From Freeways to Front Porches: How Matthew Found Freedom (and a New Community) in Bloomington

When Matthew Mekech and his partner started dreaming about a new life beyond Southern California, they knew they wanted something different: more affordability, more freedom, and a deeper connection to community. What they didn’t expect was just how easy it would be to find—with the help of MakeMyMove.

What started as a Google search led to a life-changing opportunity. Now, Matthew’s building a house, finding his people, and planting roots in Bloomington, Indiana—and it all began with a simple application.

Finding Opportunity Beyond the Freeways

Before relocating, Matthew and his partner were stuck in the grind: spending hours every week in traffic, paying soaring rent for a tiny apartment, and feeling boxed in by the high cost of living.

“We were kind of stacked on top of each other in a 500-unit complex,” Matthew shared. “Now, we’re building a three-bedroom house with a full basement, and the mortgage will be the same as our old one-bedroom rent in Huntington Beach.”

But affordability was just the start. The couple dreamed of a lifestyle that gave them room to breathe—traveling more, working remotely with more freedom, and feeling connected to their surroundings.

When they discovered Bloomington on the MakeMyMove platform, everything clicked.

An Application Process That Opened Doors

Matthew had heard about relocation programs from news stories, but finding MakeMyMove made the process feel real—and surprisingly simple.

“I remember telling my mom about it, and then it felt like almost immediately after that, we were accepted,” he said. “It was all pretty quick—definitely within days.”

The easy, transparent application process stood out. There were no complicated hoops to jump through, no endless paperwork—just a clear path forward.

And while Matthew and his partner had already been considering Bloomington because of family ties, MakeMyMove added extra incentives—and more importantly, connections.

“It wasn’t the deciding factor for us moving here,” Matthew said. “But it was definitely the cherry on top—and it helped plug me into the community in ways I would’ve missed otherwise.”

Connecting the Dots in a New City

One of the biggest MakeMyMove benefits Matthew took advantage of was a coworking membership at The Mill, Bloomington’s hub for remote workers and entrepreneurs.

“I’m at The Mill two or three days a week now. It’s been huge for me—not just for staying productive, but for meeting people,” Matthew explained. “Their Slack channel alone has connected me to everything from tax help to new friends.”

Bloomington’s incentive package also introduced Matthew and his partner to the city’s arts and culture scene, with tickets to performances at the Bloomington Playwrights Project.

“We’ve seen phenomenal plays—stuff we probably never would’ve discovered on our own.”

Through The Mill, the local climbing gym, Facebook groups, and even Bumble BFF, Matthew built a strong circle of friends completely independent from his partner’s existing ties.

“People here are genuinely friendly,” he said. “It’s been easier to meet people than I expected.”

Working Remotely—and Living Fully

Matthew continues to work remotely for a California-based company in the food and beverage industry, doing creative marketing and graphic design. The move to Indiana didn’t just preserve his job—it actually improved his work life.

“Timing-wise, it was perfect,” he said. “Right when I moved, my company started expanding into New York. Being on Eastern Time has made it even easier to collaborate with those teams.”

Though he misses having a local office some days, coworking at The Mill filled that gap. And with a lower cost of living, he’s now exploring freelance design and photography work to help Bloomington’s small businesses shine.

“There’s a real opportunity here to help level up local food and beverage branding,” Matthew said. “Coming from Southern California, you see what’s possible—and I want to bring some of that here.”

Building a Life, Not Just a House

As Matthew and his partner work on finishing their home on a family farm just outside of Bloomington, they’re also building something deeper: a life they can afford and feel proud of.

The next few years hold plenty of excitement: finishing the house, adding a second dog to the family, maybe even going back to school.

But more than anything, Matthew sees his move as a way to contribute - not just to build a life for himself, but to help strengthen the community he now calls home.

“MakeMyMove isn’t just about bringing remote workers into new towns,” he said. “It’s about bringing people who want to make an impact. People who want to add to something—not just take from it.”