Is MakeMyMove a Legitimate Site? Here's How it Works and What Real Movers Say

If you’ve been searching for places that pay you to move, states that pay you to move, or simply more affordable places to live where your income goes further, you’ve likely come across MakeMyMove. And you probably have a reasonable question: is this actually real?

The short answer is yes. MakeMyMove is a legitimate platform - one that has helped thousands of people relocate to new communities across the U.S. with real relocation incentives. But don’t take our word for it. Below, we’ll explain exactly how it works and let the people who’ve actually done it speak for themselves.

What Is MakeMyMove?

MakeMyMove is the nation’s first and leading marketplace for community relocation incentive programs. We don’t create these opportunities - we curate and connect you to programs run by real local governments, regional economic development organizations and community initiatives across the country.

Think of us as a matchmaker between people who are ready for a change and communities that are ready to welcome them. Incentives typically range from $500 to $25,000 or more and can include cash, down payment assistance, coworking memberships, discounts to local experiences and other community perks designed to help you get settled and feel at home.

MakeMyMove has been featured in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, on the Today Show, and other major national publications as a trusted resource for relocation programs. Since its launch, the platform has continued to grow as more states and cities launch programs, making it the most comprehensive single-source for relocation incentives in the country.

How Does MakeMyMove Work?

Using MakeMyMove is free. Here’s how the application process works:

Each program has its own eligibility requirements, residency commitments and incentive structures. The MakeMyMove platform lays all of this out clearly so you can make an informed decision before you apply.

Places That Pay You to Move: Active Programs in 2026

MakeMyMove features a growing number of communities across the U.S. offering relocation programs - from small towns in the Midwest to growing cities in the South. Programs vary in incentive amount, eligibility and worker type and new communities join the platform regularly.

You can browse the full list of current programs, filter by state, incentive type and whether you’re a remote or in-person worker, on MakeMyMove.com.

States That Pay You to Move: Where to Look in 2026

Several U.S. states have emerged as leaders in relocation incentive programs. Here’s a quick overview of the most active states:

This is a growing and shifting landscape with new programs launching regularly. MakeMyMove is the most comprehensive single source to browse all current programs by state, incentive type, and worker eligibility.

What Real Movers Say: Six Stories from People Who’ve Done It

The best way to understand what MakeMyMove offers is to hear from people who have actually used it. Here are six stories from real movers - different backgrounds, different destinations, different reasons - all with one thing in common: they made the leap and haven’t looked back.

Kristin Foster: From a Fresh Start to First-Time Homeowner in West Memphis, Arkansas

Kristin Foster first heard about MakeMyMove during the early days of the pandemic. A civic engagement professional with the League of Women Voters, she filed the idea away and returned to it years later when she was ready for a change.

West Memphis, Arkansas, sitting just across the Mississippi River from Memphis, Tennessee, wasn’t on most people’s radar. But Kristin saw something others missed: a community with momentum, an extremely low cost of living, and a $10,000 cash incentive for first-time homebuyers through the MakeMyMove program.

“Don’t sleep on West Memphis.” - Kristin Foster, West Memphis, AR

She purchased her first home in a quiet, established neighborhood where her neighbor across the street has lived for 25 years. The incentive helped cover movers, furniture, and the cascade of costs that come with buying a home. “I would have had to pull from savings otherwise,” she said.

Living just minutes from Memphis, Kristin and her family quickly discovered the best of both worlds - theater, museums, and live music across the bridge, and a quieter, more affordable daily life at home. One of her children found a job at a newly opened coffee shop within weeks of arriving. She’s now focused on expanding her civic work throughout the Delta, including launching a new League of Women Voters chapter in the region. Read the rest of her story here.

Sarah Monje: Finding Community and Calm in Hutchinson, Kansas

Sarah Monje has lived in California, New York, and Oklahoma City. As a remote worker, she always had the freedom to move — but it took the right combination of community and timing to finally act on it.

“I just remember thinking, if we can work from anywhere, why are we still here?” Sarah said.

She and her husband discovered Hutchinson, Kansas - affectionately called “Hutch” by locals - through the MakeMyMove platform. The community photos and profiles gave them enough to start exploring virtually, and a weekend visit confirmed what the platform suggested: a genuinely welcoming, affordable small city with plenty to offer.

