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. The 2020 edition of the Tulsa Remote program seeks to welcome over 200 applicants. We have a couple of trips out of Oklahoma in the pipeline, so stay tuned for more on that. 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 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. Static.COOKIE_BANNER_CAPABLE = true; I'd be interested to know who you interviewed with, the kinds of questions they and you asked. 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. When Tulsa Remote first launched in the fall of 2018, Stewart says organizers were anticipating 15 to 20 applicants. 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. 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. Full-time remote employment or self-employed outside of Oklahoma. I hope to be joining you soon :), Emphasize your desire to shop locally. Thats what helped me get in, Thank you for the advice! We didn't want to take any of the large furniture to Tulsa since we thought it might just be a one-year thing. Tulsa Remote is not the only program of its kind the state of Vermont announced a much-publicized subsidy along the same lines in 2018 and its success will ensure that it isnt the last. Dont tell them youre going to move either way lol. 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. They would recommend coming to Tulsa to visit and see if its a good fit before accepting. Over the last four years, more than 2,000 people have moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma because of Tulsa Remote, a program sponsored by the George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF) that pays remote workers $10,000 to move. November 14, 2018 / 2:09 PM If the finalist has no previous experience with Tulsa, an in-person visit may be scheduled. I way overthought the interview. Multiple calls to a Tulsa spokesperson were not immediately returned. We had to decide very quickly what to keep, donate or toss. 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. But there are outstanding questions about the program, too.. They received nearly that many in one day with inquiries from more than 200 countries and . It's a growing segment of the workforce. There are lots of smaller cities that can offer inexpensive housing. That just didnt happen. You are not eligible for the program if youre in process of buying a home or renting an apartment. "If you can come to town, and bring your job here, it can be a home run.". With community workshops, art showings, local fabrication spaces and unique shops, the opportunities to express yourself are endless. Press J to jump to the feed. Oklahoma is one of the very few states whose cities rely entirely on sales tax for the government operating costs, said Perry. 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. / CBS News. All Rights Reserved. The program wants to attract "talented and energetic people" to Tulsa who care about making a difference in their local community . 2021 Tulsa Remote. There are even a few Tulsa Remote specials. 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. They do ask about your salary, so dont let that catch you off guard. With incredibly diverse cuisine, you can't find food this delicious, at prices this affordable, anywhere else. 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. Our consideration for moving to Tulsa is 100% because of the Tulsa Remote Program! Launched in November 2018, the program aims at attracting individuals who already. And if you're selected, you'll have to relocate to Tulsa within the calendar year. LET THEM ENTICE YOU WITH THAT GRANT. Tulsa Remote is designed for individuals who have full-time remote employment with a company outside of Oklahoma. We are planning to live in Tulsa proper. 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. The program requires selected participants to move within 12 months of being accepted and completing the required verification steps. $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. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 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. I haven't heard anything bad about it yet other than it's tough to get accepted. 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. Wear some pants and always make direct eye contact!! In September 2022, EIG released another study of remote work, this one reporting which cities had the highest share of work done from home. So she filled out a brief application, interviewed with a Tulsa native over Zoom, and was accepted after a background check. Tulsa Remote will also give you money to visit before moving, so you can see the apartments in person when you visit. 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 . APPLY NOW We're paying remote workers $10,000 to move to Tulsa. Theyre also more likely to report engagement in their local community. The researchers estimate that one new full-time job was created in Tulsa for every two Remoters who moved there. What's the best place in Tulsa to move to, that's nearby markets and has high safety/walkability? The Tulsa Remote program started in 2018, and its core activity is the attraction of talented individuals to Tulsa (Oklahoma) via providing a financial incentive of $10,000 for remote. Like others have mentioned, talk about community involvement, what youre passionate about and what you can contribute to the community. Thoughts on the program itself would also be useful. It is intended for individuals who are already employed outside of Oklahoma and are able to keep their position when relocating to Tulsa. Our current mission is to road trip and eat around the USA. With internationally recognized coffee roasters and breweries, there's always a place to refuel. Since I had a remote job at the time, we might qualify. The catch is that you have to work somewhere else. Who is the ideal candidate for this program? Also reason for wanting to move to Tulsa. 