The coronavirus outbreak has created an army of remote workers, and it’s left those in the commercial real estate industry facing a real challenge – how do they get people to come back to the office?
According to Coen van Oostrom, chief executive of a real estate firm called Edge, companies will need to adapt and upgrade their work environments if they’re to persuade employees to return to the office.
“You have to basically seduce your people to come into the office and work there instead of from home,” van Oostrom told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe” on Monday. “We believe that it will be the end of the large batteries of people working on a big floor, side to side, even with screens in between. There’s no real need for that any more; you can do your work everywhere. … We believe that the office will be the place that you get together, where the culture is being built, where new people are being brought in and can learn and understand the way things are done in a company, but to do so you have to have a work environment that is amazing.”
Van Oostrom said he believes that workplaces will become more like a “clubhouse” where employees can come in for one or two days a week and spend the rest of their time working from home. However, he believes that those who opt to work remotely on a permanent basis will be missing out on certain opportunities, and that their jobs could well be outsourced in the future.
“If you’re not part of the inner circle of a company and invited to come to that clubhouse, then you’re going to have a very difficult time,” van Oostrom said.
He said that companies can help workers feel more comfortable about returning to the office through design changes. For example, they can install extra staircases to help people avoid using elevators too much and risking their chances of catching a virus. They could also install air quality sensors to ease people’s concerns.
Meanwhile, public health officials say one of the easiest ways to prevent spreading germs indoors is to increase the volume of outside air that comes inside a building. Just opening a few windows can help with this, according to an NPR report. Still, many office buildings are fitted with windows that cannot be opened, and there has been a trend in recent years to create air tight seals in buildings to boost energy-efficiency. So architects are now challenged to come up with new ways to boost outdoor ventilation in a post COVID-19 world that doesn’t accelerate energy consumption.
Mike Wheatley is the senior editor at Realty Biz News. Got a real estate related news article you wish to share, contact Mike at [email protected]
Welcome to NerdWallet’s Smart Money podcast, where we answer your real-world money questions.
This week’s episode starts with a round of Money Hot Takes.
Then we pivot to this week’s money question from Sean:
“Hey folks,
Huge fan of the podcast. I have been listening for years, but this is, I think, the first time I’m submitting a question and it’s a complicated one.
I currently work as an engineer for a municipal utility. As an engineer, I have some ability for job mobility. While I do like my job, I have thought about what it would take to draw me away from my job, and I have had trouble figuring out what a ‘godfather offer’ would need to be.
As a civil servant, I have great healthcare, a pension, job security and overtime if I work beyond my scheduled 40-hour workweek. In the private sector, I have more income potential, but I would lose a lot of these benefits and end up working a lot more hours. I’ve had some trouble figuring out how to evaluate some of these benefits, particularly the pension.
Thank you,
Check out this episode on either of these platforms:
Episode transcript
Sean Pyles: Hey, Liz, if you had a job that offered you a pension, would you still leave just because you were bored?
Liz Weston: Well, pensions are sweet, but I do like being challenged, so maybe.
Sean Pyles: All right, I’m going to say I wanted a yes or no answer, but I think that that’s OK. I just hope that you would at least stick around until you’re fully vested.
Liz Weston: Well, of course.
Sean Pyles: Yes. But in this episode, we answer a listener’s question who’s considering bailing on a pension.
Welcome to the NerdWallet Smart Money podcast, where you send us your money questions and we answer them with the help of our genius Nerds. I’m Sean Pyles.
Liz Weston: And I’m Liz Weston. Listeners, remember to send us your money questions. Maybe you’re wondering if now is a good time to buy up a bunch of gold or you’re wondering how far in advance you should book an international vacation. Whatever your questions, send it our way. Leave us a voicemail or text us on the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373; that’s 901-730-N-E-R-D. You can also email us at [email protected]
Sean Pyles: In this episode, our co-host Sara Rathner and I answer a listener’s question about how to leave a job. But first, Liz and I are going to get mad because it’s time for another round of Money Hot Takes. This is our occasional segment where we rail against something that we just don’t like in the personal finance space. The goal is for us personally to blow off a little bit of steam and hopefully help our listeners make smarter decisions in a world full of scammers, fraudsters and phonies or sometimes just plain old misconceptions that can cost you money.
Liz Weston: Oh, I love this. This is going to be fun. OK, Sean, what do you have for us?
Sean Pyles: Today, I’m calling out the online, quote, unquote, “courses” that some influencers peddle to their followers. A lot of these classes aren’t providing you any information that you can’t get on your own for free, and the folks teaching them are often, shall we say, not exactly qualified. And a shoutout to Rebecca Jennings from Vox who wrote an article that so well articulates my feelings and concerns around these courses. We’ll have a link to that article in the show notes.
Liz Weston: So what’s in these courses, Sean?
Sean Pyles: Kind of everything that you can imagine you might want to improve upon. There are classes in things like how to use Excel. There are classes in how to get started investing or budgeting. There are even classes on how to make your own class to sell to people, which is a little meta.
Liz Weston: Of course, of course.
Sean Pyles: And the prices vary greatly. Some are under a hundred dollars; others are over a thousand dollars, maybe $2,000.
Liz Weston: Ooh, well, I think I know the answer to this question, but tell us why you don’t like them.
Sean Pyles: Well, as I mentioned at the outset, a lot of people are paying for information that they can get elsewhere for free. And again, many of these people have very questionable credentials. Sometimes the people who are teaching these classes are not actually experienced or qualified in what they’re telling you to do. And in fact, they’re just really good at marketing themselves, which I always have an issue with. People who seem just overly into marketing their own personality for the sake of getting money and attention on the internet.
Liz Weston: Yeah. And I imagine that could cause people not to go to good sources to get their information or leave them with a patchwork of incomplete information.
Sean Pyles: Exactly. They think that they’re getting everything they need to know about how to get started investing from one online class when in fact it might just be a small piece of the picture. Also, they can seem a little scammy to me. This is especially the case with classes around investing. Some will teach you how to invest and then maybe try to get you set up with investing during the class, and they’ll get you set up through a platform that also pays the influencer and affiliate commission, which seems like quite the conflict of interest there. And also, never mind the platform the influencer is peddling might not be the right one for you. So this person is getting money from you signing up for their class, and they’re also getting money from the company that they’re pushing on you as well, which I just don’t like.
Liz Weston: Now, I will say I like online courses in some cases because they help me get up to date or catch up on something I should have learned earlier, like Excel. The Excel courses were very helpful, but they’re not all bad. So how do you determine which are the better ones?
Sean Pyles: I’m with you, Liz. I am not an absolutist. In pretty much anything, there are plenty of great online classes. I’m a huge fan of Masterclass, for example. Not paid to say that; I just use their stuff a lot, but they are very well vetted. I think it’s important to vet your sources and to be selective about the type of information that you’re getting. Maybe a language course from someone who lives abroad and has learned a different language is something that you can more easily get into versus a class that’s about the secret to getting rich. Also, maybe don’t have this online course be the only source of information on the subject.
Liz Weston: Yes, maybe you could even come to a site, I don’t know, NerdWallet.
Sean Pyles: Yeah, we are a great alternative. And you know what? I think some folks might be thinking, “Hey, how is NerdWallet different from these online personal finance influencers or courses?” And to that, I have two words to say: journalistic rigor. Our content is deeply reported, edited, fact-checked, not to mention editorially independent, to ensure that the information that we’re giving is as accurate and consumer-first as possible.
