Internet In Rural Areas – Can You Work Your Best There?

With the rise of the internet in rural areas and the digital age, more and more people are finding that they can work from home. But what about those of us who live in rural areas? Can we work from home successfully, too?

The answer is a resounding yes! However, check the services available in the area before you make the big move. Before moving there, you want to ensure you have reliable internet in rural areas. Our first year in our new home we didn’t and it was harder for me to get more done online.

Here’s a look at some ways you can make working from home with the internet in rural areas possible.

High-Speed Internet Is A Must

One of the best things about working from home is that you can do it anywhere there’s an internet connection. That means that as long as you have a decent internet connection, you can work from home in a rural area.

There are a few things to keep in mind, though, when it comes to working from home with the internet in rural areas.

First, your internet connection needs to be fast enough to handle whatever work you’ll be doing online. If you’re going to be working with large files or streaming video, for example, you’ll need a faster connection than someone who just needs to check email and do some light web browsing.

Second, you’ll need to have a backup plan for your internet service. With internet in rural areas, power outages, and bad weather can sometimes take down internet service for extended periods.

If your job depends on having an internet connection, make sure you have a backup plan—like a mobile hotspot or access to another location with an internet connection—in case your service goes out.

Or you could invest in a generator for power outages in your rural home or office.

Go With Starlink For Faster Speed Internet

Many of our neighbors have purchased Starlink and are loving the internet service it provides. The cost is a little steep as you have to invest in the equipment to get started which is now around $500. Then the service is approximately $125/mo.

I’ve been fortunate that most of my work is done early mornings and I haven’t had many problems being able to be online to run my small business.

However, that was not the case when the local kids were in school remotely a few years ago. I could not work midday as the internet service was at capacity in our small rural town.

Furthermore, a few months ago we got Fidium Fios in our area and it’s made a huge difference no matter what time of day or night I work.

Broadband Internet Access in Rural Areas

Broadband internet access isn’t just a convenience; it’s a lifeline. Many folks struggle with slow connections, making it harder to work from home or stream their favorite shows.

Picture trying to join a Zoom call, but your internet’s lagging. Frustrating, right? That’s everyday life for many in rural spots.

Congress spent over $42.5 billion to go to rural areas for faster internet speed and yet this still hasn’t happened in many places.

The Pros of Working From Home in a Rural Area

There are quite a few pros to working from home in a rural area. First of all, there’s the cost of living.

In general, rural areas are cheaper to live in than urban areas. This means that your cost of living will be lower, which is always a good thing.

(However, check this out before you make the move as property taxes have increased in our area recently and may have in other rural areas too.)

Additionally, there’s less traffic and fewer people. This can be a huge plus if you’re someone who prefers peace and quiet while working.

Another pro is that you’ll have more space. If you live in an urban area, chances are you’re crammed into a small apartment with little to no outdoor space.

But in a rural area, you’ll likely have a house with a yard (or even acres of land). This can be great for people who need some extra space to spread out while they’re working.

With great internet in rural areas, you could work outside on your laptop and enjoy nature at the same time.

What Kind of Jobs Can You Do Online With High-Speed Internet In Rural Areas?

There are plenty of opportunities for those who live in rural areas to work from home. Here are just a few of them.

• Freelance writing: If you have a knack for writing, there are many opportunities to do freelance writing from home. You can write for blogs, magazines, or even companies directly. Many websites connect writers with clients, so you should have no trouble finding work.
• Virtual assistant: A virtual assistant is a person who provides administrative support to a company or individual from a remote location. This can include tasks such as scheduling appointments, answering emails, and managing social media accounts.
• Customer service representative: Many companies now offer customer service positions that can be done from home. This is a great option if you enjoy helping people and problem-solving.
• Online tutoring: Are you an expert in a particular subject? If so, you can make money by tutoring students online. Many websites connect tutors with students looking for help.

Other Online Jobs:

• Data entry: Data entry is a great option for those who want to work from home but don’t want to deal with customers or clients. This job entails inputting data into a computer system for storage or processing.
• Social media manager: Do you love spending time on social media? If so, you could get paid to do it! Many businesses now hire social media managers to create and post content on their behalf.
• Website developer: Are you good at coding? If so, you could make good money developing websites for businesses or individuals. This job can be done entirely from home.
• Product reviewer: Do you like trying out new products? If so, there are companies that will pay you to review their products and give your feedback.

More Online Jobs in Rural Areas With The Internet:

• Online surveys: Companies are always looking for feedback from consumers about their products and services. You can make money by taking online surveys and providing your opinion.
• Graphic designer: Do you have experience with graphic design? If so, many businesses and individuals would be willing to pay you for your services.
• Event planner: Are you good at planning events? If so, some companies will pay you to plan events such as weddings, corporate functions, and parties.
• Personal shopper: Do you enjoy shopping? If so, some companies will pay you to shop for them. This job entails buying items such as clothing, groceries, and gifts on behalf of your client. Not only that but if you live in a rural area, older residents may pay you to shop for them.
• Transcriptionist: A transcriptionist is someone who converts audio files into written text. This job can be done entirely from home as long as you have a computer and internet connection.
• Travel agent: Are you passionate about travel? If so, you could get paid to help people plan their dream vacations. Many travel agents now work entirely from home thanks to the Internet in rural areas.

The Cons of Working From A Rural Home

Of course, there are also some downsides to working from home in a rural area. The first is that there may not be as many job opportunities. If you’re looking for a specific type of job, you may have better luck finding it in an urban area.

Additionally, the pay may not be as good in rural areas. This is often because there are fewer jobs available overall.

However, that may not be the case as much as it used to as businesses in our small rural town are desperate for help and are paying higher wages today. We see help-wanted signs everywhere in our rural area.

Another potential downside is that there may not be as many people around. This can be isolating for some people and makes it hard to stay motivated while working from home.

Additionally, if you have kids, it can be hard to find childcare in a rural area since there are often fewer daycare options available.

Beware: The Worst States With Internet Service

According to Get Internet, these are the worst 5 states with internet service:

• #46 Wyoming – 29.9 Mbps average speed – 75.2% Coverage
• #47 Oklahoma 26.8 Mbps 74.5%
• #48 Arkansas 25.0 Mbps 73.3%
• #49 Mississippi 25.2% Mbps 70.2%
• #50 Montana 20.3 Mbps 69.2%

They do go on to state that “Large, rural states have less Internet coverage and slower speeds than small, highly-populated states.”  If you check out their webpage you will see the top states with the best internet service have a high-density population.

Conclusion: Rural Area Internet

Working from home is becoming more popular—and for good reason. It offers more advantages over traditional office work, like increased flexibility and decreased commute times. But what about those of us who live in rural areas?

Can we work from home with the internet in rural areas, too? The answer is a resounding yes. As long as you have a decent internet connection, you can work from home in a rural area.

Just keep in mind that your internet connection needs to be fast enough to handle whatever work you’ll be doing online. Also, you should have a backup plan for when (not if) your internet service goes out.

Do you work online in a rural area? I’d love to hear from you about your journey with the internet in rural areas.