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. 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. 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. Hi, I have my semi-finalist interview day after tomorrow. 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 . No. 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. That November, Mother Road Market opened as the citys first food hall with over 20 food and retail concepts plus a commercial kitchen space. Thats especially true when the program involves attracting outsiders. Dont know much more about the process as of yet, but I know next step is at least one video interview. This all happened between Mid October to Early November 2020. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. (To its credit, GKFF has other programs focused on poverty alleviation, racial equity, and job creation in Tulsa.). Thats especially true when the program involves attracting outsiders. Parking is plentiful (and widely free!). . })(window,document,'https://static.hotjar.com/c/hotjar-','.js?sv='); I write about destinations, travel news/trends, dining and culture. function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} I found out that I was accepted and just needed to move within the next 12 months the following week. Our current mission is to road trip and eat around the USA. 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. . by the Economic Innovation Group, a think tank, estimated Tulsa Remotes effect on the citys economy using standard models of economic development. Tulsa, Oklahoma, wants you to move there and is offering $10,000 to sweeten the deal. The standard answer is that knowledge-sector jobs that can be done remotely are high-paying and tend to have. Less like a job interview, more like a first date. 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. I should specify it is a remote interview since I'm still stuck in Iowa currently. The program wants to attract "talented and energetic people" to Tulsa who care about making a difference in their local community . The . In the first cohort, 90% stayed past the first year. a=o.getElementsByTagName('head')[0]; / CBS News. Individuals from outside the U.S. are eligible to apply, so long as they are permanent residents who possess a green card. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. From academics to engineers, you're sure to find your "people" in Tulsa. Are there evens or weekly/monthly meetings for the cohort? Levit expects the first cohort will touch down in Tulsa in early 2019. The so-called superstar cities are still winning, both for in-office jobs and even for work-from-home. Tulsa remote challenges the notion that remote and virtual must equal placeless. From free coworking space to inspiring educational experiences, our program is designed to make you feel at home from your first day here. Sen & I live in Downtown Tulsa, where we can walk to most places. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. 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. Like others have mentioned, talk about community involvement, what youre passionate about and what you can contribute to the community. 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. 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. 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. While the program is only a one-year commitment, the ideal candidate is open to calling Tulsa their home long-term. Nov 14-Notified of semi-finalist status, scheduled interview for Nov 26th via calendly. The median home price in Tulsa is $157,20043% below the national average! Often, this is referred to as working from home or telecommuting.. The program, explains Stewart, furthers the George Kaiser Family Foundations mandate of reversing the cycle of generational poverty in the local community. The total drive time from LA to Tulsa straight shot is over 21 hours. I was moving either way and was actually already under contract on a house. Tulsa Remote is an incentive program offering $10,000 to out-of-state remote workers who move to Oklahoma. However, what really has made Tulsa "fantastic" for me, is how well . 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 . After I applied, I actually forgot about it, half thanks to the cocktails, half because I didn't think we would get in. In other words, if you get a job in Tulsa, you don't qualify for the cash. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. That just didnt happen. 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. Cookie Notice 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. 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. 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. Tulsa Remote is not able to aid in the acquisition or approval of such credentials (work visas, etc.). h._hjSettings={hjid:1812585,hjsv:6}; Throw in a low cost of living, and you'll have no trouble finding reasons to start your next chapter in Tulsa. Sen & I've met so many interesting individuals in the Tulsa Remote community and are great friends with many of them. 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? Theyre also more likely to report engagement in their local community. Can I still apply if I just recently moved to Tulsa? You are not eligible for the program if youre in process of buying a home or renting an apartment. In 2020, as more Americas were given the opportunity to work remotely in the wake of the pandemic, that number jumped to 50,000. Sign up to receive program updates and announcements from the Tulsa Remote team so you're always in the know. What was your final outcome? Those who are interested in moving to Tulsa and hold a full-time remote job based outside of Oklahoma can apply for this program. 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. Nationally-recognized restaurants meet local Tulsa flair. I dont currently work remotely, but I can transition to remote work in my current role. They received nearly that many in one day with inquiries from more than 200 countries and . , this one reporting which cities had the highest share of work done from home. It was also wintertime, the height of the pandemic, and a lot of Asian hate news, so we decided to wait. Tomm now volunteers for a tutoring program called Reading Partners. 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. The researchers estimate that one new full-time job was created in Tulsa for every two Remoters who moved there. Privacy Policy. Hopefully those who come across this post will have better luck. Tulsa is seeking digital nomads to put their roots down here. Hi, 32-Levels. Because of our experience here, we decided in late 2021 to apply for the State-approved Incubator Program at 36 Degree Northwith our companyEvolusenand got in (more on that in another post)! 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. In exchange, successful applicants are required to call the city home for at least 12 months. But there are outstanding questions about the program, too.. Explore Philbrook and its formal gardens, get lost in one of the world's largest collections of Native American and Western art at Gilcrease, or stroll through multiple galleries during Tulsa's free monthly Art Crawl in the Arts District. 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. 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. You are eligible to work in the United States Can Move to Tulsa Within the Next 12 Months If selected for the program, how soon can I move? What are some interview tips? Bynum addresses attendees at an event tied to the Tulsa Remote program. Just in case anyone is planning on applying: DO NOT TELL THEM YOU ARE OR HAVE PLANS TO MOVE TO TULSA. The program requires selected participants to move within 12 months of being accepted and completing the required verification steps. So we planned for a 7-day journey making multiple stops along the way like Zion National Park, Horseshoe Bend, Shiprock, New Mexico, etc. 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. Google Analytics The Tulsa Remote team reviews each application. Since 2019, Tulsa Remote has brought over 1,800 people to the city by offering them $10,000. MailChimp Pop-up Please enter valid email address to continue. I am not going to lie; I was worried about safety because research says Tulsa is unsafe. In 2019, Tulsa Remote participants ages ranged from 22 to 64. Its economy specializes in oil and gas, aerospace, and manufacturing. Our members are the best part of our program. Either because we all are remote workers or moved away from our home towns, etc. 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 Remote is intended for individualswho reside outside of Oklahoma at the time of application. No. No. I applied the day apps open and was notified yesterday I am semi finalist. With incredibly diverse cuisine, you can't find food this delicious, at prices this affordable, anywhere else. 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. Your a Midwesterner. ), 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. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved.