Why the Springfield, IL, Area is Ideal for Remote Workers
If you’re considering a move with your newfound remote work freedom, here’s why Springfield should be at the top of your list.
Eric Broughton briefly considered moving his Springfield-based online marketing company to big cities like Los Angeles and Austin — he was even accepted into a few startup accelerator programs. But, in the end, he decided to stay in Springfield because of its quick commute times, low cost of doing business, close-knit community and myriad networking opportunities.
Broughton is so passionate about Springfield — and the greater Sangamon County area — as a great place to work remotely that he also launched The Incubator, a coworking space and startup accelerator with a cafe and bar for freelancers, remote workers and startups.
“For me, it’s really the convenience, the cost of living and the amenities of Springfield,” he says. “You can travel to and from everywhere in less than 30 minutes. There’s also all-hours networking when you live in an area of this size — whether it’s interacting with a restaurant owner you know or some friend of a client.”
When you work remotely — whether as a full-time employee, a freelancer or an entrepreneur — you have the freedom to work anywhere. Instead of living in a city because that’s where your company’s office is, you can truly choose where to live, selecting a new home base based on what matters to you — factors like proximity to nature, affordability or arts and culture offerings, for instance.
Springfield checks all of these boxes and then some.
Remote work can be isolating, especially if you move to a new city where you don’t know anyone. But in the Springfield area, you’ll feel connected to the broader community right away, with help from established coworking spaces like The Incubator and Innovate Springfield.
These coworking spaces have all the amenities you need to thrive at work — high-speed WiFi, printers, copiers, mail service, coffee, conference rooms and other professional spaces for your Zoom meetings, flexible hours and more. Plus, when you join one of Springfield’s coworking spaces, you’ll have fellow remote co-workers to bounce ideas off and brainstorm with around the coffee maker.
“We offer the workspace for folks who want to maintain their home office but also have an outlet for connecting with other people in a really cool environment, a really nice office space that has modern amenities that can support their work,” says Katie Davison, executive director of Innovate Springfield, which also serves as a social innovation and business incubator led by the University of Illinois Springfield.
Home to some 200,000 residents, the region is a perfect size — not too big, not too small. Not only can you find your niche, but you’ll also be able to find your way around quickly and easily.
In Sangamon County, your remote work paycheck stretches further, thanks to the low cost of living and affordable home prices — the median rent price here is $596, and the average monthly mortgage payment is $782.
“You can afford to live in a home that many people in a large metropolitan area could not afford, and you can have a lot of space in your home,” Davison says.
Whether flying solo or moving with a family, you’ll find plenty of room to spread out in the Springfield area, which offers modern downtown apartments, historic Victorians, rustic farmhouses and everything in between. Even if you choose to live in the more rural parts of the county, you’re never far from arts and culture, shopping and restaurants.
And when you want to get out of town for a long weekend and explore the Midwest, you’re just a few hours’ drive from cities like Chicago, Nashville, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Des Moines, Madison, Milwaukee and Louisville.
Plus, Springfield has world-class healthcare providers, high-quality educational opportunities, a growing tech scene, family-friendly amenities, a supportive business climate, and so much more. Nature is also never far away in Springfield, home to dozens of parks, golf courses, natural areas and running/walking trails.
“It’s really easy to engage in outdoor activities and an active lifestyle,” says Davison. “We have a great park system; we have these really wonderful, beautiful nature preserves. And you don’t have to go far to get to sprawling countryside.”
Want to grow your skill set and go for a promotion while working remotely? Take advantage of the Springfield area’s many educational opportunities, ranging from full-time degree programs to more casual workshops, guest speakers, community lectures and more. The region is home to the University of Illinois Springfield, Southern Illinois University, School of Medicine, Lincoln Land Community College and Midwest Technical Institute.
There are strong business networks and nonprofits that make it easy to get involved and give back. And, if you ever decide to strike out on your own and start a business, you’ll find all the support you need in Springfield, technical and otherwise.
“We have a strong sense and pride in supporting local businesses,” Davison says. “Springfield is a hyper-local shop-buy-promote area. It’s just a very livable community.”
This article was sponsored by the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance.