As a remote worker, it’s important to look out for scams. There are many seemingly positive opportunities on the internet that turn out to be a way to get free services, end up being a bait and switch, or are otherwise not as legitimate as they first appeared. It’s good to check into an opportunity to see if it’s a good one before moving forward. Toward that end, we wanted to answer questions you may have about whether MakeMyMove is legitimate.


We hear questions like this a lot. And we get it, considering you may have experienced scams before as a remote worker. After all, opportunities that sound too good to be true rarely are. And yes, MakeMyMove falls into the “it sounds too good to be true” category. After all, it sounds like a great opportunity to be paid to move to a new location as a remote worker. How can that be possible?

Yet, this is one of those rare cases when it is actually true. Our site is here to help remote workers like you find the opportunities that are available to you. We’re not making up these opportunities ourselves. We’re simply curating opportunities that already exist, ones that you could find on the internet by yourself if you’re so inclined. Communities all over the country are offering relocation incentives to remote workers.

We thought we would make it easier for remote workers to find these opportunities in one place, so we created this site as an online directory to connect remote workers to relocation incentives and also offer helpful guidance on making the moves. Ultimately, we connect you to opportunities, and then you can double-check that the opportunities are legitimate before going forward with a move across the country. We encourage you to do so!

These offers tend to be run by local governments with funding from various sources, and you can confirm that they are legitimate opportunities. For example, MakeMyMove has information on a 

$10,000 cash incentive to relocate to Tulsa, OK

. You can find the same opportunity through Tulsa Remote, the official website for the initiative.

MakeMyMove’s place is to bring together all of these offers so you can browse them and find the right fit. The website gives you the details of each opportunity, making it easy to see what’s being offered and if you qualify. You can use the website to compare offers throughout the country, helping you consider areas where you might want to move. MakeMyMove also gives helpful overviews to learn more about each location and makes it easy to apply for the opportunities directly through the site.

Meet some of the remote workers who have recently moved to a new state through the relocation incentive programs they learned about through MakeMyMove.

Anela Malik and her husband recently moved across the country through a relocation incentive. Anela says, “We found the incentive for 

 on MakeMyMove when daydreaming about leaving Washington, DC.” They looked into the new area and the incentive program. She explains about the move to Arkansas, “We visited, loved the area and ended up moving after we were chosen for the incentive.”

Like many of the remote workers who move to a new area, Anela and her husband were able to find a better quality of life by relocating from a major city to a less populated area. Often, people find a lower cost of living and many benefits to their lives from their moves. She describes their new location, saying, “The area has a plethora of outdoor activities and amazing cycling, a growing food scene, cultural spaces like the Crystal Bridges museum and really kind people. So far we’re really loving it!”

Lokesh is another person who took advantage of a program through MakeMyMove to relocate to 

. He is positive about his new situation, saying, “My setup here is pretty perfect. Being connected to Purdue and living in a college town means I have access to an intellectually stimulating environment and so many great amenities.”

His move shows that this type of relocation program can be a positive step for someone. Those who think that they need to live in a major city for opportunities and things to do may be surprised at what smaller cities and towns have to offer, such as Lokesh’s experience in a college town. Since remote workers can work anywhere that has access to the internet, they are not limited by job opportunities in any one area, giving them the option to live anywhere.

Another person who shared his experience was Luke Scuitto, who moved to Tulsa, OK from Washington, DC. He was interested in moving, as he said, “I lived in DC for six years, but I was getting tired of the high cost of living and diminished quality of life. As soon as COVID-19 struck, DC proved to be an impossible place to effectively live and work.” He looked into options and decided upon Tulsa. He says, “I found Tulsa Remote, which has truly improved my quality of life, productivity at work and cost of living.”

If you're still skeptical about these examples, let’s take a look at the case study of Anela. You can confirm that she is a real person who used a real incentive program by checking out

 featured on the reputable, established website Realtor.com.

This feature notes that she used MakeMyMove, which it describes as “an aggregator site that serves as a matchmaker between cities looking to attract new residents and people looking to move.” In case you’re not aware, an aggregator website is defined as a site that collects items to fit a certain theme and often links to them.

You can see through Realtor.com that Anela was able to receive $10,000 in incentives to move to Northwest Arkansas. This was through Life Works Here, a program of the Northwest Arkansas Council. The council’s website explains that this initiative includes more than $1 million with the intention of bringing talent to the area and highlighting the area’s benefits.

While programs like this may seem strange or like a dream come true, they make good sense. It has long been common for locations to offer incentives to businesses to entice them to relocate to the area. Now, some places are trying out incentives like this to bring new residents to their areas.

As a remote worker, consider taking part in one of these relocation programs. Check out the offers on 

 to see which areas have incentives to move there.

over 100 companies offering remote work positions

, and we hope it helps you on your job search!

Once you have your new remote work position, you’re ready to live and work anywhere! Some places are paying remote workers to live there. So if you’re ready to make a move, 

Cute Houses in Places that Will Pay you to Move There

Our Guide to Moving While Working Remotely

As a remote worker, it’s important to look out for scams and check into an opportunity to see if it’s a good one before moving forward. Toward that end, we wanted to answer questions you may have about whether MakeMyMove is legitimate. Spoiler alert: We are.

Is MakeMyMove a Legitimate Site? Yes, We Are

If you’re thinking about moving to a new state, or at least to a new town or city, chances are that you’re looking for a better quality of life for yourself and your family if you have one. But what are the characteristics of a place that helps create and support a good quality of life?

Cost of living plays a big part, yet there are other quality of life factors to consider as well. Let’s take a closer look at the balance of cost of living with 

. Remote working can open opportunities to help you find the best of both worlds.

Is Low Cost of Living the Most Important Factor?

One of the top considerations for choosing a place to live is the cost of living in that area. A cost of living state comparison shows that this varies considerably throughout the nation and between urban and rural areas.

Lower cost of living is not always synonymous with a better quality of life. Some research has found people who accept paying higher prices for their homes and take lower-wage jobs if they believe the place where they want to live would give a good quality of life. Yet, a low cost of living can support a better life. This was one of the reasons a person’s welfare was found to be higher in Minnesota than in the four richest states of the nation.

Places with a lower cost of living may have challenges like fewer job opportunities or lower wages. Some places, such as Midwest factory towns, have declined economically over time and now offer incentives and other methods to support their economies. In one of these areas, quality local jobs may be sparse.

But when you're a remote worker, it's possible to make an income that's not dependent on where you live. This situation creates the potential to help you make more money online while keeping your cost of living low, creating a better quality of life overall. Increased internet access in rural areas helps connect people to remote work, while they can also enjoy the lower costs of these areas.


Cost of living is not the only thing to consider. There are other factors that are important in the place where you live. Look for aspects of an area that would make your life better on a day-by-day basis and that would enrich your life and that of your family. Many areas are putting efforts into these aspects to provide greater quality of life for their citizens, rather than only focusing on business and economic incentives.

Here are some quality of life factors to keep in mind:

Community and people in the new community

Good schools, including high-quality public schools and early childhood education

Transportation, including good roadways and public transportation options

Recreation, including restaurants and activities

Family aspects, such as access to child care and children’s activities

Cultural activities, such as museums and theaters

Natural areas, such as bodies of water or parks

Many small cities, towns, and rural areas are providing these kinds of benefits along with a lower cost of living compared with major cities. Also, living near a smaller population can equate to improved air quality, less congestion, and more favorable crime rates.



There are many small areas in the Midwest that offer a low cost of living along with a range of characteristics that contribute to a good quality of life, so they give the best of both worlds.

