - reddit We've designed community building programming, events and meetups to help you engage with the organizations, local nonprofits and individuals that are working to make Tulsa the best it can be. Any individual who meets the eligibility criteria is welcome to apply, even if they are members of the same family or have a relationship with one another. That just didnt happen. I had major cabin fever since we were cramped in our tiny apartment that we spent way too much for. Rent - $658 Tulsa vs. $1,475 Denver, 2 BR Avg. 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. 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. They would recommend coming to Tulsa to visit and see if its a good fit before accepting. And, perhaps most importantly, how many remote workers want to move in the first place? Google AdSense Theyre also more likely to report engagement in their local community. For applicants that need to transition to remote work from a non-remote position, Tulsa Remote may require confirmation that they are able to work remotely. Amid these challenging times, were still safely welcoming new members to Tulsa. You have full-time remote employment or are self-employed outside of Oklahoma. Tulsa has been really great, and we do plan to buy a house next year.. I did not get accepted because I already had plans to move to Tulsa. For more information, please see our Then the applicants would get thanks for trying or congrats emails. All the people in charge of the program are local restaurant group/coffee group owners, Well damn this would have been great information on the day of interview. Its a win-win.. Full-time remote employment or self-employed outside of Oklahoma. If selected for the program, how soon can I move? Its economy specializes in oil and gas, aerospace, and manufacturing. Dont know much more about the process as of yet, but I know next step is at least one video interview. This is an important part of the local economic development strategy, and the fact that it was designed and backed by a key local institution, in partnership with other local stakeholders, is a big part of the battle.. Funding is currently provided by the George Kaiser Family Foundation. Rent - $658 Tulsa vs. $2,111 DC, 2 BR Avg. We even offer a. LET THEM ENTICE YOU WITH THAT GRANT. However, what really has made Tulsa "fantastic" for me, is how well . But what makes Tulsa's program unique is its focus on remote workers. 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. A lot of that money stays in the local economy.. Our consideration for moving to Tulsa is 100% because of the Tulsa Remote Program! As Perry writes in his 2020 book Know Your Price, 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. I'm a travel blogger, and photographer, recently moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma from Los Angeles, California with my husband Sen, our cat Shadow, and dog Lumi. We are still documenting and gathering data for all the ways the program has helped our community, said Bolzle. 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. Thats what helped me get in, Thank you for the advice! The 2020 edition of the Tulsa Remote program seeks to welcome over 200 applicants. Tulsa Remote launched in November 2018 in an effort to recruit a diverse group of talented professionals across multiple industries to relocate and be a part of the existing growth happening in Tulsa. They do ask about your salary, so dont let that catch you off guard. Rent - $658 Tulsa vs. $2,449 LA, 2 BR Avg. They get 1,000 applications a week and interview 200-300 candidates on Zoom. An award-winning team of journalists, designers, and videographers who tell brand stories through Fast Company's distinctive lens, The future of innovation and technology in government for the greater good, Fast Company's annual ranking of businesses that are making an outsize impact, Leaders who are shaping the future of business in creative ways, New workplaces, new food sources, new medicine--even an entirely new economic system. EIG released another study of remote work. Wealth in Tulsa is lower than national averages, according to the 2015 American Communities Survey. "This is about getting people to move to Tulsa," said Matt Fabian, a partner at Massachusetts-based Municipal Market Analytic, in a telephone interview with CBS News on Wednesday. h._hjSettings={hjid:1812585,hjsv:6}; Tomms experience is not unusual. I got an email asking for a background check and income verification about two weeks after. Tulsa Remote does not sell your data. Burlington, Vermont, rolled out a similar program in June and all Alaskans are eligible for payouts via the state's Permanent Reserve Fund. Tulsa Wants You To Move There And Will Pay You $10,000 To Do So - Forbes /* 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/,'')}})(). Since 2019, Tulsa Remote has brought over 1,800 people to the city by offering them $10,000. So if you ask me who should apply for Tulsa Remote, I will tell you it's for those who are open to moving away from their home and making new friends. It is intended for individuals who are already employed outside of Oklahoma and are able to keep their position when relocating to Tulsa. And they estimate every dollar spent on the program creates $13 in economic activity. Even before the pandemic, the program was having great. And if you're selected, you'll have to relocate to Tulsa within the calendar year. Today, Tulsa's quality of place is resonating with applicants to an innovative program called Tulsa Remote. Browse curated job listings at Tulsa based companies. The Great Tulsa Remote Worker Experiment - Bloomberg Led by the local George Kaiser Family . 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. So I turned to Sen and asked if he was down to move to Tulsa, OK, with me if we got in. I use apartments.com. 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. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Well, It happened during the second lockdown in Los Angeles in 2020. No. Remote workers have high-paying jobs, and that income trickles out into Tulsa as they spend it. Glassdoor Stewart says he encourages each city to consider their unique economic and labor force needs, what they can offer remote workers in exchange for filling those gaps, and what programs, projects, or initiatives would encourage them to stay beyond the initial term. Life has not been the same since I first apply for TR and we can't wait to see where it will take us next! Please enter valid email address to continue. Brainstorm, network, or even whip up a passion project together collaboration is always highly encouraged here. Nervous about making the move? But there are outstanding questions about the program, too.. According to a report published by the. and our Rent - $658 Tulsa vs. $2,415 Portland, 2 BR Avg. Tulsa Remote Program? : r/tulsa - Reddit Selected as part of the inaugural cohort of Endeavor's Heartland ScaleUp. 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. That just didnt happen. With internationally recognized coffee roasters and breweries, there's always a place to refuel. 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. Tulsa has unique neighborhoods, a nationally-recognized food scene, world-class music and theatre venues, and one of the best park systems in the country. Winter is chilly with chances of snow (and winter storm). Press J to jump to the feed. Oklahoma organization offering $10K if you move to Tulsa for remote work What kind of things did they ask? For Tulsa Remote members, that means individuals are working for a company located outside of Oklahoma. Parking is plentiful (and widely free!). The program requires selected participants to move within 12 months of being accepted and completing the required verification steps. Creatives mold the vibrant culture in Tulsa. I'd be interested to know who you interviewed with, the kinds of questions they and you asked. Should I mention that or instead say that I am thinking about moving to Tulsa but not 100% yet. Good luck and when it works out for you.Congratulations and welcome to Tulsa. Here are some details of our move and our experience with the program and the city. I hope to be joining you soon :), Emphasize your desire to shop locally. 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. Nationally-recognized restaurants meet local Tulsa flair. While we try to accept a wide variety of movers and shakers into our program, we, unfortunately, can't invite everyone. 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). 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. Tulsa Remote, a program that provides $10,000 grants to remote workers who relocate to Tulsa, OK, has seen a 36% uptick in applications since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) in March.