Flexible Living as a Career Advantage: Move for Projects Without Hassle

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Not too long ago, your career was married to your zip code (ask your parents, they know). 

Oh, do you want a better job in another city? Tough luck! You either had to beg your employer for a transfer or box up your life and hope for the best. 

Luckily, the rules have changed. Flexible renting and a culture that embraces job-hopping and remote working mean you can chase opportunities without committing to a year-long lease or a moving truck full of regrets. 

If and when you land a project across the country, you can find a convenient short-term rental and chase the opportunity without uprooting your entire life (and maybe your family’s as well). 

Did we pique your interest? Let’s have a look at what flexible living is and how to use it to boost your career. As a bonus, we’ve asked a few successful professionals to share their thoughts on this way of living, so make sure to stay tuned until the end!

What Is Flexible Living?

It’s exactly what it sounds like: housing that bends to fit your life, not the other way around. Instead of signing a 12-month lease and crossing your fingers that nothing changes, you opt for shorter or adjustable rental terms.

That means you can move for a three-month contract in New York, test out six months in Austin, or split your year between New York and San Francisco without breaking leases or your budget.

According to Zillow, breaking a lease can cost you between 2 and 4 months of rent, and (in some cases) you may even be stripped of the right to get your security deposit back. This type of fixed contract is limiting for someone who needs/wants to move around.

With the work environment becoming more flexible, the real estate market came up with a more fitting rental model, which proved quite popular nationwide. You can now find a wide range of units in most major cities, from studios to apartments to co-living spaces. 

For instance, Boston is one of the cities with a thriving flexible living scene. Adrian Iorga, Founder & President at 617 Boston Movers, confirmed this: 

“We’ve seen a big shift in Boston with more professionals choosing short-term rentals because of their careers. Flexible living gives them the chance to take on projects here without worrying about long leases or complicated relocations.”

Who Is Flexible Living For?

If you’re imagining digital nomads or social media influencers, you’re not wrong, but flexible living is a great option for a wider range of professionals. 

Let’s see who stands to benefit the most from this arrangement:

Remote Freelancers and Consultants

These professionals are among the most advantaged by this model. Even if 90% of the work happens online, being able to meet a client face-to-face, at least occasionally, can make the difference in winning or keeping a contract. 

The Community Advocate at Traffic Think Tank, Leigh McKenzie, shared:

“Many marketing freelancers I work with build their careers around flexibility. Being able to move for a few months where clients or opportunities are strongest is what allows them the opportunity to get involved with unique and interesting projects that build up their portfolio.”

Plus, in-person meetings help build relationships and establish trust, which are necessary for complex projects. Furthermore, some clients may not feel comfortable offering confidential details about their company online (even via secure channels).

Face-to-face interaction can build rapport and a stronger connection with clients, making them feel more comfortable and trusting of your work.

Skilled Tradespeople

The world is currently experiencing a shortage of skilled tradespeople and an increase in demand for their services. As a result, professionals in these fields are highly sought after and can have their pick of projects to take or locations to work in. 

Let’s take professional electricians as an example. They usually fall into three buckets:

1. Independent contractors / self-employed electricians – They run their own small businesses or work project-to-project. 
2. Union electricians – Many belong to unions, but may still take on project-based work usually tied to contracts negotiated by the union. 
3. Employees of electrical firms – Some electricians work full-time for construction companies, maintenance firms, or large employers.

Independent contractors enjoy the most freedom, but union workers and employees can also travel for their job. Flexible living makes this freedom pay off. With short-term rentals, they can follow large-scale projects across the country, such as airports, hospitals, or data centers, that often pay far more than routine residential jobs.

The same is true of other skilled trade professionals, such as plumbers, HVAC technicians, or construction specialists. Flexible living gives tradespeople the freedom to follow opportunity peaks, maximize income, and avoid the downtime that comes with being stuck in one place.

IT and Healthcare Professionals

In the tech industry, job hopping, which is the practice of switching jobs in a short period of time (usually under three years), is a way to boost your career and salary. According to a recent survey, 64% of job hoppers believe switching jobs accelerates their career progression.

With flexible living, this pattern scales nationwide. Professionals can take project-based contracts wherever demand is highest, while tech companies benefit by bringing in skilled developers, engineers, or consultants on a temporary basis.

For employers, retaining high-demand talent during this constant movement requires more than just competitive pay. Implementing strong employee listening strategies helps organizations identify what matters most to their workforce and adjust policies around mobility, flexibility, and project-based assignments.

Furthermore, IT pros get unfettered access to tech hubs that help them increase knowledge and expertise. Think about it: being able to spend six months in Austin, a year in Seattle, or a few months in the Bay Area is a tech pro’s dream come true! 