Liz Weston: And if you need more personalized help with your money, there are plenty of professionals who can help you. Financial coaches can help you get a grip on your budget and financial goals. Accredited financial counselors can offer tools to wrangle your debt, and fee-only fiduciary financial planners are a solid choice if you need guidance on building your wealth.
Sean Pyles: Very well said, Liz. So that is my rant, and Liz, now you’re up.
Liz Weston: OK. This is really nerdy, Sean, but I am annoyed that people don’t understand how life expectancy works.
Sean Pyles: OK, you’re right. That is really nerdy. I’m going to need you to elaborate on what that even means and why it’s making you so mad.
Liz Weston: OK. This is important because understanding life expectancy is key to so many things about retirement planning, which is basically how long your retirement will last, right? So you need to know roughly your life expectancy so you can figure out when to take Social Security, and it probably can help you better understand all the debates about raising the retirement age. Remember when I was in Paris and they were setting fire to the garbage over there?
Sean Pyles: Yes.
Liz Weston: Yeah, that’s this debate. So I just read a New York Times article about the best age to retire, and it used the wrong number. It said the average life expectancy was 76 years.
Sean Pyles: OK, so you’re out here dragging the Gray Lady for being wrong, is that right?
Liz Weston: Sorry, hats off to The New York Times, lots of great reporting, but that’s the average U.S. life expectancy from birth. That factors in infant mortality and all the people who die young or young-ish from accidents or disease or whatever. That number is 76, by the way, because largely of all the COVID deaths, which is the reason that life expectancy has dropped a bit. But that number is pretty much irrelevant for retirement planning because the longer you survive, the longer you’re likely to survive. What matters is how much life you’re likely to have left when you get to retirement age. And at 62, which is the earliest age you can claim Social Security, the average man can expect to live until almost 81 and the average woman till 84. If you make it to 65, both men and women are likely to make it to their mid-80s. Now, your mileage may vary. Obviously, lifestyle, genetics, other factors come into play. Unfortunately, Black people tend to have shorter life expectancies. But the more income and education you have, the more years you can probably add to your life expectancy.
Sean Pyles: And I imagine this really matters when it comes to claiming Social Security.
Liz Weston: Oh, it’s so true. If you file early at 62, you are settling for a permanently reduced check. You’re giving up a lot of money because you’re likely to live well past the age when the larger checks that you would’ve gotten for waiting more than make up for the smaller checks you bypassed in the meantime. We talked to Nerd Tina Orem, and her calculator can show you your break-even age. And what’s more, if you’re the higher earner in a married couple, you’ve really done your spouse a disservice if you file early. And that’s because your benefit determines what your spouse gets to live on after you’re gone. So starting early means you’ve permanently reduced the survivor check that your spouse will have to live on for the rest of their lives.
Sean Pyles: Got it. OK. And that’s especially important for men to think about because women tend to outlive men.
Liz Weston: Yeah. And if you are a same-sex couple, again, it’s the higher earner that matters. So it’s something to keep in mind. The higher earner should delay as long as possible. And also, it can really help to use a calculator to estimate your own life expectancy. And there’s a really good one at livingto100.com.
Sean Pyles: Well, I think that we both feel a little bit better getting that out of our system. I don’t know about you, Liz.
Liz Weston: Yes, thank you. I do.
Sean Pyles: Great. Now let’s get on to this episode’s money question segment with co-host Sara Rathner.
Sara Rathner: This episode’s money question comes from the excellently named Sean, who sent us an email. “Hey folks, huge fan of the podcast.” Thank you. “I’ve been listening for years, but this is, I think, the first time I’m submitting a question and it’s a complicated one. I currently work as an engineer for a municipal utility. As an engineer, I have some ability for job mobility. While I do like my job, I have thought about what it would take to draw me away from my job. And I’ve had trouble figuring out what a, quote, unquote, ‘Godfather offer’ would need to be. As a civil servant, I have great healthcare, a pension, job security, and overtime if I work beyond my scheduled 40-hour work week. In the private sector, I have more income potential but I would lose a lot of these benefits and end up working a lot more hours. I’ve had some trouble figuring out how to evaluate some of these benefits, particularly the pension. Thank you, Sean.”
To help us answer Sean’s question, on this episode we’re joined by NerdWallet data writer Liz Renter. Welcome back to Smart Money, Liz.
Liz Renter: Thanks, Sara. I’m excited to be here.
Sean Pyles: So first, I think folks should understand the total value of work benefits because it extends well beyond the cash that you get. According to March 2023 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, for government workers, benefits represent about 38% of compensation, compared with just under 30% for private-sector workers. As our listener knows, the benefits of government jobs are pretty cushy, and that can be really hard to give up.
Sara Rathner: That 30% to 38% figure might come as a surprise to you because I think when people are evaluating a job opportunity, there’s so much of a focus on the salary and maybe a bonus if that’s part of the deal. But if you’re thinking of leaving your current job, it is worth it to work to understand your total compensation, not just wages, but benefits as well. So listing out your benefits, like paid time off, access to resources like financial advisors or even discounted legal assistance, maybe some cold brew coffee on tap in the office kitchen.
Each of these has a specific value, but it can be pretty tedious to add it all up. Another big thing to think about are taxes. This is a bigger deal if you’re thinking of becoming a freelancer or a contract worker where you’d be on the hook for sorting out your own tax obligation. Based on what you figure out, you might decide whether or not you want to go down the freelancer or contractor route at all, or would you prefer to be a full-time employee at a company? Another big one, this is a really big one: health care.
Liz Renter: Huge.
Sara Rathner: Huge and so expensive. Definitely contact HR during the interview process, or when you have the offer and you have some time to think it over, to get the health care plan options and their pricing.
Liz Renter: Yeah. And I just want to interject, Sara, that’s a good point. If you’re talking to a potential employer or even your current employer about what the health care costs look like, how much they’re covering, keep in mind that employers get a heck of a discount on premiums. They get a group discount because they’re paying for multiple policies at once or helping to pay for multiple policies at once. So if self-employment is under consideration or a job that may not offer health insurance at all, your premiums are going to be much, much higher than what your employer would be paying in the situation where they’re helping to cover those costs.
Sara Rathner: Yes. And I have been in both boats and …
Liz Renter: Same.
Sara Rathner: … real expensive to be self-employed when it comes to health insurance coverage. And that was one of my reasons for not pursuing that for the remainder of my career if I can help it. But you know, you do you. And then also, here’s another one. There are all these extra benefits that really add up. Things like a monthly gym stipend or a cell phone stipend. A lot of remote workers get a home internet stipend as well. And the cost of these things can really offset the price of some of the things you might have been paying for out of pocket if you were previously at a job that didn’t provide this as a benefit.
Liz Renter: Right. And I think those things are far less likely in, like the listener wrote in about, a municipal job or a state government job. Unlikely you’re going to have a keg of cold brew in the kitchen unless you’re in a really affluent city and tax rates are pretty high. But you’re right, some of those things that you take for granted, the snacks and the catered lunches at private industry, really do add up. You can spend a lot of money on those yourself if you’re having to pay for them.
Sara Rathner: Yeah, you definitely see a lot of those benefits in the tech industry because they are just falling all over themselves to make these companies more attractive to job applicants than the tech company down the street. Literally down the street, depending on what city you’re in. And so if that’s an industry where you are weighing some job offers, then yeah, you’re going to see some pretty wild benefits that have a dollar value to them.
