Coworking Space: What Remote Workers Need to Know
A shared professional workspace where remote workers, freelancers, and small teams can work independently or collaboratively, typically offering amenities like fast internet, meeting rooms, and community events.
Coworking spaces are shared professional workspaces designed for remote workers, freelancers, and small teams who want an office environment without long-term leases. They provide dedicated desks or hot desks (first-come seating), high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and often community events and networking opportunities. Costs typically range from $200-500/month for full-time access, with day passes available for $20-40. Remote workers use coworking spaces to escape home distractions, separate work from personal life, access professional amenities, and connect with other professionals.
Coworking Space
A coworking space is a shared work environment where individuals from different companies or professions work independently or collaboratively in a communal setting. Unlike traditional offices, coworking spaces offer flexible membership options without long-term commitments, providing access to professional workspace amenities like high-speed internet, printers, meeting rooms, and kitchen facilities. These spaces foster a community atmosphere through networking events, workshops, and social gatherings while allowing members to maintain their own independent work schedules and projects.
- 💵 Monthly memberships typically cost $200-500 for full-time access, with day passes ranging from $20-40 depending on location and amenities
- 🏢 Major global chains include WeWork, Regus/Spaces, Impact Hub, Industrious, and The Wing, with over 35,000 coworking spaces worldwide
- 📈 The coworking industry has grown 158% since 2020, with over 5 million people using coworking spaces globally
- 🤝 74% of coworking members report increased productivity compared to working from home, citing fewer distractions and better work-life boundaries
- 🌐 Benefits include professional environment, networking opportunities, meeting room access, mail handling services, and escape from home isolation
Types of Coworking Spaces
Coworking spaces vary widely in atmosphere, amenities, and target audience. Understanding the different types helps you choose the best fit for your work style and budget.
Corporate Coworking Chains
WeWork, Regus, and Industrious represent the corporate end of coworking. These chains offer polished, professional environments with consistent amenities across hundreds of locations globally. They typically feature premium finishes, extensive meeting room bookings, on-site staff, and enterprise-grade internet. Pricing is higher ($400-800/month in major cities) but includes predictability and professional credibility for client meetings. These spaces appeal to consultants, corporate remote workers, and small businesses needing a professional address.
Independent Local Spaces
Local coworking spaces offer unique character, stronger community focus, and often lower prices ($200-400/month). These independently-owned spaces tend to cultivate tighter communities through curated events, local partnerships, and more personalized member experiences. The trade-off is less consistency in amenities and fewer locations, but many remote workers prefer the authentic local vibe and community connection over corporate polish.
Niche and Specialized Spaces
Specialized coworking spaces target specific communities or industries:
Tech-focused spaces like Galvanize and General Assembly combine coworking with bootcamps, accelerators, and tech meetups. They attract developers, startups, and tech entrepreneurs seeking an innovation-focused environment.
Women-only spaces like The Wing, The Coven, and AllBright create supportive communities for female professionals, offering networking, mentorship, and safe spaces free from workplace gender dynamics.
Creative studios cater to designers, artists, and makers with specialized equipment like photography studios, maker spaces with 3D printers, or podcast recording booths.
Industry-specific spaces exist for lawyers, healthcare professionals, and other fields requiring specialized compliance or equipment.
Hybrid Cafes and Workspace Cafes
Some cafes have evolved into quasi-coworking spaces, offering memberships for unlimited coffee, guaranteed seating, and better wifi than traditional cafes. These spaces ($100-200/month) provide a middle ground between coffee shop work and formal coworking, appealing to those who want atmosphere and flexibility without the commitment of a full membership.
Coworking for Digital Nomads
Digital nomads have unique coworking needs, requiring flexibility across cities and countries without long-term commitments.
Day Passes and Drop-Ins
Most coworking spaces offer day passes ($20-40) perfect for nomads passing through cities. This allows accessing professional workspace and wifi reliability without monthly commitments. Many spaces provide first-day-free promotions or discounted trial weeks to attract new members. Apps like Croissant, Deskpass, and LiquidSpace aggregate day pass options across multiple spaces in a city.
Global Coworking Memberships
Several membership programs provide access to coworking spaces worldwide:
Selina combines coworking with coliving accommodations in 100+ locations across Latin America, Europe, and beyond. Monthly stays include accommodation, coworking access, and nomad community for $800-1,500/month depending on location and room type.
