Silicon Valley. New York City. San Francisco. Read any of the countless articles about where to find the best tech jobs, and it’s more than likely that cities like these will be at the very top. With endless entertainment, dining, and cultural opportunities, it’s no wonder that so many people choose to live in these areas. But with a large number of amenities, comes a big drawback: a very high cost of living. That’s why I’d like to make the case that our six development center communities have just as much to offer as their larger counterparts, at a much lower cost for our colleagues. Take a look at my list for the best places to work in tech.
Our very first development center is located almost smack dab in the center of Middle America. Home to Arkansas State University, Jonesboro has housing that’s an enviable 26% lower than the national average. It’s also a city full of natural beauty, with Craighead Forest Park and Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center providing ample opportunities for exploring the great outdoors.
While most people know Augusta as the city of the Masters golf tournament, to us, it’s home to over 120 of our colleagues. Located on the Savannah River, the city has tons of history, and was even the state capital at one time. A recent exciting addition to Augusta’s economy is a number of film and TV productions taking place, thanks to the filming tax credits offered by the State of Georgia.
San Francisco and New York City aren’t the only tech hubs located on the ocean! You’ll find Mobile right on Alabama’s beautiful Gulf Coast. The city has a booming culinary scene, with Dauphin Street (Mobile’s answer to New Orleans’s Frenchman Street) and its many restaurants and bars. Looking for a family-friendly Mardi Gras experience? You’ll definitely want to visit Mobile during their annual celebration, which is the oldest in the U.S.
How does an average of 310 sunny days a year sound to you? In Albuquerque, great weather and lots of natural beauty make it a city you’ll want to get out and explore. Home to the Sandia Mountains, which offer breathtaking views and skiing opportunities, Albuquerque also has myriad art galleries, and hosts the country’s largest balloon festival.
Oklahoma City has gone through an incredible transformation over the past 10 years, especially downtown, with additions including the Devon Energy Center, a 50-story office building; The Jones Assembly, a restaurant, bar and live music venue; and Scissortail Park, which hosts farmer’s markets, concerts, and is the home of the USRowing National High Performance Center, a U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site. With a cost of living that’s 15% below the national average, OKC offers our employees a great value.
In this city of over 250,000 people, endless entertainment options is just one of the reasons we decided to call Fort Wayne home to our newest development center. Lots of unique festivals, including the annual BuskerFest dedicated to street performers, and a thriving arts scene mean there’s no shortage of things for you and your family to do. In fact, SmartAsset.com named it the #1 place to raise a family in the United States.
Beyond the many amenities offered by our development center cities, our one-of-a-kind culture provides opportunities for you to cultivate a rewarding career in tech. With challenging and exciting projects in a highly collaborative and supportive environment, Sparq is committed to creating high-quality jobs throughout Middle America.
Looking for your next tech role in one of these fantastic cities? Check out our careers page to learn more about what’s waiting for you at Sparq.
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