Let’s face it, London is a trap. It lures you in with its promise of riches and then charges you £12 for a plastic box of salad. There is another way. Hybrid working has freed workers from the shackles of a daily commute and opened up the opportunity to leave the city behind. So if you’re considering making the break, here are five reasons you’ve probably seen the light.
Why pay London rent for a desk in your bedroom?
Still shelling out a fortune for that flat share with “character” (peeling paint and draughty windows) because it’s twenty minutes to the office door-to-door? You’re paying a premium for a commute you’re no longer using five days a week. Grab a good book, learn to love a slightly longer train journey, and swap that pokey bedroom for your own home office.
That countryside Teams background could be your actual view
Swap the backdrop of London rooftops or the hastily tidied bookshelf for rolling hills or a garden bursting with flowers. Bonus points when you casually apologise on a call for the sound of birdsong. No more hitting mute as the sirens pass by or the bin lorry backs out of the street. Your colleagues will hate you for it – in the best way.
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You’re Not “Networking,” You’re Netflix-ing
Are you really maximising those London networking opportunities? If those after work drinks usually turn out to be you and a takeaway binge-ing the latest show then it’s time to stop pretending. Move somewhere quieter, with more room and less FOMO. Your bank account will thank you and you can still pop into London for the events that really matter.
Hybrid gives you options – so use them!
Freedom is at the heart of hybrid working. So why are you still stuck in London, holding your nose for a sweaty commute two days a week? Move somewhere new, not because it’s convenient but because you actually like the place. You’ll get much more for your money and, trust us, you’ll gain a fresh appreciation for London when you step out of its frantic hamster wheel and get to experience it on your own terms.
Cut the pretentious price tag
Ok, so life isn’t cheap anywhere these days. But life in London is positively toxic for your bank account. Oh, you like avocado toast? Cool, that’ll set you back £18, plus tip, and they’ll serve it on a wooden plank for the aesthetic. Outside the city you’ll pay less and it might even come with a plate. Leave London and get your money’s worth.
Hybrid workers, let’s not kid ourselves: you don’t need London, and London definitely doesn’t need you. Take your flexible working life somewhere new, somewhere that gives you more bang for your buck—and an actual life outside of work.
The Hattie 