- The Myth of Free Coworking Spaces
- Free and Cheap Alternatives to Coworking Spaces
- The Value of Paid Coworking Spaces
- Why Choose Alliance Virtual Offices for Coworking?
Q: Are there Truly Free Coworking Spaces Available?
A. No. While the idea of free coworking spaces is appealing, truly free coworking spaces are rare as most need to charge a fee to cover operational costs and provide quality amenities.
More than ever before, remote work is becoming more commonplace in the U.S. and across the globe.
Small businesses and professionals are now less inclined to shell out thousands of dollars annually on traditional office leases, as about 80% of U.S. companies now opt for some sort of remote work.
In all of these, coworking spaces are also becoming popular. Global corporations like Microsoft, Meta, and even Apple have, at some point, signed up some of their staff for coworking memberships.
For many small businesses, freelancers, entrepreneurs, and other professionals with remote-capable jobs, there’s an urgent need to escape the distractions and sometimes depressing isolation that comes with working from home. They need to step out every now and then to work in a professional environment that enhances productivity.
But unlike employees of some big corporations, there’s no one to sponsor your workspace subscription. While there’s a general appreciation of great coworking spaces, most people would prefer less costly arrangements.
The result is a wave of “free coworking spaces near me” searches flowing across search engines and online forums.
This begs the question: do free workspaces truly exist?
In this article, we’ll explore the myth of free coworking spaces, free and cheap coworking alternatives you can check out, and the value of going for affordable coworking solutions.
More importantly, we’ll highlight why you should go for low-cost coworking solutions provided by Alliance Virtual Offices.
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The Myth of Free Coworking Spaces
Ever made a free coworking space near me search on your browser? What sort of results did you get? Did they meet your expectations?
There is no data to go on here, but the best bet is that the results are hardly close to what you expected.
That’s unless you are in Dublin, where the Bank of Ireland provides a free public coworking space, or in Bratislava, Slovakia, where the network provider Orange runs a free coworking café. Apart from very few instances of sponsored coworking spaces like these in some nooks and crannies of the world, you would be hard-pressed to look for a truly free coworking space.
The truth?
Although the concept of free coworking spaces is appealing, the operational costs of running one while providing quality amenities makes the concept unfeasible.
Hence, some organizations or businesses might claim to provide free workspaces to the public as an extension of their primary services.
But upon arrival, they’d most likely tell you that although they have free public workspaces, they’re only open to people with the organization’s membership card. In essence, the free workspaces are thrown in as a bonus for paying to use the facilities or services that they are selling.
At the end of the day, your free coworking space near me search leads down a rabbit hole of baits and switches and other marketing schemes that leave you bummed out.
Really, you have to understand that when a business or organization advertises what seems to be free workspaces or unbelievably cheap coworking spaces, they must pull resources from somewhere to fund the operational costs.
Unless these zero- to low-cost coworking solutions are run by a charity or sponsored by a corporation, you are definitely paying for them in one way or another.
The Hidden Costs of Free Coworking Spaces
Since the so-called free coworking space isn’t outrightly asking you for payment, how are they able to keep up with operational costs?
Think hidden charges.
Mandatory purchases are one of the ways businesses offering unbelievably affordable coworking spaces are able to keep up with costs.
In best case scenarios, the hidden costs come in the form of unreasonably priced, bland coffee. In sneakier scenarios, you could be allowed a few days of free access to the coworking space before being asked to pay for membership, not explicitly for the coworking space, but for accessing their building.
You also have to consider the non-monetary or implicit cost of using these services. These costs are embedded in the absence of necessary amenities or the use of low-quality amenities.
It’s the cost of attempting to do serious work in an environment not specifically designed to enhance productivity.
When most small business owners, remote workers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs leave the comfort of their homes to find somewhere better to work, they typically hope to go to a business-focused environment that helps them zone in on work.
In most of these supposedly free workspaces, it’s sometimes the essential amenities that they fail to provide that cost you a lot more in the long run.
You are pumped and ready to go, but something about the slow internet and the super uncomfortable chair makes you want to scream, and you end up taking much longer to do your work.
Free and Cheap Alternatives to Coworking Spaces
There are some suggestions that often pop up when users make a free coworking space near me search in search engines or even forums like Reddit and Quora.
Most of these suggestions revolve around libraries, community workspaces by community centers, and coffee shops. Some suggestions go the way of asking why bother? Just set up a home office.
While these coworking alternatives don’t fit the description of what you should expect of professionally managed coworking spaces, people find them helpful in getting the job done.
