Just because we're a blog that talks about remote working doesn't mean we don't recognize the benefits of working in person with others! If you live in the same city as your office, often times a hybrid schedule is a great way to balance the best of both worlds. However, many folks find themselves working out of range to commute to their office, and are forced to find alternatives if they'd like to replicate the hustle and bustle of a day in the office. This post is for either crowd who finds themselves curious on how to work alongside others, without stepping foot in a formal office.
Pros of working in a co-working space
One of the biggest downsides of working remotely is the loneliness it can induce, especially when it's difficult to maintain an active social life throughout the week. Fortunately, co-working lends the opportunity to get out of your residence, and breathe the same air as folks doing their respective jobs for once. Not seeing anyone other than who you may live with for days on end can take a bit of a toll, and leave you feeling isolated. Having this physical company is even beneficial for productivity for many, as seeing others getting work done can help you do the same effectively (I know this helps me personally). Something about working alone with so much room to be distracted while no one is watching can prove to really be a pitfall of mine.
Another big benefit is the opportunity to meet and network with folks you'd otherwise probably not cross paths with. Whether it's exchanging words at the coffee machine, scheduling a meetup with coworkers you've only previously met over Slack, or attending a happy hour/social event the co-working space puts on, it can be a great chance to put yourself out there and add more socialization to your week. There could even be people at a co-working space in your industry or specific vertical that could be great to learn from or just have conversation with. You never know who you'll come across, and building a connection in person can be much more effective than over LinkedIn or Zoom.
Cons of working in a co-working space
In the same breath of saying working alongside others can be good for productivity, I'm going to also say the contrary: it can be distracting. This depends on how easily you are distracted of course, and if you're working or alone from a co-working space at times. If you're with a group of friends co-working, perhaps it's easy to be way less productive and have your focus broken multiple times. Also, some co-working spaces can be very busy and noisy, which can impact concentration if you're not able to lock in on your work with a pair of headphones. If you require a quiet environment to get work done, keep in mind a co-working space is not a library (although you're always welcome to work from a library- more on that soon), and might end up being more of a social space with lots of interaction. Some co-working spaces do have private booths you can use for a period of time to get work done in isolation, and some also give you the ability to rent out a room for a few hours, if you insist on using the space but don't want the noise. Consider if you're truly an introvert here too- do you not want to have to make small talk with people, or introduce yourself to strangers?
Another con to think about is if a co-working space is conducive to your role. Some workers need privacy for calls, or require dual monitors to be most productive. Not all co-working spaces can promise either of these benefits 100% of the time. This is personally why I only co-work once in a blue moon- my full time job requires being on a lot of Zoom calls with minimal distraction and I'm fully acclimated to using strictly two monitors to get the most done.
Lastly, and for many most importantly- cost. Using WeWork as an example: individual days start at around $30 for a shared workspace, and a monthly membership can range from $200-$300/mo. Unless there is a no-brainer need for the space, and you have the cash, this can prove hard to justify. I can see an individual day here or there as an opportunity to get out of your typical workspace as beneficial, but the membership costs across the board tend to be on the higher end. It makes sense to weigh what benefits you'd be getting from the co-working space, such as networking opportunities, flexible working space, increased productivity, etc., if you're going to consider subscribing on a monthly basis. Most spaces offer trial periods or tours so you can get a look and feel, which is highly recommended before committing.
Accessibility of co-working spaces and other options
If you're considering trying out a co-working space, you'll need to determine the convenience and practicality of accessing one. For folks in a big city like New York or San Francisco, there will at least be plenty of options that you can get to via public transportation or walking. In other cities, maybe you have one within a quick drive of your residence (and need to vet out the parking availability of the co-working space). While this is definitely important, also consider what your daily routine consists of. Do you like to exercise before work every day? Are you okay with packing a lunch, or are you someone who prefers to eat out? In some cases, having a gym or food options nearby the co-working location would be really helpful.
At the end of the day, maybe you live somewhere rural or not within a reasonable range of a co-working space, and most of this post has been irrelevant to you. That's perfectly okay, and maybe it still makes sense to think about ways to take remote working outside of your home office. I've worked from both cafes and libraries before, and found them both great ways to switch it up. Even if it's for a few hours, it can provide you the opportunity to lock in and complete some deep work, have a cup of coffee, or just simply escape. There's likely some sort of public space near you that you haven't even considered working from that could be worth a shot, as long as it allows you to maintain concentration.
Hopefully this post has helped you quickly figure out whether or not co-working makes sense in your unique situation, and what alternatives are available as well. Thanks for reading!