As remote work grows, coworking spaces seem to appear on every corner. I have tried many of them in several cities around the world, but I do not enjoy working in them. Here is why.
They can be good places to meet people. For focused work, though, I find them distracting, and the facilities are often mediocre.
https://twitter.com/tombellino/status/1139569345502142464
Someone always wants to chat or have a coffee. Sometimes a dog barks nearby. The Wi-Fi can be unreliable, and the chairs are often uncomfortable. The whole setting can sometimes give me a sense of anxiety.
I prefer working at home, where it is quiet enough to focus. I can also break up the day with reading, the gym, and cooking. Changing activities and posture suits me better.
Business model
I also wonder how the economics of coworking spaces work.
Fast, reliable Wi-Fi for more than 100 people costs money. So do convenient locations, proper desks and chairs, staff, and heating or air conditioning.
At the same time, the price has to stay low enough to attract members. For me, once a shared office costs more than about €5 a day—or €100 a month—working at home looks more appealing.
Those pressures may explain why some spaces cut back on the very things I need: good Wi-Fi, comfortable chairs, and a pleasant temperature. That makes them less useful as places to work.
My solution
I mostly work from home for peace, variety, and better posture. Occasionally, I spend a few hours in a coworking space to meet new people or catch up with friends, especially when I am in a new city. But I do my most focused work elsewhere.