“In a big city, there are so many people that you don’t feel like you could ever really be part of something. Here, you can.” - Sarah Monje, Hutchinson, KS

What struck Sarah most about Hutch was the warmth of its people. Within days of arriving, strangers at local restaurants were spending ten minutes giving them the rundown on community events, including the monthly Third Thursday gathering on Main Street. “She probably talked to us for twenty minutes,” Sarah laughed, recalling one particularly enthusiastic local at a Subway. “After living in big cities, I know that’s not something you’re going to experience there.” Read the rest of her story here.

The Boyd Family: Trading Dallas Traffic for Family Time in Macon, Georgia

Audrea and Dr. Boyd had two young boys and a third child on the way when they started asking a question that many big-city families eventually face: Is this really the life we want to build?

Dallas offered everything on paper. But the hospital schedule, two-hour daily commute, and the pace of big-city life felt out of sync with the family they were becoming. When Dr. Boyd began exploring a private practice opportunity in Macon, Georgia, Audrea came across a local newspaper article about the city’s relocation incentive program.

“I saw this article about how the Macon Chamber of Commerce was offering more than $7,000 in incentives to families who move to Macon and I thought this is cool,” she said. “So I applied.”

“The biggest commodity in life is time. Moving to a smaller town lets you actually grasp that. You get to have those special moments with your family because there’s more time.” - Audrea Boyd, Macon, GA

The $2,500 cash incentive helped ease the financial pressure of the move, and gift certificates to local small businesses introduced them to shops and restaurants they’ve since returned to repeatedly. As a small business owner herself - a med spa operator - Audrea appreciated the personal touch. “We’ve actually gone back to many of them because we fell in love with the stories the owners shared with us.”

“We have nothing negative to say about this move,” Audrea said. “It’s just been wonderful.” Read the rest of their story here.

Pete and Laura Schaffner: From Paris, France to Wayne County, Indiana

Pete grew up in Wayne County, Indiana. Laura grew up in Paris, France. They met when she moved into his apartment building in Paris and knocked on doors with freshly baked cookies - “That is not Parisian at all,” Pete laughed -and eventually built a life together in France, where their two children were born.

But as Clara and James grew older, Pete and Laura began asking harder questions. Laura remembered navigating crowded metro platforms as a child and wasn’t sure that was the childhood she wanted for her own kids. Pete missed open spaces, family nearby, and the kind of community where teachers actually knew your children.

Pete learned about Wayne County’s MakeMyMove relocation program through former colleagues at IronGate, the Indiana design agency where he’d worked before Paris. He applied, they were approved, and the family packed their entire lives into six suitcases and boarded a plane.

“Moving somewhere with an incentive page that is for people to relocate to a community sends the message that we are wanted here.” - Pete Schaffner, Wayne County, IN

“I think one thing that helped us get settled in is that people here are really Midwest nice,” Laura said. “In Paris, there are just so many people; if you go to the train station, you’ll easily see hundreds of people in one minute and you can’t stop and say hello to all of them.” Read the rest of their story here.

Molly and Rhett Bates: Returning Home to Pikeville, Kentucky

Molly Bates left her hometown of Pikeville, Kentucky for medical school, residency, and eventually a neurology fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Her husband Rhett’s career in insurance kept them in Minnesota for nearly two decades. They loved Rochester. But something was missing.

“You’re always trying when you live somewhere new,” Rhett said. “You’re trying to meet people, trying to get involved, trying to create roots. It can take a long time.”

When flooding devastated Eastern Kentucky, the couple watched from Minnesota as their home community rallied together. It made them ask a harder question: if something happened to us here, who would we turn to?

Around the same time, Rhett came across a MakeMyMove listing for Pikeville. Their hometown. He applied. A month later, they were approved for a program that offered $5,000 cash for relocation plus an additional $2,500 spousal bonus for healthcare employment.

“When you’re from Eastern Kentucky, people just adopt you back like you never left.” - Rhett Bates, Pikeville, KY

The incentive helped bridge the financial gap between Molly finishing her fellowship and her first paycheck as a neurologist at Pikeville Medical Center. “Molly’s training was expensive and so is moving,” Rhett said. “The incentive helped us clear those hurdles.” Read the rest of their story here.