Take the example of Jen Hense, who moved with her family 

. The idea was sparked when the family vacationed in Muncie with another family. During their visit, they were lured in by country homes and the beautiful area. They jokingly wondered what it would cost to send their kids to college in Indiana. This joke led to the realization that Indiana’s in-state tuition is very affordable. Jen said they asked each other, “If you could make some of those big investments in your life more affordable, would you?—your kids’ college education, your housing costs, your property taxes—what does this change about the way we live, or how we could live?”

Laura Hammer Hill, a member of the other family on the trip, added that they were overlaying the cost of living with the calmer way of life and other characteristics that could contribute to a better life. They noticed “the slower pace, shorter lines, less traffic.” Overall, they summed up Muncie as having “affordability, a sense of community, and a cute little downtown.” Suddenly, they were wondering what was stopping them from moving. When they were able to create a combination of flexibility and remote work with their jobs, they realized a move was possible, and both families did it together to share in the adventure and provide mutual support.

Ravi Bhatt made a similar move when he went from Chicago to Bloomington, IN. His family with kids were living in a condo in Lincoln Park, which was limited and difficult. They were thinking of opening an office in Bloomington, saw good opportunities for software companies in the area and thought about living there temporarily and working remotely. He said, “As soon as I got here, I’m like, oh, no, no, no, we should just move here. This is so much better.”

Ravi realized that remote work meant the location of the company didn’t necessarily matter. He plans to hire a small group to work locally in Bloomington, yet is able to work with remote workers, including those still in Chicago. The move made sense for his business and home life.

A big part of what helped make the decision for him and his family were quality of life factors. He said “the cost of living is affordable, schools are fantastic… it’s a university town, there are basically no needed private schools; the public schools are like private schools… it’s good for kids to do things; there’s the right blend of indoors and outdoors.”

Ravi compared Bloomington to Seattle when it was just starting to look good to Microsoft, Amazon, and other companies. He explained that Seattle and other places no longer have the balance of good cost of living with high quality of life, while places like Bloomington now do.

If you’re looking for a better quality of life, start with a 

, which can help you narrow down states that may be a better option for you. Since the costs tend to vary between urban and rural areas, you may want to also compare cities' cost of living.

Ready to Find Legitimate Remote Job Offers?

, and we hope it helps you on your job search!


Once you have your new remote work position, you’re ready to live and work anywhere! Some places are paying remote workers to live there. So if you’re ready to make a move, these communities are ready for you.


If you’re thinking about moving to a new city or state, chances are that you’re looking for a better quality of life for yourself and your family if you have one. But what are the characteristics of a place that helps create and support a good quality of life?

Balancing Cost of Living with Quality of Life

Looking for the perfect Airbnb for remote work? Check out our list of standout rentals below.

These Airbnbs are in areas that will pay you to move there and work remotely. So, if one of these cities sparks your interest, getting an Airbnb is a great way to feel out the area before moving!

Work remotely from a cute, artistic Tudor near downtown Tulsa. This rental is a short drive from any tourist attraction you may want to visit and is decorated with art by local Tulsa artists.

 WiFi, free parking on premises, washer/dryer, kitchen

 Big Al’s Healthy Foods, Tulsa Flea Market, Chimera Cafe, The Gathering Place (park)

If you enjoy your stay in this Airbnb, consider making Tulsa your home! Tulsa is offering $

Find out the details of the Tulsa moving incentives here.

Former Fells Point Bar! - Private Studio In Baltimore, MD

If you want a chic, unique studio, this is the place for you! This rental used to be a mid-20th century Fells Point bar that was renovated into an apt with a private entrance, bathroom, work & living space.

 WiFi, new flooring, kitchenette, exposed brick, 32-inch television with Roku

 Fells bars & restaurants, Hopkins, the harbor, Patterson Park & downtown

If you enjoy your stay in this Airbnb, consider making Baltimore your home! Baltimore is offering 

Find out the details of the Baltimore moving incentives here.

