from Hacker News

Ask HN: Have a hard time working at home. Co-working an alternative?

by sown on 11/27/14, 10:23 PM with 7 comments

• by err4nt on 11/28/14, 2:43 AM

  I've been remote for four of the past five years and only recently signed up for a co-working space in Toronto: http://projectspac.es

  While I don't find any issue working from my bedroom (as far as work/life separation is concerned) but I do get stir crazy if I'm at home more than 60% of the time.

  For a while I was hitting up a different coffee shop almost every day, and that's great while you're travelling, but getting a coworking space has been key to taking the next step in my career.

  I hummed and hawed about the price, and decided that as long as it let me pull in a little freelance, I could afford it.

  Since the summer, my rate has tripled, I'm picking up freelance each week in addition to me remote contract, and I'm much HAPPIER!

  What I like is that it's a space filled with other entrepreneurs, and iron sharpens iron. I get so much motivation being around so many other people hustlin hard that I end up effortlessly putting in an extra 2-4 hours a day without realizing it!

  Also great for stupidly fast internet, meeting likeminded people, and getting that social aspect back to your work. Many people at the spaces support each other's businesses as well, although so far I haven't found any clients from within that pool.

• by DigitalSea on 11/27/14, 10:29 PM

  I highly recommend a coworking space without-a-doubt. I personally don't find the same issues with working at home, but coworking spaces have a lot of benefits including; fast internet, access to printers/scanners/faxes, conference rooms, private booths, amenities (showers, mouthwash, razors), foosball/ping pong tables, coffee/tea, snacks, events and more.

  I just did a two month stint at WeWork in Seattle and I must say, as far as coworking spaces go, WeWork was the most enjoyable. You got all of the aforementioned benefits and on-top of that, free beer. People from other startups and businesses would regularly socialise, play foosball together and events were happening all of the time.

  If home life is getting you down, definitely consider a coworking space as they are not even that expensive considering the benefits and support that you get.

• by seekingcharlie on 11/28/14, 1:54 AM

  I can't stand working at home & I'm full-time remote.

  Coworking spaces are great & I would completely recommend one for anyone working remotely. I think it's important to keep a clear distinction between home & "the office" & I find I'm much more productive at a dedicated work space vs my own room.

  Coworking spaces usually have cheap food, coffee and are a great way to meet new people (regular events etc).

• by junto on 11/28/14, 1:47 PM

  I was in a similar rut. I'm now in a co-working space. It isn't in any way a startup hub type environment, just a couple of freelancers and small businesses sharing space and resources, but it has made the world of difference to me.

  I have people I get to chat to, have lunch with and most importantly of all, I get out of the house and go to work, then come home again at the end of the work day. I rarely switch my computer on at home anymore. It is a lot more healthy.

• by jtchang on 11/28/14, 9:59 PM

  What city are you in? What do you do? Lots of people see stuff on HN so you should at least post a short bio/resume :)

• by lsiebert on 11/29/14, 9:47 PM

  I use my local hacker space (HackerDojo).

• by locktips on 11/28/14, 3:14 AM

  You should change your job for a certain time. A job at office. Changes make you feel happy.

  http://hinscosafeandlock.com