Why Remote Workers Should Consider Moving to Kearney, NE

Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce

Remote work has freed people up to live where they desire, and many are picking Kearney. 

“We chose Kearney because there’s a sense of beauty in this community,” says Jake Williams, an operations transition manager for PlayStation. He grew up near Kearney and graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 2006. 

While Sony, which owns PlayStation, has offices around the globe, working remotely in Kearney has been the right choice for Williams and his family. 

“There are great schools, parks, and people are very kind and educated,” he says. “We have access to the arts, theater and concerts. Downtown Kearney does an awesome job of keeping great businesses coming to town. Plus, it’s a safe place to raise a family that’s not too far from Denver or Omaha.” 

Chais Meyer, owner of coworking hub Nest:Space, and his wife and business partner, Shawna, also love the lifestyle Kearney provides. They grew up in the area, but after a life-threatening car accident, they made a pivotal move, traveling in Southeast Asia for two years. It was there that they started to hatch the idea of opening a coworking space. 

“We were living in a studio apartment and realized we needed alternative environments to be productive,” Meyer says. “We started going to coffee shops, including one that was a coworking space. We ended up finding amazing businesspeople who were like us from all over the world. We made lifelong connections that showed us what community can be like in a workspace. We wanted to have something of our own like that in Kearney.” 

Great Connection 

Reliable internet is essential for remote work, and Williams says that Kearney delivers. 

Thanks to providers like Great Plains Communications, the city is well connected when it comes to Wi-Fi. “Fiber internet became ubiquitous in Kearney about five years ago, and it’s really made a difference,” Williams says. “Poor connectivity is no longer a challenge. My work and video calls flow pretty easily at home or wherever I go around town. Everyone has high-quality internet.” 

Outdoor Recreation 

Getting out of the house is key when you work from home, and thankfully, Kearney has a wealth of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. It boasts numerous walking and biking trails and water activities. 

“Kearney has some pretty great outdoor recreation options,” Williams says. “Yanney Heritage Park and Harmon Park have awesome gardens, lots of outdoor activities, including a pool and tennis courts. Yanney has splash pads, fishing and kayaking. Cottonmill Park is a great place for paddleboarding, fishing and Frisbee golf.” 

Nontraditional Office Spaces 

Sometimes, remote workers need a change of scenery, and Kearney has plenty of options, including coffee shops, like Barista’s Daily Grind and Rise & Grind, and the Nest:Space, where you can choose from an open-seating area, private desk space or even a conference room, if you need to hold a meeting. 

Networking Opportunities 

Since working from home can feel a bit isolating at times, it’s important to connect with people in other ways. 

Networking groups, like Kearney Area Young Professionals Network, make it easy to get involved. Nest:Space also prioritizes connecting remote workers who use the coworking space. 

“We’re all about the community-driven side of things,” Meyer says. “Our whole mission is to help people work better together. If someone comes in and they want to hang out and socialize, there’s an opportunity to do so.” 

Work It Wednesdays, a session that goes from 7 p.m. to midnight, is free and open to the public. It’s great for people who need some focus time to accomplish goals. 

“We want people who want to have community and learn new things to show up. We host Lunch and Learns, wellness sessions and casual community mixers,” Meyer says. “We have Recess once a month, where we buy lunch and drinks and play yard games outside.”