Tiny House living in Hobbit’s Hollow - Savannah, Georgia

Immerse yourself in detailed storytelling in this tiny house! This rental offers a memorable experience and is only a short drive away from any attraction downtown Savannah has to offer.

 WiFi, full-size shower, toilet, counter height, tall ceilings in the majority of living area

 Downtown Savannah, Tybee Island Beach, Habersham Village and Kayak Kafe, and Daffin Park

If you enjoy your stay in this Airbnb, consider making Savannah your home! Savannah is offering 

Find out the details of the Savannah moving incentives here.

Central Waikiki with parking - Honolulu, HI

Ready to spend all day at the beach? This condo is just 1.5 blocks away from Waikiki beach, where you’ll have fun under the sun during your stay!

 WiFi with fast internet, shared hot tub, sauna, dishwasher, washer/dryer, two adjustable desks/chairs,

 Waikiki Beach, Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center

If you enjoy your stay in this Airbnb, consider making Honolulu your home! Honolulu is offering 

Find out the details of the Honolulu moving incentives here.

Unique Tower Apartment in Elmwood Village - Buffalo, NY

Want to live like Rapunzel? This Airbnb is a three-story tower apartment! It’s part of a “historic house that was built for CD Arnold, the photographer for Frank Lloyd Wright’s firm. Each floor is a separate room, and there is a private patio on the rooftop that overlooks Bidwell Parkway and the Elmwood Village.”

 WiFi, washer/dryer, free street parking, kitchen

 Restaurants (Rin Thai Bistro, Jim’s Steakout, Breezy Burrito Bar), Elmwood-Bidwell Farmers Market, Talking Leaves Bookstore

If you enjoy your stay in this Airbnb, consider making Buffalo your home! Buffalo is offering 

 Find out the details of the Buffalo moving incentives here.

Z41L Palms Place Strip View - Las Vegas, NV

Try living luxuriously in Las Vegas. This high-end apartment views the Las Vegas Strip and has access to a pool and fitness center.

 WiFi, pool access, fitness center, complimentary parking, panoramic views, private balcony

 Las Vegas Strip, Convention Center, Palms Casino

If you enjoy your stay in this Airbnb, consider making Las Vegas your home! Las Vegas is offering 

Find out the details of the Las Vegas moving incentives here.

Looking to spend some time in nature? This remote cabin is tucked away in the woods, so you’re sure to have privacy while you relax and get work done.

Discover the best Airbnbs in areas that will pay you to move there and work remotely. This is a great way to test out a city before moving! 

Best Airbnbs for Remote Work Across the U.S.

With musical destinations such as Nashville and Memphis and plenty of outdoor attractions like the Smoky Mountains, it's no wonder you might want to make Tennessee your new home!

Tennessee also has a high quality of life. 

says, "In terms of affordability, Tennessee boasts low unemployment rates, a

 – and no personal income tax. Its standout quality of life and access to talent make it a 

Interested in moving to Tennessee? Below, we'll cover how to choose your future home within the state, make your move, and connect to your new community.

If you're seeking the best places to live in Tennesee for remote workers, start your search by looking through these options.

 Rutherford County includes the city of Murfreesboro, and the surrounding area, southeast of Nashville. Middle Tennessee State University is located in Murfreesboro, making it a well-known college town. It's also a great place for growing families and has unique cultural events, like their Main Street Jazzfest. Rutherford County boasts A-ratings in public schools, nightlife, diversity, housing, families, and jobs on 

Niche.com's #4 Best Counties for Young Professionals.

this article for more information about living in Rutherford County.

 Love the outdoors? Chattanooga is nicknamed "Scenic City" for its beautiful natural surroundings of lakes, rivers, and mountains. Take a trip up Lookout Mountain or walk along the 16.1-mile Chattanooga Riverwalk for an outdoor adventure. The city has undergone a major revitalization, so its downtown area is popular among young professionals. It also has an innovation business district. U.S. News 

ranked Chattanooga as the #3 Best Place to Live in Tennessee.

this article for more information about living in Chattanooga.

