Tired of working from home? Does your job require a lot of "working out of coffee shops?" If so, it's time to pick a co-working space. Luckily, with more of them popping up every day, it's easy to find one that will work for you.
At first glance, trying to find the perfect co-working space can seem just as complicated as buying a new house. From choosing the ideal location to finding a space where you feel comfortable, there are a lot of things to keep in mind during your search. That's why before you begin to tour potential co-working spaces, I highly recommend that you create a ‘wish list’ of all the things you need to have in the space. Remember: everyone’s must-haves are different. Try to keep an open mind during the search process—you might be surprised when you encounter things you didn't think you'd need or want in a co-working space.
Also, when you look at co-working spaces, bring your work and laptop with you! You can almost "test drive" a day in the co-working space and scope out the digs/wifi connection. The search process isn’t impossible but it can be annoying. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you look at co-working spaces.
Is there accessible parking? A lot of people tend to overlook this important question. In busy cities (looking at you LA!), parking can be expensive or impossible. We had a member at WORK. (a co-working space I co-own) complain that he had to buy a scooter to take to his last co-working space because of parking. That's not a joke. It actually happens in a ton of busy cities. Rather than spend twenty minutes driving in circles for a parking spot, you should consider a co-working space that has easy parking. If the co-working space doesn’t have its own parking lot or an accessible parking structure, drive around the neighborhood to see if there is street parking. Convenient parking can totally be a deal breaker, so if you're not in walking distance of your co-working space, it’s definitely something to consider during your search.
What’s the noise level like? The noise level in co-working spaces varies. Some spaces are strictly quiet, while others are conducive to light conversations and music. It all depends. You have to be honest and know what sort of environment you are able to work best in. Personally, I like a space that encourages light conversations and opportunities to network. It feels like the better option for me. Otherwise, you may as well work from home by yourself.
Is there an accessible office kitchen? When looking at different spaces, you should keep in mind if the space has a community kitchen area. Since you will be working for a large portion of your day, it is always convenient to have a way to heat up your leftovers or keep your lunch cold in the refrigerator. Also, Keurigs and coffee machines are a big plus and help cut down that daily latte budget.
What do you look for in a co-working space? Talk to us on Twitter at @myturnstone or @officestylist.