If you would have told my parents that my life path would lead me to a career in social media and that I work out of my house freelancing sans office space, they’d tell you to slow down and ask about this thing called “social media.”
Wait, they still do that.
But seriously, today more than 53 million Americans freelance, which accounts for a third of the U.S. workforce alone. And by 2020, it’s expected to account for 50 percent of the labor force.
With those numbers rising and job flexibility only making millennials work-life balance more freeing, it’s good to know spots around your town that make great work environments. Which is exactly why I ventured out around Dallas and found seven places that were great to work remotely.
1. Home Office
Okay, yes, no brainer. If your job is 100 percent freelancing or remote, it’s smart to have a designated space in your home that’s for work. I know that working from home has its perks, and it’s so easy to wake up, turn on the TV and plop on the couch in your PJs, but if that’s where you plan on spending your evening unwinding, try and avoid this area.
Why?
It’s the same as going to your physical office. You know that the stressors from that day can be left behind the minute you leave, and your home is your sanctuary. The second you start intertwining the two can cause for you to resent your apartment or home. That said, if you have a second bedroom, a den or even a little nook in your dining room, try and make that your designated workspace at home.
Trust me on this one. And as I said before; you don’t want to resent your sanctuary, which is why you should explore places such as….
2. Coffee Shops
Imagine this: You with a freshly brewed cup of coffee surrounded by city folk and their computers as everyone sits around writing their novels. Cliché much? But really, coffee shops can be a great escape from your home office and can bring in the people element you miss from being in a physical office.
Yes, I know Starbucks are pretty much on every corner in America, but do a quick Google search in your city for “Coffee Shops with Wi-Fi.” Finding a local mom and pop coffee shop can make all the difference in terms of finding a good and quiet space to work, better coffee and local people watching to create some needed inspiration if you’re a writer.
3. Library
If you’re not much of a coffee drinker and looking for a place that is quiet, go to your local library. That’s right. LIBRARIES ARE NOT DEAD! I’m not sure if it’s because I hoped to never step into another library after college, but I just completely forgot about that being an option of a place to work. The best part is that you don’t have to pay to use the library unlike other spots on this list.
AND if you’re lucky like me and live in a big city, you can switch up local libraries in your surrounding suburbs.
4. Bookstores
After I went to the library, it occurred to me that bookstores were another viable option. After a visit to Barnes and Noble recently I realized you could mix the coffee shop environment with the library. You can still enjoy your steaming cup of joe and the quiet ambiance of a library.
5. Co-Working Space
Now, this option may be more centered around larger cities, but you never know what your town may have regarding co-working spaces. If you’re not familiar, a co-working space is a large space that has desks, conference rooms, monitors, whiteboards, etc. For some, it’s hard to get anything done at home and leaving the house and going to a designated workspace each day helps get the job done. It’s basically a bunch of freelance folk gathering in a “physical office – i.e. co-working in a nutshell.
The great thing about co-working spaces is that you’re around like-minded individuals, and you never know if you might meet someone who could introduce you to your next project. It’s a great place to network while you work in an open environment, but you also have the option to rent out an individual “office.” (If you don’t have a home office this might be the perfect solution for you.)
All in all, this is a great place to work remotely. However, most co-working spaces have monthly fees associated. But if you’re like me and not wanting to spend too much, just pay for a “day pass” here and there to get out of the house.
6. Business Center
If you live in an apartment as I do, think about using all those amenities your leasing agent sold you on so heavily. During the day, your apartment’s business center will most likely be vacant, which means that you can get out of the house without commuting far to do some of your best work.
7. Outside
I live in Texas, so this suggestion isn’t an option for me until Summer ceases in October. However, when it does cool off, I love working outside. It reminds me that I’m not stuck under bright fluorescent lights in an office and that I have the flexibility to be able to work wherever I want.
All you need to do is grab a portable hotspot and head to your nearest park, bench or go layout with a blanket in the grass.
Whether you’re looking to get out of the house, change your surroundings or just need to switch up your routine, these seven options will break up your work week. If you have any other places that you work remote, please share them in the comments. The more places to escape, the better!