Let’s take a look at what these coworking alternatives have to offer.
Libraries
This easily makes it to the top of the list as one of the best low-cost—if not free—coworking solutions.
If you search for free coworking space near me, you will always find resources pointing to libraries.
Nav, a financial health service for small businesses, says it better: “There’s a co-working space that can be found in most communities across the country, and best of all, it’s free. It’s called the public library.”
There are several great reasons why libraries top the list of recommendable coworking alternatives:
- Decorum: Libraries are usually quiet, and people who frequent them also tend to embody good social etiquette and keep to themselves. This makes public libraries a good environment for remote workers and freelancers to focus on their work with fewer distractions.
- Access to resources: If you are working on a project that involves local research, some of the data you are unable to find on the internet might be available in your local library. This means you can actually do more meaningful work while at the library.
- Professional support: Depending on the library and staff attributes, you may be lucky to have a local library with highly knowledgeable staff who can help you with pointers or suggestions about local projects and businesses. They provide you with information you can apply to your business to scale further.
With the aforementioned points, public libraries have some edge as a coworking alternative, but they are not without their downsides.
- Unsafe Internet: While they provide free access to Wi-Fi, the internet connection is not always the fastest nor the most reliable. The public Wi-Fi accessible in public libraries has been at the center of many controversies over the years due to cyber threats and attacks. If you have sensitive information on your computer, you need to take the necessary measures to secure your data before using the public Wi-Fi at your library.
- Limited amenities: Since libraries are not designed for coworking, they do not go out of their way to provide essential amenities that make coworking successful. That’s not to say that they don’t provide any of the essential amenities.
Additionally, some libraries have limited hours, which could make it difficult for some professionals to do some serious work at a stretch.
Coffee Shops
Barely a decade ago, you would have had difficulties finding a café that you could regularly visit to work without interruption, especially if you lived outside the city center.
Today, several coffee shops provide temporary workspaces for remote workers. Some even provide workstations—not coffee tables—designated to remote workers using the café.
Generally, coffee shops make this coworking alternatives list because they provide a casual atmosphere and Wi-Fi. You have somewhere to sit and an internet connection to work with.
However, these benefits are easily overshadowed by some cons:
- Noise: People visit coffee shops for dates or to relax before getting on with their day. These scenarios birth incessant chatter. Your ears could pick up on this chatter and create distractions that take you away from work. You may find yourself going from working to people-watching.
- Lack of privacy: If you have expectations, privacy should be the least of them. From waiters to guests, any person could approach you at any moment for one thing or another.
Additionally, you might find yourself going through copious amounts of coffee every time you work there, potentially putting yourself at a health risk.
Home Offices
Having a home office is always a coworking alternative option for remote workers.
In a sense, it’s free once you have gone through the initial process of designing your workspace and buying a scanner, ergonomic furniture, and other office supplies necessary for getting your work done from home.
The major recurring expense is the internet, which you are already paying for before now.
But if you are reading this article, it’s probably because you don’t want to work from home anymore.
Working from home can be very isolating, extremely limiting the likelihood of chancing upon meaningful networking opportunities.
You also have to battle with distractions in various shades and forms, whether from noisy neighbors, kids, or simply being unable to stay away from your bed, TV, or kitchen for too long.
It’s simply more difficult to separate home from work life.
Community Centers
Some community centers provide free or low-cost coworking solutions, providing a space for nearby small business owners, freelancers, and remote workers to work.
These cheap coworking spaces usually have basic amenities like Wi-Fi, printers, and worktables. However, these community workspaces are hardly ever popular for their management styles. Professionalism is often lacking, and the support is usually below par.
Some freelancers and remote workers in certain communities have been able to overcome these challenges by banding together to create their own community-funded coworking space. Typically, this involves gathering at a convenient location with chairs and tables and using a mobile router to provide internet access.
The Value of Paid Coworking Spaces
In all of these experiences that come with your first free coworking space near me search, nothing beats eventually finding a great and reliable coworking space, even if it comes at a cost.
Below are the numerous advantages of working in an environment specifically designed and structured for work, which you simply can’t get from working in libraries, coffee shops, community centers, or your home office.
Productivity Boost
Paid coworking spaces are designed to enhance productivity with dedicated workspaces, high-speed internet, and ergonomic furniture.
Reputable coworking space providers go the extra length to map out different spaces for different types of work.
Usually, there are areas designated as quiet areas and dedicated workspaces, which you can book to carry out tasks that involve a high level of concentration.
