I should find out next week after they meet (apparently its usually weekly, but someone was out this week) on a yes or no from them. In July, she and her husband bought a house. They are spending some of that time volunteering in the local community. Well, this is when I tell you, you can't believe everything you read or watch on the internet. 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. Led by the local George Kaiser Family . !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"); It was intriguing to see how Black entrepreneurs were building back up Tulsa, as a Black entrepreneur and founder myself, says Law, who was invited to be one of 842 members of Tulsa Remotes 2021 cohort. 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. Rent - $658 Tulsa vs. $3,519 SF, 2 BR Avg. Remote workers have high-paying jobs, and that income trickles out into Tulsa as they spend it. The program was expected to bring in around 1,000 applicants and hopefully bring 50 people to Tulsa. Not a week goes by without hearing from one city thats thinking of this, everyone from Alaska to Hawaii to Georgia to New York State, he says. The list wasnt topped by new remote hubs like Tulsa, but by Washington, DC, San Francisco, and Austin. What to Expect When Visiting Horseshoe Bend, Arizona, Top 6 Things to Do in Oklahoma City: 48-Hour Guide. Anyone can schedule a Guided Tour at their convenience. 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. Because the people in the city were super welcoming everywhere we went. Winter is chilly with chances of snow (and winter storm). This means we will be spending at least another year in Tulsa and will be growing our company here in the city. 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? 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. Are you now a Tulsan? 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. May 04, 2021. Getting to see more of the country is one of our goals for 2021 and beyond. Also reason for wanting to move to Tulsa. I did not get accepted because I already had plans to move to Tulsa. Multiple calls to a Tulsa spokesperson were not immediately returned. This is a BETA experience. So if you have a business or a business idea supported by technology or is technology-enabled, then apply to this program as well. You are 18+ years old. Tulsa Remote participants were more likely to say they intend to stay where they currently live than the candidates who were accepted but didnt end up moving. 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. Hi, 32-Levels. Then the applicants would get thanks for trying or congrats emails. Thats the logic that leads EIGs models to estimate such a high payoff for Tulsa Remote. Claire Tomm decided to apply to Tulsa Remote after hearing about it from a friend whod participated. 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. 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.. 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. Can I apply? I've visited Tulsa a couple times and I agree, you Tulsans are very welcoming. That November, Mother Road Market opened as the citys first food hall with over 20 food and retail concepts plus a commercial kitchen space. Once youve been accepted into the program and completed the required verification steps, youll receive information about the option to join us in Tulsa for a self-guided or hosted visit. The question is whether Tulsa can continue to attract remote workers when it has to compete with, say, Wichita, Kansas or Omaha, Nebraska. I do think it had potential to happen.. This is when we finally decided to make the move. We are planning to live in Tulsa proper. Browse curated job listings at Tulsa based companies. I am not going to lie; I was worried about safety because research says Tulsa is unsafe. So she filled out a brief application, interviewed with a Tulsa native over Zoom, and was accepted after a background check. Ive never been to Tulsa and want to visit before I make the move. Selected as part of the inaugural cohort of Endeavor's Heartland ScaleUp. r=o.createElement('script');r.async=1; Sen & I moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, from Los Angeles, California, in May 2021 with theTulsa Remote(TR). , and it has a smaller share of residents with a college degree than the U.S. as a whole. They want to know how you would integrate into Tulsa, what your skills are and to learn more about your personality. Thats what helped me get in, Thank you for the advice! She visited with her husband and two young kids, met other program participants via Slack, and decided to go for it. Events relating to Tulsa Remote program extends to events to help participants get to know their [+] communities better. Press J to jump to the feed. 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. EIG released another study of remote work. With internationally recognized coffee roasters and breweries, there's always a place to refuel. When Tulsa Remote first launched in the fall of 2018, Stewart says organizers were anticipating 15 to 20 applicants. 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. 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. Follow us for travel tips, photos of different destinations in the US and inspiration~, Dig for Crystals at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma. Accidentally Wes Anderson: THIS IS AN ADVENTURE, Korean Friendship Bell San Pedro, Los Angeles, California Jigsaw puzzle, Lions Lighthouse in Long Beach, California - Frame Poster, McWay Falls at Big Sur, California - Framed poster. The Tulsa Remote team reviews each application. 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 catch is that you have to work somewhere else. Even so, the report is good news for Tulsa Remote, and Choudhury thinks theres a simple reason why the programs participants are more involved. 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. 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. I work for a rideshare or delivery service like Lyft or Doordash. You have full-time remote employment or are self-employed outside of Oklahoma. No. How long did it take to find out they were interested, after applying? Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. The foundation offers applicants $10,000 to move to. 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. Tulsa Remote also compares favorably to one of the other staples of local development: Cutting taxes to attract companies. What are my options? Throw in a low cost of living, and you'll have no trouble finding reasons to start your next chapter in Tulsa. From tiki lounges to speakeasies and hole-in-the-wall neighborhood bars, there's no shortage of places to grab a drink or celebrate with friends or make new friends. Besides receiving much press coverage during its 2018 launch, Bolzle said Tulsa Remote has provided a significant return on investment for Tulsa. Its a highly cost-effective intervention relative to other economic development tools, said Daniel Newman, an analyst at EIG who worked on the study. The program brings remote workers and digital nomads to the community by providing $10,000 grants and numerous community-building opportunities. We finally went in mid-March 2021 and spent six days in Tulsa to check out the city and to apartment hunt. /* 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/,'')}})(). Hidden Gems in Greater Palm Springs for Your Photographic Adventure! In addition to the $10,000 grant, participants will receive a 36-month membership at a local co-working space, support in identifying housing, and regular community-building opportunities. Even before the pandemic, the program was having great. Today I have my interview with the Tulsa Remote Program which was one of my selling points for moving to Tulsa. 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. Yes, the program involves cutting checks to mostly well-educated, well-paid knowledge workers. 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. MailChimp Pop-up Benefits: $10,000 (either via monthly stipends or lump sum if you purchase a home in Tulsa) A free co-working space for three years Exclusive events in Tulsa Sen and I didn't visit Tulsa right away. We plan to stay put in Tulsa, for now, to focus on working and scaling our business while exploring more of this city. gtag('js', new Date()); Rent - $658 Tulsa vs. $2,449 LA, 2 BR Avg. The Oklahoma city is the focal point of Tulsa Remote, a program offering a $10,000 grant and additional incentives to selected . })(window,document,'https://static.hotjar.com/c/hotjar-','.js?sv='); You are not eligible for the program if youre in process of buying a home or renting an apartment. Should I mention that or instead say that I am thinking about moving to Tulsa but not 100% yet. . Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. I work remotely for an Oklahoma-based company. (To its credit, GKFF has other programs focused on poverty alleviation, racial equity, and job creation in Tulsa.). 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. In my opinion, one of the biggest perks of Tulsa Remote is the community the team has built. 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). window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}gtag('js', new Date());gtag('set', 'developer_id.dZjQwMz', true);gtag('config', 'UA-115877007-1'); Heres how it worked out. Far less congestion than cities like Austin, Atlanta and Dallas. As part of the application process, you'll do a video interview. That's despite accepting under 5% of applicants last year, according to managing director Justin. So after some cocktails by Bartender Sen, I started browsing the internet, and I came upon the Tulsa Remote Program. 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. 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. All episodes. Remote Work Program Opportunity lives in Tulsa. 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 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. During the first nine months we've been in the city, we have already: Joined the state-approved incubator at 36 Degrees North. Rent - $658 Tulsa vs. $2,415 Portland, 2 BR Avg. Each grant is distributed over the course of a year to eligible remote workers or entrepreneurs living outside of Oklahoma. Were most proud of the fact that weve retained more than 90%, says Stewart. Instead they received more than 10,000 in the first 90 days. Any individual who is able to work remotely may apply. Its economy specializes in oil and gas, aerospace, and manufacturing. Google Analytics Tulsa is seeking digital nomads to put their roots down here. Whats counts as community involvement? 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. Additionally, they must be working remotely full-time or self-employed. The first step is to apply for Tulsa Remotehere. I use apartments.com. Press J to jump to the feed. The people in the community all share similar personality traits. Tulsa is not the only city that offers remote workers cash in exchange for taking up residence, but researchers warn not every city stands to enjoy the same economic benefits in return. 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. Since 2018, nearly 1,300 talented individuals have joined our ranks, found home in Tulsa, and are helping shape one of Americas greatest cities. When selected applicants arrive in Tulsa, they get a warm welcome. The answer seems to be they have more time to do almost everything, he said in an interview, because they spend less time commuting. