Coworking space vs coffee shop showdown - one was way better

I spent two months working from coffee shops in Chiang Mai and thought I was saving money. Then I tried a coworking space for $30 a month and realized I was spending $5 a day on lattes just to use the wifi. The coworking spot had actual desks, power strips everywhere, and nobody gave me dirty looks for staying 4 hours. Has anyone else found coworking spaces are actually cheaper in the long run?

3 comments

3 Comments

julia_miller2418d ago

Wait, you found a coworking space for $30 a month in Chiang Mai? My friend Sarah tried the coffee shop route in Bali last year and she was spending like $8 a day on cold brew just to feel okay about taking up a table for hours. She finally caved and got a coworking membership and told me it was a game changer. The unlimited coffee and proper chairs alone made it worth it, she said she stopped feeling guilty about camping out and actually got way more work done. Plus she made some actual friends there instead of just awkwardly nodding at the barista every morning.

paul25118d ago

Nah I actually liked the coffee shop vibe better, less pressure and more people watching.

gavina7318d agoMost Upvoted

The coworking spot I ended up at in Lisbon was only 45 euros a month and it came with a rooftop terrace and free filter coffee. I was blowing through cash at coffee shops before that, buying pastries I didn't even want just to feel like I earned the seat. The guilt of taking up space for hours with a single cup was messing with my focus and I was rushing through work to leave. But once I switched to the coworking place, I could spread out my laptop and notebooks and actually settle in for a full day. I met a few other remote workers there too and we started grabbing lunch together which made the whole experience way less lonely. The coffee shop vibe is cool for an hour or two but as a daily thing it just drained my wallet and my patience.