I got paid $5,000 to move to a place I'd never heard of

Brianna Beyrouti, a single parent, formerly lived in Portland, Oregon, where she faced financial struggles. She moved 2,000 miles east to Muncie, Indiana, taking advantage of a $5,000 relocation assistance scheme offered by the city to boost population growth. Despite being in a smaller city with fewer amenities, Brianna's financial situation has significantly improved.

She continues to work remotely for the same bank, earning $107,000 annually, but now pays $1,100 a month in combined costs for her mortgage, insurance, and property taxes, compared to $1,290 in Portland. Additionally, her state income tax is lower, and her car insurance and energy bills are cheaper. Brianna is $600 a month better off, allowing her to buy her first home and live a more comfortable life.

She is not alone in making such a move, as many cities across the US are experiencing population decline due to high living costs. To counteract this, some smaller cities offer relocation incentives, such as Muncie's $5,000 cash payment for those moving from outside Indiana. Other benefits include complementary perks like cinema tickets and restaurant vouchers.

Brianna and her children are among around 100 families who have moved to Muncie through this program. Another example is Elena Chrysostomou, who moved from San Diego, California, to Jacksonville, Illinois, with the help of the Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation (JREDC), which provided her with $5,000 and a $4,000 quality of life package, including free gym memberships and golf passes.

Both Brianna and Elena have found their new lives to be rewarding, with improved financial stability and a sense of independence. However, they also acknowledge some drawbacks, such as limited entertainment options and the challenge of settling their children into new schools.