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. gtag('js', new Date()); Tulsa Remote is not the only program of its kind the state of Vermont announced a much-publicized. Tulsa remote challenges the notion that remote and virtual must equal placeless. With hundreds of acres of wilderness areas, urban parks and greenspaces, Tulsa offers countless opportunities to get outside, get some fresh air and explore. Throw in a low cost of living, and you'll have no trouble finding reasons to start your next chapter in Tulsa. In July, she and her husband bought a house. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. For more information, please see our Press J to jump to the feed. 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. We'd love to get you the information and resources you need to take the leap to move to Tulsa. The program brings remote workers and digital nomads to the community by providing $10,000 grants and numerous community-building opportunities. 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. Yes, I am from Los Angeles, where the crime rate is high too! If selected for the program, how soon can I move? Sen and I didn't visit Tulsa right away. But what makes Tulsa's program unique is its focus on remote workers. They would recommend coming to Tulsa to visit and see if it's a good fit before accepting. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. In 2019, Tulsa Remote participants ages ranged from 22 to 64. "Anything they buy in the city, that's helping our economy and tax base," Perry said. Well, this is when I tell you, you can't believe everything you read or watch on the internet. We even offer a $10,000 grant to help kick-start your new journey. During the first nine months we've been in the city, we have already: Joined the state-approved incubator at 36 Degrees North. gtag('config', 'UA-115877007-1'); For application purposes, all domestic partners/family members must apply in the same two-week calendar period. 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). The list wasnt topped by new remote hubs like Tulsa, but by Washington, DC, San Francisco, and Austin. A program paid workers $10,000 to relocate to Tulsa. Tulsa Remote is not able to aid in the acquisition or approval of such credentials (work visas, etc.). What types of incentives are program participants receiving? This is not a one-size-fits-all solution.. Any individual who is able to work remotely may apply. 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. Glassdoor has 1 Tulsa Remote reviews submitted anonymously by Tulsa Remote employees. Sen & I moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, from Los Angeles, California, in May 2021 with theTulsa Remote(TR). In 2018, the George Kaiser Family Foundation launched Tulsa Remote, a program for people who can do their jobs from anywhere in the country. How long did it take to find out they were interested, after applying? (To its credit, GKFF has other programs focused on poverty alleviation, racial equity, and job creation in Tulsa.). I am not going to lie; I was worried about safety because research says Tulsa is unsafe. If selected for the program, do I have to live downtown? Part of the reason why the program has proven so successful is that remote workers in big cities often struggle to find a sense of community. Since 2019, Tulsa Remote has brought over 1,800 people to the city by offering them $10,000. Simply just be yourself! I found out that I was accepted and just needed to move within the next 12 months the following week. I did not get accepted because I already had plans to move to Tulsa. r=o.createElement('script');r.async=1; 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. Events relating to Tulsa Remote program extends to events to help participants get to know their [+] communities better. 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. 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. Well, It happened during the second lockdown in Los Angeles in 2020. Tulsa Remote is intended for individuals who reside outside of Oklahoma at the time of application. You are 18+ years old. Funded by George Kaiser Family Foundation, Tulsa Remote has basic requirements. No. 2 BR Avg. I started to get envious, she said. "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. 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. I had major cabin fever since we were cramped in our tiny apartment that we spent way too much for. , 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. Tulsa, Oklahoma, wants you to move there and is offering $10,000 to sweeten the deal. The . 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 deal includes $2,500 toward relocation costs, a $500 monthly stipend and a $1,500 bonus at the completion of 12 months in the city, according to the program's website. Can I apply? The answer seems to be they have more time to do almost everything, he said in an interview, because they spend less time commuting. We've already driven back to LA for work and seen our families a few times during our first nine months. Video interviews are conducted with each finalist selected. Remote workers have high-paying jobs, and that income trickles out into Tulsa as they spend it. Tulsa Mayor G.T. 