During the pandemic, thousands of people migrated out of big cities and into smaller and more rural midwestern towns. The sudden boost in population for many of these communities has resulted in numerous changes — some positive and some negative. Certainly, there are some economic advantages to be had, yet limited infrastructure can only handle so much.

The influx of remote workers has also had an impact on tight-knit communities. Some folks are open to the idea of new people moving and look forward to the new ideas and solutions they might bring with them. Others see it as more of an intrusion where outsiders are coming in and changing the communities they love into something different and unrecognizable.

As new remote workers move into smaller cities and rural towns, they need to keep in mind the inadvertent waves they might be creating. Accepting that things are likely to be different in some positive and negative ways is important. Likewise, having patience with the community while it adapts to significant changes is essential.

Let’s Get Out of the City

The COVID-19 pandemic quickly accelerated a process that was already taking place. Remote work opportunities have been increasing steadily for years before the health crisis. Numerous big-ticket jobs such as those in tech or even accounting careers are offering virtual positions for quality employees.

As much as jobs are for a lifestyle, they are also for a paycheck. But when you can have both, why not? Job search trends suggest that a high paycheck is still one of the biggest factors people are looking for in their career paths. However, a growing number of people are also interested in finding a job that offers them some level of flexibility whether that be in more benefit options, greater amounts of time off, or telework opportunities.

When moving out of the city and into a more rural area, there are plenty of things to consider. For one, will the community actually be a good fit or does it just sound like a decent thing for now? Other important things to consider include whether or not the company will eventually make work in the office a requirement again or if the move will impact salary at all.

Adapting Small Communities

Of course, these are all things remote workers need to think about before making the move. Once they are there it is the community that is likely to experience the most impact and there are certainly pros and cons to that.

The geographical shifts can create some weaknesses for cities that have a dependence on so many professionals to make the whole infrastructure run smoothly. It is nearly the opposite problem for small cities. These areas may not have the infrastructure in place and could suddenly find themselves needing to make huge improvements to support a growing population. Fortunately, a boost in tax revenue from the newcomers could help.

Employees from big companies that come to the area could slowly begin to revive some communities that have been declining for decades. Increased demand for local goods and services could ping the economy and create more high-paying jobs for local people. Likewise, it could help boost the social services and education systems in the area.

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Weighing the positives and negatives of being a remote worker in a small community is important. Communities are certainly weighing the pros and cons as well. It is hoped that the move will ultimately provide workers with the lifestyle they are looking for while providing a bit of an economic boost to smaller communities that can benefit economically from an influx of people.

Beau Peters is a freelance writer from the Pacific Northwest with a passion for purpose-driven business content.