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. What was your example? Simply just be yourself! During our consideration, we liked that Tulsa is in the middle of the country, and there are so many opportunities for road trips! From academics to engineers, you're sure to find your "people" in Tulsa. It was also wintertime, the height of the pandemic, and a lot of Asian hate news, so we decided to wait. Fast Company & Inc 2023 Mansueto Ventures, LLC, Tulsa paid people $10k to move there and work remotely. a=o.getElementsByTagName('head')[0]; Video interviews are conducted with each finalist selected. Either because we all are remote workers or moved away from our home towns, etc. What Our Members Are Saying Rent - $658 Tulsa vs. $4,088 New York, 2 BR Avg. I started to get envious, she said. 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 . 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 . At that point I had learned that they wanted me to live in Tulsa proper and our lifestyle is more suited to the suburbs. Rent - $658 Tulsa vs. $1,500 Chicago, 2 BR Avg. In the first cohort, 90% stayed past the first year. Need some desk space to get things done? Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Rideshare services such as Lyft and Uber, and delivery services such as Grubhub and DoorDash, are not considered full-time remote employment. There is no deadline at this point, but we might close the application at any time, so people should apply now, said Bolzle. Were going to stay here for sure, she says. Tulsa Remote is not able to aid in the acquisition or approval of such credentials (work visas, etc.). We shouldnt underestimate how important the pure signaling alone is; thats certainly a big part of it, says Lettieri. Tulsa's 30+ entertainment and residential districts offer diverse landscapes and inclusive communities for you to find the perfect place for inspiration. Bynum addresses attendees at an event tied to the Tulsa Remote program. Tulsa Remote is a unique recruitment initiative aimed at attracting talented individuals to Tulsa. The participants report no decrease in productivity since moving. Absolutely. Often, this is referred to as working from home or telecommuting.. 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. No Right Clicks This blog highlights my insights and experience with TR and the city for you to consider before you apply. 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. The program requires selected participants to move within 12 months of being accepted and completing the required verification steps. The total drive time from LA to Tulsa straight shot is over 21 hours. More than 2,000 people have moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma because of Tulsa Remote, a program that pays remote workers $10,000 to move. Looking for a job? 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. 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. 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. No. You are eligible to work in the United States, Can Move to Tulsa Within the Next 12 Months, Full-Time Remote Employment or are Self-Employed Outside of Oklahoma. Excited to see you all soon! 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 list wasnt topped by new remote hubs like Tulsa, but by Washington, DC, San Francisco, and Austin. , Prithwiraj Choudhury, a professor at Harvard Business School who. I am super curious about the program and process for those chosen to interview. Recommended for you Cobot en espaol For application purposes, all domestic partners/family members must apply in the same two-week calendar period. I dont currently work remotely, but I can transition to remote work in my current role. 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. Sen & I live in Downtown Tulsa, where we can walk to most places. Rent - $658 Tulsa vs. $1,475 Denver, 2 BR Avg. The ideal candidate for Tulsa Remote is a fully-employed individual with the flexibility to work anywhere, who does not currently reside in Oklahoma or work for a company based in Oklahoma, and is looking for a community to call home. But there are outstanding questions about the program, too. The city's population was 401,800 in 2017, a 2.2 percent increase from 2000. Do I still qualify? function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} However, what really has made Tulsa "fantastic" for me, is how well . From free coworking space to inspiring educational experiences, our program is designed to make you feel at home from your first day here. Tulsa's current economic base is anchored on manufacturing and aerospace. Kinda sucks interviewing and being accepted without knowing where the heck you'll live. We'd love to get you the information and resources you need to take the leap to move to Tulsa. 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. 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. . On average, approximately one new job was created in Tulsa for every two remote workers who relocated. No. $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. All told, Tulsa Remote is estimated to have contributed $62 million in new labor income to the local economy in 2021. We're confident you'll fall in love but want to make sure we're looking for the same things. Oklahoma is one of the very few states whose cities rely entirely on sales tax for the government operating costs, said Perry. Rent - $658 Tulsa vs. $2,069 Seattle, 2 BR Avg. I got an email asking for a background check and income verification about two weeks after. Tulsa Remote helped welcome and connect us to the city from the day we arrived. Remote workers have high-paying jobs, and that income trickles out into Tulsa as they spend it. If selected for the program, how soon can I move? Nov 14-Notified of semi-finalist status, scheduled interview for Nov 26th via calendly. I write about destinations, travel news/trends, dining and culture. "If you can come to town, and bring your job here, it can be a home run.". You are 18+ years old. If anyone has any questions hit me up happy to answer. Nervous about making the move? ". But there are challenges for other cities looking to copy the model. 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. 