
West Virginia is a state of extreme beauty, including 2,032 miles of whitewater (the greatest density of whitewater in the country), 1.5 million acres of public land (state parks and forests and the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve), and 4000+ roped and bouldering routes.  There may be no better place for an outdoor enthusiast than West Virginia.  Beyond the natural beauty of the state, you’ll find amenities and institutions usually identified with larger metropolitan areas.  The state boasts historic resorts like the Greenbrier and is home to a variety of arts and culture (local galleries, museums, and performing arts venues).  It is known for authentic mountain music with a distinct Appalachian sound that owes to influences from folk, bluegrass, gospel and more.  There are one-of-a-kind historical destinations and 44 colleges and universities of varying sizes and types.

The state of West Virginia is leading the way in recruiting remote workers seeking a lifestyle steeped in outdoor recreation and adventure with a sense of community connection and shared purpose.  If this sounds appealing to you, look no further.  The program is described below and in the individual offer pages for specific regional areas.

“Ascend WV is a talent attraction and retention program designed to support remote professionals and their families as they relocate to West Virginia in pursuit of high quality of life and an outdoor-driven lifestyle. Experience work-life balance through community, purpose, and the outdoors in the mountains of West Virginia.”

Ascend WV was founded with a “shared vision for innovation and a deep love for the mountains of West Virginia.”  In 2022, Brad D. Smith returned to his mountain home after a very successful career in Silicon Valley.  He became the 38th president of Marshall University while he and his wife Alys, an accomplished attorney, undertook significant philanthropic work that includes this recognized talent attraction and retention program.  Mr. Smith credits West Virginia as the foundation for his own success and wants to share the place he loves with others.  As Ascend WV says, “let our country roads take you home to the place you belong.”


Martinsburg

Picture a mountain retreat with proximity to Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland.  Nestled along the Potomac River, the Eastern Panhandle offers an array of outdoor activities, including a chance to hike the Appalachian Trail as it passes through Harpers Ferry, to ski in one of seven ski areas, to paddle down the river on over 100 paddling runs, or to mountain bike the many trails.  The area boasts international cuisine and local favorites including craft breweries and artisan pizza.  There are several long standing farmers markets and the Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival that has taken place every October for decades in celebration of the apple harvest.  The Eastern Panhandle also has a rich mix of cultural assets and activities, including Civil War history and arts of all kinds (music, dance, film).  So much to do and to see – it would be hard not to settle right in.

You’ll be welcomed by local ambassadors who can point you to the best places to work remotely (coworking spaces and other public areas with internet access) and connect you to established professional development and entrepreneurial assistance opportunities.  The Eastern Panhandle puts you right in the heart of beautiful surroundings with welcoming neighbors, yet close enough to metropolitan areas that you won’t ever feel you’re lacking for anything.


Move to the Eastern Panhandle

Free Outdoor Recreation Experiences and Gear Rentals

Professional Development and Entrepreneurial Assistance

Greenbrier Junction

Beauty abounds in Greenbrier Valley.  There’s no better place for the outdoor enthusiast than one with a free-flowing river, one of the largest cave systems in North America, hiking and biking trails galore, rolling farmland, and mountain slopes.  The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, the Greenbrier State Forest, and the one-million-acre Monongahela National Forest each offer opportunities for any outdoor adventure one might conjure up.  Couple the beauty of the great outdoors with small town charm and a premier resort that draws people from around the world, and you have found a home in Greenbrier Valley.  

You’ll be welcomed by local ambassadors who know the food scene that includes special farm-to-table dinners, can point you to the best places to work remotely (coworking spaces and other public areas with internet access), and connect you to established professional development and entrepreneurial assistance opportunities.  The communities of Greenbrier Valley are close-knit places with loads to offer and a desire to share what makes this such a special area to put down roots.