Ken and Nadia Sharp: Two Purdue Grads Come Home to Noblesville, Indiana

Ken and Nadia Sharp left Indiana right after graduating from Purdue University, chasing opportunity in Austin, Texas. Two decades, one daughter, and a lot of traffic later, they found themselves asking whether they’d traded the right things for the wrong reasons.

“Our nearest relative was about a thousand miles away,” Ken said. “That’s fine for a few years when you’re young, but it starts to weigh on you.”

Austin had changed dramatically. The cost of living had skyrocketed, housing options had shrunk, and the city’s once-manageable pace had become relentless. When Ken discovered MakeMyMove and found Noblesville - a thriving Indianapolis suburb - on the list of participating communities, it felt like a sign.

“Coming back reminded us what it’s like when everyone waves, smiles and genuinely means it.” - Nadia Sharp, Noblesville, IN

The MakeMyMove program offered $5,000 in cash plus memberships and passes to local attractions - a VIP experience at Ruoff Music Center, access to the city’s Aqua Park, and an invitation to a gathering for new movers hosted by Noblesville’s leadership team, where Ken met the mayor and city council members.

“These incentives really show you what’s out there,” Ken said. “They get you involved and make it easier to feel part of the community.” Read the rest of their story here.

Why Communities Pay You to Move There

It might seem puzzling that a city would pay someone to move there. But the economics are straightforward. When a new household relocates to a community, they bring their income, their spending and their civic energy with them. They shop locally, pay property taxes, fill vacant homes, support local businesses, and often become deeply invested members of the community - exactly as the mover stories above illustrate.

Research consistently shows that relocation incentives generate a strong return on investment for communities. The cost of attracting a new resident is modest compared to the long-term economic activity that resident generates year after year. It’s the same logic that has long driven communities to offer incentives to businesses - applied now to people.

Communities are motivated by several overlapping goals:

Frequently Asked Questions

Is MakeMyMove free to use?

Yes. MakeMyMove is completely free for people looking to relocate. You can browse all available programs, compare communities and apply directly through the site at no cost.

Is MakeMyMove a scam?

No. MakeMyMove is a legitimate platform that has been featured in Fortune, Realtor.com, and other major national publications. Real local governments and economic development organizations run the programs listed on MakeMyMove. You can verify each program independently before applying, and we encourage you to do so.

How much money can you get for relocating?

Incentives typically range from $500 to $25,000, depending on the community and program. Packages may include cash payments, down payment assistance, coworking memberships, local experience passes and community integration support.

Do I have to be a remote worker to qualify?

Not anymore. While programs originally focused on remote workers, many communities now offer programs for in-person professionals in healthcare, education, manufacturing, engineering, and public safety. MakeMyMove clearly labels which programs serve which worker types.

Are relocation incentives taxable?

It depends on the program. Some incentives are structured as taxable income, while others may be treated differently. We recommend consulting a tax professional before accepting any incentive package.

How long do I have to stay to keep the incentive?

Most programs require you to remain in the community for one to three years to retain your full incentive. Specific requirements vary by program and are outlined clearly on each community’s MakeMyMove page.

Can I apply if I’m moving back to my hometown?

Yes. Several MakeMyMove programs specifically welcome returning residents - people who grew up in a community and are ready to come back. Molly and Rhett Bates used the Pikeville, Kentucky relocation program to return home after nearly two decades away. Ken and Nadia Sharp used the Noblesville program to return to Indiana after 20 years in Texas.

Ready to Find Your Place?

Whether you’re a remote worker looking for an affordable place to live, an in-person professional ready to put your skills to work where they’re needed most, someone ready to come home, or simply a person dreaming of a fresh start, MakeMyMove is the best place to begin.

Browse programs by state, incentive type, and worker eligibility. Compare communities side by side. Apply directly through the site. And when you’re ready, our Mover Guides can walk you through the process from first click to moving day.

Your place is calling. We’re here to help you get there.

For moving inspiration, check out this article 12 of the Most Affordable Places to Live in the U.S. in 2026 or Build Your Life, Not Just Your Resume: Six Communities Where Nature Takes Center Stage

We also have a Comprehensive Moving Checklist to help you plan your move!