As the effects of climate change become increasingly severe, many remote workers are starting to consider relocating to areas that are less affected by natural disasters. Hurricanes, floods, and wildfires both pose a danger to personal safety and make it difficult to run a stable business. The ability to work from anywhere is a key advantage, and relocating due to climate change is becoming commonplace for those who have the freedom to work online. Whether you’re a freelancer, small business owner, or remote employee, Dedicated Moving has some tips and resources to help you make an informed decision!
Starting an Online Business
If you’re looking to make the leap from employee to business owner and live wherever you want, you’ll need to plan your online business carefully. One of the first tasks involved in starting a business is choosing a business structure. To protect yourself from personal liability, consider forming an LLC. LLCs also enjoy tax advantages and other benefits, like greater management flexibility and fewer paperwork requirements compared to corporations. Learn how to form an LLC and consider using an online formation service to file your paperwork instead of hiring a lawyer. This is a great way to save some money on your startup costs!
Consider Remote Employment
If you’d rather not take on the risks and responsibilities of starting your own business, finding remote-friendly employment is another option. To get started on your job hunt, spruce up your resume. Make sure your resume highlights all of your latest skills and achievements. Think about the specific job roles you want to land when creating your resume so you can list relevant experience that positions you as the perfect candidate. If your resume only exists in PDF format, you might want to make it editable to help with your search so that you can make any changes or updates that will give you an edge over the competition.
Where to Live to Avoid Natural Disasters
Once you’ve launched your online business or secured a stable remote position, you can start looking for new places to live. Unfortunately, Oregon sees its fair share of climate-related natural disasters, including wildfires, severe storms, floods, droughts, and landslides. But Oregon is not one of the most dangerous places you can live. If you want to avoid natural disasters related to climate change, Policy Genius recommends steering clear of Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas. These states are vulnerable to extreme heat and have done little to protect residents from the impact of climate change. Set your sights on Michigan, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Minnesota if you’re looking to live somewhere a little less vulnerable.
Build Resilience and Contingency Plans
Climate resilience is important for any business operating today, even those based in less vulnerable areas. When you work entirely online, you’re always at risk of power and internet outages. Cervest explains that it’s important to consider the physical risks that climate hazards pose to systems, assets, or structures your business relies on. Come up with contingency plans to ensure you’ll still be able to earn an income if a climate-related disaster threatens your connection to the rest of the world.
For small online businesses and remote employees, this might be as simple as setting up emergency power sources and alternative internet options in case of outages. For example, you can use your smartphone as a hotspot or get a wireless hotspot device with a data plan. Be sure to invest in an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) backup battery for your work-related devices. You may also want to consider a generator for your home.
Climate change is becoming a significant concern for remote workers, and for good reason. Natural disasters and changes in climate patterns can disrupt online work and pose a danger to your safety. Consider relocating to an area that is less affected by these events and develop strategies to enhance your resilience. This might mean finding a remote job or starting a business online. Remote work opportunities have made it possible to work from anywhere!
Whether you have a small move or a big one, Dedicated Moving can help! Reach out today for a free quote.