Steamboat Springs Telecommuting

I read recently that 40 percent of jobs will be location neutral by 2012. This wasn't a big surprise to me since I was in the first wave of telecommutes by modem long ago. I telecommuted to Steamboat for several years part time before making my move. My full time move to Steamboat involved a career change from the corporate life at HP to Real Estate but everything just seemed to fall in place once I decided to proceed like it was going to happen. That decision was hardest part, we took a hard look at our priorities it became clear that Steamboat offered the perfect mix of a great small town where kids can roam town like we did growing up, great schools and fantastic recreational opportunities out the front door.

I am working with several clients that are planning their moves to Steamboat and staying in their existing career. The people I have worked with and met around town tend to be successful professionals or business owners that are looking for some of the following: a small town to raise their family, an escape from city life crime or long commutes, a move to a nicer climate, flexibilty to work and hop on their bike or skis during windows between meetings, or they have just always dreamed of living in Steamboat Springs. It can take some work to re-structure your business or career but the payoff is huge.

Selected quotes from an article in the Steamboat Pilot:
Survey: Telecommuters contribute to county By Matt Stensland

People who live in Routt County but have jobs that allow them to work over the phones and Internet contribute $35 million annually and have a high degree of civic engagement, according to a survey conducted during the past year. The remote workers are part of "location-neutral businesses," they have household incomes in excess of $100,000, and as a whole, contribute $700,000 each year to local charities. The Routt County EDC sees remote workers as a potential opportunity to expand the local economies with a "green industry" and provide more opportunities for youth workers. Moore said remote workers are living in Routt County because they wanted to live in a place with a strong sense of community.