Sean Pyles: Well, that said, there is one benefit that you will maybe get at a municipality that a tech company is not really going to be offering you. And that is the pension benefit that our listener wrote in about. And I want to give a quick rundown of how pensions work because they’re pretty incredible and they’re unfortunately not very common. So pensions are typically employer funded. That means the employer is putting in money, which is great. So the amount folks get in retirement depends on wages earned and how long they worked for the company or, in this case for our listener, a municipality.
Then upon retirement, someone who has access to a pension, they get payouts, typically for life. You generally do have to work at an organization for a set amount of time to get full access to the payouts. That’s called being fully vested. But once you’re fully vested, you can leave that job and still get access to the pension benefits upon retirement. So, so cool. I really wish I had a pension. Now, like I mentioned, pensions are really rare nowadays. So again, pensions are a very sweet benefit to have, and I would think very hard about losing that, especially if you’re not fully vested.
Liz Renter: Yeah, absolutely, Sean. And the listener wrote in about putting a dollar figure on their pension. So I just want to know that that’s an extremely difficult thing to do without a lot of details, and a lot of time, and a big spreadsheet and a calculator. Anyways, when you’re thinking about how long you’ve been at a job, how much your employer’s putting in, what the specifics are about vesting and if you decide to leave that government job, to leave your pension, and what would it take to create something comparable yourself? So there’s a lot of numbers involved, a lot of time frames, a lot of assumptions. So this is one instance where we would say, “If you really want to get precise on that measurement, it might make sense to consult with a certified financial planner who can put the dollar amount on those things.”
Sean Pyles: You’d likely want to talk with a CFP who maybe has some gray in their hair and who has done this before since figuring out pensions can be so complicated.
Liz Renter: Right. Yeah, exactly.
Sara Rathner: And honestly, if you have a financial planner that you already have a working relationship with, I mean, job hunting is an excellent time to have a check-in with them in general, and they might even help you wade through competing job offers or even just the comparison of a job offer to what you’re currently working in. And they can help you work through all the financial considerations of those options. And so that is a great way to utilize their assistance.
So let’s get to the other part of a listener’s question. The mushier stuff that folks should consider if they find themselves itching to leave a job. To start, they should ask themselves, what’s behind this urge? Are they bored, unhappy, unfulfilled? Are they upset because there’s no cold brew in the break room and they really want that?
Liz Renter: Yeah, this is key, Sara. I think there’s so many considerations when you’re thinking about a career move. And I had two really major career changes in my younger years. It’s over the past 20 years, but they were really pretty close together when I was in my late 20s. One when I moved from state government to private industry, and then a few years later, I went from private industry to self-employment. So those are pretty big changes. And in each of those changes, I was weighing different motivations. In one case, it was more about the money and advancement, and in the other case, it was more about what’s really going to make me happy long term? And so I think really diving into why and what your motivations are for leaving or staying, and getting clear on those before you start weighing your options, is a good place to start.
Sean Pyles: To what extent did you have that conversation with yourself or maybe with those around you around, “OK, if I leave this job, I might be making a little bit less, but I will be that much happier.” Or, “If I go to this job, I’ll be making a good amount more, but it’s going to be a boring job.” How did you think about those things?
Liz Renter: It’s tough. I probably had limited discussions. So as a single mom, it was just me and my daughter at the time, who was probably 4 when I made the first job change, maybe 7 when I made the second job change. So there weren’t a lot of people for me to toss these ideas around with. And I’m an extremely private person, but these were conversations I was having with myself. And in the first job going from state government to private industry, I realized in state government that, yes, the paycheck is steady, the benefits are nice, but I really love to work hard.
And in my experience, this government job, you were rewarded for how long you were there, not how well you were doing. And that was tough to deal with, and it really bred apathy among the people around me. I wanted to be somewhere where I could work hard and that would be recognized. So that’s not to say that all government workers are taking naps at their desk. That definitely wasn’t my experience, but personally, I wasn’t being recognized for the hard work that I was doing, and that was really important to me.
Sean Pyles: Right. That makes sense.
Liz Renter: And so that one was really more about the professional rewards of working. And then the second one, it was more about the trade-offs. Am I willing to give up some of those professional rewards to really fulfill my personal life? So as I said, my daughter was really young at the time, I was dropping her off early in the morning, I was picking her up after work, sometimes 12 hours later. And the job was paying more than my state government job, but I definitely felt like I was punching a clock and I wasn’t fulfilled, and I totally could not see myself doing that for years upon years. And I knew leaving that job meant I would absolutely take a decrease in pay, at least in the short term, as I got on my feet as a self-employed freelance writer. But when I balanced that against what was really important to me and what was going to make me happy and make me feel good about the way I was living my life, it was a no-brainer.
Sara Rathner: Yeah. I’ve known people who’ve switched jobs out of boredom and ended up regretting it, actually, because the reason they were bored at their previous job was they’d done it for a while and it became rote. But they realized leaving for a greater challenge meant giving up maybe some of the work-life balance and predictability that came with a job that was quote, unquote, “boring,” and they had to make pretty big structural changes to how they operated at home with their household, with their family, to accommodate the new challenges of a new career.
Sean Pyles: Kind of goes back to the idea that it’s not what decision you make, it’s what you do with the decision that you make. If you do leave a job that you’re bored at and you find that your next gig isn’t quite what you wanted it to be, there are going to be other opportunities later on.
Sara Rathner: Yeah.
Liz Renter: I think that’s a good point. When I went into freelancing and I knew I was going to take a pay cut and I was banking on turning that around in a year or two, I always had that in the back of my head like, “OK, worst-case scenario, I’ll get a part-time job for when my daughter’s in school,” or, “Worst worst-case scenario, I’ll go back to working full time.” With a reassessment of maybe I find something that’s closer to home so there’s less of a commute, what have you. But I think knowing that, “OK, I’ve thought through why I want to do it. I know this is the move I want to make, but just in case, I have these outs and these would be perfectly acceptable if things didn’t work out once I make this decision.”
Sean Pyles: Yeah. And I think your experience demonstrates how important it is to think through various scenarios. What could you fall back on if you do need to make a change after this job switch maybe doesn’t pan out how you thought it was going to.
Liz Renter: Right. I think if you’re planning well enough in advance, if you’re sitting around listening to this podcast thinking about, “Well, I’ve been thinking maybe I’m not happy where I am and maybe I should be considering this,” now’s a great time to make sure that, and I know we talk about this a lot on podcast, but make sure that your emergency fund is in place. Maybe cushion it a little bit more. You want to set these guardrails for, OK, sometimes we make decisions with what we think is all the right information and it turns not to work out the way we expected. So if you have those extra guardrails up, just in case, it can make you feel more secure moving forward with your decision when it’s time.
Sara Rathner: Yeah. And keep your professional network warm. Because it is a risk to take a new job, and sometimes you take a new job and hate it immediately, and you’re like, “I’m just going to job hunt again.” And so by keeping that network warm, by staying in touch with old co-workers or friends or relatives who maybe have some professional connections that would be helpful to you, you still also have an out. Not just financially, but also professionally where you’re still open to hearing about opportunities. Because if the jump that you made ended up being a pretty bad bet, then you’re still pursuing other places you could go and you haven’t closed off all the doors to that.
Sean Pyles: Well, now I want to talk about the counterpoint. About when it actually might be a good idea to stick around at a job. Conventional wisdom, at least among millennials, is that you shouldn’t stay at a job for too long because you’ll probably be able to earn more money going to a different job after a couple years. But sometimes staying at a job for potentially several years can be the best choice for people. So let’s discuss that. Liz, you’ve been at NerdWallet nine years, so what’s kept you around and how do you think about that sort of equation?
