We’ve all heard the stories about how fun it is to work from home. You can work in your pajamas, you can set your schedule, you can meet clients at the local coffee shop. Is there a downside? Is working remotely difficult?

That depends on how you define difficult. Is it hard to wake up, and go straight to your home office and start work while still wearing your jammies? Not really. Is it hard to set up a time to meet a client down the street? Not so much.

What if you have to send a fax? Is it hard to get to the copy shop across town? What about if you run out of coffee? Is it hard to go to the store to get more? What if your client hates the impersonal touch of a coffee shop, or what if you need to discuss some top-secret company information?

How do you look and sound professional without the right tools? How can you look like you know what you’re doing if you don’t have an office space to bring your clients? How can you make sure your work is safe if you meet outside of your home office?

These are all problems that pop up when you work remotely. Sure, working from home sounds like a dream, especially when you weigh the options against commuting to an office you hate daily. But at times, it can be tough.

If you’re considering working remotely, there is another option to consider. Co-working spaces are a great alternative to the hassles of working from home.

Affordable locations

Because you’re sharing the office with other people and companies, you share the cost as well. You won’t be responsible for the rent on your own, nor will you be responsible for supplying your own desk or workspace.

When you rent a co-working space, you’ll also be able to rent on a short-term basis, and you won’t have to get roped into a long rental contract.

Additionally, you save money on the commute. While nothing beats working from home, cost wise, you can do almost as well with a co-working space. Just because you rent a co-working space, doesn’t mean you must drive into a big city to work. Co-working spaces are available in small towns, too. That means less time commuting, and more time working.

Professional office

Say you’ve got to meet a big client, and they want a quiet space, with a projector and a land line. Chances are, your home office has none of those things.

When you rent a co-working space, however, it has all these things and more. You’ll be able to bring your client in, sit them down in a quiet, private office, offer them some coffee, and get them started with the projector.

Also, a co-working space offers you a quiet place to work, free from the distractions of home and the local coffee shop.

Stocked with amenities or supplies

Not every co-working space is the same, but most offer supplies and amenities. When considering a co-working space, you’ll want to look for those that offer you some of all the following:

• Free coffee
• Fax/printer machine
• Locking desks/drawers
• Conference rooms
• Private office rooms
• Free parking

Depending on the office, a co-working space can be better stocked than your home office. Saving you time, expense, and the headache of doing it all yourself.

Is working remotely challenging? It can be at times. You need to contend for unexpected distractions. You may find yourself without a professional place to hold meetings. You are also responsible for all your work supplies. If you find that working remotely is not for you, consider a co-working space. You may find it’s much easier than working from home.