Solo entrepreneurs are having a moment and for good reason. The wealth of resources available to business-minded individuals these days lend themselves well to the gig economy and to those who want to strike out on their own. Not every city is built equally when it comes to a solo entrepreneur, however, some offer a better cost of living or more shared workspaces.
Finding a great spot to live or the best cities to travel to while keeping your flexible schedule is important. As is making sure you have a safe place to work (and network). We’re breaking down the five great cities to work in as a solo
entrepreneur, plus tips on finding great housing.
Table of contents
Charlotte, North Carolina
According to Axios Charlotte, many businesses have already transitioned to a majority of their workers doing their jobs on a remote basis.
With a strong, reliable, and fast system of networks connecting industries with remote gig economy workers, entrepreneurs can count on staying up to speed on their work on a robust, next-gen hookup in this city. And you won’t just be stuck in your apartment. Charlotte has more than 100 places – such as coffee shops and public parks – from which you can hook up via wifi and do what you do best.
Charlotte boasts nearly 20 coworking spaces throughout the city, so you’re never at a loss for networking opportunities.
NYC
New York City offers a multitude of workspace options as well as access to just about anything you could ever want or need, including restaurants and cultural events that will help you stay connected to friends and coworkers.
If you’re single and don’t need much space, there are several neighborhoods to choose from that won’t break the bank. From Astoria to Williamsburg, you’ll find great apartments ranging from about $1,065-$3,500 per month. Not only that, you’ll enjoy plenty of transportation options around the city so you can get to where you’re going in no time.
With so many opportunities for gig economy workers here, this city will ensure you can perform at your best.
Denver, Colorado
If you’re more of a nomad who enjoys traveling, consider heading out west. Denver, Colorado, and Tempe, Arizona are two beautiful cities to explore in between jobs, offering lots of great scenery, attractions, and events for those who love the outdoors.
If you do decide to move in, you’ll find lots of beautiful neighborhoods adjacent to pubs, eateries, and shopping locations. Denver is especially attractive to digital nomads because there are so many other entrepreneurs and gig workers there to network with, plus the cost of living is much lower than in other big cities, with plenty of access to short-term rentals.
Sacramento, California
Speaking of scenery, Sacramento has it in spades. Not only that, the rent and mortgage rates there are some of the lowest in the state.
This makes it a great spot for both gig workers and entrepreneurs. Whether you need a coworking space or want to stick around for a while, Sacramento offers a sense of community. It also has access to plenty of outdoor activities for those who need some fresh air!
Austin, Texas
If you want a scene that’s more creative than outdoorsy, Austin is a great choice. It’s also a destination for tech entrepreneurs, with a high startup success rate as well as state tax benefits.
A city known for innovation, Austin also offers about 720,000 square feet of coworking space, meaning you can stop over on your way to another destination and easily find a quiet spot to work. Looking to stay? There are plenty of great areas to choose from, especially if you’re looking for something family-oriented.
Stay on track
It’s important to make sure you’re able to remain productive within a flexible schedule wherever you live. Try to stick to a routine as closely as possible. Look for tools that will help you, such as an online invoice maker that will streamline creating and sending invoices.
You can use this free tool’s vast library of templates to customize your logo and other company graphics to further brand your business. After downloading once each invoice is complete, you can either print or send it in a digital format like PDF.
Building your own business and maintaining it yourself is a lot of work. But when you find the right place to land, the process will become much easier. Do some research on your favorite cities to find out more about what they have to offer solopreneurs.
Ashlyn is a homegrown Iowan (go Cyclones!). She graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 2023 with a degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Public Relations, and Communications. Now, she serves as UniMovers' Community Outreach Manager. In her free time, she loves to try new restaurants, travel, watch baseball, and spend time with her dog!
To get in contact with her regarding blog partnerships at UniMovers please email blog@unimovers.com.