Moving to a new city
15/09/2011
by: Linda
Coworking is as much about being part of a community as it is about desk and meet space,
Wi-Fi and other physical aspects of the work environment. A number of our new
members are not only coworking 'newbies' but also new to Leeds. We asked Jason
Thorne, who joined the coworking space in May, to share his experiences of
moving to Leeds and coworking here at Old Broadcasting House.
Jason:
Until about six months ago, my work was based exclusively in London - a great place,
but for a number of personal reasons, I felt I needed to move back up to my
family and roots in Yorkshire, at least for a while.
I soon found Leeds, quite unexpectedly, started to take me under its wing. I've lived
in the East and West Midlands before, so I know there can be 'life outside
London' (despite what some people are led to believe), but in addition to the
significantly thriving industry scene up here, there seems to be something
really special about Leeds - it's a wonderful, welcoming city with a mass of
open, friendly, compassionate people. It's interesting and relatively
cosmopolitan. The way it's so down to earth is life-affirming, and I love the
positive, healthy attitude.
Serendipitously, this eventually led to me to discover coworking with nti Leeds at Old
Broadcasting House www.oldbroadcastinghouse.com
and a place I could base myself in the day. Again, I couldn't believe what is
on offer here. It's well equipped, and great value for the membership fee.
Coworking is a good way to meet new people doing a similar kind of thing, and
there's every chance you can pick up new clients, contacts and associates/
suppliers alike. I'm already used to the idea of coworking, as my base in
London does a similar kind of thing, but the cost/ quality of living up here
makes everything more viable.
I really did think I was going to miss being based in London all the time. But I'm
finding it's so easy to get there from Leeds, say, for client meetings (for
example I'm working for Sony at the moment, based in W1) and to stay with
family and friends, I don't really feel I have left in some ways! Believe it or
not, if you time it right, it can actually cost less from here, than it does
from, say, Bedfordshire (where I lived at one time.) It can even take less time
to get there as well.
In truth, I like to think I may go back to live in or around London again. But
increasingly there really doesn't appear to be the need to, that I thought may
quickly arise. There's nothing wrong with widening your network into a new area
either, and I'm now creating the new identity for Leeds-based creative
technologist, and fellow coworker, Richard England www.richardengland.co.uk, and a
flyer to advertise an interactive exhibition, again, hosted by Richard, in
association with NTI Leeds www.ntileeds.co.uk and the Leeds Digital Festival www.leedsdigitalfestival.com.
As they slogan goes: Leeds - Live It, Love it.
Leeds is fast becoming a great alternative base for this me, and without co-working I probably
wouldn't have settled into my new surroundings as well as I have.
Thanks Jason for sharing your
experiences of coworking. And for a great great endorsement of Leeds too.