Work from anywhere! Most Americans working remotely thinking about leaving the country

NEW YORK — Although many people are happy working from home now, that’s not keeping them from packing up and hitting the road — permanently. According to a new survey, 62 percent of Americans working remotely are considering moving to a new country.

The survey of 2,000 people asked if they would want to live somewhere else in the world and if the pandemic has helped that become a reality. The majority of respondents (58%) said they’d opt to live in a major city if they could live anywhere. However, 42 percent said they’d move to a small town or village — with 41 percent of these Americans going so far as to live in the woods.

remote working abroad

Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Simform, the survey also finds 82 percent of respondents said their employer is allowing them to work from home indefinitely. Two in three people also shared their companies have allowed all of their employees to work from home permanently. Now that they’re working remotely, 70 percent of respondents feel like they finally have the opportunity to travel and live wherever they want.

No longer tied down thanks to remote work

As respondents continue working remotely, 66 percent of the poll are seriously considering moving to a new city. In fact, 62 percent have already moved to a new city and 52 percent have taken the leap and moved to an entirely new country.

The survey also took a look at the top benefits of working remotely and discovered 66 percent believe flexible working hours is the biggest perk. Sleeping in later or going to bed later (49%) followed as the next biggest incentive. Seven in 10 respondents also said not having to commute every day for work has made them much happier.

However, 57 percent of the poll aren’t the happiest at their current job. These Americans are looking for a new gig at an average of four times a week. Sixty-four percent of these respondents are even applying for new jobs on their current company’s work computer.

The top reason respondents are job hunting is their desire to relocate or move to another country, with 62 percent citing this feeling. Six in 10 respondents on the job hunt want to expand their skill sets and 39 percent want to experience a new industry.

remote working abroad

“The results show that Americans are hungry for new experiences in the workplace,” says a spokesperson for Simform in a statement. “Thirty-eight percent of respondents said one of the top things they’re looking for when they do look for a new job is career development. In today’s gig economy, there are more opportunities than ever to find side hustle or another opportunity to learn new skills and expand your expertise to further your career.”

Sixty-eight percent of all respondents said they’d much rather stay at their current job, even if they’re unhappy, than enter the job market right now because of the uncertainty COVID-19 is causing. Even if respondents were to leave their current job, 69 percent would only accept an offer if they were allowed to work remotely full-time.

“It’s clear Americans are reevaluating their priorities in life when it comes to work,” the spokesperson adds. “Remote working opens the door to endless possibilities to enhance your career by working with different people within different industries.”

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