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. Today, Tulsa's quality of place is resonating with applicants to an innovative program called Tulsa Remote. LET THEM ENTICE YOU WITH THAT GRANT. Apparently they only accept those who are interested in moving to Tulsa. 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. We'll pay for you to live here, too. This is not a one-size-fits-all solution.. Our consideration for moving to Tulsa is 100% because of the Tulsa Remote Program! As long as the program continues to have a positive impact on the community, we will continue it.. So I turned to Sen and asked if he was down to move to Tulsa, OK, with me if we got in. I was selected as a semifinalist for the Tulsa Remote program and my interview is next week. With community workshops, art showings, local fabrication spaces and unique shops, the opportunities to express yourself are endless. In 2019, Tulsa Remote participants ages ranged from 22 to 64. Tulsa Remote will also give you money to visit before moving, so you can see the apartments in person when you visit. 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. One of the other biggest perks is that there is NO traffic; the worst traffic would be just a 5 minutes delay. Cookie Notice But LA is not bad in my personal experience, and I've lived there for over 20 years. To qualify, you must be a full-time remote worker or self-employed outside of the state. We're paying remote workers $10,000 to move to Tulsa. Tulsa Remote does not sell your data. . by the Economic Innovation Group, a think tank, estimated Tulsa Remotes effect on the citys economy using standard models of economic development. No, you are not eligible to apply if you recently moved to Oklahoma. Theyre really big on what you are able to bring to the community. I do think it had. I way overthought the interview. Amid these challenging times, were still safely welcoming new members to Tulsa. As a result, Lettieri says Tulsa hasnt suffered from many of the negative consequences associated with a rush of new, well-paid residents, such as a spike in housing prices and rising cost of living. American Airlines is the city's biggest employer, accounting for 7,000 jobs at its global maintenance and engineering facility, according to a 2017 report from Moody's Investors Service. a.appendChild(r); I feel like every day is a surprise I literally find something new every day and my social life is even bigger than it was in New York. 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. Food, housing, transport, healthcare, etc. Rent - $658 Tulsa vs. $2,669 Boston, 2 BR Avg. I had major cabin fever since we were cramped in our tiny apartment that we spent way too much for. Tulsa has a great cost of living, and likely cheaper housing than where you currently live. Tulsa Remote is an incentive program offering $10,000 to out-of-state remote workers who move to Oklahoma. If the finalist has no previous experience with Tulsa, an in-person visit may be scheduled. Although the groups arent exactly comparable, the idea was that the differences between them provide decent estimates of how Tulsa Remote has affected those involved. The application process for the 2020 program is now under way. The initiative resulted in getting than 10,000 applications from over 150 countries. 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. Who is the ideal candidate for this program? In other words, if you get a job in Tulsa, you don't qualify for the cash. They would recommend coming to Tulsa to visit and see if it's a good fit before accepting. First published on November 14, 2018 / 2:09 PM. For more information, please see our We've been here for almost nine months, and we've loved it so far! This all happened between Mid October to Early November 2020. No. Yes. From free coworking space to inspiring educational experiences, our program is designed to make you feel at home from your first day here. Thats the logic that leads EIGs models to estimate such a high payoff for Tulsa Remote. Psst: Our $10,000 grant can now be received as a lump sum upon the purchase of a home! Tulsa Remote is designed for individuals who have full-time remote employment with a company outside of Oklahoma. Tulsa Remote is a one-year program designed to attract remote workers from around the country by paying them to move to and work from Tulsa for at least 12 months. He said yes, I applied, and the rest was history. And theyre encouraged to get to know the people in their neighborhood and become involved within their communities. It is intended for individuals who are already employed outside of Oklahoma and are able to keep their position when relocating to Tulsa. The 2020 edition of the Tulsa Remote program seeks to welcome over 200 applicants. Sen & I had planned to move around the country via Airbnb (month-long stays), the plan was paused due to the pandemic, but planning and researching it is half the fun. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. To make your move easier we've curated the best local apartments, centered around our thriving remote community at the heart of Tulsa. A second analysis by the Economic Innovation Group, a think tank, estimated Tulsa Remotes effect on the citys economy using standard models of economic development. "I suspect that they don't want to be subsidizing people who come here and would otherwise be competing for jobs with local people," said Gene Perry, a director of strategy and communications at Tulsa-based Oklahoma Policy Institute. The term remote employment refers to individuals who do not have to physically travel into their place of work on a daily basis. And if you're selected, you'll have to relocate to Tulsa within the calendar year. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Tulsa Remote is right for you. Tulsa Remote is a unique recruitment initiative aimed at attracting talented individuals to Tulsa. 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.