What Amenities or Perks do the Best Co-working Spaces Have?
These days, more people are working from home – whether by choice or forced out of the office because of the pandemic. However, working from home is not always the best idea because of the distractions. You need to get back to a professional environment. In this article, you’ll find things to look for when considering a co-working space.
What Amenities or Perks do the Best Co-Working Spaces Have?
If you’ve been considering joining a co-working space, you’re not alone. The demand for this service has increased in recent years- especially with more people choosing to start their own businesses and more companies offering work-from-home positions. There are always new, unique offices popping up to cater to the needs of entrepreneurs, remote workers, and freelancers.
However, what exactly makes a good co-working space? What amenities or perks should you look for in a co-working space? In this article, we’ll take a look at a few things that you should ask yourself before joining a co-working space.
Is parking close by? How much does it cost?
If you have a business or work for a company where you meet with lots of clients, it’s nice to have a downtown address. However, it’s going to cost you.
Most big cities do charge a lot for parking, but sometimes co-working spaces have a deal worked out with the city where they can offer you a discounted parking pass for the month. If not, you’ll end up paying quite a bit for parking, unless you find a space that has it’s own parking.
Can you pay on a month-to-month basis or are you locked in a contract?
It’s best if you can find a space that doesn’t require you to sign a contract. After all, that’s what’s been hurting a lot of businesses during the pandemic. Plus, if you’re just getting started, you’re probably on a slim budget and you’re having to cut costs such as rent.
A co-working space should give you the option for a month-to-month rental, which allows you to come and go as you need. For example, let’s say you go out of town for extended periods- you don’t want to pay a lease for the months that you don’t use the space.
That being said, some spaces will offer a discount if you sign a one-year contract, so if you know you’re going to be around for a while, give it some thought- it might be worth it.
How easy is it to find food?
If you plan on being in your co-working space for a typical 8-hour workday, you’re going to need to eat lunch, and maybe a snack. Unless you plan to pack your lunch and snacks every day, you’ll need to be able to get to the restaurants in your local area.
If possible, try to find a co-working space that has restaurants within walking distance or close enough that food delivery is offered without costing you too much on the delivery fee.
Do you mesh with the community within the space?
One of the major benefits of a co-working space is meeting new people and making new friends. It helps if they have similar goals/interests as you. Therefore, when joining a co-working space, try to find one that you can connect with. Most co-working spaces do offer a trial period where you can see if it will work for you without making a long-term commitment. This allows you to see the community and whether you will fit into it or not.
Do they offer dependable internet?
In today’s business world, dependable internet is critical to keep businesses moving. Therefore, before you make a long-term commitment to a space, be sure to ask about- and test- the internet connection. You don’t want to be in the middle of a big deal only to have the internet glitch out and lose everything.
Final Thoughts
Many of today’s professionals are working from home- whether by choice or due to the pandemic. However, home is not always the most ideal environment to get work done, so co-working spaces were invented. This allows you to get out of your home and into a more professional environment. Of course, there are some things you must consider before joining a space.