At Outdoorsy, we help folks get closer to nature without them having to quit their jobs. We see people every week book RVs and vans with WiFi to work out of during the day. (We even have a filter for work-ready rigs). As soon as they log off, they can enjoy the destination right away because they’re already right where they want to be. Opportunities for mountain biking, hiking, foraging, kayaking, and more are steps from their home away from home’s front door.
More employees like you are persuading their employers to foster a flexible working infrastructure that aligns with their busy, active, and healthy lifestyle—whether they’re working from their living room, a campground, or a corner of a mountain cabin. With video conferencing and loads of other communication tools the mainstream nowadays, WFA is bound to become the norm for many digitally-connected jobs.
Maybe you’ve considered working from the road. Maybe you want some flexibility on a family vacation so you don’t have to use all your PTO. Or maybe you’re already convinced and ready to explore full-time living. Now is the time. In this blog, you’ll get an overview of the history and future of remote work, plus some practical suggestions for switching up your workspace.
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A Brief History of WFA
As we learned during the pandemic lockdowns, we’re highly adaptable creatures. When we weren’t allowed to gather in our workplaces, we set up shop in our homes—some of us already had designated offices, but many of us took meetings from our dining room tables. Then, as travel restrictions lifted, we realized another option: We could take our work on the road.
Even before Covid, the Work From Anywhere (WFA) movement was already stirring within some organizations. Its roots date back to the 1970s as rising gas prices made commuting expensive, and the early 2000s with U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission mandates. Before the internet, workers relied on telephone and pager communication, which explains why remote work back then was known as telecommuting. Speeding up to the present, the pandemic was another factor, expediting its adoption across the workforce. Now, WFA isn’t just a convenience anymore. Studies of employees over the last few years show that working where you want can improve job satisfaction, productivity, and retention rates.
The Future of Remote Work
At a time when many employers are rethinking their flexible work policies, WFA is becoming just as viable as WFH (work from home). As long as you get your projects done and stay in communication with your coworkers, why shouldn’t you be able to travel while you work?
By the numbers, WFA is most popular among Millennials, who are the largest workforce right now. But not every company offers remote work. According to data scientists at Ladders, 25 percent of all professional jobs in North America went remote by the end of 2022.
Here are a few more data points from various studies that denote where remote work is headed:
- Nearly 9 in 10 workers considering a job change (87%) are interested in hybrid or fully remote positions (Robert Half’s Demand for Skilled Talent report)
- 35 percent of job holders can work from home full-time, and 23 percent can do so part-time (McKinsey’s American Opportunity Survey)
- 90 percent of workers say they are at the same productivity level—or higher—working from home compared to working at the office (Owl Labs State of Remote Work)
- More than three-quarters of professionals (77%) who can work where and when they are most productive are putting in more hours now than three years ago. (Robert Half’s Demand for Skilled Talent report)
- Remote jobs now make up 15% of work opportunities in the US. (Research compiled by Zippia)
Remote Working Checklist
Consider your WFA setup a more compact version of your office or at-home situation. Bring the essentials along with a few extras on this list for added comfort and convenience.
Lap desk (or stand-up desk)
Krisp App (for noise cancellation)
Stuff to make delicious coffee
Healthy snacks to keep you fueled
Try Before You Buy
Before you go all in working from the road, we suggest testing out the WFA lifestyle for a few days to make sure you like it before negotiating a new schedule with your workplace.
Try extending a weekend trip by a few days, and work from the vehicle for a Thursday and Friday or Monday and Tuesday. Communicate your intentions with your coworkers and boss just in case you run into any logistical troubles, like with WiFi connectivity or weather.
Below, you’ll find ideas for remote-friendly destinations and remote-ready rigs to get started.
10 Remote-Friendly Cities
These are a few of the top metros with a high percentage of workers in remote-friendly jobs, according to Indeed’s 2023 list. The rankings are based on walkability, internet coverage, coworking spaces, economic health, weather, and cost of living.
1. Atlanta, Georgia
2. Jersey City, New Jersey
3. Charlotte, North Carolina
4. Portland, Oregon
5. Irving, Texas
6. Cincinnati, Ohio
7. Denver, Colorado
8. Boston, Massachusetts
9. San Diego, California
10. Washington, D.C.
For more destinations, read our deep dive into cities with the most remote-friendly jobs.
5 Remote-Ready Rigs
Flat surfaces. Plenty of space to spread out. Outlets galore. High-speed internet. Outdoorsy vehicles are equipped for a full work day. We’ve gathered a handful of rigs that have it all. During your search, just remember to check the WiFi filter so you’ll be able to check emails, finish projects, and accept meetings from the rig.
1. 2-Person Getaway Van (Burbank, California)
2. Off-Grid Winnebago (Portland, Oregon)
3. 2022 Entegra Coach Vision XL (Houston, Texas)
4. 2021 Forest River Geo Pro (Montgomery, Massachusetts)
5. ‘Lil Farmhouse on Wheels’ 2019 Mercedes Sprinter (Englewood, Colorado)
Working in a new space is a commitment and takes adjustment, but you’ve likely already adapted to changing your setup at some point in the last few years. You’re totally capable of doing it again, and this time, the perk is that you can work from your favorite places. Lakeside emails? WFA means anywhere.
