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Can anyone recommend a "coworking space" [0] for people who don't like coworking spaces? I like to work on my own independent projects, preferably at a place th

Can anyone recommend a "coworking space" [0] for people who don't like coworking spaces? I like to work on my own independent projects, preferably at a place that isn't my apartment, but I just can't stand WeWork-style coworking spaces, which I find to be a mix of equal parts motivational speech, "networking," pretension, and pretend work. It just seems so fake to me. Am I being closed-minded? [0]: I live in NYC fwiw.

btkramer9 8y ago
Any library?
- ghaff 8y ago
  The problem with working out of libraries and similar spaces is that you have to jump outside (or wherever) to do phone calls. If that isn't part of your routine, not an issue obviously. I do sometimes work out of a library but I end up having to move elsewhere to do calls a few times during a typical day.
  - toomuchtodo 8y ago
    Most libraries have private rooms you can reserve in blocks of times for calls. I use my local library as a coworking space to escape the house (as it’s occupied by spouse, kids, and dog) when working from home.
otoburb 8y ago
Depending on your hours and your location, Spacious[1] has worked for me (briefly). Good for "office" daytime hours when you want to work in sync with (but not actually "with") other day workers. Spacious was very useful as a parent in a small flat during summer when the children were off school. Spacious also comes out cheaper per month than other co-working services because by design you are only restricted to certain hours of working (i.e. no 24x7 access). [1] https://www.spacious.com/ https://www.spacious.com/
janstenpickle 8y ago
> motivational speech, "networking," pretension, and pretend work This. I'm in the same boat, my company has some space in one in London. It's exactly as you describe plus noisy. I really can't figure out what the people around us do all day as they always seem to chatting. Fortunately we're able to work from home, which I've taken to doing more recently, especially as the beer tends to almost always be out by the time I finish work.
- swingline-747 8y ago
  Regus rents office space, conf rooms and mail drops in nearly every major city. It's like a gym membership more than an Uber meets a cult https://regus.com https://regus.com For 9x5+, I recommend leasing/renting a desk or office privately because Regus wants an arm/leg at their rates.
ghaff 8y ago
Companies like Regus have private office space. Never have had any need for them personally as I'm fine with working from home. But I have known people who do.
s73v3r_ 8y ago
The library?
brookside 8y ago
I love the Brooklyn Boulders Queensbridge co-working space in Long Island City. Really just some tables and chairs but in the middle of rock climbing walls.
closeparen 8y ago
Groups of artist-friends have been going in together on industrial space rentals to use as studios since time immemorial. Heck, a relatively wealthy family in my neighborhood simply purchased a vacant warehouse in a distressed part of town to build out a woodworking shop, painting studio, darkroom, etc. as their interests could no longer fit in their residential garage/basement. Of course, that just gets you the raw square feet. Outfitting the space for the work you want to do is half the fun. Otherwise, you're paying WeWork or similar to take it off your plate.
- whitepoplar 8y ago
  Yeah, definitely. My rule of thumb to judge if a place feels comfortable to me (or not): can I take a hacksaw out and change the place to make it better? If you can't take control over your environment, I believe it's psychologically limiting. Not that you need to do so, but you need the optionality of doing so. I've never worked in a space that was like this, though (only lived), so it seems like it could be a fun project to take on at some point.
dionidium 8y ago
I'm in a NYC WeWork. I mostly ignore all that stuff. I say "hello" to the person at the front desk when I badge in each morning. That's the extent of my "networking." They send out the occasional email That's the extent of my exposure to their "motivational" material. That stuff is there if you want it and barely noticeable if you don't.
WalterGR 8y ago
Can anyone recommend a "coworking space" [0] for people who don't like coworking spaces? Look for a “hacker space” in your area. There’s one in Sacramento, CA, and it’s awesome in addition to being way less expensive than a strictly “cow-orking” space. Plus... lasers and shit.

btkramer9 8y ago

Any library?

ghaff 8y ago
The problem with working out of libraries and similar spaces is that you have to jump outside (or wherever) to do phone calls. If that isn't part of your routine, not an issue obviously. I do sometimes work out of a library but I end up having to move elsewhere to do calls a few times during a typical day.
- toomuchtodo 8y ago
  Most libraries have private rooms you can reserve in blocks of times for calls. I use my local library as a coworking space to escape the house (as it’s occupied by spouse, kids, and dog) when working from home.

otoburb 8y ago

Depending on your hours and your location, Spacious[1] has worked for me (briefly). Good for "office" daytime hours when you want to work in sync with (but not actually "with") other day workers. Spacious was very useful as a parent in a small flat during summer when the children were off school. Spacious also comes out cheaper per month than other co-working services because by design you are only restricted to certain hours of working (i.e. no 24x7 access). [1] https://www.spacious.com/ https://www.spacious.com/

janstenpickle 8y ago

> motivational speech, "networking," pretension, and pretend work This. I'm in the same boat, my company has some space in one in London. It's exactly as you describe plus noisy. I really can't figure out what the people around us do all day as they always seem to chatting. Fortunately we're able to work from home, which I've taken to doing more recently, especially as the beer tends to almost always be out by the time I finish work.

swingline-747 8y ago
Regus rents office space, conf rooms and mail drops in nearly every major city. It's like a gym membership more than an Uber meets a cult https://regus.com https://regus.com For 9x5+, I recommend leasing/renting a desk or office privately because Regus wants an arm/leg at their rates.

ghaff 8y ago

Companies like Regus have private office space. Never have had any need for them personally as I'm fine with working from home. But I have known people who do.

s73v3r_ 8y ago

The library?

brookside 8y ago

I love the Brooklyn Boulders Queensbridge co-working space in Long Island City. Really just some tables and chairs but in the middle of rock climbing walls.

closeparen 8y ago

Groups of artist-friends have been going in together on industrial space rentals to use as studios since time immemorial. Heck, a relatively wealthy family in my neighborhood simply purchased a vacant warehouse in a distressed part of town to build out a woodworking shop, painting studio, darkroom, etc. as their interests could no longer fit in their residential garage/basement. Of course, that just gets you the raw square feet. Outfitting the space for the work you want to do is half the fun. Otherwise, you're paying WeWork or similar to take it off your plate.

whitepoplar 8y ago
Yeah, definitely. My rule of thumb to judge if a place feels comfortable to me (or not): can I take a hacksaw out and change the place to make it better? If you can't take control over your environment, I believe it's psychologically limiting. Not that you need to do so, but you need the optionality of doing so. I've never worked in a space that was like this, though (only lived), so it seems like it could be a fun project to take on at some point.

dionidium 8y ago

I'm in a NYC WeWork. I mostly ignore all that stuff. I say "hello" to the person at the front desk when I badge in each morning. That's the extent of my "networking." They send out the occasional email That's the extent of my exposure to their "motivational" material. That stuff is there if you want it and barely noticeable if you don't.

WalterGR 8y ago

Can anyone recommend a "coworking space" [0] for people who don't like coworking spaces? Look for a “hacker space” in your area. There’s one in Sacramento, CA, and it’s awesome in addition to being way less expensive than a strictly “cow-orking” space. Plus... lasers and shit.