MakeMyMove Announces America’s Most Welcoming Places

Communities across the U.S. are in a competition for new residents. Without the inherent advantages of major metros and job centers, the nation’s heartland communities are getting creative — identifying and leveraging their unique assets, engaging in active outreach to potential residents, fostering connections and making newcomers feel like VIPs in their chosen home.

Today, MakeMyMove, the country’s first and only online relocation marketplace for recruiting remote workers, has named six outstanding communities as America’s Most Welcoming Places. These cities and regions have gone beyond traditional growth strategies to successfully attract and integrate new residents, proving that a thoughtful, hands-on approach can reshape a community’s future.

Selected for their innovative approaches to population growth and community integration, this year’s Most Welcoming Places are:

• Columbus, GA
• Eastern Kentucky
• Noblesville, IN
• Perry County, IN
• Texarkana, USA
• Tulsa, OK

“These communities understand that relocation isn’t just about moving boxes—it’s about building a life,” said Evan Hock, Co-Founder and COO of MakeMyMove. “The leaders behind these programs are creating real human connections, removing barriers for newcomers, and proving that a welcoming community is the best incentive of all.”

Meet the most welcoming communities in America

Columbus, GA: Precision in People-Matching

Columbus is strategically growing its population, with a community talent strategy aiming for a 4% increase by 2026. Their matchmaking approach thoughtfully selects movers who will relocate for the long term. The Columbus team doesn’t just recruit remote workers—they connect them with local leaders and community opportunities to ensure they stay.

Eastern Kentucky: A Culture of Neighborly Care

Led by Latasha Friend at SOAR, the relocation effort in Eastern Kentucky has expanded from 4 to 34 counties, attracting more than 5,500 applicants. What distinguishes it? A deeply rooted culture of hospitality, where residents personally welcome newcomers—sometimes with home-cooked meals, assistance with moving or even a ride to town.

Noblesville, IN: Concierge-Level Community Integration

Noblesville’s recruitment team focuses on seamless integration, providing new residents with VIP perks, networking events and personal connections to local business and social circles. The city’s hands-on approach ensures that newcomers feel like part of the community from day one.

Perry County, IN: Personal Commitment to Newcomers

In Perry County, Shiraz Mukarram, an immigrant-turned-local leader, takes welcoming new movers personally providing 24/7 support to help new residents settle in. From securing housing to building social connections, Perry County’s approach is a testament to small-town hospitality at its best.

Texarkana, USA: A Dual-State City Investing in Growth

Straddling Texas and Arkansas, Texarkana has created a relocation program that prioritizes education and professional development. With tuition support for newcomers, the city has attracted remote workers eager to earn degrees, learn new trades, or grow careers while settling into a welcoming, mid-sized community.

Tulsa, OK: A Blueprint for Long-Term Retention

Tulsa Remote has established itself as the gold standard for relocation programs, attracting over 3,500 remote workers with 90% of them staying beyond their program year. Tulsa Remote provides 1:1 staff support, access to a dedicated coworking space and curated events to transform a short-term incentive into a lasting impact and opportunity for community building.

To learn more about MakeMyMove, visit makemymove.com. Read more about this year’s winners here.

About MakeMyMove

MakeMyMove is the country’s first and only online marketplace where remote workers can explore the communities that are incentivizing their relocations. Since launching in December 2020, more than 4,000 remote workers and their families have found and relocated to new communities through the platform.

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