Liz Renter: So it’s interesting to think back at how this has changed over the generations because, definitely my grandparents to a certain extent and a little bit my parents as well, those generations you were rewarded for just staying where you were. You get a good job with good benefits and you don’t leave for 50 years, and then they throw you this big party. And that’s changed over the years where there’s more mobility and we can experience different opportunities. And I think there’s room for both of that. A little bit of each. So if you are the type that really wants to be loyal to a single company and wants that stability and you’re happy with what you’re getting paid, you don’t have to keep chasing 5% salary increases at other companies. That’s not a requirement. If you’re good where you are, you like your work and you’re working towards your long-term financial goals, that’s totally acceptable. You don’t have to get in on this hustle life.
Sean Pyles: That can also be a good way to approach things, given that the macroeconomic conditions right now are a little shaky. Many companies still have the policy of last in, first out when it comes to layoffs. So for this year in particular, it might not be a bad idea to stick around if you do like the job that you have.
Liz Renter: Right. People are still leaving their jobs at really high rates, but they’re getting into new jobs at really high rates. The unemployment rate hasn’t ticked up, which means people that are leaving their jobs aren’t filing for unemployment, they’re going elsewhere. So that’s a positive sign if you do want to change jobs. But to your point, Sean, there is a lot of uncertainty, and if you’re risk intolerant, it might make sense to sit tight for a while and see how things shake out.
Sean Pyles: Well, Liz, do you have any final thoughts for those who might be thinking about switching jobs right now?
Liz Renter: I would say, yes, it’s as complicated as you think it is. I envision it as you’ve got all of these scales in front of you that you’re trying to balance and you’re trying to figure out, “OK, if I take away this much of my work-life balance, how much salary do I have to add to make it worthwhile?” Or, “If I take away the cold brew in the kitchen, how much of a cell phone stipend do I need to add to make it worthwhile?” So there’s all these scales you’re trying to balance here, and it’s a lot to think about. So you just do the best you can, set up some guardrails just in case things don’t go well.
Sean Pyles: And maybe take your time making a decision. Don’t rush into anything too hastily. Otherwise, the scales may just collapse and go crazy.
Sean Pyles: All right, well thank you so much for talking with us, Liz.
Liz Renter: Thanks for having me again.
Sean Pyles: All right, and with that, let’s get into our takeaway tips. Sara, will you please start us off?
Sara Rathner: Sure. First, know what you’re getting. Compensation can include a lot more than the cash you get. Understand your total compensation ahead of any job hunt.
Sean Pyles: Next up, go beyond the math. Jobs are about a lot more than the money. Consider things like personal fulfillment and work-life balance when weighing other job options.
Sara Rathner: Finally, there’s nothing wrong with sticking around. If you’re fulfilled and well compensated in your current position, staying put might be your best option.
Sean Pyles: And that is all we have for this episode. Do you have a money question of your own? Turn to the Nerds and call or text us your questions at 901-730-6373. That’s 901-730-N-E-R-D. You can also email us at [email protected] Visit nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode. And remember to follow, rate and review us wherever you’re getting this podcast.
Sara Rathner: And here’s our brief disclaimer. We are not financial or investment advisors. This nerdy info is provided for general educational and entertainment purposes and may not apply to your specific circumstances.
Sean Pyles: This episode was produced by Liz Weston, Tess Vigeland and myself. Kaely Monahan mixed our audio. And a big thank-you as always to the folks on the NerdWallet copy desk. And with that said, until next time, turn to the Nerds.
Check out the best cities for remote work to ensure all of your lifestyle needs are met when living and working remotely.
Since 2020, work-from-home (WFH) has become the new normal in the workplace. While some companies are pushing for a return to office, others are embracing remote work indefinitely. When the world is your oyster, where should you go to live and work remotely?
Well, the team at Rent. did our research to put together a list of the best cities for remote work. So, if you’re ready to explore the country while working remotely, consider any one of these top best cities for remote work.
The 10 best cities for remote work
As a remote worker, your physical location hardly matters. As long as you have a productive workspace and a strong internet connection, you can pretty much work wherever your heart desires. Do you enjoy sitting on a patio while you take your Zoom calls? Well, as long as your connection is strong you’re good to go!
We looked at a few things to make our recommendations:
Median rent and rent change year-over-year
Access to the internet and average internet speeds
WFH population and number of coworking spaces
If you’re a digital nomad who wants to fully embrace WFH, consider these top 10 locations across the country that have been named the best cities for remote work.
Median rent: $2,075
Average Mbps: 83.46
Number of coworking spaces: 68
% of population WFH: 19 percent
Orlando is the number one best city for remote work based on our ranking methodology. With a population of 309,154 people, it’s a perfect mid-sized city in the sunny state of Florida.
You’ve got well-known amusement parks. You’ve got crystal blue beaches and sunny skies. And, you’ve got a solid environment for remote work. Retirees and young professionals alike are flocking to Orlando and it’s easy to figure out why. Consider this city if you want to be a remote worker.
Median rent: $1,528
Average Mbps: 117.89
Number of coworking spaces: 78
% of population WFH: 38 percent
Austin is the second-best city for remote workers. It’s a hopping metro with a young millennial crowd. The rent is reasonably priced and there is no state income tax, which is a bonus for remote workers and residents alike. Austin is particularly appealing to the IT sector and is commonly called “Silicon Hills.”
So, if you’re a remote IT worker, this city is even better for you! But if IT isn’t your field of work, don’t fret: You can still live in Austin and enjoy the benefits of remote work in your chosen industry.
Median rent: $1,339
Average Mbps: 80.71
Number of coworking spaces: 11
% of population WFH: 13.2 percent
Ranking third on our list is the city of North Charleston in South Carolina. With a smaller population just shy of 120,000 people, this city is the perfect place to settle down to get a mix of big-city life with small-town charm.
People rave about the dining scene, so you can work remotely from a coffee shop or restaurant! This city is full of history and has a diverse cultural scene and stunning scenery. If you’re looking for a place that seemingly has it all, check out North Charleston.
Median rent: $1,338
Average Mbps: 76.26
Number of coworking spaces: 23
% of population WFH: 15.7 percent
Grand Rapids is a great city for outdoor recreation and beer scene. If you’re a digital nomad who wants to flex the Midwestern value of “work hard, play hard,” this is the city for you.
The city alone has over 40 breweries. You’ll be able to go on a nice trail walk and cool down with a beer. Additionally, it’s one of the largest office furniture-making cities in the U.S. So, you can definitely find yourself a sweet office set up for your remote work office here.
Median rent: $977
Average Mbps: 129.12
Number of coworking spaces: 7
% of population WFH: 12 percent
Columbus, GA, is the fifth city on our list of best cities for remote work. If you’re looking for a family-friendly place to live, consider Columbus. This city is rising in popularity as it’s an easy-going town with friendly people.
There are lots of parks, restaurants and bars so you’ll have a good mix of outdoor and indoor activities when you’re not working. One thing to note is that you may experience severe weather in this pocket of the country.
Median rent: $2,220
Average Mbps: 92.68
Number of coworking spaces: 92
% of population WFH: 38 percent
Because it’s a large metro, Atlanta is a great place to live and work remotely — or to look for an in-office job if you tire of the WFH life. You also have several large corporations headquartered here, such as Delta and Coca-Cola, so job options are plentiful and rent reasonable compared to similar-sized metros.
