Sponsored by Tulsa Remote
Did you know that full-time remote workers can get paid $10,000 to move to Tulsa, Oklahoma? Here is what you need to know about Tulsa’s relocation incentive program and why you, as a remote worker, should consider this option.
You’ve likely heard of cities, both large and small, offering incentives like cash, discounted housing, free entertainment, and educational stipends to get people to move to the area. These programs are meant to attract and retain talent, whether it’s teachers, nurses, seasonal workers, or professionals.
One city that has an incentive relocation program for talented remote workers is Tulsa, Oklahoma, and I was fortunate to be their guest last week and experience the city, its community, and some Tulsa Remote events.
What is the Tulsa Remote Program?
Tulsa Remote is a program designed to attract full-time remote workers (individuals who already have a remote job) to the city of Tulsa. Through this program, you’ll receive a $10,000 grant for moving to Tulsa and living there for at least one year.
In addition to the financial incentive, you’ll also receive access to mentors, free events, and a free three-year membership to their mega coworking space, which I’ll discuss below.
To be eligible for the program, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be eligible to work in the United States
- Have full-time remote employment (outside of Oklahoma)
- Be able to move to Tulsa within 12 months of application approval
- Have lived outside of Oklahoma for at least one year before applying
How Can I Become a Program Participant?
Moving to a new city is a big step, and Tulsa Remote wants to help you thrive once you get there. To do this, they have a five-step process that includes your application, interview, program decision, optional Hosted Visit, and finally, the move.
To begin the application process, you must meet all the above criteria. Of course, you’ll want to visit Tulsa before making the move, and Tulsa Remote will invite you for a Hosted Visit.
If you go on a Hosted Visit, you will be able to participate in three days of events curated by the Tulsa Remote team and get to know others who are also interested in moving to Tulsa. Plus, you and your guest will receive a $500 travel reimbursement!
Once you’re approved for the program, you’ll have 12 months to make your move.
Why Should You Consider Tulsa?
What do you imagine when you hear the words Tulsa, Oklahoma? Maybe oil fields, horses, and folks in cowboy boots and hats? Yeah, I conjured that imagery, too. But Tulsa is so much more. It’s a vibrant and diverse community with live music, coffee shops, delicious restaurants, spacious parks, shopping, arts, sporting events, outdoor activities, and more!
While I only had a few days in Tulsa, I got a good sampling of what the city has to offer. One space that really wowed me was the Gathering Place. This massive park runs alongside the Arkansas River and is 100 acres of beauty and fun for the entire Tulsa community. The park is inclusive and free for all, hosting play spaces for kids of all ages, kayaking, bird watching, walking, free classes like yoga, art installations, educational activities, and a gorgeous indoor lodge where remote workers can get a little work done in a soothing atmosphere. The park is so impressive that it won USA Today’s Best City Park 2024.
Another one of Tulsa’s local treasures is the Philbrook Museum of Art. With its stunning architecture, modern and classical artwork, and expansive gardens, it’s a local favorite. The museum also hosts a wide variety of events, from field trips for kids and meditation sessions to festivals and music events. Tulsa has 135 parks, 30+ entertainment and residential districts, and a small community feel with big city amenities.
Next to Oklahoma City, Tulsa is Oklahoma’s second most populated city, hosting over 411,000 residents. One thing I immediately noticed was how little traffic Tulsa had. Even my Uber driver, who had lived in Dallas, Texas, said that he loved Tulsa because of its size, low traffic density, and low cost of living, which brings me to my next point. Oklahoma is ranked the most budget-friendly state for food costs, and Tulsa is ranked among the top ten best metros for first-time home buyers. Tulsa also has an international airport just five miles northeast of the downtown area and 15 area hospitals and primary care medical facilities. You can also easily navigate the city on foot, by e-scooter or car, or by Tulsa’s MetroLink.
Instant Community
One unique aspect of this program, and the reason it is so successful, is that program participants are welcomed into a community of new remote workers. Besides the $10,000 grant, new residents get a free three-year membership to the coworking space 36 Degrees North (soon to be rebranded as Gradient—Tulsa’s Hub for Innovation).
This new (coming in 2025) and massive multi-level space is perfect for all those who embrace remote work: freelancers, entrepreneurs, small business owners, startups, and Tulsa Remote members. In addition to offering coworking space, conference rooms, and event spaces, the space will also offer bottomless coffee and snacks, free printing, copying, scanning, and notary services, a locker room and showers, one-on-one mentorship, monthly lunches, happy hours, and more.
Along with the coworking community, Tulsa Remote participants are paired up with a dedicated team member. They also get access to a Slack community, where they can talk with other members and connect over shared interests. Tulsa Remote also has 10+ curated events each month so that members can cultivate and nurture relationships.
Many members who I spoke to said that they are more active living in Tulsa than they were before. This is due to a few factors, including the Tulsa Remote hosted events, the ease of getting from one place to another, increased volunteer participation, and a vibrant live music scene.
What Tulsa Remote Members Say About the Program
I spoke to many Tulsa Remote members who had positive things to say about the program. One of those members is Marvina Larry, who is a Senior Financial Analyst with Brighthouse Financial and a Tulsa Remote Ambassador.
Moving to Tulsa has been one of the best decisions in my adult life. After having just moved my second child into his dormitory at a University in Florida, relocating to Tulsa was the perfect opportunity to start my empty nest life!
Since doing so, I have been able to explore and identify new hobbies such as camping in the rear of my car, floating in a raft down the Illinois River, exploring the best of nature by hiking Turkey Mountain, and walking the trails at the Oxley Nature Center.
Being an alumni of the Tulsa Remote program has afforded me opportunities to build a community based on where I am in life today. I attend seminars that have enabled me to find a new purpose in my professional life; I have participated in programs to develop measurable goals that will help me achieve personal success. I have also attained certification in data analytics, which is both a personal and professional goal. I’m very proud of what I have accomplished in the two and a half years that I have been a resident of Tulsa.
Even though I moved here with no friends or family to start, in fewer than three years, I have been grafted into loving families and have made many meaningful friendships and relationships. Not one day of my life have I felt alone here. Wherever I go, I connect with familiar faces or meet new people.
Tulsa Remote: Apply for Consideration
Since its inception in 2018, Tulsa Remote has remained the most successful of the 70 different relocation programs in the US. According to Justin Harlan, the Managing Director of Tulsa Remote, approximately 90% of program participants stay in Tulsa after their one-year commitment is up.
If a new start sounds exciting, you can apply for Tulsa Remote here.
Sponsored by Tulsa Remote. Please be aware we only promote advertising from companies that we feel we can legitimately recommend to our readers. Please see our disclosure policy for further information.
