“Ten years ago, I came to Marseille for the first time and and surprisingly I quickly became a remote work fan here. Here are my 3 workation takeaways.”
Julia Fernández-Pola, Coach
My husband and I took our first trip to Marseille in 2014. As lovers of architecture, we wanted to see for ourselves how the city had been transformed from the pariah of the Côte d’Azur to an urban work of art – and we were able to see the city from its best side. Linguistic as well: Despite my inadequate French, I was met with patience and friendliness wherever I went.
Soon I was planning my next visit to Marseille. Even the train journey there proved to be a wonderful opportunity to get some concentrated work done. I was in a phase of professional reorientation and soon increased my frequency of visits to Marseille. This was also accompanied by a change from a hotel to an apartment I rented regularly. The foundations for a second place to live and work had thus been laid. To this day, I am very happy with this development. My personal take-aways for the success of a workation project can be particularly helpful for people over 30 who have been in their jobs for a few years.
1. Formulating expectations – this is to assess whether the change of location will really enrich you personally.
For example, is it just about getting away from the familiar, or is a specific goal to be tackled under new conditions? Should the change of scenery just provide new impulses or contribute directly to personal development? These ideas place certain demands on the living environment at the desired location.
2. Connections: A safe and reliable transport connection between your main place of residence and your temporary home has two advantages. It allows for possible short trips, which makes it much easier to adapt new situations. Above all, however, it takes off a lot of pressure. The certainty of being able to return home quickly for important personal or professional reasons is extremely reassuring.
3. Habits: As easy as it is to be charmed by the allure of the unknown, don’t underestimate the prominence of your habits.
Ask yourself which elements of your daily routine are indispensable. This could be anything from a bakery within walking distance to a nearby cultural or sports venue. A top 5 ranking ensures that your desired destination will meet your needs.
IN CONCLUSION: the fact that Marseille was once again top of the crime index for European cities in 2024 is negligible. I never had the same expectations for Marseille, concerning safety, as I had for Seligenstadt am Main, additionally I can find my way around ”my” neighbourhoods perfectly well. My day-to-day work functions, and the fascination continues.
Julia Fernández-Pola …
… worked in various management roles in the financial market, in consulting and in the hotel industry for 20 years. Since 2023, she has been focusing on systemic coaching for professionals and executives in a changing process. She lives and works in Berlin and Hanau near Frankfurt.
Photos: © Julia Fernández-Pola