Median rent: $1,183
Average Mbps: 55.53
Number of coworking spaces: 15
% of population WFH: 12 percent
You don’t have to be a Packers fan to live in Green Bay (although it wouldn’t hurt!) People love this family-friendly city and rave about the small-town community traditions and vibe you experience living here.
Ranking seventh on our list of best places for remote workers, Green Bay has affordable living and is recently experiencing an influx of people moving here. Enjoy football games or farmer’s markets when you’re not working from home.
Median rent: $1,444
Average Mbps: 94.95
Number of coworking spaces: 128
% of population WFH: 15.6 percent
Houston is another Texas city that made our list of the best places for remote workers. It’s a larger city, compared to Austin, so if you’re looking for a big metro area in Texas, consider the nation’s fourth-largest city.
This metro is known for its diverse food and entertainment scene. Since it’s a huge city, you pretty much have a good mix of everything to do. Plus, rent is fairly inexpensive, making the cost of living affordable.
Median rent: $1,613
Average Mbps: 119.41
Number of coworking spaces: 26
% of population WFH: 33.1 percent
Another southern city makes our list of the top 10 best places to work remotely. Raleigh has great weather, so if you’re looking for a beautiful and mild place to live, this is for you.
Additionally, it’s known to be a great city for small businesses and entrepreneurs, which is good news for remote workers hoping to branch out on their own and network. It’s also been ranked as the most climate-resilient city, the best for work/life balance and one of the best places for college students to live.
Median rent: $1,041
Average Mbps: 82.95
Number of coworking spaces: 9
% of population WFH: 16.7 percent
Last but not least is Appleton, WI. With a population just shy of 75,000 people, Appleton is the smallest town on our top 10 list. So, if you’re looking for a quiet, small city to live and work remotely, this is the place for you.
Residents like the mix of outdoor activities and in-town activities. It’s also been named one of the best places to raise children. Check out Appleton if you’re wanting a great city to be a remote worker and raise a family.
Other cities to consider when working remotely
We’ve listed the cities that rank in the top 10 best places for remote work, but there are several other places across the U.S. that made our list, as well. Check out the top 100 cities in the nation that remote workers can call home.
Daytona Beach, FL
Savannah, GA
Rapid City, SD
Greenville, SC
San Fransisco
Chicago
Pittsburgh
South Bend, IN
Dallas
Waukesha, WI
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Chattanooga, TN
Greensboro, NC
San Antonio
Shreveport, LA
Interesting findings from the top 25 best cities for remote work
While looking at the data, we found some interesting highlights that are worth calling out.
24 of the 25 best cities for remote work are in the South or Midwestern United States.
Only one of the top 25 best cities for remote work is on the West Coast. San Francisco is the only West Coast city to make our list.
Florida, Georgia and South Carolina all rank well for remote workers with three cities in each state making the top 25 best cities for remote work.
The majority of the best cities for remote work have populations under 250,000 residents. While there are a few outliers, the best cities to WFH are generally smaller cities compared to large metro areas.
What to consider when working remotely
Regardless of where you choose to live to work remotely, there are a few common things you must consider to be a successful WFH employee. Here are a few considerations and questions to ask yourself when choosing a city for remote work.
How much internet speed do you need? Depending on your location — rural, suburban, or urban — your internet needs will vary. Having a strong internet connection and the right internet speed is crucial for success as a remote worker.
Do you have the right office set up? Relaxing poolside while responding to emails is appealing, but there are times when you’ll need a physical office or desk set up. Make sure you have the right desk, chair and computer equipment
How long do you plan to stay in your location? Some people choose to settle down in one place and others move frequently. Your choice will determine the length of your lease. You’ll want to consider if a fixed lease or month-to-month is better for your lifestyle.
Is your job remote-first indefinitely? Before you pack up and hit the road, ensure that your job is going to be WFH long-term. You don’t want to make a cross-country move only for your company to demand a return-to-office six months later.
Find the right city for you
With so many WFH options available, you really can go anywhere in the U.S. or the world, for that matter. We hope our data and insights on the best cities for remote work help you as you decide where to move and pursue a WFH lifestyle.
Remember, these are the best cities for remote work according to our methodology; however, there are several places in the country that may work for you. Do your research before moving and you are bound to find an apartment and place to live that fits all of your lifestyle needs.
Methodology
Cities were ranked and scored based on the following:
Rents: 30 points
Median Rent: 20 points
Rent Change YoY: 10 points
Internet Speed and Access: 40 points
Num. Int, Providers, 100mbps: 10 points
Avg. Mbps.: 20 points
Lowest Cost Int. Plan: 10 points
WFH Population and Coworking Spaces: 30 points
% Population WFH: 10 points
Coworking per 1,000 WFH: 20 points
Our rent prices and changes are from Rent.com’s Rent Report. Internet speed and access numbers are from Broadband Now.
The number of coworking spaces is from FourSquare. Population numbers and proportion of people working from home is from the Census’ American Community Survey (ACS).
Cities with insufficient data were excluded.
The rent information in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.
One of the obvious perks of working from home is the opportunity to cut some expenses.
Almost one in three workers remains fully remote in early 2023, and no wonder. When you no longer have to commute every day, you save time and money. You can prep lunch everyday versus buying a pricey takeout salad, and you don’t have to buy (or clean) work clothes anymore. You’re likely to notice some savings quite quickly.
However, there are other costs that might ratchet up just because you’re home more — and that includes energy costs. The extra time you may be spending on your laptop, watching Netflix, or even boiling water for a ramen lunch could nudge your energy usage upward — and your monthly electric bill.
If you have those bills set on autopay, you may not have noticed an increase. Or maybe you noticed the expense creep up but didn’t know what you could do to manage it.
Fortunately, with some planning, you can probably minimize your energy bill. Here are some strategies that might help while you’re working from home:
In the Home Office
You may have put some thought into setting up your office in a way that works ergonomically and looks presentable on Zoom. But have you thought about making your workspace energy efficient?
Choosing Power-Saving Equipment
If there’s a choice, consider using a laptop instead of a desktop computer to do your work. According to Energy Saver, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) consumer resource, it takes much more power to run a desktop and its monitor than it does to run a laptop.
And with the laptop, there’s a battery for backup if the power fluctuates or there’s a brownout due to high electricity demand in your area.
Those who are new to working at home and purchasing their own office equipment may want to check out Energy Star-certified computers, monitors, and printers, which run more efficiently than standard equipment and use about half as much electricity.
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Unplugging at the End of the Day
Remote workers aren’t the only ones who can benefit from a break at the end of their day. The computers, phone chargers, and other pieces of office equipment they rely on may continue to draw power even when not in use.
For convenience, workers may want to consider attaching these “energy vampires” to a smart power strip, with just one easy-to-reach switch to flip when it’s time to call it quits.
Also: Not to be a Grinch, but come the holiday season, if you like to keep the holiday lights on all day to brighten your work area and deliver a holiday mood, you might rethink that. The cost of holiday lights can add up.
Recommended: Adjusting Your Budget for Working from Home
Letting Computers Take a Nap
Another way to save money on energy is to set a computer to sleep or hibernate if it’s going to sit idle for a while. This differs from using a screen saver, which actually may take extra energy to keep an animated display active on the screen.
When a computer enters sleep mode, the power is cut to any unneeded systems, and the memory receives just enough power to maintain data.
