Bison, Broadband & Big Dreams - Why Small Towns Are the New HQ

This transcription discusses the growing trend of remote work shifting people towards small towns for a better quality of life. It highlights examples like Red Lodge, Montana, and Cody, Wyoming, showcasing how these towns offer not only natural beauty but also infrastructure and community support for remote workers. Other towns like Livingston, Montana, Brevard, North Carolina, and Jerome, Arizona, each have their unique appeal, blending nature with tech-friendly environments. The trend shows a diverse range of small towns attracting remote workers seeking a balance between career and lifestyle. Okay, let's dive in. Just take a second, maybe close your eyes and picture your usual work day. Okay. Now, what if that next Zoom call, instead of your usual background, came with these amazing mountain views? Maybe even a bison wandering past your window. Ah, that would be something. Right, and what if you could swap those, you know, soul-crushing traffic jams for like a quiet trout stream nearby? Or just a charming main street right outside your door? You know, it's almost too good to be true, doesn't it? It absolutely does. But the really fascinating thing is, well, for a growing number of people, it's not just a daydream anymore. It's real. It's their actual new reality. We're seeing this pretty significant shift, and it's accelerated a lot, in where people are choosing to live and work. It's been fundamentally reshaped, hasn't it, by the rise of remote jobs. Especially since, well, everything that happened a few years back. Exactly, that was a major catalyst. Yeah, so this deep dive, it's all about that exact transformation. We're looking at how this ability to work from pretty much anywhere has turned these, well, charming small towns. Places you used to just think of for a weekend away, maybe. Precisely. Weekend getaways, summer vacations. Now they're becoming these vibrant, year-round new headquarters. That's a great way to put it, new headquarters. So our goal today, really, is to unpack the appeal of these places. You know, where you've got no traffic, genuinely friendly people, and that ultimate window scene we talked about. And crucially, it's supported now by good internet, real connectivity, and plenty of remote job opportunities. It seems like these small towns are really undergoing a kind of quiet revolution. They really are. They're not just, you know, quaint spots for tourists anymore. They're actively, strategically positioning themselves as havens for remote workers. So it's a mix. Lifestyle dreams meet modern work practicality. Exactly, it's that blend. Wanting the natural beauty, the community feel, but also needing the nuts and bolts to actually do your job effectively. And, you know, what's compelling is how they're actually pulling it off. Okay, so it's not just about running away from the city then. It's about actively choosing something different. What's really pulling people in, beyond just escaping the urban hustle, what are they truly looking for when they make that leap? That's the core question, isn't it? And while the escape factor is definitely big, a huge draw. Sure. What many are finding is this tangible, real increase in their quality of life. How so? Well, think about it. Waking up, seeing mountains or a lake, strolling down to the local coffee shop where, you know, people actually know your name, being maybe five minutes away from a hiking trail instead of an hour stuck in traffic, it's that deeper sense of community, maybe a bit of a slower pace. And that window scene. And that ultimate window scene, absolutely. Whether it's the lake or a historic main street or those big peaks, you're basically trading, what, concrete for character? Yeah, and gaining more time for things that actually matter to you. That's the promise. Okay, let's make this really concrete. We've got a couple of great examples, case studies that really show this trend in action. Let's start with Red Lodge, Montana. Ah, Red Lodge. Beautiful place. Right. If you haven't been, picture this downtown. It's almost like a movie set. It's so picturesque. It really is. And it's got this lively ski culture, obviously. Draws people for that. And then these quirky little eateries, local spots, that give it a really unique flavor. It feels very homey, somehow. It does. And what's really interesting about Red Lodge, beyond just how nice it looks, is how surprisingly well set up it is for remote work. Okay, like how? Well, crucially, the broadband. It's reliable. And we're talking really reliable, often fiber optic, high speed stuff. The kind you actually need. Yeah. No frozen Zoom calls. Exactly. Non-negotiable for remote work today. But beyond the tech, there's this impressive community support system for people moving in. Oh. Yeah, they've even got practical things like local job boards, Red Lodge jobs, the Carbon County job board. They actively help new folks find local work if they need it. Maybe full time, maybe just part time, to supplement their remote income. So it's not just bring your job, it's also find opportunities here. Precisely. And it goes beyond just the internet and job boards, doesn't it? It's about that genuine welcome. Yeah, I've heard about some cool quality of life perks too. Things like discounts on ski passes for residents. Or local restaurants offering employee benefits. Things that make you feel like you belong. That's it, exactly. It builds that sense of belonging, of value. It shows the community actually wants you to live there, thrive there, not just occupy a house. Right, integrated. Integrated, yes. Now, if we shift gears a bit, head south, we land in Cody, Wyoming. Okay, Cody, Western vibe. Very much so. Cody offers a different flavor, but it's just as compelling for this remote work shift. It's steeped in that rich Western heritage, you know? Amazing museums telling stories of the frontier. Of a little bill center, right? That's the one. Incredible place. And then there's just tons of outdoor recreation. I mean, Yellowstone's eastern entrance is right there. World class fishing, hiking. It's an adventurer's dream, really. And Cody, financially speaking, must be quite different from, say, Denver or Seattle. Oh, absolutely, that's a huge factor. When you compare housing costs in Cody to major urban centers, it's a really stark difference. Like, what are we talking? You can often get significantly more space, maybe a yard surrounded by incredible scenery for, well, a fraction of the price you'd pay in a big city. Wow, that kind of financial breathing room, plus the lifestyle, I can see the appeal. It's a very powerful combination. So, both Red Lodge and Cody, they