Greenbrier Valley

Morgantown

The Morgantown Area really has it all.  Enjoy all the positives of a college town, with the energy and activities of the West Virginia University campus in Morgantown, located in one of the fastest growing counties in the state.  The Monongahela River and Cheat Lake offer fishing, water sports, and beaches for relaxing.  Hiking opportunities are everywhere with hundreds of miles of trails.  You can walk, run, bike, or even in-line skate for 48 miles on Morgantown’s acclaimed “Rail Trail.”  The area has a great education system, highly rated healthcare, and scores of different housing options, from single family homes with acreage to more urban spaces.  Everything you need is right here in the Morgantown Area, with a high quality of life for a low cost of living, and yet it is a quick hop to five major metros when you yearn for the big city.

If you choose the Morgantown Area, you’ll be welcomed by local ambassadors who know the local food scene, can point you to the best places to work remotely (coworking spaces and other public areas with internet access), and connect you to established professional development and entrepreneurial assistance opportunities.  It won’t take long to settle in to an area with such warmth and vibrancy to share.


Move to Morgantown

It’s not uncommon to meet people in Owensboro who came for a short stay and ended up settling down - a testament to the community and quality of life in this hospitable Southern town. Locals gather for live music at a myriad of venues across the city which is home to the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and ROMP, a not-to-be-missed 3 day music festival celebrating country music of all varieties. Remote workers with families will appreciate the top performing schools and the investment the community makes in youth spaces and activities. Case in point - the recently renovated Smothers Park, located on premium riverside real estate, has been named the top playground in the world (2015) by Landscape Architect’s Network.

It’s not uncommon to meet people in Owensboro who came for a short stay and ended up settling down - a testament to the community and quality of life in this hospitable Southern town. Locals gather for live music at a myriad of venues across the city which is home to the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and ROMP, a not-to-be-missed 3 day music festival celebrating country music of all varieties. Remote workers with families will appreciate the top performing schools and the investment the community makes in youth spaces and activities.

Owensboro

Owensboro, Kentucky

One year membership to the Owensboro Health Healthpark

One year membership with Western Kentucky Botanical Garden

One year Chamber Young Professional Membership (For movers 21-40)

Two 3-concert flex package to Owensboro Symphony Concert Season

Two free passes for Barrel Thieving Distillery Tour

Two free admissions to Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Music

Two tickets to event of choice in 2023 at Woodward Theatre

 One free dance class from Johnson’s Dance Studio

Free 16 oz. coffee & one donut per week for one year from local coffee shop

Free banjo, fiddle, or mandolin lessons with a local instructor

Find a city or state that will pay you to move! Our current listings of cities and states offering cash and tax incentives to relocate. New offers added weekly!

Offers - Get Paid to Move & Work Remotely

Conveniently located on the Ohio River, and commonly referred to as the “Gateway to the South,” Louisville combines a rich culture with big-city perks. Louisville proudly hosts multiple world class events each year, including the Kentucky Derby and Thunder Over Louisville, the largest annual fireworks display in the U.S. Other notable events include the Forecastle Festival, which draws 35,000 music fans to Louisville Waterfront Park, as well as the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in nearby Bardstown.

Downtown’s West Main District, or “Museum Row,” features the Frazier History Museum, the Kentucky Science Center, the Louisville Slugger Museum, the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, and the Muhammad Ali Center. 

When it comes to dining and nightlife, downtown’s Fourth Street never disappoints, offering a diverse mix of restaurants and entertainment venues, such as Gordon Biersch Brewing Company, Hard Rock Cafe, and Fourth Street Live!, a 350,000-square-foot entertainment and retail complex. For those who prefer coworking spaces, Louisville provides more than 10 options, including the popular Launch Louisville and 31e. 

Located only a couple of miles from downtown, Muhammad Ali International Airport offers direct flights to dozens of fun destinations including Miami, Denver, Los Angeles, New Orleans, and more.

Get Paid to Live in Morgantown Area, West Virginia

Total Incentive

$20,000

Move to Morgantown

West Virginia

West Virginia

West Virginia

West Virginia

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