As people who live in Los Angeles, a city that requires you shell out $70 for the privilege of parking for one minute too long at its impossible-to-snag street meters, the idea of actually getting paid to live somewhere sounds both foreign and enticing. When we learned that some cities will actually give you money to reside in them, we started wondering what kind of demand they might be experiencing for, say, fashion editors. We haven’t packed our bags just yet, but the deals offered by the following six cities have us asking some serious questions about the value of our hometown.
Anywhere, Hawaii
While you're not technically going to get paid just to relocate to Hawaii in this scenario, the state is looking to fill 1,600 teaching positions for the fall and is aggressively recruiting mainland talent right now in order to do so. (There is a $10,000 bonus to be paid out over three years for those able to teach special education classes in all grades and a $3,000 bonus if you work in certain rural areas.) If you've ever dreamed of living in paradise, even if just for a few years, now might be the time to make it happen. To be eligible, you must have a bachelor's degree and have completed a State Approved Teacher Education Program.
Baltimore, Maryland
In LA, "transitioning" neighborhoods are usually the "coolest" places to live, which means housing costs become exorbitant the moment the area is known to be ever-so-slightly gentrifying. In Baltimore, however, transitioning neighborhoods are being made ultra-accessible through the granting of forgivable loans, in which the amount you owe is forgiven by 20% each year. In case your only reference point for Baltimore is The Wire, it might be interesting to note that it was rated #2 on Zagat's list of 2015's best food cities, the Daily Beast named it one of 2016's hottest destinations, and a 2016 survey named the city the 12th healthiest in the US.
Niagara Falls, New York
Millennial student loan debts are so bad that the city of Niagara Falls, New York, is offering to pay around $3500 toward your college bills if you rent or buy a home there. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this city of around 50,000 people isn't exactly brimming with job opportunities, but it could still be a feasible resettlement option if you're able to work remotely as a freelancer or consultant.
Anywhere In Alaska
Since 1976, 25% of Alaska's oil income has gone into a fund that's then invested, the dividends from which are divided up amongst residents annually. In 2014, each resident in Alaska received free money in the amount of $1,884. Every Alaskan, even the children, is eligible each year as long as they haven't been convicted of a felony and aren't absent from the state for more than 180 days. Alaska has the added advantage of remaining hypothetically livable once global warming has caused most of the US to succumb to droughts, rising sea levels and the like.
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is not messing around when it comes to incentivizing people to nest within its city limits. They offer $10,000 loans for down payments or closing costs on houses, all of which is forgiven after five years if the resident doesn't sell the house during that time. They also offer $30,000 loans for energy-saving home upgrades, all of which is forgiven after ten years. Finally, New Haven offers free tuition—free tuition—to local colleges for anyone who graduates from their public school system.
You might know New Haven only for being home to Yale University (sadly, a private institution and therefore not included in the whole free tuition thing), but in 2014, The Washington Post called it "a city with Boston’s historic charm, Philadelphia’s artistic pleasures—and Buffalo’s beer prices." We're guessing that last one is a good thing?
Most Of Kansas
Seventy-seven of the 107 counties in Kansas offer serious incentives for settling, including up to $15,000 in student loan debt repayment and five years of income tax exemption. Worried you'd be bored as sh*t in the Sunflower State? Never fear, as fashion-girl-friendly Kansas City is nearby. Besides, you could use all of the money you save living in Kansas to pay for a giant TV from which to watch Netflix, which we think makes this move a no-brainer.
