“I left London for the seaside. Remote work made it possible.”
At Enate, we celebrate the diverse lives of our team and the unique ways they embrace the freedom of remote work. From the hustle of big cities to the quiet charm of coastal towns, our people have the flexibility to design a life that works for them.
In this series, we’re spotlighting the stories of Enate employees who’ve used remote work to shape their ideal lifestyles. This week, we’re talking to a Head of Content who swapped the fast-paced life of London for the calming shores of Margate, pursuing health, creativity, and a deeper sense of freedom.
Please introduce yourself
I’m Zell, and work as Head of Content for Enate. My career has spanned a range of industries including pets, speciality coffee and in recent years, SaaS tech. The world of content is shifting from pure creation-play, to a more blended mix, and I’m embracing it. These days, I’m just as at home with SEO, performance marketing and PR as I am writing. Continuous learning and new challenges are what drive me.
What inspired your move from London to Margate?
I loved the vitality of London and its playground of opportunity, but the lifestyle wasn't sustainable. On a sunny day trip to Margate, I caught a glimpse of a more peaceful life… And affordable housing! It took a while to persuade my partner but 18 months later, we made the move.
How has moving to the coast impacted your health and well-being?
So many ways. Retiring from the London Underground is a big one. We went to a gig at the iconic Dreamland recently and were able to walk home. You’d never be able to do that in London. There is so much focus on the outdoors here, from hiking to sea swimming and beach yoga. I feel much healthier. Ultimately, being able to walk to the beach in under 10 minutes is such a gift. It’s not the Maldives, but it beats city living.
In what ways has remote work given you the freedom to make this change?
Pre-pandemic, it would have been difficult to make this situation work. The ability to work from anywhere is a huge privilege, and one that isn’t lost on me. I feel quite disheartened when I see clickbait articles attacking the concept of remote work and commanding everyone to return to the office.
I remember the stress of working in an office full-time, trying to drown out the perpetual white noise of the office and focus. My brain is ‘less noisy’ by the sea, I can concentrate on the work I need to get done, while prioritising the things that make me happy.
When colleagues do need to meet up face-to-face, London is only 90 minutes away. It works out well.
Have you noticed any financial changes since leaving London?
Definitely. In London, you get tricked into a bit of a consumer trap. From trendy restaurants and events, to the price of a pint, it’s easy to be tempted. Not to mention, everywhere you go, you are blasted with adverts. There is still loads going on in Margate, from art galleries to comedy nights and running clubs, but you don’t need to spend money to have fun.
What’s your favourite part of living in Margate so far?
The sense of community. I thought it would be really difficult to make friends, but there are so many hobby clubs and groups to join. People are generally friendly and warm. There’s an exodus of people moving from London to Margate for similar reasons, so talking about the move is a great ice-breaker. They say Margate is ‘Hackney-on-sea’, and it’s true. Margate has everything decent that Hackney has, just on a smaller scale.
What advice would you give to someone considering a similar move?
If you can make it work, do it. You won’t miss London as much as you think you will, and you’ll be so much happier.
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