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People with experience with this, what do you think of coworking spaces? They seem like a great solution to the loneliness and can even yield some nice networki

by city41 13y ago

People with experience with this, what do you think of coworking spaces? They seem like a great solution to the loneliness and can even yield some nice networking. Any downsides to them?

chrisduesing 13y ago
They are loud. Then again I am a programmer, so headphones can solve the only real downside for me. I don't have to make calls all day. But to more specifically address your offering a coworking space as a solution to meeting other people. It probably comes down to personality, but I am an introvert and find it very difficult to just start talking to someone. So, it ends up a bit like being at a party full of strangers. You are pretty sure there are some cool people around, but have no idea what the first step is for locating them and then breaking the ice. There are sometimes happy hour type events, but people tend to group up with people they already know and give you the 'what do you want' look if you start the slow awkward approach. Again, there are lots of people who are good at this, I am not one of them. To summarize, it can be a good solution or not depending on your personality. My solution is to schedule lunches with my friends and people I have met who were interesting. That lowers the burden of meeting new people at the coworking space, which can then happen a little more organically.
- jotm 13y ago
  What if it was a coworking space that first introduced the members, what they do and what their plans are, etc (as an ice breaker). Being able to gather many entrepreneurial minds in one building is quite powerful, many opportunities there...
  - andy_boot 13y ago
    Many coworking spaces have 'after work talks' or work with local meetup groups so they end up doing this kind of thing. They are loud though - I worked in one once which was full of recruitment people who yakked on the phone all day, not nice.
pjbrunet 13y ago
Coffee shops, malls, cafes, diners, bars, libraries, Meetups, parks, schools, etc. Build a repertoire, find ways to avoid traffic, crowds, etc. Anywhere you can bring a laptop. Buy a WIFI hotspot. Keep an extra battery. Bring snacks. Variety is the key. They all have advantages/disadvantages. And you'll find entrepreneurs everywhere, not just coworking spaces.
- jotm 13y ago
  What about a coworking space with high speed Internet access, printers/scanners/faxes and other equipment for work, space for hardware design/hacking, a powerful computer for CAD/3D modelling? Would you go there and pay for a membership?
  - pjbrunet 13y ago
    No. I have a printer and PC at home. I don't see the appeal. Here's a typical coworking space in Austin http://capitalfactory.com/work/coworking/ http://capitalfactory.com/work/coworking/ $350/month doesn't even get you a desk vs. (random Craigslist post) private office with a private bathroom http://austin.craigslist.org/off/4235555193.html http://austin.craigslist.org/off/4235555193.html walking distance from Dell. (No affiliation with either link!) I can see "coworking" for artists/sculptors/printmakers because you have the shared gallery, shared tools, shared materials, shared Home Depot runs, guestbook/email list for the massive wine & cheese party.

by city41 13y ago

People with experience with this, what do you think of coworking spaces? They seem like a great solution to the loneliness and can even yield some nice networking. Any downsides to them?

chrisduesing 13y ago

They are loud. Then again I am a programmer, so headphones can solve the only real downside for me. I don't have to make calls all day. But to more specifically address your offering a coworking space as a solution to meeting other people. It probably comes down to personality, but I am an introvert and find it very difficult to just start talking to someone. So, it ends up a bit like being at a party full of strangers. You are pretty sure there are some cool people around, but have no idea what the first step is for locating them and then breaking the ice. There are sometimes happy hour type events, but people tend to group up with people they already know and give you the 'what do you want' look if you start the slow awkward approach. Again, there are lots of people who are good at this, I am not one of them. To summarize, it can be a good solution or not depending on your personality. My solution is to schedule lunches with my friends and people I have met who were interesting. That lowers the burden of meeting new people at the coworking space, which can then happen a little more organically.

jotm 13y ago
What if it was a coworking space that first introduced the members, what they do and what their plans are, etc (as an ice breaker). Being able to gather many entrepreneurial minds in one building is quite powerful, many opportunities there...
- andy_boot 13y ago
  Many coworking spaces have 'after work talks' or work with local meetup groups so they end up doing this kind of thing. They are loud though - I worked in one once which was full of recruitment people who yakked on the phone all day, not nice.

pjbrunet 13y ago

Coffee shops, malls, cafes, diners, bars, libraries, Meetups, parks, schools, etc. Build a repertoire, find ways to avoid traffic, crowds, etc. Anywhere you can bring a laptop. Buy a WIFI hotspot. Keep an extra battery. Bring snacks. Variety is the key. They all have advantages/disadvantages. And you'll find entrepreneurs everywhere, not just coworking spaces.

jotm 13y ago
What about a coworking space with high speed Internet access, printers/scanners/faxes and other equipment for work, space for hardware design/hacking, a powerful computer for CAD/3D modelling? Would you go there and pay for a membership?
- pjbrunet 13y ago
  No. I have a printer and PC at home. I don't see the appeal. Here's a typical coworking space in Austin http://capitalfactory.com/work/coworking/ http://capitalfactory.com/work/coworking/ $350/month doesn't even get you a desk vs. (random Craigslist post) private office with a private bathroom http://austin.craigslist.org/off/4235555193.html http://austin.craigslist.org/off/4235555193.html walking distance from Dell. (No affiliation with either link!) I can see "coworking" for artists/sculptors/printmakers because you have the shared gallery, shared tools, shared materials, shared Home Depot runs, guestbook/email list for the massive wine & cheese party.