Remote workers are all around us. In coffee shops, in libraries, even at home. This is quickly becoming the new norm of many industries that don’t require people to be in the same room to work well together. This development in the business world allows many more people to apply for jobs, and explore careers they might not otherwise have access to.
However, for these many remote workers, it can be hard to figure out where to call your home base. Contrary to what you might think, remote workers can benefit greatly from having a place they use for work, and work alone. Enter: coworking spaces. These spaces are a happy medium between a traditional office space and working from your dining room table. Here are some common questions that we get from people who are just starting out with their own business, or are transitioning into remote work for the first time.

What is a coworking space?
A coworking space is a place where independent professionals and small teams work together. Generally speaking, these spaces provide wifi, desks and business tools, such as printers and a business address.
The genius of coworking spaces, however, is not in the wifi and perks—it’s in the “coworkers” themselves. The best coworking spaces are home to bright and unique professional networks made up of motivated and intelligent people. It gives otherwise fairly isolated professionals the chance to meet, chat and collaborate with other people.

Who works in a coworking space?
Coworking spaces are home to a wide variety of professionals, including designers, programmers, artists, attorneys, accountants, photographers, writers, developers, and academics. Every coworking space is different, but something a lot of them have in common is a diversity of professions, interests, ages and backgrounds.

How will a coworking space benefit me?
People who work in coworking space, tell us that they are more productive, more connected, more social outside of work, which means they’re generally happier. There’s no hierarchy in coworking spaces, so you get to enjoy working around peers and fellow professionals without the politics of a traditional office. Being a member of a coworking space also allows freelancers to more easily separate work and home life. You’ll have a place to go when you work rather than working all the time from home because there’s not a clear distinction between the two. An added bonus of working in a coworking space is that membership comes with unlimited coffee and tea. For caffeine-fueled freelancers, this is a major perk.

How do I find the right one for me?
Once you’ve located the coworking spaces near you, it’s important to find one that suits your preferences and work style. Not all coworking spaces are created equal, or are well-suited for your specific needs. That’s why touring the coworking space and talking with a representative is so important. The coworking space rep will be able to go over the details of your new membership, as well as answering any specific questions you might have.