Healthcare tells a slightly different story. With workforce shortages hitting hospitals nationwide, travel nursing and short-term clinical assignments have skyrocketed. Nurses, physical therapists, and other specialists can step in where they’re needed most, whether during flu season, hospital expansions, or emergency surges. 

The payoff works both ways: hospitals get crucial support, and healthcare workers earn higher pay plus housing stipends. Flexible living makes those stipends stretch further, letting professionals keep more in their pockets instead of sinking money into long, inflexible leases.

Event Professionals

Event professionals, such as festival organizers and touring production crews, thrive on flexibility, since gigs can pop up anywhere. 

“For folks in the event industry, moving for a job is part of the deal. The biggest opportunity can pop up at the other end of the country, and being able to move quickly is a great advantage when you’re trying to build your reputation.” — Ben Kruger, CMO at Event Tickets Center.

Being on-site boosts networking opportunities and local know-how, which means that each temporary move can become a career advantage.

The Costs of Flexible Living (And How to Keep Them Down)

In a nutshell, embracing flexible living can be an amazing career advantage. However, it’s not all rainbows and unicorns. Moving is not the most pleasant of activities (even when it’s just a temporary relocation), and it comes with additional costs compared to staying put. 

Here’s a breakdown of what to expect and how to manage expenses:

Moving Expenses

Unless you’re moving with only a suitcase to your name, you have to include moving expenses in your budget. Depending on the volume of belongings and distance, you may end up paying between $1,250 and $2,200+ per move.

Quick tip: If you’re only moving for a few months, you can save on moving costs by looking into furnished rentals. This way, you only have to bring your essentials along, as most of the things you need for daily life come with the unit. 

Short-Term Rental Premiums

Flexibility usually comes at a higher cost, and in this case, it’s in the form of premiums, which are often included in the rent (but not always). This extra cost covers the added work landlords face with frequent tenant turnover, like extra cleaning, maintenance, and administrative tasks.

Of course, costs vary depending on location, space size, and more.

Strategies to Keep Costs Down

Rent and costs associated with moving have skyrocketed in the last couple of years, so no one wants to pay more than they have to. The good news is that there are various ways to keep costs down, especially on a flexible schedule.

First, look into relocation assistance programs from your employer. Some companies offer financial support for moving expenses, but this only applies if you’re relocating. You should also talk to a tax professional and see if some of your moving expenses aren’t tax-deductible (only valid in certain states).

You can use AI to plan your housing expenses and find areas where you can cut down or negotiate. Some landlords may offer discounts for longer short-term stays. Also, if your work allows it, opt for mid-term rentals as they’re often at a lower premium than traditional short-term rentals.

We asked Jeffrey Zhou, CEO and Founder of Fig Loans, his opinion on flexible living as a lifestyle. This is what he shared:

“Before deciding on embracing flexible living, you need a clear picture of your finances. Know your total costs, from rent premiums to moving expenses, so you don’t get caught off guard. Planning ahead and having all the data allows you to make confident decisions and actually benefit from the flexibility, rather than feeling stretched thin.”

Lastly, the best part of flexible living is that you can rent a room in an apartment or house, not the entire place. This reduces costs considerably and lets you choose high-end locations, closer to the city center or your business partner’s place.

How to Choose the Right Neighborhood

When you’re chasing projects across the country, you rarely have enough time to research neighborhoods. In all fairness, if you’re only going to stay a month or two, it’s not that important, but you should still take a few things under consideration, such as commute time, safety, and access to amenities.

There are various ways to learn more about your future surroundings before the actual move, but if you know what to look for, there’s a lot you can learn from even a simple walk (or Google Street View). 

For instance, Nicolas Breedlove, CEO at PlaygroundEquipment.com, told us that playground proximity is a surprisingly effective indicator of family-friendly areas. 

According to him: 

“Neighborhoods with well-maintained playgrounds tend to have stronger community engagement and better upkeep overall. Take a walk around the neighborhood and pay attention to the type of playground equipment available and whether it’s being used or not.”

Another clear indicator of a neighborhood’s quality is the level of public cleanliness. We learned this from John Elarde III, Operations Manager at Clear View Building Services, who pointed out that:

“Clean streets, well-kept sidewalks, and tidy local businesses indicate a community that takes pride in its surroundings and maintains its properties. It’s a simple way to gauge the overall upkeep and reliability of a neighborhood before you commit to any form of rental.”

Wrap Up: Long-Term Career Growth Through Flexible Living

Nowadays, flexible living can be a real career accelerator. Chasing projects nationwide lets you expand your network, diversify your experience, and maximize your earnings without the weight of a long-term lease. With a little smart planning, embracing flexible living as a long-term strategy can set you apart, helping you grow your skills, strengthen your resume, and elevate your career trajectory.