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. If so, Tulsa Remote will pay you $10,000 to move to Oklahoma. Individuals must be at least 18 years of age to apply. Can Tulsa remain a draw for remote workers if other cities copy its model? Additionally, they must be working remotely full-time or self-employed. On average, approximately one new job was created in Tulsa for every two remote workers who relocated. It doesn't mean you have to be an extrovert since I am an introvert myself, and there are many introverts in the community. There are lots of smaller cities that can offer inexpensive housing. The job came with a raise, which was amplified by the lower cost of living. a=o.getElementsByTagName('head')[0]; What to Expect When Visiting Horseshoe Bend, Arizona, Top 6 Things to Do in Oklahoma City: 48-Hour Guide. One of the other biggest perks is that there is NO traffic; the worst traffic would be just a 5 minutes delay. Led by the local George Kaiser Family . While we try to accept a wide variety of movers and shakers into our program, we, unfortunately, can't invite everyone. Kinda sucks interviewing and being accepted without knowing where the heck you'll live. Rent - $658 Tulsa vs. $2,111 DC, 2 BR Avg. What should I prepare for? MailChimp Pop-up Selected as part of the inaugural cohort of Endeavor's Heartland ScaleUp. Tulsa has seen unparalleled investments to public space for a city of its size. To make your move easier we've curated the best local apartments, centered around our thriving remote community at the heart of Tulsa. That November, Mother Road Market opened as the citys first food hall with over 20 food and retail concepts plus a commercial kitchen space. Need some desk space to get things done? Burlington, Vermont, rolled out a similar program in June and all Alaskans are eligible for payouts via the state's Permanent Reserve Fund. We've been here for almost nine months, and we've loved it so far! 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. This means we will be spending at least another year in Tulsa and will be growing our company here in the city. It inspired us to think of other ways to bring people into the equation, and remote work was an interesting venue.. Hidden Gems in Greater Palm Springs for Your Photographic Adventure! Has the arrival of remote workers benefitted the city as a whole? Nov 14-Notified of semi-finalist status, scheduled interview for Nov 26th via calendly. EIG released another study of remote work. From free coworking space to inspiring educational experiences, our program is designed to make you feel at home from your first day here. Its a highly cost-effective intervention relative to other economic development tools, said Daniel Newman, an analyst at EIG who worked on the study. 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. While there are many housing options available downtown, participants are free to live anywhere within the Tulsa city limits, including purchasing or renting single-family homes. 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. 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. Good luck and when it works out for you.Congratulations and welcome to Tulsa. What was your example? Just in case anyone is planning on applying: DO NOT TELL THEM YOU ARE OR HAVE PLANS TO MOVE TO TULSA. Jared Lindzon is a freelance journalist and public speaker born, raised and based in Toronto, Canada. Which makes most of us super open to meeting new people and new like-minded friends. The list wasnt topped by new remote hubs like Tulsa, but by Washington, DC, San Francisco, and Austin. If anyone has any questions hit me up happy to answer. Individuals from outside the U.S. are eligible to apply, so long as they are permanent residents who possess a green card. Winter is chilly with chances of snow (and winter storm). 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. Each grant is distributed over the course of a year to eligible remote workers or entrepreneurs living outside of Oklahoma. Bynum addresses attendees at an event tied to the Tulsa Remote program. and our 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. Remote workers have high-paying jobs, and that income trickles out into Tulsa as they spend it. 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. But LA is not bad in my personal experience, and I've lived there for over 20 years. Last September, A Gathering Place came into fruition as an inclusive riverfront parkwith a childrens adventure playground, a skate park, restaurants and gathering spots. 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. 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. Besides receiving much press coverage during its 2018 launch, Bolzle said Tulsa Remote has provided a significant return on investment for Tulsa. Funding is currently provided by the George Kaiser Family Foundation. 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. They get 1,000 applications a week and interview 200-300 candidates on Zoom. Summer is hot and humid. Interesting that you say that. The City of Tulsa and other community organizations lend their support to ensure program participants are fully immersed and engaged in the community. The program brings remote workers and digital nomads to the community by providing $10,000 grants and numerous community-building opportunities. Amid these challenging times, were still safely welcoming new members to Tulsa. Getting to see more of the country is one of our goals for 2021 and beyond. Our members are the best part of our program. Just be yourself, we are pretty nice around here despite what you might have heard. This is a BETA experience. Even before the pandemic, the program was having great. Far less congestion than cities like Austin, Atlanta and Dallas. Rent - $658 Tulsa vs. $2,415 Portland, 2 BR Avg. The question is whether Tulsa can continue to attract remote workers when it has to compete with, say, Wichita, Kansas or Omaha, Nebraska. Are there evens or weekly/monthly meetings for the cohort? However, what really has made Tulsa "fantastic" for me, is how well . 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. And two recent studies suggest the investment was worth it. And by attracting remote workers, Tulsa could bring in new residents and income and even plant the seeds of its own knowledge sector. 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 .