Before I got my office, I worked from home for a few years. At first, it was great. I could work in my PJ's, spend time with my adorable cat and feel at home in my space. But with so many people telecommuting or starting businesses out of their homes, I knew I wasn't the only one who started to feel bored, isolated and tired of their home office.
The truth is, not everyone can or even wants to move into a commercial office, so you have to think about other places that are available to work in, but won't cost you a fortune.
Photos from Blogactiv and The Hub.
1. Co-Working Spaces
Here in LA, co-working spaces are popping up all over the place. If you go to Downtown or other trendy business neighborhoods, you're bound to stumble upon a few of them. Co-working spaces are designed to give entrepreneurs, telecommuters and others the feel of working in an office without the commitment of a full-time office. Usually, you can rent a single or shared desk, or even an office on a daily or monthly rate. This is a great way to get yourself out of the house a few days a week, and it gets you into a very business-y mindset. Plus, you never know who you'll meet or what kind of opportunities will present themselves when working around other professionals.
Photos from CED Berkeley and Barnes Foundation.
2. Local Library
Yes, these still exist! Libraries at their very essence are great for doing work. They're quiet, they're calm and you'll be surrounded with books on every subject imaginable! Most libraries are equipped with free Wi-Fi for library cardholders now so you can work there without a worry. I like working in the library because there's a lot more room and a lot less people than at your chain bookstore's coffee shop where most people try to work.
3. Cafes or Independent Coffee Shops
I love my daily Coffee Bean tea, but I don't think I could ever really work in there. It's always really busy and really loud with all of the coffee machines going at full speed, so it's pretty hard to concentrate. However, I love to work at a little cafe down the street. It's usually very mellow and they have an amazing selection of drinks and food. I can usually get a little table by the window and get my work done with a mocha and a croissant. Plus, the staff will start to recognize you and that's always nice. The best times to come in are in the later morning, say around 10. The morning business rush will be over, so you won't have to worry about craziness or noise.
Where are your favorite places to work?