How to keep working when you move to a small town

For most people, the move only works if the income works. The good news is that there are more ways to make that happen than you might think, from keeping your current job to starting something new.

Keep your job and move just past the suburbs

You may not have to change jobs at all. The book points out that in most cities, driving about 30 miles from downtown gets you past the metro area and into small-town country. A town at that distance lets you keep your job and your favorite city spots, and you can make the move right away.

Every city is different, and the biggest metro areas reach farther, so look at the towns around yours with fresh eyes.

Transfer within your company

If you want a bigger change of scenery, ask about a transfer. Many employers let people move within the company, and since plenty of people don't want to relocate, the book notes that you may have more options than you expect.

Working remotely

Working from home is now a real option for many jobs. If yours can be done from anywhere, talk with your employer before you start house-hunting, and get the arrangement in writing.

Then make sure the house can support it. Internet service in rural areas can change from one road to the next. Search the exact address on the FCC National Broadband Map, call the providers, and ask the neighbors what speeds they really get. A backup, such as a hotspot on your phone, can save the day when the main line goes down before an important call.

Living on one income

In Frank and Dave's experience, small towns are one of the last places where many households live on one income. With lower costs, one spouse may be able to stop working, stay home with the kids or try something new.

If you've been curious whether your family could live on one paycheck, a small town is a good place to find out. The money guide shows how far a paycheck goes outside the big cities.

Changing careers

If you've wanted to change careers, a small town may be the best place to try it. The book gives several reasons:

• Lower costs ease the risk. A smaller monthly bill makes a big change less frightening.
• There's no one to keep up with. Time and money that went to appearances can go into your new work instead.
• Side work carries no stigma. The book notes that many people in small towns hold two or three jobs. In Frank's town, it says, even the mayor had a full-time job and two side businesses.
• School is close in a college town. You can take night classes, or a spouse can go back to school full time.

As Frank and Dave put it, "There is no greater setting to make a career change than in a small town environment."

One honest caution: local job markets are smaller. If you'll need a local paycheck, line up work before you move, not after.

Make the drive count

If you commute, or make a weekly trip to the city for things your town doesn't have, the drive can become a good part of the day. Here are ideas from the book, updated for today:

• Listen to audiobooks and podcasts. Finally get through the books you never have time to read.
• Learn a language with an app or audio course. Make it a family goal, then celebrate at a restaurant that serves that country's food.
• Play your favorite music, and save a special playlist just for the car. If the family's tastes differ, take turns.
• Let the kids watch a movie on longer trips, with headphones if you need quiet.
• Record your ideas with a voice memo app, from letters to business plans.
• Make hands-free calls on an open highway, never in heavy traffic. The book says Frank keeps a list of people to call and works his way down it.
• Stop at places you enjoy, like an antique shop or a favorite diner. A short walk keeps you alert.
• Pack healthy snacks. Frank's pick is grapes.
• Don't speed. It saves very little time, adds stress and can earn you a ticket.

With a little planning, the drive may become one of your favorite parts of the day.

Pick a town that fits your work

How you'll earn a living should shape where you look. A town near the city suits a commuter, good internet matters most for remote work, and a college town is a great fit if you want to go back to school. The choosing a town guide covers each type.

Frank and Dave's free book has more on careers and commuting, including their full list of ideas for the drive.