4 Telecommuting Havens - Where are the Best Places to Live?

I read a very interesting post by Joe McKendrick over on smartplanet entitled, "The future of telecommuting: Move to Idaho, keep job in Los Angeles

The post talks about how the increasing popularity and availability of telecommuting jobs has made it possible for those who only need a good Internet connection to do their jobs to live anywhere they want. As a result, he suggests, a new breed of immigrants to cities deeper within the heartland is taking shape as people choose their best places to live. And, as a result, they're "invigorating cities with an entrepreneurial spirit".

Once you get yourself into a telecommuting environment that will support you and your family, you are no longer tethered to a specific location. That's the primary appeal for many of us: Being able to go where we are comfortable to live the kind of life we want, instead of being cooped up in a metropolitan, overcrowded environment full of traffic, crime and pollution.

McKendrick notes some cities that are becoming havens for telecommuting professionals, like:

• Boise, Idaho
• Colorado Springs, Colorado
• Madison, Wisconsin
• Austin, Texas

These are not "podunk" towns by any stretch of the imagination. As their populations grow, they seem to be increasing their quality of life with additional cultural, entertainment and recreational activities.

Of course, not everyone can just pick up and move where their heart may send them. Some have other obligations or their partners may have ties to their current community. Plus, moving does take some money to complete. However, if you really have a desire to be somewhere else to live out your life, you might give the idea some consideration. Start by doing some research, and if possible, you'll really want to visit your target location more than once to get a feel for it and the local neighborhoods. Making a smart move with advance planning means you won't have to move more than once to find your Garden of Delight.

Finally, if you decide to go this route and aren't yet telecommuting, you'll be more determined than ever to make your dreams come true. Visualizing your goal can be a strong motivator in accomplishing your dreams. You'll just need to decide where is the best place to live for you.

If you could live anywhere you wanted to, where would it be and why? Share your thoughts on where you think the best places to live are!

Share Your Opinion: Where are the Best Places to Live if You Could Live Anywhere?

Related:
10 Best and 10 Worst US States for Small Business 2009
How to Convince Your Boss to Let You Telecommute