Finding Home in Wabash County, Indiana: A Remote Worker’s Relocation Journey

For many remote workers, the flexibility of working from anywhere presents a unique opportunity to rethink where they call home. Peter Baumgartner, an IT professional recently took the leap by relocating from St. Louis, Missouri, to Wabash County, Indiana, with the help of MakeMyMove. His journey offers valuable insight for those considering relocating to a more affordable, community-focused environment.

The Decision to Move

Peter and his wife had several motivations for relocating. Expecting their first child, they wanted to be closer to family while maintaining a balanced, affordable lifestyle. Originally from Indiana, Peter had lived in multiple cities, including Cincinnati and Chicago, before settling in St. Louis. However, the prospect of raising a child far from family made the couple reconsider their location.

“We wanted to be closer to family so we didn’t have to drive six hours with a baby to see relatives,” Peter explains. “We were looking for somewhere between Indianapolis, Lafayette and Cincinnati—and Indiana made the most sense.”

The search for the right location led them to MakeMyMove, a program designed to attract remote workers to smaller communities by offering financial incentives and relocation support. A recommendation from their realtor, who had also used the program, encouraged them to look into it further.

“Our realtor had previously used the program himself,” Peter said. “So, we looked more into it, realized it was legitimate and decided to apply.”

Finding the Right Home

With a focus on affordability and community, Peter and his wife explored various communities listed on MakeMyMove’s platform. Eventually, they found a home in the city of Wabash that met all their criteria.

“We found a house that checked all our boxes. We could see ourselves growing in it, so we decided to pull the trigger,” Peter shared.

One of the major draws of Wabash County was its affordability compared to other areas they considered.

“I looked at housing prices in other places and thought, ‘That’s a no.’” Peter laughed. “Some homes in those areas were going for a million dollars. Meanwhile, Wabash was much more reasonable.”

Beyond cost, the safety and community feel of Wabash stood out.

“We were considering areas in a larger city, but some of them felt a little too risky,” Peter noted. “Wabash felt like the right mix—not too sketchy, not too rural, with good proximity to cities like Fort Wayne and Lafayette.”

The Relocation Process

Once they decided on Wabash, the application and transition process through MakeMyMove was smooth.

“The biggest delay wasn’t with MakeMyMove—it was just waiting for the seller of the home we were buying to accept our offer so we could finalize everything,” Peter explained. “But once that was done, everything moved quickly.”

Peter appreciated the support he received from both MakeMyMove and local community members.

“Chelsea Parson, Development and Marketing Project Manager for Grow Wabash County was really helpful,” he said. “She runs a lot of community events and has invited us to attend several. MakeMyMove’s Mover Guide, Kendall also did a great job checking in with us throughout the process.”

Adjusting to Life in Wabash

Since moving, Peter and his wife have enjoyed the quieter pace of life in Wabash compared to St. Louis.

“It’s definitely more laid-back,” Peter observed. “Coming from the city, it’s a nice change of pace.”

While they haven’t attended many local events yet, they plan to get more involved as they settle in.

“There’s a farmers’ market every weekend in the summer and events like the annual Founder’s Day Festival, so we’re looking forward to checking those out,” Peter said. “Our neighbor also has an amazing garden, so I might learn a thing or two from them.”

One unexpected event after their move was witnessing a house fire nearby, which reinforced the sense of community in Wabash.

“The family down the street lost their home, and the community really came together to support them,” Peter recalled. “That’s something you don’t always see in bigger cities.”

Looking Ahead

For Peter, the move to Wabash County has been a positive experience. With a new home, a growing family, and the ability to work remotely, he’s enjoying the benefits of a more affordable and community-oriented lifestyle.

“We wanted a place where we could grow, be closer to family and still have access to everything we need,” Peter said. “Wabash has given us that.”

His advice for other remote workers considering a move?

“Look beyond just the financial incentives. Make sure it’s a place that fits your lifestyle and future plans. For us, Wabash checked all the boxes.”