In this post we’ll talk about the pros and cons of coworking spaces. Coworking spaces are rising in popularity as more and more people and businesses gravitate towards remote work and telecommuting options. What is a coworking space exactly? In the simplest terms, it is shared or communal office space that can be rented or accessed via a membership for different lengths of time. Depending on the space, you may be able to pay to use the space for the day, for a week, for a month, or even longer. Other people of varying work backgrounds also rent the space on their own terms, so there may be other regular users as well as people passing through.
There can be so much variety between coworking spaces, just as there is between regular office spaces. They have different amenities, setups, options for private space or meeting spaces, and more. A couple of the most famous examples of coworking spaces include The Box Jelly in Honolulu, Hawaii (which is pet friendly and offers mail service) and betahaus in Berlin, Germany (which includes free yoga classes as part of their membership!).
While there are some obvious benefits to having an office space, coworking spaces may not be for everyone. Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages, then you’ll be able to determine what the best solution is for you.
The Pros and Cons of Coworking Spaces
Advantages
Internet
For a remote worker, having access to the internet is a vital necessity and thus it is one of the biggest advantages of a coworking space. Not only do they typically offer reliable internet connection but it is usually a superior setup to the one you’d have at home or in a coffee shop with a higher quality modem and router, faster speeds, and better security.
While free wifi can be found in many places, it is often not the best choice if you are worried about keeping your information secure. Free wifi can also suffer when it comes to download speeds, depending on the quality of the network as well as how many other people are connected at the same time; depending on the nature of your work you may need a faster connection.
Equipment and supplies
Having a professional setup with an office desk, printer, office supplies, and other business necessities is another benefit of coworking spaces. Some even have high tech video and sound equipment available. As a digital nomad, it’s impractical to own a printer or tote around heavy equipment and office supplies. Thus, having access to these via a coworking space can be a bonus.
Depending on the kind of business you run, a coworking space that offers access to good quality equipment may be worth the price of entry in itself. Hauling expensive and heavy equipment around as a digital nomad is risky and impractical. There’s always the chance of theft or damage when you travel with nice equipment.
Most digital nomads don’t need to meet with clients face-to-face, but in the event that you do need to meet with a potential client or have a video conference then it can be worthwhile to have access to a professional space. It certainly increases your credibility when you can put forth a polished appearance.
Private space
Depending on the living quarters you find yourself in, you may not have space to work at your temporary home. Shared accommodation may also lend to distraction or noise that makes it impractical to work efficiently. Coworking spaces often have private and even soundproof rooms that are perfect for working independently without distraction or participating in calls without noise pollution from rowdy roommates. However, this can vary between coworking spaces so it’s good to shop around.
Even if you don’t have a private office in a coworking space, some offer the benefit of mail services so that you can have your mail delivered there. This serves as a designated address that may be more reliable than your hostel, hotel, airbnb, or homestay.
Connection and community
While you may initially think of office space as being quite dull, coworking spaces are more often the opposite. They can be buzzing hives of creativity with other digital nomads, expats, remote workers, and entrepreneurs using the space to get work done. Many people may find that they thrive off of this energy and also find opportunities to network and learn from others. Being able to bounce ideas off of other people or having someone to problem solve with can be an effective way to brainstorm. Like they say, two heads (or more) are better than one.
Coworking spaces also often encourage a sense of community by organizing social events such as barbecues, evening gatherings, local outings, or breakfasts. This can be particularly useful in the event that you find yourself feeling lonely. It is also a great way to make local connections, meet new people, and make friends who live in different places around the world.
Amenities
This will be unique to different coworking locations, but many offer unique amenities that are included in the cost of a membership such as locker space, refreshments, pet-friendly space, kitchenettes, classes and events, and so much more. Some of these “work perks” rival those of silicon valley tech companies and can make office life as a digital nomad even more wonderful.
Coliving
Some coworking spaces even offer coliving space so that you can live and work in the same space without having to deal with a commute while still getting the benefits of designated office space. This may be a bit overkill for some – after all, being in the same building all day may not be what they had in mind for the digital nomad lifestyle.
Disadvantages
Distraction
While a buzzing hive of creativity can be an asset for some, depending on the space or the type of person you are it could instead be a bit too much of a distraction. Some digital nomads find that they can make do with the available private spaces in a coworking space or even some good noise cancelling headphones. However, others may find this type of space to be overwhelming and it may dissuade them entirely from coworking spaces.
