Top 5 Cities to Live and Work as a Virtual Assistant

The corporate wheel continues to be reinvented by culture-driven entrepreneurs and millennial job seekers. 

These norm-changers are increasingly taking over the majority of the modern day workforce, many becoming “digital nomads” and virtual assistants, working remotely all across the U.S. So where exactly are the top cities to be a virtual assistant? 

5. Chattanooga, Tennessee: For the Up and Coming Virtual Assistant

With its scenic views, largest city-wide gigabyte-speed internet, and quality of life amenities, Chattanooga would be a great city to consider as an experienced VA.

Chattanooga, TN is the perfect location for virtual assistants who are managing their own business with the desire to expand. Over the past few years, Chattanooga has fostered a blossoming startup community. Chattanooga solidified its dedication to entrepreneurship with city events like Startup Week and an innovation district. USA Today hailed Chattanooga as the next Silicon Valley, suggesting this is a great place for virtual assistants to scout potential clients who may need help with the day-to-day so the entrepreneur can focus on the big picture to get their idea off the ground.

With a great art scene, a family-friendly downtown and parks, and an education system dedicated to teaching students job-readiness skills that are contributing to the current economy, Chattanooga is a great city for the whole family.

4. Raleigh, North Carolina: For the Young Professional

Take your laptop downtown to a hip coffee shop, a summer concert, or pop in a microbrewery and enjoy some of the world’s best BBQ. Known for its tech industry, college rivalries, and its young, educated and diverse community, Raleigh has something for every young virtual assistant.

Raleigh also supports remote work directly with a popular, downtown communal workspace called Nest Raleigh. With dedicated desks or your own office suite, meeting spaces and a full kitchen, many remote employees flock to reserve a workspace here which has three different affordable membership rates ranging from $20/month-$300/month depending on your desired level of involvement. Raleigh is a great starting place for staying on track with like-minded professionals. 

3. Madison, Wisconsin: For the Community Supporter

An order of fried cheese curds and your laptop… what else does a virtual assistant need? With plenty of options for recreation and exercise, a number of downtown local restaurants and coffee shops with free WiFi, and a Saturday morning farmers market likely to put most markets shame, Madison is a fantastic choice for a virtual assistant to plant roots.

Madison offers families a culturally diverse community. The city provides plenty of neighborhood connections as it has 120 officially recognized neighborhood associations. Madison is also positioned nicely between Milwaukee (77 miles) and Chicago (122 miles), making it easy to take a family road trip to either city for a ball game after you close your laptop for the day.

Cheer on the University of Wisconsin Badgers or “Drink Wisconsibly” downtown. You’ll be quick to find your community niche in this historic city. 

2. Austin, Texas: For the VA Who Appreciates Collaboration

Austin has recently ranked the #1 place to live in America for the second year in a row, knocking Denver off its throne in 2017. Job prospects, affordability, and quality of life all contributed to this impressive rank. It’s the third-fasting-growing city in the nation as it attracts college graduates, immigrants, and families with young children. 

Austin also boasts a number of great resources for remote workers. MeetUp Groups, Facebook Groups, and co-working spaces alike each help Austin-based remote workers stay on task and enjoy a true sense of remote-community support. Austin also has an uncanny ability to produce exceptional start-ups and entrepreneurs like Amber Gray, Senseye and Ryan Wuerch of Dosh, the cash savings app.

1. Boise, Idaho: For the Outdoor Enthusiast and Family Starter

Boise, Idaho is the Pacific Northwest’s best kept secret and the #1 place to live affordably and outdoorsy as a virtual assistant. Residents from all over the country are starting to look at Idaho seriously as Boise continues to make “Top 10” lists in every category each year since 2014. With its friendly residents, thriving economy, supportive local business community and countless outdoor opportunities, there’s at least one reason for every virtual assistant to make the move to Boise.

Boise features various spots like the downtown mentorship-optional co-work space, Trailhead, local coffee shops with wifi like Big City Coffee, or the comfort of the suburbs; there’s a workspace designed for every virtual assistant. And for when your laptop needs some time to charge? Hike up Table Rock, surf the man-made whitewater park, or go for a run along the Greenbelt. The possibilities of work spaces and mental break spaces are endless in Boise, Idaho. 

So Which of These Top 5 Cities Best Fit Your Virtual Assistant Lifestyle?

Leave us a comment below! 

Quotes from Trusty Oak Virtual Assistants

“Boise has great schools for my kids and great cost of living, so I can make a good paycheck and live affordably while raising my family.” – Emily Fisk, Trusty Oak Writer & Virtual Assistant

“I love being a VA in Boise because I can go to an amazing, affordable school while working a remote job. I love that working remotely allows me to bring my work with me wherever I need to be on a given day in a city that’s full of things to do.”– Hannah Lacy, Trusty Oak Marketing Strategist & Virtual Assistant

“I think that being a VA in Austin is perfect because I can avoid all the heavy traffic when I don’t have a daunting daily commute. Also, this city is full of great co-working spaces and there are many FB, MeetUp and professional groups and resources specifically for remote workers. Plus, I can paddle-board with my friends during my off hours on the lake. Working as a VA in Austin is a great way to maximize both work time and play time!” – Yvonne Feltman, Trusty Oak Writer & Virtual Assistant

“Boise is a top city to live in as a virtual assistant because being a mom is my #1 priority and the flexibility of VA work lets me put my kiddo first and raise her in a family friendly, activity filled city!” – Misha Aguilar, Trusty Oak Virtual Assistant

Caty Smart

Caty graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a minor in Hospitality. She moved from Florida to Idaho in 2015 due to her love for the great outdoors and sense of adventure, and has an eagerness to continue to learn new things. Caty’s passion has always been to recruit and train employees in order to make sure the standards of the company are reflected in their actions and in their work. This passion led to her current position as an Office Manager in Real Estate where she recruits, trains, networks to build business-to-business relationships, blogs, and maintains the website and all social media platforms to communicate the mission and values of her company. If you asked, she would tell you that understanding the buyer’s journey is the key to business success. She thrives in the world of inbound marketing and is eager to help new businesses understand how it can help their marketing reach new heights.

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