really illustrate this amazing blend, don't they? Yeah, they do. Stunning natural beauty, real lifestyle perks that help build community, and then the practical side, the infrastructure and local support needed for remote work. They're basically proving you don't have to choose between your career and your ideal lifestyle. You can actually have both. You can aim for both, yeah. Now, Red Lodge and Cody, they're fantastic examples, but I imagine they're not the only ones. This feels like a bigger thing. Oh, absolutely. They're really just the tip of the iceberg, remote workers heading to smaller towns. It's much more widespread than people might think. So, you've looked into others? We have. We've sort of curated a list of other unique remote work-friendly small towns that are really trending right now. What makes them stand out? Is it the same formula everywhere? Not exactly. That's what's interesting. They all tend to have reliable broadband, that's table stakes, but beyond that, they each have their own distinct character, their own quirks, their own vibe. It's definitely not one-size-fits-all. Okay, give us some examples. What kind of vibes are we talking about? All right, we'll take Livingston, Montana, for instance. Not too far from Red Lodge, actually. It's not just about the gorgeous scenery, like the Yellowstone River running right through town. Livingston has this really vibrant, artsy, kind of outdoorsy feel. Artsy. Yeah, strong, creative scene writers, artists, musicians, plus that deep connection to nature. It attracts a certain kind of person, maybe someone in tech, but also really into fly fishing or hiking. It has an independent spirit. Interesting. Okay, where else? How about somewhere completely different? Brevard, North Carolina. Ah, East Coast. Blue Ridge Mountains. Exactly. Brevard is like a nature lover's absolute dream. They call it the land of waterfalls, apparently over 250 nearby. Endless hiking, barking trails. Wow. But here's the thing. It's not just rugged wilderness. It's also known for being surprisingly tech-friendly. It has good infrastructure. It even got recognized by Outside Magazine as one of the 50 best places to live. So, beauty and bandwidth. That's the combo. It attracts people who want that deep immersion in nature, but still need to be totally connected for work. Makes sense. Got another one. Maybe something really quirky. Oh, definitely. Jerome, Arizona. Ever heard of it? Jerome. Isn't that the old mining town built on the side of a mountain? That's the one. They call it Ghost Town Chic. It's literally perched up there, this former copper mining boom town. Wow. It's packed with history, tons of art galleries now, little unique shops, and just this incredible, slightly spooky, very quirky energy. And the views must be insane. Panoramic views of the Verde Valley. Imagine that as your office backdrop. Jerome's appeal is less about, say, hardcore outdoor sports, and more about that unique historical atmosphere and the artistic vibe. And, you know, a much slower pace. A step back in time, but with good internet. Precisely. You still need the Wi-Fi. These examples really show how diverse this trend is. It's not just mountain towns or ski towns. Not at all. We could talk about places like Fairfield, Iowa, with its unique blend of Midwest charm and an international meditative community vibe. Or Lindsborg, Kansas, Little Sweden, USA, known for its cultural heritage and fiber internet. Little Sweden. With fiber. Yep. Or even Lincoln, Kansas, which has actively positioned itself as a remote work pioneer, offering incentives for people to relocate. They're actively recruiting remote workers. Some places are, absolutely. Offering cash incentives, help finding housing, things like that. Then you've got lakeside towns like Monticello, Indiana, home to Indiana Beach Amusement Park, but also with a growing economy. Or Pikesville, Kentucky, and Appalachia, winning awards for college success and offering perks. Tell City, Indiana, on the Ohio River, focusing on its scenic views and strong schools. How's New Mexico with its incredible cultural fusion? The list goes on. Wow, it's really happening all over. So what's the common thread then? If they're all so different, what ties the successful new headquarters together? What's the secret sauce? Yeah, it really boils down to a few key things, I think. First, as we've said, reliable broadband. That's just the entry ticket, non-negotiable. Second, there's usually strong community support. That might mean formal programs like those incentives in Lincoln, or just a general culture of welcoming newcomers, supporting local businesses, creating spaces where people can connect. Making it easy to plug in. Exactly, and maybe the most important piece. Each of these towns has its own unique, authentic character. They aren't trying to be scaled down versions of big cities. They're leaning into what makes them special. Yes, they're leveraging their history, their landscape, their culture, whatever it is that creates that distinct vibe. That's what attracts people who are looking for something beyond the ordinary. They're not just places to escape to. They're places you can actually build a really fulfilling life in. So recapping this whole thing, we've really charted quite an exciting shift, haven't we? Where people are choosing to live, how they're choosing to work. It's a fundamental change. And the advantages seem really clear. Escaping that city traffic, finding genuine community connection, friendly faces. And getting that dream window scene you mentioned at the start. Exactly, that ultimate view. It feels like it's about building a life that's more aligned with your values, not just dictated by where your office building happens to be. And this really makes you think, doesn't it? About your own sort of dream small town move. We've talked about these incredible new headquarters where, yeah, maybe your next Zoom call does come with mountain views or bison. It definitely changes how you think about work-life balance. It does, it prompts the question, what would it really mean for you listening right now to the urban rush for something quieter, maybe more connected, a more fulfilling life, potentially, exactly where you want it to be? It's a powerful thought to consider. And it leaves you wondering, doesn't it? As remote work keeps evolving, keeps shaping our world, what other unexpected places might pop up next? Where will the next new headquarters emerge? Yeah, and what could that mean for how each of us defines our own ideal work-life balance? How we think about the very idea of home. The possibilities seem like they're really just starting to open up. It's gonna be fascinating to watch.