In hibernation mode, the computer saves open documents and running applications to the hard disk instead of to RAM, which means it uses zero power. It takes a little longer to start back up from hibernation, though, so sleep mode may be better for shorter breaks.
Recommended: Do You Qualify for Home-Office Tax Deductions?
Choosing the Right Light
Making the most of natural light in the layout of a home office can cut down on eye strain and energy use, so it can help to create a workspace by a window.
But if a desk lamp will be on for much of the day, using energy-efficient bulbs instead of traditional incandescent bulbs could decrease the amount of energy the light will use by as much as 80%.
Because LED light bulbs produce less heat, they also may help cut costs associated with home cooling. And LEDs, halogens, and compact fluorescent lamps typically last longer than traditional bulbs.
Elsewhere Around the House
Working from home typically means more time spent using appliances; opening and closing doors; and running the air conditioner, fans, or the heater.
Many power companies offer free home energy assessments with a custom report that shows a home’s past and current power use and offers tips on how to save energy in the future.
For those who prefer to DIY their audit, the Environmental Protection Agency provides the Home Energy Yardstick , which compares a household’s actual energy use (based on a year’s worth of utility bills) to that of similar households.
There are also companies that, for a fee, will come and inspect a home’s energy usage . They will also report on areas where the home and its residents could be more energy efficient (though it may require changing some old behaviors).
Making Chores More Efficient
If the local utility company offers “time of use” pricing plans — charging less for power consumed during off-peak hours — it might be another opportunity to save.
Taking advantage of lower pricing may require breaking some old habits — running the dishwasher in the morning, for example, or doing laundry in the late evening — but the reward might be a lower utility bill as well as a healthier planet.
Running full loads in the clothes washer, dryer, and dishwasher can be another way to save. Tempting as it may be to run a load just to get a favorite pair of jeans clean, you’re much better off waiting till you can fill the washer.
💡 Quick Tip: If you’re faced with debt and wondering which kind to pay off first, it can be smart to prioritize high-interest debt first. For many people, this means their credit card debt; rates have recently been climbing into the double-digit range, so try to eliminate that ASAP.
Adjusting the Thermostat
One of the easiest ways to be more energy efficient is to set the thermostat up or down a degree or two to keep a home’s heating or air conditioning from running constantly.
The DOE advises consumers to set the thermostat to 78 degrees — or as high as is comfortable — when home in the summer.
In the winter, the DOE recommends setting the temperature at 68 degrees when everyone is awake and turning it down when they’re asleep or not at home. (Using a smart thermostat that can be operated from a smartphone can make it easier to manage adjustments.)
Getting Creative When Cooking
If eating at home more often is giving the oven a workout (and heating up the house in the summer), consider using the microwave, slow-cooker, or toaster oven to save on electricity and keep things cooler.
So can using the charcoal or gas grill out on the deck, and that might lend a party atmosphere to your regular dinner.
💡 Quick Tip: When you feel the urge to buy something that isn’t in your budget, try the 30-day rule. Make a note of the item in your calendar for 30 days into the future. When the date rolls around, there’s a good chance the “gotta have it” feeling will have subsided.
Keeping the Fridge Filled
A well-stocked freezer operates more efficiently than one that’s sitting half-empty, so feel free to load it up (but look for ways to save money on groceries when doing so). And, of course, if you are buying a new fridge, look for an Energy Star one.
Showering Responsibly
According to the DOE, about 18% of the energy consumed in the average home is from heating water. That means long, hot showers, or even standing at the sink shaving with the water running, can drive up energy bills. So can using the hot water setting on the washing machine or rinsing dishes in hot running water.
One option is to turn down the temperature on the water heater. That will help cut your energy bill when you’re working at home without impacting your comfort much at all. Shortening those showers (which can also help you save on water bills) and changing other habits, regardless of whether you are working from your kitchen table or an office, also can help conserve energy and save money. Extra points awarded to those who air-dry their hair or use the same bath towel more than once.
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The Takeaway
Whether this is a temporary situation or working from home becomes a regular thing, you may find you’ll have to rethink your budget to accommodate the changes to your lifestyle. While typically your energy bill may go up when you are spending more time at home (at your laptop and perhaps peeking in the fridge), it’s possible, with a little effort, to manage your power costs.
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Inside: You are wanting to work from home. Here are the best non phone work from home jobs. Exactly what you wanted to find.
Are you looking for a work from home job but don’t want to deal with people? You’re in luck!
There are plenty of non-phone jobs that allow you to work from the comfort of your own home.
This is becoming more and more popular because it allows you autonomous work without the influence of talking to others.
Plus we will cover the best non phone work from home jobs! There are many options available.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of the 35 best non-phone jobs for you:
Can you work from home without talking on the phone?
Yes, you can work from home without talking on the phone.
More and more jobs are transitioning away from the use of a phone. So, there is no better time than to transition yourself.
Best non phone work from home jobs
Here is a comprehensive list of the best non phone work from home jobs.
You will find a variety of part-time, full-time, and contract opportunities in a wide range of fields. Also, the opportunity to become your own boss.
1. Stock Trader
Stock traders must have a good understanding of market trends, economic forces, and have the ability to make quick decisions based on their analysis.
The benefits of working as a stock trader include high pay, job security, and the potential to make a lot of money if the stock market is performing well.
Additionally, stock traders are able to work from home and have flexible hours, meaning that they can plan their working day around other commitments.
Personally, this is one way I make money is by trading stocks and options. Join the $1000 in a day club.
2. Video Editor
A video editor is someone who works with audio and visual content to create cohesive and engaging visuals for either commercial or creative purposes.
They use various software programs to manipulate video clips, sounds, and images in order to create a compelling story. The role of a video editor involves careful attention to detail and the ability to utilize a wide range of software and hardware.
The advantages of a job as a video editor include the potential to work from home and create a flexible schedule, as well as the potential to make great money, depending on the level of experience.
Additionally, it can be a great way to express creativity and further develop important skills.
On the other hand, one of the major disadvantages of working as a video editor is the high stress level that comes with the role.
Video editors are often under pressure to deliver projects under tight deadlines, which can lead to increased pressure and stress. Additionally, there is often a steep learning curve, as video editing requires a lot of technical knowledge and experience.
3. Proofreader
Proofreading is a non-phone work from home job that involves reading and carefully reviewing written documents for errors of spelling, grammar, syntax, and punctuation. It also involves making sure that the text makes sense and is consistent with the document’s purpose.
Proofreaders are expected to identify and correct errors as they appear in the text.
The pay for proofreaders is typically between $44k and $58k per year.
To make the job easier, I would take the Proofreading Anywhere course to understand what is expected of you.
4. Data Entry Jobs
Data entry clerks are often required to sort, organize, and verify the accuracy of data before entering it into the computer system.
Additionally, this type of job does not require any prior experience and can be learned quickly.
Data entry clerks can usually make an hourly wage, which makes it a great option for those looking for a side income. Furthermore, data entry clerks are often hired for short-term or part-time projects, allowing them to pick and choose their hours.
5. Writer
Typically, the role of a writer is to produce content, such as blog posts, articles, product reviews, press releases, and more, for various companies.
Writers must have a good command of the English language and demonstrate great grammar and spelling in order to be successful. Additionally, writers must have the ability to create content that is search engine optimized and persuasive.
Many people have found the Earn More Writing course helpful to bump start your freelance writing potential.
