It might not be for everyone, but the savings are very real.
In the midst of the swirling debate about the return to office life, it's crucial to remember that one size doesn't fit all. Not every Gen Z'er is heading back to the office, just as not every Gen X'er, millennial, or Boomer, especially those who've embraced the hybrid lifestyle and said goodbye to long commutes, is doing so either. So where do we go next?
I will wager that we're heading towards a mix. And here's why, drawing from my daily dive into the world of small towns, I'd like to offer some insights that might just make the hybrid model's appeal a bit clearer for everyone and make a pretty sweet plug for the advantages of living in a small town.
Today, MSN shared what it costs for a single person to live comfortably in 25 of our major cities. Astonishingly, not a single figure dipped below the $100,000 mark, with New York City topping the charts at $138,000. These numbers, drawn from the MIT living wage calculator, piqued my curiosity. So, I sought to apply the same metric to a few of my recent favorite small towns for comparison.
Take Staunton, Virginia, for example. Nestled less than two hours from the hustle of Washington, DC, Staunton is a beacon of innovation and collaboration. Its charming, walkable downtown, delicious and growing foodie scene, year-round live theater, and proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway offer a rich and vibrant lifestyle. According to the MIT Living Wage Calculator and adopting the 50/30/20 budget rule, a single person in Staunton needs just $87,000 before taxes for a lifestyle that, while different, might just offer more serenity than the Big Apple, depending on your perspective.
Comparing this to the Washington, DC metro area, where the same calculator suggests a single person needs $117,683 for a similar lifestyle, the cost savings, especially in housing, become evident. Even if we stick closely to the model and factor in commuting to DC a couple of times a week, the savings are hold steady at requiring about 74% of the same salary needed inside the district.
Stauntons Innovation Hub
While attempting to extend this analysis to other small towns, I hit a snag: Staunton was the only one I could find included in the MIT calculator. This might just be one of those charming small-town secrets that's hard to crack. However, even this solitary comparison suggests that a 26% difference in living costs isn't out of the question. And exactly how do you put a price on avoiding a hectic commute?
This glimpse into the economic viability of a hybrid lifestyle, particularly when it involves small towns, adds a tangible layer to the discussion. It's not just about personal preference or work style; it's also about where our money can bring us the most joy and contentment. And as more people look beyond the city limits, it might just be small towns like Staunton that offer the best of both worlds.
At MoxieTowns we are on the lookout to uncover small towns that provide a quality of life, affordable fun and entertainment, who embrace the future with proper care for the past. Let us know if there is a special small town in your world that should be featured on our platform.
