A Spooky Good Time: Where Remote Workers Can Live the Halloween Spirit Year-Round
By Natalia Wolting • Oct 23, 2024
Halloween is a time for fun, frights and community celebrations. While many towns embrace the spooky season, a few stand out as truly exceptional destinations. These communities, renowned for their Halloween festivities, offer a unique blend of history, tradition and seasonal atmosphere that make them not only great places to visit during the month of October but also fantastic places to live year-round. Here are 10 communities where remote workers can embrace the Halloween spirit year-round.
Anoka, Minnesota
Anoka, Minnesota, has earned its title as the "Halloween Capital of the World" through decades of dedicated celebration. Since 1920, the town has been hosting parades, parties, and events to mark the spooky season. The annual Halloween Parade, featuring thousands of costumed participants, is a highlight of the festivities.
Beyond Halloween, Anoka is located just north of Minneapolis-St. Paul provides easy access to the amenities and attractions of a major metropolitan area while still maintaining a small-town feel. The Anoka-Hennepin School District is highly regarded for its academic excellence, providing students with a quality education.
Columbus, Indiana
Every Friday and Saturday evening during the month of October brave spirits can venture out to CERA Sports Park and Campground for the When Darkness Falls Haunted Trail. This spooky hike through the woods includes “blackout nights” where groups must travel the trail in total darkness. This event along with not as spooky Sammy’s Ghost House and the Haunted Museum designed for younger residents, exemplifies the city's creative spirit.
Known internationally for its architectural heritage, Columbus offers residents a unique blend of cultural sophistication and small-town warmth. The city's dedication to public art and design makes it an attractive destination for creative professionals seeking a high quality of life at a lower cost than major metros.
Columbus is a family-friendly community year round.
Eastern Kentucky
Halloween in the Appalachian Mountains is an utterly unique experience in the communities throughout Eastern Kentucky. From Prestonsburg’s Fear the Burg event and interactive Rocky Mountain Picture Show at the Mountain Arts Center to haunted Pontoon rides at Jenny Wilder State Park, the season of Halloween has been embraced throughout the area but the region's true value lies in its natural beauty, strong sense of community, and increasing appeal to remote workers.
The region's rich coal mining heritage is evident in its historic towns, museums and cultural events and the area’s cost of living is lower than many other parts of the country, making it affordable to live and own property.
Estes Park, Colorado
Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, Estes Park, Colorado, offers a unique Halloween experience. The town's Elk Fest and Halloween celebration includes trick-or-treating, costume contests, and ghost tours at the infamous Stanley Hotel that served as inspiration for Stephen King’s novel The Shining.
As the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, residents enjoy world-class outdoor recreation while maintaining a small-town lifestyle, making it a desirable destination for those seeking a more adventurous lifestyle. While Estes Park offers a small-town atmosphere, it is also conveniently located within driving distance of Denver and its amenities.
Indianapolis, Indiana
From ghost walks downtown to pumpkin patches right outside the city limits, Indianapolis is alive with the Halloween spirit but the historic neighborhood of Irvington takes it to a new level. This former Victorian suburb, with its winding streets and architectural gems, hosts one of the Midwest’s largest Halloween festivals and culminates in a grand street fair on the last Saturday featuring over 120 vendors.
Indianapolis is home to several excellent public and private schools, ensuring that families have access to quality education for their children. The city also has several reputable universities, including Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and Butler University.
Irvington is considered to by Indy's first suburb.
Jackson, Michigan
If you want to celebrate Halloween with your four-legged friend, there’s no better place than Jackson which hosts a Jack-O-Lantern-themed Paws Parade. Other Halloween events include a Dark Art Show and Witches Walk downtown but the city's year-round appeal lies in its affordable housing market, revitalized downtown and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities including Ella Sharp Park. Residents also enjoy the beauty of all four seasons with vibrant fall foliage, snowy winters and warm summers.
Though small in size, Jackson is a lively community with plenty to do.
Laconia, New Hampshire
The annual New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival in Laconia is a sight to behold. With thousands of carved pumpkins on display and a pumpkin pie-eating competition, this event is a must-see for pumpkin lovers.
Laconia's lakeside setting, affordable housing and strong sense of community make it an attractive option for those seeking a peaceful and family-friendly lifestyle.
Salem, Massachusetts
Synonymous with witches and the infamous trials of 1692, each October, the town transforms into a haunted wonderland with the Haunted Happenings festival. From ghost tours and historical reenactments to parades and costume contests, there's something for everyone.
Salem's rich history, vibrant arts scene and beautiful coastal setting make it a desirable place to live year-round.
Salem's history adds to its uniqueness.
Sleepy Hollow, New York
Inspired by Washington Irving's classic tale, Sleepy Hollow, New York, is a must-visit for Halloween enthusiasts. The town offers a variety of spooky activities, including haunted hayrides, cemetery tours, and a massive Jack Lantern display.
Sleepy Hollow's picturesque landscapes, historic landmarks, and proximity to New York City make it an attractive option for remote workers seeking a balance of tranquility and urban convenience.
While a smaller community, Sleep Hollow's proximity to New York City adds to its appeal.
St. Helens, Oregon
As the filming location for the Disney Channel movie "Halloweentown," St. Helens, Oregon, has a special connection to the spooky season. The town's annual "Spirit of Halloweentown" festival features parades, trick-or-treating, and a variety of family-friendly activities.
St. Helens' natural beauty, affordable housing and friendly community make it a great place to live and raise a family.
Beyond the Spooky Season: Incentives for Remote Workers
In addition to their festive Halloween celebrations, the communities of Indianapolis, Eastern Kentucky and Jackson participate in the MakeMyMove program, which provides financial incentives and support to remote workers who relocate to the area. These incentives can include:
Financial assistance: Cash incentives to help offset moving expenses.
Co-working space: Access to shared workspaces and networking opportunities.
Community engagement: Programs and events to help new residents connect with the local community.
Remote workers can find forever homes in these communities.
Whether drawn by the spooky celebrations or the promise of a better quality of life, these communities prove that sometimes the best places to visit for Halloween can also be the best places to call home all year round.
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About MakeMyMove
Remote work has freed millions of Americans to live where they want, and many are making the move to places that better match their lifestyle. In turn, cities and towns across the country are offering incentives like cash, perks and programming to remote workers who move and work from their communities. At MakeMyMove, you can explore all the places, get personalized help to find the one that’s right for you, connect with locals, and access support to make your move a piece of cake.
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