Whether you have a job that allows you to work remotely and are looking to relocate, or you’re in search of remote work, Norwood’s low cost of living, lack of traffic and congestion, bountiful sunshine, wide open spaces and ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, along with its proximity to Telluride, Ridgway, Ouray, Montrose, Grand Junction and Moab, make Norwood an ideal community for those looking to obtain a healthy work-life balance and the freedom that comes from being able to work remotely.
What are the benefits of working remotely?
Better Work-Life Balance
Many remote jobs also come with flexible schedules, which means that you can start and end your day as you choose. The control you have over your work schedule can be invaluable when it comes to attending to the needs of your personal life and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Less Time Spent Commuting
Did you know, the average American spends nearly an hour each day getting to and from work? According to the Auto Insurance Center, commuters spend about 100 hours commuting and 41 hours stuck in traffic each year. Wasting time commuting is just one of the downsides of getting to and from work. Research has shown that more than 30 minutes of daily one-way commuting is associated with increased levels of stress and anxiety, and that commuting even just 10 miles to work each day is associated with health issues like:
- Higher cholesterol
- Elevated blood sugar
- Increased risk of depression
Getting rid of the commute helps you support your mental and physical health. The time you save can allow you to focus on priorities outside of work, like getting extra sleep in the morning, spending more time with family, getting in a workout, and eating healthy.
Location Independence
One of the greatest benefits of working from home is having access to a wider range of job opportunities that aren’t limited by geographic location. This can be especially helpful for job seekers living in rural communities and small towns such as Norwood. Pandemic or not, having no set job location means that fully remote workers can also travel and live as digital nomads while having meaningful careers.
Saving Money
People who work from home half time can save upwards of around $4,000 per year in gas, car maintenance, transportation, parking fees, wardrobes, lunches, etc. These can all be reduced or eliminated from your spending entirely. These savings can add up and put more money back into your pocket.
And the savings aren’t just for employees, either. During the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. employers are saving over $30 billion per day by allowing employees to work from home. This major economic benefit of remote work could continue as more companies make it a long-term solution.
Improved Inclusivity
Remote work enables companies to embrace diversity and inclusion by hiring people from different socioeconomic, geographic, and cultural backgrounds, which can be a major challenge when recruiting is restricted to a specific location that not everyone wants, or can afford to live near.
Remote work gives people who may have a hard time finding steady employment at an onsite job, like those with travel limitations, disabilities or who need a flexible schedule, the opportunity to follow their career goals without having to worry about commuting back and forth to an office.
A Customizable Office
Being able to create a comfortable home office space, or office away from home is an excellent benefit of working remotely. Whether you’re perfectly content in your home office, on the couch, outside on the deck, by the lake, while camping, etc…you can set up your home office anyway you like, anywhere you want.
Increased Productivity and Performance
Working from home usually leads to fewer interruptions, less office chatter, less noise, and more efficient meetings. When done right, remote work allows employees and companies to focus on what really matters — performance. Remote workers typically have more time with fewer distractions, which leads to increased productivity, a huge benefit of working from home for both employees and employers alike.
A Happier, Healthier Work Life
Remote, flexible workers tend to be happier and more loyal employees, in part because working from home has been shown to lower stress, provide more time for hobbies and interests, as well as improve personal relationships. In addition to personal health and well-being, coworker and manager relationships can be more positive without the distractions and politics that come along with an in-office job. A reported 72% of employers say remote work has a high impact on employee retention. Working remotely can give employees the time and environment needed to make healthy choices.
Working from home can also lead to better health in a variety of ways including:
- More time for physical activity
- Eat healthier
- Recovery from illness or surgery at home
- Less exposure to illnesses
- The option to create a comfortable and ergonomic workspace.
Where to find internet in Norwood?
Thanks to the San Miguel Rural Broadband Expansion Initiative and the internet provider such as Clearnetworx, Norwood now has very affordable high-speed broadband internet throughout the town with high-speed wireless internet across Wright’s Mesa. There are a number of places in Norwood to access high-speed internet:
- The Lone Cone Library provides free internet access with 1000Mbps of download and upload speeds, with access to public computers as well as wi-fi.
- Local restaurants including The Divide and Thorneycroft kitchen also have wi-fi available for customers.
- The Livery and Oliver House, which provide event, office and coworking space for rent, also offers free internet access, included in rental rates.
Along with high-speed broadband internet, Norwood also has access to 4G LTE cellular data through AT&T and T-Mobile. AT&T has the largest coverage area in Norwood with cell service available all across Wright’s Mesa, even in remote camping areas including the Thunder Trails, Busted Arm Draw and Miramonte Reservoir.
Where are the best places to find remote jobs?
If you are looking for remote work, the internet has exploded with opportunities over the years. Whatever your skill set, you are sure to find a job that is the right fit for you! We recommend starting out by setting up a LinkedIn profile, including your previous employment and skills, and searching for jobs there. There are a number of job sites which boast thousands of remote/freelance/contract jobs including; FlexJobs, We Work Remotely, Remote OK, UpWork, Remotely, ProBlogger, Freelancer and Fiverr.
If you’re in the internet/tech industry, Built In is an excellent job search resource, and Built In Colorado is a great place to look if working for a company located in Colorado is a priority for you. Energize Colorado is working with Colorado-based companies who are specifically looking to hire remote workers in rural areas such as Norwood. For a list of companies and jobs, please visit https://energizecolorado.com/remotework/
Resources:
https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/benefits-of-remote-work/
https://www.autoinsurancecenter.com/time-wasted-in-commutes.htm