Stories

Mon, 14 Sep 2026

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 I got paid $5,000 to move to a place I'd never heard of

Relocation schemes offer support for people who want to swap big cities for a cheaper, quieter life.
Brianna Beyrouti, a single mother from Portland, Oregon, made the bold decision to leave behind the high cost of living in the city and move to Muncie, Indiana, with her two children. The 2,000-mile relocation was facilitated by a government scheme that contributed $5,000 towards their moving costs, and it has proven to be a game-changer for Brianna's finances. With an annual salary of $107,000, Brianna is now able to afford a home mortgage that is less than her previous rent in Portland. She estimates she is saving around $600 per month due to lower state income tax rates, car insurance, and energy bills in Indiana. Brianna is not alone in making this type of move. Many people are leaving big cities behind in search of more affordable living arrangements, with some small towns experiencing population growth as a result. Muncie, in particular, has seen its population rise by over 200 people since last year, and the local council offers relocation support schemes to attract remote workers. One such scheme is MakeMyMove, which helped Brianna and her family move to Muncie. The website lists various relocation incentives offered by small cities and towns across the US, including cash contributions towards moving costs, free cinema tickets, restaurant vouchers, and even free wine. Another example of someone who has benefited from a relocation support scheme is scientist Elena Chrysostomou, who moved from San Diego to Jacksonville, Illinois. She received $5,000 in cash and a "quality of life package" worth $4,000, which included gym memberships and golf passes. Both Brianna and Elena report that their quality of life has improved significantly since making the move. They are now able to afford homes, save money, and enjoy more freedom and independence. However, they also acknowledge some drawbacks to their new lives, including limited job opportunities, fewer social connections, and a reliance on cars for transportation.