As more people choose to continue working from home, the busy downtown lifestyle has slowly disintegrated. Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
Moving to Leeds city center has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember.
After years of trudging through Hyde Park and Burley, waving buses down in the pouring rain and almost always missing them, I decided this year it was finally time to pack my bags and get into the hustle and bustle of city life.
And now it had to be, I thought to myself.
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Over the past 18 months, the pandemic has seen cities gradually change – no longer the corporate glass and steel beasts they once were, living in the city now means living somewhere on the edge of a housing estate .
When people learn to work remotely, the idea of traveling to your desk Monday through Friday no longer becomes the norm.
The workforce is being decentralized from office buildings around the world and as we see this the whole purpose and energy of a city is starting to change.
We are already seeing a break in the chaos of suits and boots that we associate with the streets of the cities, fueled by black coffees and Blackberries.
Replacing it now is a little much quieter, care has been taken to create an atmosphere of indulgence and indulgence rather than a subdued panic.
I knew now was my chance to see the end of city life we were once familiar with.
After a week here, I’m the first to admit that it’s still noisy despite the lower number, and yes, you don’t really notice the early buses driving through the streets right under the window, but sleeping in earplugs is worth it the look outside when you wake up and see people in their eyes with a zest for life.
There is also a sense of motivation that comes with it; If you’re constantly surrounded by daredevils, there are endless opportunities to try new pop-up bars, cafes, and quirky bookstores – the city doesn’t leave you time to entertain yourself.
All of this may seem overwhelming or cold to the onlookers, but again, there are the same close-knit communities that you will find in the suburbs.
This new lifestyle has already made friends with people I usually call associates. There are more opportunities to share new experiences with those around you when everything is a stones throw away.
For me, city life has an even more intimate charm.
I’m sure that after years of living a lifestyle full of fast-paced passions, it can actually get exhausting – but I can’t ask for anything for now.
Let’s see how long this love affair lasts.