Coworking spaces vs coffee shops in 2024 - totally different game now

I used to work from coffee shops back in 2018 when I started this lifestyle, thinking it was fine. Then I tried WeWork in Austin for a month at $299 and the difference was HUGE - real desks, reliable wifi, and no one staring at my laptop over my shoulder. The coffee shops got so crowded after COVID that I couldn't even get a seat half the time. Anyone else find that coworking spaces are just worth the money now compared to the old days?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_ruby14d ago

Try the shared day passes first before you commit to a monthly membership. A lot of coworking spots let you buy a 10 pack of days for like half the price of a full month and you can spread them out. I did that for a year at a place in Denver and it let me test the vibe and actually use it on my busiest days. The coffee shop trick only works if you've got backup spots and a mobile hotspot cause the wifi is always the first thing to go when they get slammed. Also look for coworking spaces that have free coffee and snacks, that alone saves you like $40 a week if you're there all day.

the_uma14d ago

Coworking spaces are way more worth it now, especially for the reliable wifi and real desks. Coffee shop wifi still drops out in the busiest times, and I've had too many cold drinks from trying to hold a table all afternoon. $300 a month beats that stress easily.