Aside from potential visual and auditory distractions, it can also be distracting to have people around in general. When those other people are in the same boat as you – being remote workers – the temptation to chat and share experiences can be high. Whether you feel the urge to connect with others or others are looking to connect with you, it can ultimately affect your productivity if you spend too much time getting to know one another.
Places to go, people to see
Having to go to a coworking space means having to actually get ready in the morning and make the commute, which may have been something you were trying to get away from in the first place by becoming a digital nomad. Unless you happen to be lucky enough to find a coworking spot close to where you plan to live or a coworking space that is also a coliving space, you’ll end up having to face a commute on public transit. Depending on where you are living for the time being, there may not be effective or reliable public transportation, which can just add to the frustration of having to commute. Commuting also means travelling in rain, heat, cold, and other unfavourable weather conditions in order to get to your coworking space.
Office environment
While coworking spaces are often very casual, it’s probably still pushing it to show up to work looking like you just rolled out of bed. There are still certain expectations in a coworking space, even if you’re a remote worker that doesn’t have to meet face-to-face with clients. This means having to put in a level of effort to get ready and put your things together to head to your coworking space for the day. It also means putting on a smile and greeting your coworking colleagues as you get to the office.
Depending on the hours that your coworking space is open or operational, you may need to stick to a routine or a schedule. If you were looking to get away from the 9-to-5, then this may be too much like a regular office routine for digital nomads that were looking to escape that routine. Especially if you prefer to explore the city or be at the beach during the day and then knuckle-down on your work at night.
Cost
Memberships or fees for coworking spaces are often affordable, but it is still a cost that you need to factor in to your budget. This can be especially off-putting when there are free alternatives such as working from wherever “home” is or in a coffee shop. If you’re just starting out and/or working with a tight budget then it might be too tempting to keep that money in your pocket instead.
Is it the right fit for you?
Despite these pros and cons, the best way to get a sense of whether a coworking space is the right fit is to go and try them out! It’s also important to keep in mind that coworking spaces vary so widely in different places, so while you may not enjoy one coworking office, there may be another that better suits your needs. You also don’t need to commit to any one coworking space or buy in to the membership. It’s okay to find a space that will welcome you occasionally, on days when perhaps you need use of office equipment or you could use the company.
Even if you don’t have a membership, coworking spaces are an excellent hub to make connections with other remote workers. Many of the events hosted or organized by coworking spaces are open to non-members too. It may be worth checking out local spots even just to see what kinds of social events they put on that you could attend.
How to find coworking spaces
There are websites that specifically keep track of available coworking spaces. Two popular ones are ShareDesk.com and Coworker.com. You can search for spaces based on your location and the type of space you’re looking for. The detail available on these types of websites is incredibly helpful to finding a space that best suits your needs.
Other sources for insider tips to find the best spaces also include Facebook groups and blogs written by other digital nomads. The people in this community are usually all too eager to share their experiences and help others find excellent resources. These are also excellent resources to find alternative spaces to work in.
Alternatives
Finding the right coworking space could be an asset to growing your business as a digital nomad or entrepreneur, but it is certainly not a necessity. There are plenty of other ways to run your business without using coworking spaces.
It is not difficult in this day and age to find free wifi. Most accommodations have free or low-cost wifi that is sufficient quality for getting work done from the comfort of your hotel, hostel, or Airbnb. In addition, most coffee shops and restaurants also have wifi; sometimes it will cost you a coffee or a meal to get the password as a paying customer.
If you happen to be somewhere that it is hard to find wifi or the quality of the connection is poor, then there is also the option of using an international mobile hotspot. There are so many options when it comes to international mobile hotspots that make it easy and affordable to set up your own wifi network with a good quality connection.
You better (co)work
While coworking spaces may not be ideal for everyone, there is certainly a reason why they have grown in popularity. So much so that the number of spaces nearly doubled between 2012 and 2017 according to a survey run by Deskmag. There are even programs and conferences dedicated to travelling and working from coworking spaces. For this reason, it is certainly worth checking out what all the hype is about. It’s easy enough to check out coworking spaces without necessarily having to commit to a long-term rental or membership.
Hope you enjoyed this post on the pros and cons of coworking spaces. If you guys have any additional feedback let us know in the comments below!
