You finally stuck it to The Man and went out on your own! Even better, you’re making good money as a self-employed individual (except for the health insurance). Among the first things I noticed as a newly emancipated freedman was that working from home is uber flexible. If I have a doctor appointment in the morning, I simply work later that afternoon. When the cable guy plans to come between 9am-5pm I can wait on him and work at the same time. And when I want to work in my flannel jammies, I will!
But a few months into this new gig I started yearning for some interaction. It was great to call my own shots, but with zero human contact I felt myself drifting into depressed isolation, like that guy from Into the Wild. It got to the point where I craved a cubicle and water cooler–anything other than the same house walls and bathroom. I had to get out of there.
Enter public Wi-Fi. As the internet continues to sink it’s claws into our existence, free Wi-Fi is becoming the standard, which is great for nomadic workers! I’m not confined to my house, I can go to several different venues and see people while getting work done at the same time. Monotony doesn’t have to be the standard of the day.
Starbucks
Consumers have spoken! This caffeine mogul finally broke down last July and began offering complimentary, no-strings-attached, unlimited Wi-Fi. With early and late hours in over 17,000 stores globally, Starbucks is always a reliable option.
Pros: The best, without a doubt, espresso drinks. Their Wi-Fi service is top-notch and has never let me down. Limited but tasty variety of foods and consistent, friendly service make Starbucks an excellent work-away-from home space.
Cons: Hard chairs, small workspaces (unless you secure the coveted handicap accessible table), and occasionally loud music put a 3-hour cap on Starbucks visits. Since Starbucks coffee isn’t that great you can’t just spend a couple of bucks on a hot drink.
Local Coffee Joint
Locally owned places offer an eclectic mix of funk and style with an atmosphere that says “stay a while.” As opposed to coffee chains that encourage quick visits and hyper-efficiency, established joints are more apt to entertain guests for extended periods of time.
Pros: Supporting local business is crucial for the community. Many coffee shops have delightful coffee offerings and great food at cheaper-than-Starbucks prices. Tables and chairs are generally more comfortable and, especially around universities, designed for work spaces.
Cons: Wi-Fi isn’t as consistent as it is at national chains. Many coffee shops don’t offer lunch and don’t allow outside food so you’ll have to head somewhere else midday for sustenance.
Co-working Sites
The newest birth of the emancipated worker revolution is the co-working space. Rent a desk, couch, conference room, or a combination and pay per use. Most co-working sites offer long-term discounts and provide work place amenities like a kitchen, bathroom and common area.
Pros: Every comfortable amenity that you miss from a traditional work place is available at your fingertips–and you may pay for services by the day, week, or month.
Cons: You better make enough money to pay for the $20-$40 per day fee. That’s a bit more than coffee.
Corner Bakery and Panera
With really good food and coffee and a cozy atmosphere, these bakery staples are among my favorite hotspots for work. When lunch rolls around I can grab a bite and coffee is brewed fresh all day.
Pros: Comfortable booths, unlimited coffee refills, and relatively quiet environment make it possible to work away from home for hours.
Cons: Even if you aren’t hungry you’ll be tempted to buy a meal. If you’re trying to save the hard-earned money you’ve been making $10 each visit will set you back quite a bit.
Public Library
It’s free! Well, not quite. You pay for it anyway so go ahead and take advantage of it. Your local library requires registration and even has a limited number of computers for residents to use.
Pros: Many libraries offer private study areas available for reservation. There’s no need to bring cash with you since you aren’t required to purchased anything! Trust your librarians to keep things extra quiet to limit distractions.
Cons: If you’re hungry, there’s absolutely no eating or drinking allowed! And sometimes libraries are located in less savory parts of town.
Barnes and Noble
Marry lattes with the library and you get a book and coffee lover’s delight. If the public library was too sterile, take it to a Barnes and Noble or Borders Bookstore and enjoy a literary, quiet space with your hot drink.
Pros: Great internet speed and environment–books smell awesome. Consistent beverages, on average, and padded seats.
Cons: No food and smaller tables make Barnes and Noble a 2-3 hour visit at the most. Some locations require users to buy something from the cafe, so plan to make a purchase.
Parks
Water, earth, sunlight, birds–the natural elements outside provide amazing inspiration to our work. For a drastic change of pace, take your job to a nearby park for a couple hours and rejuvenate. Many cities now offer free Wi-Fi at local parks and public spaces.
Pros: Blending beauty with your work can totally recharge and empty battery. Most parks that offer free Wi-Fi are centrally located and don’t charge for parking. There’s no need to buy anything in exchange for your internet nor feel rushed to make room for someone else.
Cons: If only nature could also recharge your computer battery! Electricity is slim to none and heaven help you if you need to relieve yourself.
While many of these options are fantastic alternatives to the daily home-office grind, let me be clear than none will provide as productive an environment as a designated workspace. Make sure you have sectioned off an area of your dwelling devoted only to work-related tasks so that you can get plenty accomplished on your home days.