WeWork All Access allows members to use any WeWork location globally for around $300-500/month depending on the plan, ideal for nomads traveling between major cities.
Impact Hub operates 100+ locations globally with reciprocal access, focusing on social impact professionals and entrepreneurs.
Croissant and Deskpass offer multi-space memberships in specific cities, providing credits usable across independent coworking spaces. This allows trying different environments and locations within a metro area.
Nomad-Friendly Coworking Hubs
Certain cities have become coworking capitals due to visa-friendly policies, affordable costs, and strong nomad communities:
Chiang Mai, Thailand has dozens of coworking spaces ($50-150/month) like Punspace and MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center, plus excellent infrastructure and community.
Lisbon, Portugal offers fast-growing coworking scene with spaces like Second Home and Heden, supported by Portugal’s digital nomad visa.
Medellín, Colombia and Mexico City, Mexico provide excellent coworking infrastructure at reasonable prices with strong expat and nomad communities.
Bali, Indonesia features beach-adjacent spaces like Dojo Bali and Hubud catering specifically to digital nomads with flexible memberships and community events.
Choosing the Right Coworking Space
Selecting a coworking space requires evaluating several factors beyond just price.
Location and Commute
Proximity matters enormously. A cheaper space requiring 45-minute commutes wastes time and money on transportation. Look for spaces within 15-20 minutes of your home or in neighborhoods you enjoy spending time in. Consider coffee shops, restaurants, and gyms nearby for breaks and post-work activities.
Internet Reliability
For remote workers, internet quality is non-negotiable. Before committing, visit during working hours and test the wifi with speed tests (aim for 50+ Mbps download). Ask about backup internet connections and whether they’ve experienced outages. Many spaces now offer dedicated ethernet ports at desks for critical video calls.
Noise Levels and Work Environment
Visit during normal working hours to assess noise levels. Some spaces foster collaborative energy with open layouts and conversation, while others enforce quiet zones. Consider your work style—do you thrive in energetic environments or need silence for concentration? Look for phone booths or quiet rooms for video calls.
Community and Culture
The community makes or breaks a coworking experience. Attend trial days or community events before joining. Are members friendly and welcoming? Does the space organize networking events, skill shares, or social gatherings? Some people want community, others just want reliable workspace—neither is wrong, but match the space to your needs.
Amenities and Services
Standard amenities include:
- High-speed internet and printing
- Coffee/tea and kitchen access
- Meeting rooms (check booking policies and costs)
- Mail handling and business address services
- 24/7 access (varies by membership level)
- Lockers or storage for personal items
Premium spaces may offer phone booths, standing desks, on-site cafes, wellness rooms, showers, and event spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a coworking space membership cost?
Coworking memberships typically range from $200-500/month for full-time access in most cities, with prices varying significantly by location. Major cities like San Francisco, New York, or London can cost $400-800/month, while smaller cities and international locations may offer $150-300/month. Most spaces offer day passes ($20-40), part-time memberships (2-3 days/week for $150-250), and dedicated desks ($350-600) versus hot desks. Always factor in additional costs like meeting room bookings or parking.
Are coworking spaces worth it for remote workers?
Coworking spaces are worth it if you struggle with home office distractions, feel isolated working alone, need professional meeting spaces for clients, or want to separate work from home life. The productivity boost, networking opportunities, and mental health benefits often justify the cost. However, if you have a functional home office, strong self-discipline, and limited budget, working from home or cafes may be more cost-effective. Consider trying day passes or part-time memberships before committing to full-time.
Can I use coworking spaces for video calls and meetings?
Yes, most coworking spaces accommodate video calls through phone booths, quiet rooms, or bookable meeting rooms. Open workspace areas may not be suitable for calls due to background noise and member courtesy. Many spaces include limited meeting room hours with membership (often 5-10 hours/month) and charge $10-50/hour for additional bookings. Check the space's video call policy and test internet quality before important client calls.
What's the difference between a coworking space and a shared office?
Coworking spaces emphasize community, flexibility, and short-term memberships, allowing individuals from different companies to work independently in a shared environment. Shared offices (or executive suites) typically lease private offices to established businesses on longer terms with less emphasis on community. Coworking offers hot desks or dedicated desks in open layouts, while shared offices provide private office suites. Coworking tends to be more casual and community-focused, while shared offices are more formal and business-oriented.