
6 places it pays to move to
Some communities will make it worth your while to relocate by paying toward your student loans or covering other expenses.
This post comes from Jennifer Holder at partner blog Wise Bread.
Across the country, a lot of cities (and states) want you to move there for one reason or another. Some are looking for a way to revitalize formerly thriving communities or neighborhoods. Some want you to move closer to downtown (if you're already working there). And some communities are just really, really small and want new blood (don't worry, Bon Temps is not on this list).
Check out the list below, and maybe you'll find a new place to live and earn some extra money, too.
1. Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Maybe you saw the headlines: Niagara Falls wants to help pay off your student loan debt. The city is looking for some fresh blood to move to town and take advantage of all it has to offer. Leaders there want you so badly that they're willing to pay you $3,500 per year for up to two years (if you've graduated in the past two years), with all money to be used toward paying off student loan debt. Check out the program, and if you think you stand a chance, apply!
2. Rural Kansas
Most of rural Kansas offers former students a program similar to Niagara Falls' student loan debt program. To be eligible, you must live in a Rural Opportunity Zone (there are about 50 counties to choose from). You could receive up to $15,000 in student loan payments. new residents can also receive tax waivers.
3. Milnor, N.D.
My research turned up some weird results. For instance, Milnor, N.D., a town of 700, wants a few more people to add to the welcome sign. This town offers some interesting deals: $500 toward the cost of installing sewer and water lines; free minimum on water, garbage, sewer and vector control for two years; an individual or family swimming pool pass and golf membership; and a school activities pass for one year.
4. Detroit
Detroit is the poster child for the decline of U.S. manufacturing, but it has some positives. After all, it's where the auto industry thrives still. The Detroit Tigers were just in the World Series (although they lost rather quickly). A ton of amazing musicians are either from there or got their start there. And the incentives to move there are pretty great, too.
If you work in Southeast Michigan for one of five companies, the city wants to offer you some incentives for either renting or owning downtown -- with perks from forgivable mortgages to funding for the first and second year's rent. There is a similar program for three companies in midtown.
5. Alaska
So it's a state, not a city, but you can move pretty much anywhere in Alaska and get paid by the government. However, you have to wait a year in Alaska to get the first check. This particular program is called the Permanent Fund dividend. To be eligible for the PFD, you must be a resident of Alaska for a full calendar year and intend to remain an Alaska resident indefinitely, along with a few other conditions. I'm sure some of you are hesitant because Alaska is so darn far away, but I'll tell you, I've been there, and it's a lovely state filled with lovely people. I almost moved there myself.
6. Chattanooga, Tenn.
Last but not least, Chattanooga is offering computer aces the chance to relocate to the city, known for its outdoor activities and, of course, the iconic song by the Glenn Miller band. The initiative, called the Geek Move, is targeted at developers and system administrators and offers a $10,000 forgivable second mortgage and $1,250 for relocation expenses. There is a similar program for police officers to move into certain areas, called the Police Fund.
These are just some of the great places to live throughout the country. What does your town offer?
More from Wise Bread and MSN Money:
Yes the homicide rate in Detroit hit a 20 year high, but this was in neighborhoods far from the core Downtown and Midtown area. When you travel outside of this area, there is a night and day difference. I have long held the stance that the key to revitalizing this city we need to focus on these core areas and spread from there, which has already started happening. As rents increased in Midtown for businesses, people have looked elsewhere and started opening new businesses in Corktown, Corktown Shores, and West Village.
And so everyone knows, in the 7-8 years I have lived here, I have had absolutely no issues.
This town is run by corrupt officials (reaping 20 years of big taxes from the casino boat andnothing--NOTHING--to show for it). They buy up houses at exorbitant prices for pie-in-the-sky projects (water park, golf course, etc.) that never happen. They paid big bucks to put down curbs on city streets and then decided it was better when cars could park halfway in ditches, so they paid big bucks to tear up the aforementioned NEW curbs. One HALF of my property taxes that the city confiscates goes to pay city employees' pensions!!! Outrageous.
Superman was heard to say, "Yeah, I'm Superman, but this crap is ridiculous. I'm going back to Smallville."
come on people if you are a true american buy american cars and put americans to work, stop
letting the foreign interests influence your car buying. I have been buying american cars since I
started driving almost fifty years ago and have owned 28 cars and 26 of them were american.
They have not all been new cars all but one of the new cars purchased were american. I must
say the Datsun I owned back in 1969 was a piece of Shiiite. If american would buy more
americans Detroit would most likely have a lot less crime as the people would have a job and
a future and not disparity and little hope.
Chattanooga - Never been, but have lived in the South. They move too slowly for me down there.
Milnor ND - I grew up in a town half that size - good for kids. But the winters are pretty harsh, no?
Detroit - Never. Not even if the Fountain of Youth is discovered there.
Alaska - I like cold and snow for a month or two, that's enough for me and the Permanent Fund is only like what, $1,000 average? Big deal. Add another zero on the end and call me.
Kansas - I could be packed and out of here in 24 hours (not kidding) if I could afford a farm out there. I hate the city.
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