All in all, freelance writing is a great way to make a living and offers flexible hours, the potential for long-term growth, and higher pay rates.
6. Web Search Evaluator
Search engine evaluators have the important job of ensuring that search engine results are relevant and accurate to the user’s intent.
For example, a user might enter the search query ‘chocolate cupcake recipes’, and the search engine should return relevant results such as recipes. If the search results are irrelevant or inaccurate, the search engine evaluator is tasked with rating them accordingly.
Search engine evaluators typically earn around $20 per hour and can make up to $40k a year if they take the job as full-time professional.
7. Virtual Bookkeeper
A virtual bookkeeper is a professional who can provide bookkeeping services to businesses from remote location.
Most people choose to work for themselves as a bookkeeper with a bookkeeping side gig (or full-time business).
One of the main benefits of working as a virtual bookkeeper is that no college degree or qualification is needed to get started. Generally, bookkeepers charge around $80 an hour or more for their services.
Finally, you can learn more about getting started with Bookkeeper Launch to help you become a freelance bookkeeper.
8. Image Reviewer and Photo Editor
Similar to a video editor, a photo editor’s duties include, but are not limited to, ensuring that images display the desired quality, accuracy, and clarity; checking for visual consistency across all images; editing images to make them look more appealing; and providing feedback on the images.
Additionally, they may be responsible for curating collections of images, creating new content, and managing projects.
For those looking to sell on Shutterstock, this is a great side hustle.
9. Create and Sell Printables on Etsy
With a little creativity and the right software, you can create unique printables that customers can purchase and print out themselves.
This can be a great way for you to make passive income with minimal effort.
In fact, my friends Cody and Julie did so well selling printables; they now teach others how to make a living creating and selling printables.
10. Selling on Amazon (FBA program)
This is a way to make money by reselling products you find online or in brick and mortar stores on Amazon for a higher price.
Amazon will ship the products to your customers, handle customer service, and even provide storage for the products.
With the right amount of work and dedication, you can make quite a bit of money with FBA.
11. Blogger
With blogging, you have the ability to work from anywhere in the world with just a computer and an internet connection.
You can write about whatever topics you are passionate about and be your own boss.
You can also make money blogging through various income streams such as affiliate marketing, paid sponsorships, ads, and more.
12. ESL Instructor
The job of an ESL (English as a second language) instructor is to provide English language instruction, usually via webcam, to those who are not native English speakers.
The benefits of this job are numerous: it allows for flexible hours, can be done from anywhere in the world, and offers an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of learners from all over the world. Additionally, being an ESL instructor allows one to learn about other cultures, stay up to date with language trends, and gain valuable professional experience.
To get the job, you need to have a thorough understanding of the English language and pass any certification tests.
This is a great type of job that pays weekly.
13. Virtual Assistant
A virtual assistant (VA) is a professional who provides administrative and technical support to clients remotely. They help with a variety of tasks like answering emails, data entry, blog management, bookkeeping, editing, proofreading, marketing, research, filing documents, and customer service – to name just a few.
The type of services you offer will depend on your skills, experience, and education.
The biggest benefit of working as a VA is that you can work from home and set your own hours.
And the pay can be quite lucrative, with rates ranging from $25 to $100 an hour.
If you’re interested in becoming a VA, Kayla Sloan offers a free workshop that teaches people how to become Virtual Assistants and makes up to $10,000 a month. Download her Virtual Assistant checklist.
14. Accountant
An accountant is a professional who is responsible for tracking financial records and preparing financial statements for a business or individual. They ensure that their clients’ finances are accurate and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
One of the primary benefits of working from home as an accountant is flexibility. You are able to work your own hours and set your own schedule. This allows you to create a better work-life balance and also gives you more time to spend with your family.
15. Freelance Jobs
A freelancer is someone who does work for themselves and not for a company.
This is typically contract-type work.
You can find freelance jobs on sites such as Upwork, Fiverr, or People Per Hour.
The best way to freelance is to know your own skills and how to monetize them.
16. Editor
An editor is a professional who is responsible for reviewing and improving documents, whether that be in print, online, or even on video.
Editing involves ensuring accuracy, flow, grammar, and style. This is a great non phone work from home job because it allows for great flexibility and does not require a college degree.
Most positions are freelance which means that you can work on your own schedule and take on as much work as you can.
17. Social Media Manager
Social Media Managers are in charge of maintaining a client’s presence on a variety of social media sites, such as Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Twitter, and Google Plus.
They are expected to respond to comments, manage brand partnerships, create posts, photos, and videos, and track analytics to come up with an effective marketing strategy to promote their client’s accounts.
In addition to creating content, Social Media Managers typically monitor and moderate what is posted on the client’s social media accounts. They are usually responsible for ensuring that the content is appropriate and that the rules and regulations of the platform are followed.
The potential salary range for Social Media Managers can vary, but they can typically make $78000 per year.
18. Transcriber
A transcriber’s role is to convert audio recordings into written documents. They listen to audio files and type out what they hear.
Transcribers have the advantage of being able to work from home and can earn up to $21 per hour or more if they start their own business. They also have the potential to increase their wage upon gaining more experience.
Additionally, transcribers do not need to interact with other people, making it an ideal job for those who are more introverted or prefer working alone.
Finally, there are various resources available to help transcribers get started, including free mini-courses and companies that hire experienced and beginner transcribers.
19. Marketing Associate
As a Marketing Associate, you’ll be responsible for a wide variety of tasks, including developing and executing marketing campaigns, conducting market research, creating content, and managing and optimizing paid search, video creation, and other digital marketing efforts.
Additionally, you may be asked to support customer service via live chat, social media, text, and email.
The ideal candidate for this role will have excellent communication skills, be proficient in typing and have excellent spelling and grammar, and be passionate about social media platforms.
20. House sitter
A house sitter is someone who stays in a home while the homeowners are away and provides care for the premises and any pets that the homeowners may have.
The job of a house sitter includes tasks such as watering plants, taking out trash, and performing general maintenance of the property.
House sitters can benefit from the opportunity to experience different places, save money on rent, and have some extra time to explore their surroundings.
Platforms such as TrustedHousesitter.com make finding house-sitting jobs easier than ever before.
21. Online Tutor
The role of an online tutor is to guide students in their studies and help them understand a particular subject or skill virtually, through video chat or online software. Plus you have the opportunity to work with students from different countries.
Online tutoring jobs vary in requirements, but typically a bachelor’s degree or current college enrollment is needed.
They provide instruction and guidance, assist students with assignments, answer questions, and give feedback on their progress. The tutor also has a responsibility to motivate and encourage their students to stay on task and reach their academic goals.
22. Pet-Sitting Jobs
Pet sitting jobs can be a great way to make some extra money from home while spending time with animals (and not people)!
With Rover, you can earn anywhere between $10 and $20 an hour for dog walking, $20-30 for overnight stays, and some people are even making $1000+ a month in metro city areas. As a pet sitter, you have to stay at home with someone else’s pets and they pay you for taking care of their pets.
Rover.com is a great platform to find pet sitting jobs as they offer a wide range of services such as dog walking, pet sitting, and pet care.
23. Personal Stylist
Personal styling is an exciting and relatively new job that offers the opportunity to work from home. The role of a personal stylist is to help clients express their individual style through the selection of clothes, accessories, and other items.
It involves curating a set number of clothing items and accessories based on the client’s fashion profile. This job requires an eye for detail, an innate sense of style, and creativity.
It’s perfect for creative individuals who are passionate about fashion and have an eye for details.