 Brentwood is a suburb of Nashville, just 15 minutes away from all that Music City offers. This safe, upscale suburb has around 42,000 residents. It's a perfect option if you want to be close to Nashville but not live downtown, and it's a safe place for families. 

 says, "Young families love Brentwood for its school system, which is consistently ranked the best in the entire state." It's also rated 

this article for more information about living in Brentwood.

Germantown is an affluent suburb 21 miles south of Memphis, TN. Because of its proximity to Memphis, there are cultural activities nearby, and the city hosts some of unique events like the Germantown Festival. Additionally, they were recognized in 2019 with the 

, "The city is one of only four municipalities nationwide to have ever received the award." Read 

this article for more information about living in Germantown.

Kingsport, population 53,000, lies in the northeast corner of Tennessee. According to 

, "The median income in Kingsport, TN is $41,931, and the median home value is $159,483." Kingsport is also rated 

 #1 Best Place To Live in Sullivan County and has A ratings in public schools and families. Read 

this article for more information about living in Kingsport

Here are some other great places to live in Tennesee:

If you have a family to consider while making your move, be sure to check out our blog, 

Remote Work Relocation Considerations for Families.

Ready to make your move? Moving to a different state can be a little trickier than just moving to a new city. In addition to 

, here's a short checklist of things you'll want to think about when moving out of state:

Change your Driver's Licenses and Insurance:

 Requirements for transferring a driver's license vary from state to state, so you'll want to check in with your specific state's DMV. 

Forwarding your mail is essential whether you're moving out of state or not. But if your mail doesn't get forwarded while you're out of state, it's harder to get it back. 

Forwarding your mailing address is pretty simple on the USPS website.

 If you've permanently moved to a new state, you will need to update your voter registration before certain deadlines so you can vote in upcoming elections. 

Here's an article explaining how to update your registration.

If you currently have a remote position, you might also want to check out our 

Tennessee can be a great place to live for remote workers! There are several incentives to work remotely in Tennessee: receive 

$10,000 in student loan payment to move to Rutherford County,

Chattanooga's new developing program for move incentives.

Regus also lists some great coworking spaces in these areas

, which offer opportunities for you to build your community!

Tallan Financial Center (Chattanooga, TN)

There's no state income tax in the state of Tennessee! However, the current sales tax is pretty high due to it being a tourist destination.

"Tennessee has no income tax on salaries and wages. However, for the 2020 tax year, the state levied a 1% flat-rate tax on all income earned from interest and dividends. Beginning with the 2021 tax year, this tax will be repealed. Tennessee also has the highest overall average sales tax in the country, while homeowners in the state pay some of the lowest property taxes in the nation."

If you'd like to have a job that lets you enjoy all Tennessee has to offer, you might consider a remote position. At Make My Move, we have a blog that lists 

If you're still exploring states to choose for your future home, check out our other guides:

Relocating to Tennessee brings many benefits: low cost of living, low unemployment rate, no personal income tax, and scenic outdoor attractions.

How to Move to Tennessee for Remote Work

Work-from-home scams have been around since the early 1900s, but they’ve become harder to spot in today’s digital world. Though you might think of work-from-home scams as typical ‘get rich quick’ schemes, scammers have pivoted to targeting individuals looking for real remote jobs.

 believes that 25-30% of the workforce will be working from home multiple days a week by the end of 2021.

At MakeMyMove, we closely monitor trends surrounding remote work, and Evan Hock, Co-Founder of MakeMyMove, believes that “with the increasing amount of people searching for remote work opportunities, it’s important workers know what signs to look for that might signify a potential remote job is really a scam.”

Below, you can see a brief history of typical work-from-home scams, learn about newer remote job scams, and uncover crucial red flags to help you avoid becoming a victim of cybercriminals.

Typical work-from-home scams offer great positions and pay but require little skill or experience.

