Around the US and the rest of the world, the increase in nomads, freelancers and expatriates has created a higher demand for shared working spaces in the professional community. Co-working spaces are places where individuals and groups can hire out desks or other tailored working spaces on a more temporary basis, which saves considerably on rent and maintenance and also immerses professionals into a creative and international community of like-minded people. Also many countries are now trying to attract digital nomads during covid to boost economy and attract some visitors to tourism-dependent economies.
Typically, shared working spaces are specially designed to be very comfortable and modern places that inspire creativity and maximise productivity. As well as having strong and reliable WiFi connections, they often have backup generators so that you are able to continue working uninterrupted during power cuts. They tend to be free from distraction and noise and so you are able to focus on the work that needs to be done, and have a variety of different places to chose from so that if you are more comfortable and productive from a sofa instead of an office chair, it isn't a problem.
As the number of self employed and nomadic professionals increases with developments in technology and the way we are able to access our professional lives more remotely, people are requiring conventional offices less and less. The benefits of choosing instead to work in a shared space are not only reflected in cost, but also the creative environment, the chance of professional and international networking, the social aspect that comes with organised events, talks and even parties, and the ability to pack up and move on without worrying about rent payments or standard office relocation problems.
It is also not just a desk that you're hiring in a co-working space. Most establishments will offer something extra to try to put them ahead of their competition. Free coffee and breakfast is quite common, but also there are often memberships to local gyms, invitations to local community events, access to meeting and presentation rooms and of course, access to the community residing within the walls of the working space.
Some co-working spaces are also or are connected to co-living spaces. These are somewhat between a hostel and a hotel, with clean and well designed private accomodation but with shared facilities, all catered around professional nomads and freelancers who want to network with other professionals but to also be in the most productive space they can.
Locations for co-working spaces varies. Places like Beachub in Thailand believe that immersion in nature increases productivity, creativity and overall happiness, and have set up their co-working space on a private beach to remove workers from the distractions of busy city life. The Pioneer Collective in Seattle is located just a stone's throw away from the main downtown area, but has been well designed with plants, paintings and comfortable furniture to relax those inside by create a peaceful and relaxing vibe, despite being in the city centre.
Every co-working space offers something unique and different as well. Neuehouse Hollywood in LA does everything possible to transport workers to the glamorous 1930s Hollywood era by utilising old stages and acting areas as work spaces. Coffee & Power in San Francisco tries to recreate the feel of a coffee house but without all of the loud noises and distractions that one would usually find, and better still, the coffee is free and the WiFi actually works! Particularly if you are able to work remotely and are willing to travel around to different and often off-the-beaten-path destinations, you will be able to find something that suits your needs and desires exactly.
So if you need to knuckle down with your team, or you're a professional individual working remotely who wants some time to focus without distraction, try looking up a co-working space in your area (or far away for that matter) and see what they have to offer. Many professionals have seen their time in specially tailored co-working spaces as breakthrough and establishments are boasting astounding results in relation to increased productivity and happy satisfied customers. Most places allow you to spend as little as single day and to stay for as long as you want, so you don't have to commit if you don't like it.