24. Website Tester
Website testers are typically paid to assess the overall user experience on a website and provide feedback on how to improve it. W
You do not need a phone to complete your tasks; they only require a laptop with a webcam and microphone to record your observations.
Website testing is a non-phone work from home job that pays good money to ensure that websites are user-friendly. It is a flexible and straightforward way to make some extra cash.
25. Closed Captioner
A closed captioner is a person who transcribes audio into text for specific use on video.
This is a great job for those who learn and work better visually, as well as those who can type quickly and accurately. This type of work allows for a very flexible work schedule, meaning you can work when you are most productive and there is no need for any phone interactions.
You get the freedom to work on your own schedule and make a decent amount of money doing something that doesn’t require phone conversations.
26. Online Test Scorer
An online test scorer is responsible for scoring assessments such as tests, exams, and essays from students of high school or college. This job requires a certain level of expertise, as the test scorer must be able to interpret and evaluate the quality of the assessments accurately and fairly.
The test scorer must also be able to maintain the confidentiality of the students’ answers and grades and be able to provide feedback that is relevant and constructive.
This job typically requires a bachelor’s degree, and it is often seasonal with part-time hours.
27. Translator
The role of a translator is to take a language and convert it into another language, be it oral, written, or audio.
Translators not only have to be multi-lingual and have a good command of grammar and spelling, but they also need to be able to convey the meaning of the words they are translating accurately. They can work on a variety of projects, from subtitling to full-length books.
There is a wide range of online platforms on offer, so translators can pick the one that best suits their skill set and desired pay rate.
28. Graphic Designer
A Graphic Designer is someone who is skilled in using platforms like Photoshop, Canva, and other software to create visual and graphical designs.
Typically, these designs are used for things like logos and branding materials, websites, social media content, or clothing.
You must have a creative flair, as well as knowledge of graphic design and the required software. In order to be successful, they must have a computer with a good internet connection and the programs necessary to do the job.
29. Medical Coder and Biller
A medical coder and biller are responsible for translating a patient’s symptoms, diagnosis, and medication prescribed by a doctor into codes.
These codes are then entered into a database for the biller to use, who will turn them into a bill to be submitted to the patient’s insurance company.
The average pay scale for medical coders and billers can range from $45k – $65k per year, and they can find many remote positions on job sites like Indeed.com.
30. Instructional Designer
The role of an Instructional Designer is to research, write, design, and create training courses and manuals for a variety of people, such as educators, students, and employees.
Instructional designers need a degree in the subject being written about, or a degree in education, and should enjoy writing and editing. Working from home as an Instructional Designer has many benefits.
Working from home in an Instructional Designer role gives you the freedom to explore new methods and techniques to create the best possible course or manual.
31. Non-Phone Remote Nursing Jobs
With more and more companies offering remote work opportunities, there are many non-phone remote nursing jobs available.
The type of work ranges from utilization review nurses, clinical research associates, and data abstractors all work with data and compliance, ensuring procedures are being followed correctly and that they are medically necessary.
Companies such as Cigna, CVS, Flatiron, PPD, and UnitedHealth Group are just some of the many hiring companies offering these types of remote nursing positions.
32. Fraud Investigator
Fraud investigators are in demand in many industries, including financial institutions, e-commerce stores, healthcare companies, and insurance companies. As a fraud investigator, you’ll be tasked with looking for fraud, abuse, and irregularities in financial transactions.
If you have an eye for detail and like doing research, this could be a great non-phone job opportunity for you.
Companies usually require customer service experience or a criminal justice degree and/or a CAMS certification (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist). It’s a great way to make a good income without having to pick up the phone.
33. Community Moderator
A community moderator is a person who oversees online forums, groups, and social media accounts to ensure that rules and regulations are being followed, questions are being answered, and spam and junk content are being removed.
It is an online opportunity where moderators can be employed to manage and moderate comments on various social media sites and chat rooms.
The benefits of working as a community moderator include the opportunity to work from home and a flexible schedule. Additionally, moderators will gain experience in digital engagement, such as moderating forums, chatting with customers, managing communities, and buzzing on social media.
34. Netflix Tagger
The Netflix Tagger is a real job opportunity that allows individuals to work from home watching movies and tagging them with the appropriate keywords, genres, and descriptions.
This job is ideal for those who have a passion for movies and experience or education in radio, television, and film.
Working as a Netflix Tagger (also known as Metadata Analyst) is not only rewarding but it is also beneficial for those who want to work remotely without having to make phone calls or talk to customers.
35. Provider Enrollment Specialist
A provider enrollment specialist is a non-phone work-from-home job that involves researching, reviewing, analyzing, and managing provider enrollment applications to ensure they are in compliance with guidelines.
Provider enrollment specialists usually require prior experience in medical terminology, appeals, claims, or customer service, and may also require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
36. Survey Taker
By completing surveys, survey takers are able to share their opinion and help inform companies and brands on how to provide better products and services that meet customer needs and expectations.
Benefits of working as a survey taker from home include the flexibility of being able to work at your own pace and the ability to earn extra income while working whenever and wherever you choose.
Additionally, survey takers can take advantage of cash, rewards, and sweepstakes entries as compensation for their time.
It is not a way to get rich, but it is a great way to make extra money on the side.
Here are the top legit survey platforms:
37. Chat and Email Support
Chat and email support workers provide customer support and assistance via email and online chat. They are responsible for responding to customer inquiries and resolving customer issues.
This customer service-oriented position does not require the use of a phone.
Chat and email support workers must be able to answer customer questions and respond to their inquiries quickly and accurately. They must also be able to use active listening skills and type quickly.
Companies often provide chat and email support workers with guidelines for providing customer support, and they may also require workers to understand their products in order to provide effective customer service.
Are non phone work from home jobs legitimate?
The answer is yes! In fact, there is a growing number of non-phone work from home jobs for those who don’t want to be on the phone all day.
Whether you’re a mom with kids and pets running around, or if you find customer service work draining, there are good options out there for you to make money from home without being on the phone.
In conclusion, non-phone work from home jobs are legitimate and provide a great opportunity to make money from home without being on the phone.
FAQs
Ultimately, the skills needed to succeed in non phone work from home jobs will depend on the type of job you are pursuing.
More than likely, you’ll need excellent typing skills, excellent spelling and grammar, and the ability to troubleshoot and solve issues, among other skills.
However, many of the jobs mentioned above pay between $15 an hour to $50 an hour.
Some companies may also offer a base salary plus bonuses or incentives.
Fortunately, there are plenty of non-phone jobs available for remote workers that don’t require a diploma.
However, you may have to take some online courses to excel faster in your field.
Many on this list are great low stress jobs that pay well without a degree.
Yes, there are software or tools needed for non-phone work from home jobs, depending on the type of job.
More than likely, you will need a computer and a reliable internet service.
Are you Excited to Work from Home Job No Phone?
Working from home has become increasingly popular over the years, as it offers flexibility, comfort, and the ability to work from anywhere.
All of these jobs that offer the best comfort and increased focus is working from home on the laptop. The advantages of this job include flexibility in schedules, the ability to remain in control of your own workspace, and enhanced focus as there is less noise and distraction.
With the number of remote job leads that are available, you are sure to find the perfect work from home job that suits your needs.
In addition, working from home gives you the freedom to work in a location of your choice. You no longer have to commute to an office or be bound by office hours.
Also, you can take breaks when you need them and work in a comfortable environment.
Which career choice are you going to look into?
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