Alternatively, if you plan on doing collaborative work, there are workspaces designed for that, furnished with workstations that allow a group of 2-4 people to work together.
If you prefer a private office with all the elements of a professional private office, you will surely find that in some of the best paid coworking spaces.
Paid coworking spaces cater to various sorts of professional vibes, ensuring that you find the right space with all the tools you need to do uninterrupted, productive work.
Professional Environment
Paid coworking spaces are designed for professionalism, providing everything you need to run a typical office but at a significantly lesser price.
Paid coworking spaces are not just about streamlining your remote work; they are also about having a conducive work environment that enhances your offline presence, boosting your professionalism and credibility as a business owner, consultant, or freelancer.
Suppose you need to meet with a very important client.
Most paid coworking spaces provide access to professionally designed meeting rooms that can easily impress your clients, significantly boosting your chances of reaching desirable conclusions.
Finding an affordable coworking space is tantamount to finding a gem that radically transforms your brand’s professional image.
To guarantee utter transformation while staying cost-effective, consider getting a virtual office plan that comes with up to 16 hours of meeting room or private office time.
Networking Opportunities
When researching the concept of coworking spaces, “Networking opportunities” and “collaboration” are terms that often come up.
Why?
Well, from the onset, coworking spaces have always been perceived and designed as avenues for different businesses, professionals, and intellectuals to come together, work, and network.
They are melting pots where investors, entrepreneurs, and startups converge, according to Forbes. This description paints a pretty good idea of what to expect in a professionally managed coworking space.
True to the fact, top coworking space providers occasionally organize networking events where members from different work backgrounds mingle to find like-minded professionals. Investors also seek out these formal events as opportunities to expand their portfolios.
As a result, a lot of ideas, skills, and expertise are exchanged, leading to the birth of new business opportunities, partnerships, and collaborations.
For you, the possibilities and positives of these networking opportunities are simply endless.
Flexible Memberships
There are various membership options available at paid coworking spaces that can be tailored to fit different needs and budgets. Some of these include the following:
- Day passes: With day passes, you only pay for a coworking space on the day you need it. That is, you can walk in at any time during business hours and book a workstation as needed.
- Private offices: Available at hourly, half-day, or full-day rates, private offices can be booked on demand based on your business needs or budget.
- Hot desking: This membership plan allows you to book and use different desks in shared spaces at the coworking space. Essentially, you have access to different desks on different days, allowing you to switch things up and boost your chances of meeting more like-minded professionals over time.
You can also opt for a full-time dedicated desk on a month-to-month subscription. With this type of membership, you have access to a personal workstation in an enclosed office shared with 2-3 of your colleagues or other professionals.
You can customize your workstation to suit your style and even store some of your files or tools there until your membership runs out.
As coworking spaces are all about providing flexible work environments, you can always talk to your provider about off-business hours and weekend access or any other arrangement that best suits your work demands.
Why Choose Alliance Virtual Offices for Coworking?
Alliance Virtual Offices has been providing professionally managed coworking spaces alongside virtual offices long before it became mainstream post-pandemic.
Our excellence in service delivery is verifiable and well-stamped by numerous 5-star reviews from satisfied clients on Trust Pilot and Consumer Affairs.
Additionally, we provide other low-cost working solutions, including virtual offices and live receptionist services, which can be combined to substantially boost your business growth as a remote worker.
Making a Choice: Paid or Free Coworking Spaces Near Me?
For many professionals who have undertaken the “free coworking spaces near me” venture, there have been far too many reality checks to spur moments of reflection and the ultimate decision to simply go for a professionally managed coworking space.
If you are still on the fence about deciding which side to fully commit to, it helps to thoroughly analyze all the options available on both sides.
Productivity should be at the forefront of all your considerations.
Further Reading:
- Technologies Powering Virtual Office Spaces
- Empowering Independence: A Guide for the Modern Independent Business Owner
- Maximizing Customer Value: A Guide to Customer Retention Analysis
- Streamline Your Operations: Top Business Process Improvement Strategies for Success
To get a good measure, you can try out one of the coworking alternatives discussed in this article and also check out your nearest Alliance Virtual Offices coworking center. You can then weigh the outcomes, focusing on productivity, professional ambiance, and value for money.
Don’t forget to account for hidden costs, implicit costs, and cybersecurity concerns.
We are confident that after assessing the benefits of Alliance Virtual Offices’ paid coworking spaces against those of the coworking alternatives, you will opt for our services.
And when that happens, we’ll be here to guide you on how to maximize your membership in terms of cost-savings, productivity, efficiency, and meaningful networking!