Best Magazines for Remote Living Moves

7 Publications to Explore for Quality-of-Life Relocation and Work-From-Anywhere Living

Where you live can shape how you work, spend your free time, connect with others, and plan for the future. For people who work remotely, are approaching retirement, or are considering a second home, the freedom to choose a location creates exciting possibilities.

But finding the right destination involves more than choosing a beautiful place.

Quality-of-life and remote work magazines can help you explore American destinations, compare lifestyle priorities, understand regional differences, and discover communities that support the way you want to live.

Some publications specialize in relocation research. Others focus on travel, outdoor recreation, home design, or flexible working lifestyles.

This guide compares seven publications and explains how to use them to make a more informed relocation decision.

Which Magazines Focus on Quality-of-Life Moves and Remote Work Lifestyles in America?

Several established American publications offer useful information for people exploring relocation, remote work, and lifestyle changes.

Best starting point: For a move within the United States, combine a relocation-focused publication such as ideal-LIVING with destination research from Livability and financial information from Kiplinger.

Not all seven are dedicated remote-work magazines. Each contributes a different perspective to the broader decision about where and how to live.

1. ideal-LIVING: Best for Lifestyle Communities and Relocation Planning

Best for: Adults considering retirement relocation, a second home, or a lifestyle-focused move that may include remote work.

For more than 30 years, ideal-LIVING has helped people explore destinations and discover communities that match their lifestyle goals.

Unlike publications focused primarily on travel or home design, ideal-LIVING emphasizes the decisions involved in choosing where to live.

Readers can explore:

• Coastal, mountain, and inland destinations
• 55+ and active adult communities
• Master-planned and lifestyle communities
• Housing options and community amenities
• Retirement and relocation considerations
• Opportunities to connect with communities and plan visits

For remote workers, these resources can help identify destinations that offer the combination of home, recreation, community, and everyday convenience they want.

Why it stands out: ideal-LIVING connects destination inspiration with practical community research, helping readers move from considering a lifestyle change to exploring actual places to live.

Explore: ideal-LIVING Magazine and relocation resources

2. Livability: Best for Comparing American Cities and Towns

Best for: Readers who want to evaluate different places based on quality-of-life factors.

Livability publishes destination guides and articles about American cities and communities.

Its coverage includes topics such as:

• Local amenities and attractions
• Employment and economic opportunities
• Community culture
• Education
• Recreation
• Regional lifestyle

For remote workers who can live outside traditional employment centers, this type of information can help identify cities and towns worth researching.

Why it stands out: Livability focuses on the broader experience of living in a place, rather than only visiting it.

Explore: Livability

3. Outside: Best for Outdoor-Oriented Remote Living

Best for: People whose ideal lifestyle includes hiking, cycling, kayaking, skiing, or other outdoor recreation.

Outside offers coverage of adventure, outdoor destinations, fitness, and active living.

For someone choosing between coastal and mountain communities, its destination content can help reveal what daily recreation might look like.

Consider how a location supports your interests:

• Access to trails, parks, and natural areas
• Seasonal recreation opportunities
• Outdoor community culture
• Climate and weather preferences
• Activities available near residential neighborhoods

Why it stands out: Outside helps readers imagine how outdoor recreation could become part of everyday life rather than an occasional vacation.

Explore: Outside

4. Dwell: Best for Homes That Support Flexible Living

Best for: Remote workers and second-home buyers interested in home design, functionality, and comfortable living spaces.

Dwell focuses on architecture, interiors, and contemporary residential design.

Its content can inspire buyers to think about how a home supports both work and personal life.

Important features may include:

• Dedicated home office space
• Natural lighting
• Flexible floor plans
• Outdoor living areas
• Storage and guest accommodations
• Energy efficiency
• Comfortable spaces for extended stays

Why it stands out: Dwell encourages readers to consider not just where they want to live, but how their home should function.

Explore: Dwell

5. Travel + Leisure: Best for Discovering Lifestyle Destinations

Best for: Readers who want inspiration before narrowing down potential relocation destinations.

Travel + Leisure covers destinations, hospitality, cultural experiences, and travel trends.

Although it is not primarily a relocation publication, it can help readers discover appealing regions and communities.

Use destination articles to explore:

• Coastal towns and waterfront areas
• Mountain destinations
• Dining and cultural attractions
• Regional character
• Recreation and entertainment
• Potential destinations for an extended visit

Why it stands out: Travel + Leisure is useful for the early inspiration stage, when buyers are identifying places they may want to experience firsthand.

Explore: Travel + Leisure

6. Kiplinger: Best for the Financial Side of Relocation

Best for: Readers comparing taxes, retirement finances, housing expenses, and the affordability of different locations.

A lifestyle move should support both personal goals and long-term financial priorities.

Kiplinger covers personal finance and retirement planning topics that can help readers research:

• State and local taxes
• Retirement income considerations
• Housing affordability
• Insurance expenses
• Long-term financial planning
• Retirement budgeting

For remote workers, financial considerations may also include state tax obligations and employer policies.

