How Quality of Life Affects Where Companies Choose to Open Offices

生活品質如何影響企業選擇開設辦公室的地點

Jul 11, 2026, 13:00

Introduction

Current economic trends show that companies are focusing more on the quality of life in potential office locations. This is because they want to attract and keep talented employees during a period of labor shortages.

目前的經濟趨勢顯示，企業更加關注潛在辦公室地點的生活品質。這是因為在勞動力短缺期間，他們希望吸引並留住優秀的人才。

Main Body

The modern business world has changed, and companies are now looking for attractive places to live to encourage employees to move. Because of this, the 2026 'America’s Top States for Business' study has increased the importance of the 'Quality of Life' category to 11.6% of the total score. This score is based on data regarding public safety, air quality, access to healthcare, affordable childcare, and laws concerning civil liberties.

現代商業世界已經改變，企業現在正尋找吸引人的居住地以鼓勵員工搬遷。因此，2026年「美國最佳商業州」研究將「生活品質」類別的權重提高至總分的 11.6%。此分數是基於公共安全、空氣品質、醫療保健獲取機會、可負擔的兒童照護以及公民自由相關法律的數據。

Analysis shows that states with strong policies often have better results. For example, Nebraska has the lowest drug death rate in the U.S. due to its monitoring system, while Massachusetts has the lowest number of uninsured people thanks to healthcare reforms. In terms of safety, Virginia and New Hampshire have successfully reduced violent crime. On the other hand, while North Dakota offers affordable childcare, recent budget cuts might put this advantage at risk.

分析顯示，擁有強而有力政策的州通常成效較好。例如，內布拉斯加州憑藉其監測系統，擁有全美最低的藥物死亡率；而麻薩諸塞州則因醫療改革，使未投保人數最低。在安全方面，維吉尼亞州和新罕布什爾州成功降低了暴力犯罪。另一方面，雖然北達科他州提供可負擔的兒童照護，但近期的預算削減可能會使這項優勢面臨風險。

In contrast, some states have serious problems that could hurt their economic competitiveness. For instance, Arkansas and Alabama struggle with food security and mental health services. Furthermore, restrictive laws in Oklahoma and Louisiana regarding reproductive rights and diversity may cause young adults to leave these states. Similarly, Texas and Indiana face challenges with healthcare and childcare, and Tennessee's restrictive laws on non-discrimination have lowered its ranking for inclusiveness.

相反地，部分州面臨嚴重問題，可能會損害其經濟競爭力。例如，阿肯莎州和阿拉巴馬州在糧食安全與心理健康服務方面陷入苦戰。此外，奧克拉荷馬州和路易斯安那州關於生殖權利與多元化的限制性法律，可能會導致年輕成年人離開這些州。同樣地，德克薩斯州和印第安納州在醫療保健與兒童照護方面面臨挑戰，而田納西州關於非歧視的限制性法律則降低了其在包容性方面的排名。

Conclusion

The differences in quality of life between states continue to influence where companies decide to move and how competitive a region is economically.

各州之間生活品質的差異，將持續影響企業決定遷往何處，以及該地區在經濟上的競爭力。

Vocabulary Learning

🚀 The 'Connector' Leap: Moving from A2 to B2

At the A2 level, you likely use and, but, and because to join your ideas. To reach B2, you need to use Logical Connectors. These are words that tell the reader how two ideas relate—whether they are contrasting, adding information, or showing a result.

🛠️ The 'Contrast' Toolkit

In the text, the author doesn't just say "but." They use more sophisticated tools to show a difference between two things:

On the other hand... $\rightarrow$ $\to$ Used to introduce a completely different perspective.
- Text Example: "On the other hand, while North Dakota offers affordable childcare..."
In contrast... $\rightarrow$ $\to$ Used to compare two things that are opposite.
- Text Example: "In contrast, some states have serious problems..."

📈 The 'Adding' Toolkit

Instead of saying "and... and... and," B2 speakers use markers to build a stronger argument:

Furthermore... $\rightarrow$ $\to$ Used when you want to add a point that is even more important than the last one.
- Text Example: "Furthermore, restrictive laws in Oklahoma..."
Similarly... $\rightarrow$ $\to$ Used when the next point is almost the same as the previous one.
- Text Example: "Similarly, Texas and Indiana face challenges..."

💡 Pro-Tip for Fluency

Stop thinking in short sentences. Try to link your thoughts using this logic:

A2 Style: Texas has bad healthcare. Indiana has bad healthcare. (Simple) B2 Style: Texas faces challenges with healthcare; similarly, Indiana struggles with the same issue. (Sophisticated)

Quick Reference Table

If you want to...	Instead of using...	Try using...
Add a point	And	Furthermore / In addition
Show a difference	But	In contrast / On the other hand
Show a similarity	Also	Similarly / Likewise

Vocabulary Learning

labor shortages (n.)

A situation where there are not enough people available to work in a particular industry or region.

Example:Many restaurants are struggling to stay open due to severe labor shortages in the service industry.

civil liberties (n.)

The basic rights and freedoms that are guaranteed to individuals by the law.

Example:The organization works to protect civil liberties and ensure freedom of speech for all citizens.

reforms (n.)

The improvement or amendment of what is wrong, corrupt, or unsatisfactory in a system.

Example:The government introduced healthcare reforms to make medical services more accessible to the poor.

competitiveness (n.)

The ability of an organization or country to offer better products or services than others.

Example:Investing in technology is essential for maintaining the company's global competitiveness.

restrictive (adj.)

Imposing limitations on someone's activities or freedom.

Example:The company has a restrictive policy regarding the use of personal devices during work hours.

inclusiveness (n.)

The practice of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded.

Example:The university is praised for its inclusiveness and support for students from diverse backgrounds.

influence (v.)

To have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something.

Example:The high cost of living in the city may influence where young professionals choose to settle.

Practice B2 words in a crossword→