As you’re browsing work-from-home opportunities,

 AARP lists these signs that a position is most likely fake

The advertisement claims no skills or experience are required

It claims to offer high pay for little or no work

A company promises that a business opportunity is surefire and will pay off quickly

You’re required to pay upfront for training, certifications, directories, or materials

Additional red flags of common work-from-home scams include:

You can’t find information about the company online

There are warnings about the company online

An email address without a clear company name

Above, we’ve listed common red flags to be aware of as you browse opportunities, but with the demand for remote work, scammers have gotten more complex.

In 2021, the FBI released a statement on increasing fake job scams

One way cybercriminals are implementing these remote job scams is pretending to be a legitimate company on online job boards.

 Here’s what this type of remote work scam looks like, according to the FBI

The scammer creates an email address or website similar to a legitimate company’s website (e.g. Facebook).

Applicants apply via a job board or directly on the spoofed company’s website.

The criminals reach out via email and conduct false interviews with applicants, usually via teleconferencing.

The applicant may talk to several different ‘departments’ during the interview process, including recruiters, talent acquisition, human resources, and more.

 after they offer a position, the scammers request personally identifiable information—like driver’s licenses, Social Security Numbers, bank information, etc.

This information is used to either take over an applicant’s accounts, open new financial accounts, or use the victim’s identity for another scam.

As the FBI mentions, “the cybercriminals executing this scam request the same information as legitimate employers, which can make it difficult to identify a hiring scam until it is too late.”

How can you tell if a remote work job LISTING is a scam?

Unlike more traditional work-from-home schemes, it can be harder to spot these new remote work scams. But there are still some similar things you can do to check the job listing:

Think twice about any listing with a lot of grammatical errors.

Look into the organization to see what reviews you can find.

Make sure the URL of the organization you’re applying to is actually the URL of the company.

Example: Make sure you’re applying to makemymove.com, NOT makemymovellc.com

If someone contacts you through a listing on a job site, check that it’s from a business email. Then check that the end of the business email is the correct URL.

For example: kate@makemymove.com not kate@makemymovebiz.com

How can you tell if a remote work job INTERVIEW is a scam?

Very legitimate-looking job postings on popular websites like ZipRecruiter and Indeed can still be scams.

So, if you’ve been offered an interview with a company, what can you do to make sure you aren’t scammed during the process?

Here are some tips we’ve pulled together from the FBI’s press release, along with reading several stories of people being scammed.

Check the interviewer’s email address and phone number.

When a career consultant went hunting for employment scams

, she found some of the business numbers listed by her contacts went straight to a generic computer-automated message. The business name was not listed, and there was no way to get to a live person.

And as we mentioned above, double-check that you’re emailing someone with a business address instead of a personal email.

How the interviewer conducts the interview can tell you how legitimate the job is.

One freelance editor was interviewed through an app called Telegram

, which she says “should have been her first red flag.” A Supply Chain Manager we spoke to took a voice interview for a fake position through the encrypted app WhatsApp.

 A person seeking a remote tech writing gig

 first became suspicious when his interview took place via text on Google Hangouts.

The FBI suggests you might be suspicious of an interview if you cannot talk to someone in-person or through a secure video call. Also, you might be wary of teleconference applications that only require an email address instead of a telephone number.

Don’t give sensitive personal information during the interview.

Your interview is going great. You’re nailing those questions. Then, they ask you for your credit card information, banking information, or other personal information to ‘verify’ who you are before proceeding with the process.

One Supply Chain Manager went through a series of interviews with a fake company. In the final interview, the company offered to outfit his home office (

) and requested his bank information to give him money for the new products. He quickly realized this had been a setup because they named his bank BEFORE he had told them the name. With that, he stopped the interview.

Learn the warning signs of sophisticated work-from-home scams in the age of remote jobs. Find legitimate job offers and work remotely from anywhere.

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Is MakeMyMove a Legitimate Site? Yes, We Are

Balancing Cost of Living with Quality of Life

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