4 Ways Gig Economy Apps Make for a Smoother Move

Moving to a new city can be daunting. You need to find a place to live, move all your belongings, buy furniture, and learn your way around a new environment. It’s stressful, overwhelming, and expensive. 

Gig economy apps are not only a resource for finding a side hustle, but they're also a great way to make your transition into a new city a little easier. From earning some extra cash to meeting people your neighborhood, there are a number of different benefits gig economy apps have to offer if you’re the new kid in town.

Let's explore some of them!

Financial Peace of Mind

Moving is a big undertaking in all senses of the word, but especially financially. Between down payments, deposits, moving expenses, and new furniture, costs can add up quickly. 

In the United States, the average cost of a local move ranges from approximately $500 to $3,000 while long distance moves range from approximately $1,000 to $14,000.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have some extra cash in your bank account instantaneously? Good news – with gig economy work, you can!

Gig economy apps are becoming increasingly popular because of users' ability to generate supplemental income quickly. Users can browse opportunities that fit their schedule, review the wage associated with the work, and see the money hit the bank account sooner than a regular paycheck.

Need money even sooner? Many gig apps are electing to offer an instant payout to users, meaning once you complete the job, you can transfer your earnings to your bank account for use. 

If moving becomes more expensive than anticipated or you want to save up for the couch of your dreams, picking up a side hustle through a gig economy app can help you get the financial peace of mind that you need.

Learn Your Surroundings 

Settling into a new city takes some time but gig economy apps enable you to learn your way around while earning money.

Platforms like Lyft and Uber enable users to pick up and drop off riders all over town. It’s a great way to learn the roads, traffic patterns, and best ways to get to and from local spots. 

Other gig economy apps like Doordash and Seamless, which offer food delivery services, bring you to the doorsteps of restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops in your area. Delivering food also allows you to take in the sights and smells of local restaurants, making deciding where you go for your next latte or date night a whole lot easier.

If you’re more of an animal lover, gig apps like Rover enable you to offer up your pet sitting or dog walking services. Taking on a dog walking gig could be a good way to explore other neighborhoods and familiarize yourself with different parts of town.

Explore New Opportunities 

Moving to a new city might also mean that you’re looking for a new job. Users love gig economy apps for the ability to make their own work schedule and test out work at multiple businesses before committing to a single employer. 

Apps like shiftNOW enable users to work open hospitality shifts that match their interests and experience. If you’re new to your city and looking for a food and beverage gig, you can test the waters by taking on shifts at a few different places before determining the right full-time fit for you.

Life happens and things change – gig economy work enables you to work without the commitment. So, if it ends up that your new city just isn't the right fit for you, you can pack up your things and hit the road without having to formally quit or worry about leaving the business high and dry.

Meet New People

Whether it’s the passenger you’re driving to the airport, the person you’re delivering groceries to, or the family whose dog your dog sitting – gig economy work introduces you to people from all walks of life.

Gig economy apps are a great way to immerse yourself in a new city and meet people along the way. It’s a small world, and you never know who you might meet while picking up some gig work – it could be your new boss, friend, or just a reliable resource to reach out to as you navigate your new home. 

For those who have been working a 9-5 remotely for a few years now, gig work offers a great way to get out into the community after work or on the weekends and meet new people while doing so.

How to Get Started

As you make the exciting transition to a new city, don’t let a fear of the unknown stop you from living your best life. Gig economy apps are a great way to make for a smoother move and ensure that life in your new city starts out on the right foot.

Never used a gig economy app before? Check out our blog, How to Get Started With Gig Economy Work, to learn how you can get started in a few quick and easy steps.

Explore Available Hospitality Shifts on shiftNOW

As you settle into a new city, consider picking up an open hospitality shift through shiftNOW.

shiftNOW strongly believes that the way people work is changing. We provide a flexible solution for people who want to test the waters in something new - either temporarily or full-time - while still being able to support their financial and personal needs. 

To learn more about shiftNOW and how we’re shaking things up in the gig economy, visit www.shiftnow.com.

About shiftNOW

shiftNOW connects hospitality’s finest brands to quality talent. Founded in 2022, we provide a flexible solution to the hospitality industry’s toughest problem - talent. From one-time, recurring, or temp-to-hire shift work, shiftNOW enables businesses to easily control how they resource their business and provides top-tier talent with an easy way to make money on their own terms. The right worker. The right shift. Right NOW.

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