From Suburban Chicago to Small-Town Charm: Teresa's Journey to Paducah, Kentucky

Teresa was residing in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, where rising costs had begun to make life increasingly challenging. "Even though I loved where I was living, I couldn't afford it anymore. It was just way too expensive and I was ready for a change," Teresa explains.

With her job allowing for remote work, Teresa realized she had the freedom to seek out a new lifestyle somewhere else. Her search for a new home led her to an unexpected discovery - MakeMyMove. The program offers incentives for remote workers to relocate to communities throughout the U.S. and Paducah, Kentucky caught Teresa's eye. Initially, Teresa was met with a barrage of questions from her close friends and family. "Everybody I know thought I was crazy for moving to Paducah because I didn't know anybody there," she admits.

Teresa's research led her to discover Paducah's rich history, vibrant arts scene and affordable housing market. "When I started looking at real estate, I found a house I wanted that was less than what I had spent in rent over the five years I had lived in my current apartment," she shares, highlighting the stark contrast in cost of living between Chicago and Paducah.

The move itself was made smoother by the support Teresa received through the MakeMyMove platform and Melanie Reason, who works for the City of Paducah and who helped her acclimate to her new home by serving as her point of contact. "Every time I had a question, Melanie always took the time to speak with me or follow up with others if necessary. She also knows everything about Paducah in terms of economic development as well as all the fun things there are to do,” says Teresa.

Upon arrival in Paducah, Teresa found herself pleasantly surprised by how quickly she integrated into the community. Teresa found herself surrounded by new friends and opportunities. "I was actually looking forward to spending some time by myself to work on my furniture painting, take some yoga classes and get my finances in order. I even welcomed the idea of moving somewhere I didn't know anybody, so this move actually backfired on me in an incredibly good way," she explains.

Teresa has been able to quickly form connections with her neighbors. "I’m so lucky to have met such a good group of friends to hang out with at the pool, go downtown with, or hop on the Greenway Trail with for a spontaneous bike ride to the river. Paducah's downtown area has become a particular favorite for Teresa. "The downtown is so quaint and historic and there are so many different fun and interesting attractions you can walk to, no car or parking hassles required," she says. "I’m not surprised that Paducah was named one of the most beautiful main streets in America by Architectural Digest." The ease of exploring downtown, with its walkable layout and variety of entertainment options, has added to Teresa's enjoyment of her new home.

The welcoming nature of Paducah's residents has had a significant impact on Teresa's experience. "The people here don’t just say “welcome to the neighborhood,” but instead, “Hey, why don't you join us for a bonfire? Or we're going over to so-and-so's place later to watch a game. Why don't you join us?" she explains. "Everyone is so warm and outgoing here and it’s so convenient to live in such close proximity to one another."

The move will allow Teresa to focus on her interests and future endeavors. "I have always been a huge history buff and look forward to exploring some of my more creative passions such as furniture and home restoration," she shares. “I would absolutely love the opportunity to restore a vintage home that I could potentially live in or rent out as an Airbnb."

Teresa is also impressed by Paducah's progressive outlook and investment in its future. There’s already such a draw to this town considering the Broadway shows that come here and the cruise ships that drop passengers off at the riverfront. I see Paducah as a town that is on the uprise and I am excited to be here as it’s happening."

Remote workers, take note: Teresa's Paducah move showcases the perks of small-city living. Think lower costs, friendly faces and a smorgasbord of fun - all adding up to a lifestyle that big, pricey metros can't match.

For remote workers looking to make a similar change, Teresa's advice is clear: do your research, be open to new experiences and don't be afraid to take the leap. As she's discovered, sometimes the most unexpected destinations can lead to the most rewarding journeys.