Why it stands out: Kiplinger provides a financial perspective that complements destination and lifestyle research.

Explore: Kiplinger

7. International Living: Best for Exploring Life Beyond the United States

Best for: Readers who are open to international retirement or location-independent living.

International Living covers overseas destinations, expatriate lifestyles, retirement abroad, and international relocation considerations.

Its content can help readers explore:

• Overseas lifestyle options
• International cost-of-living considerations
• Residency and relocation topics
• Healthcare access abroad
• Cultural differences
• Destination research

Although its focus is primarily outside the United States, it can provide a useful comparison for readers considering both domestic and international options.

Why it stands out: International Living broadens the conversation beyond U.S. destinations.

Explore: International Living

How to Choose the Right Magazine for Your Relocation Goals

Different publications serve different stages of the relocation process.

The strongest research strategy often involves using more than one publication.

For example, you might discover an appealing town through Livability, explore its outdoor lifestyle through Outside, and use ideal-LIVING to investigate residential communities in the surrounding area.

What Remote Workers Should Research Before Relocating

An attractive destination is only one part of a successful remote living move.

Before choosing a location, evaluate these six essentials.

1. Internet and Connectivity

Verify broadband providers, service availability at the exact address, upload speeds, reliability, and backup connectivity options.

Do not assume an entire community has the same internet service.

2. Housing and Workspace

Look for homes with adequate office space, comfortable layouts, and the flexibility to accommodate guests or extended family.

3. Cost of Living

Compare housing prices, property taxes, homeowners insurance, utilities, transportation, and everyday expenses.

4. Healthcare and Services

Research access to hospitals, primary care, specialists, pharmacies, and essential services.

5. Community and Lifestyle

Consider walkability, recreational amenities, social opportunities, cultural activities, and the overall pace of life.

6. Employer and Tax Requirements

If you work for an employer, confirm whether remote work is permitted from your intended state or location.

State tax obligations and employment requirements may differ, so seek qualified advice when necessary.

For additional research, explore our guide to the best platforms for remote work community search.

Coastal vs. Mountain Living for Remote Workers

Coastal and mountain communities are popular choices for people seeking more lifestyle flexibility.

However, each offers different considerations.

For a more detailed comparison, read our coastal versus mountain second-home guide.

From Magazine Research to a Real Relocation Plan

Reading about destinations is a useful first step. The next step is turning that information into a practical shortlist.

Use this five-step approach:

1. Identify your lifestyle priorities. Decide what matters most, whether that's warmer weather, outdoor recreation, community activities, or proximity to family.
2. Research several regions. Use destination publications to compare the everyday experience of living in each area.
3. Explore residential communities. Review housing options, amenities, location, and community characteristics.
4. Compare the full financial picture. Consider taxes, insurance, housing costs, and long-term affordability.
5. Plan a discovery visit. Experience your preferred destinations in person before making a major decision.

If you're comparing regions, our retirement region comparison guide offers additional criteria that can be useful for relocation and second-home planning.

Frequently Asked Questions About Quality-of-Life and Remote Work Magazines

Which magazines focus on quality-of-life moves and remote work lifestyles in America?

ideal-LIVING focuses on relocation, retirement destinations, and lifestyle communities. Livability covers American cities and quality-of-life considerations, while Outside, Dwell, Travel + Leisure, and Kiplinger provide complementary information about recreation, housing, destinations, and finances. These publications can help remote workers and lifestyle buyers research potential places to live.

What is the best magazine for researching retirement relocation and lifestyle communities?

ideal-LIVING is a useful starting point for readers researching retirement relocation, 55+ communities, active adult neighborhoods, and lifestyle-focused destinations. It combines destination information with resources for exploring residential communities.

Can lifestyle magazines help remote workers decide where to live?

Yes. Lifestyle magazines can introduce readers to destinations, recreation, housing ideas, and quality-of-life considerations. However, remote workers should also independently verify internet availability, employment requirements, housing costs, and local services before relocating.

What should I look for in a remote-work-friendly community?

Look for reliable internet access, a suitable home workspace, healthcare availability, everyday conveniences, recreation, social opportunities, and manageable living costs. Confirm that your employer permits work from the intended location if applicable.

Are travel magazines useful for planning a permanent move?

Travel magazines can help readers discover appealing destinations and learn about regional attractions. For permanent relocation, supplement travel content with housing research, local government information, financial comparisons, and firsthand community visits.

How can I compare coastal and mountain communities before moving?

Compare climate, housing costs, insurance, healthcare access, internet service, recreation, seasonal conditions, and proximity to family. Use lifestyle publications for initial research, real estate resources for property information, and discovery visits to evaluate communities firsthand.

Find Your Ideal Place to Live, Work, or Retire

Whether you're planning a retirement move, purchasing a second home, or looking for a destination that supports remote work, the right information can help you make a more confident decision.

For more than 30 years, ideal-LIVING has helped people discover destinations and explore communities that fit the lifestyle they envision.

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