Celebrate Noblesville: Most Welcoming Places Winner 2025 – One of six communities recognized for outstanding efforts to attract and support new residents
March 9, 2025, Noblesville, IN – Communities across the U.S. are in a competition for new residents. Without the inherent advantages of major metros and job centers, the nation’s heartland communities are identifying and leveraging their unique assets, engaging in active outreach to potential new residents, creating connections, and making newcomers feel at home.
Today, MakeMyMove, the country’s first and only online relocation marketplace for recruiting remote workers, has named six outstanding communities as America’s Most Welcoming Places for 2025. These cities and regions have gone beyond traditional growth strategies to successfully attract and integrate new residents, proving that a thoughtful, hands-on approach can reshape a community’s future.
Selected for their innovative approaches to population growth and community integration, this year’s Most Welcoming Places are:
- Columbus, GA
- Eastern Kentucky
- Noblesville, IN
- Perry County, IN
- Texarkana, USA
- Tulsa, OK
“These communities understand that relocation isn’t just about moving boxes—it’s about building a life,” said Evan Hock, Co-Founder and COO of MakeMyMove. “The leaders behind these programs are creating real human connections, removing barriers for newcomers, and proving that a welcoming community is the best incentive of all.”
Meet the most welcoming communities in America
Columbus, GA: Precision in People-Matching
With a goal of increasing its population by 4% by 2026, Columbus takes a matchmaking approach to relocation, thoughtfully selecting movers who will relocate for the long term. The Columbus 2025 team doesn’t just recruit remote workers—they connect them with local mentors, businesses, and opportunities to ensure they stay.
Eastern Kentucky: A Culture of Neighborly Care
Led by Latasha Friend at SOAR, the relocation effort in Eastern Kentucky has expanded from 4 to 34 counties, attracting more than 5,500 applicants. What distinguishes it? A deeply rooted culture of hospitality, where residents personally welcome newcomers—sometimes with home-cooked meals, assistance with moving, or even a ride to town.
Noblesville, IN: Concierge-Level Community Integration
Noblesville’s recruitment team focuses on seamless integration, providing new residents with VIP perks, networking events and personal connections to local business and social circles. The city’s hands-on approach ensures that newcomers feel like part of the community from day one.
Perry County, IN: Personal Commitment to Newcomers
In Perry County, Shiraz Mukarram, an immigrant-turned-local leader, takes welcoming new movers personally providing 24/7 support to help new residents settle in. From securing housing to building social connections, Perry County’s approach is a testament to small-town hospitality at its best.
Texarkana, USA: A Dual-State City Investing in Growth
Straddling Texas and Arkansas, Texarkana has created a relocation program that prioritizes education and professional development. With tuition support for newcomers, the city has attracted remote workers eager to earn degrees, learn new trades, or grow careers while settling into a welcoming, mid-sized community.
Tulsa, OK: A Blueprint for Long-Term Retention
Tulsa Remote has established itself as the gold standard for relocation programs, attracting over 3,500 remote workers with a 90% retention rate. Tulsa uses integration specialists, a dedicated coworking space, and community-building events to transform short-term incentives into lasting population growth.
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About MakeMyMove: MakeMyMove is the country’s first and only online marketplace where remote workers can explore the communities that are incentivizing their relocations. Since launching in December 2020, more than 4,000 remote workers and their families have found and relocated to new communities through the platform.
