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Seven Best Alternatives to Working From Home One Must Checkout
As a freelancer or remote worker, you certainly enjoy the flexibility of tailoring your work environment to suit your individual needs and current workload. However, working from home comes with its own set of challenges and drawbacks. A conference call can get interrupted by the sound of the dishwasher, while an unfolded load of laundry can prove very distracting when trying to focus on your email inbox.
Fortunately, working from home isn’t a remote worker’s only option. Read on for working alternatives that help you ditch your home office while still staying on top of your to-do list.
Library
Known for their peace and quiet, libraries often offer free Wi-Fi for guests, and many have independent study rooms or areas that can be requested or reserved at no cost. When working at a library, you can work, largely uninterrupted, for hours. You also have access to a wealth of resources if you need to fact-check or reference an important detail before submitting a project.
Co-working Spaces
With both drop-in and membership options, a local co working space is a great alternative to a home office because of its amenities and accessibility to freelancers and remote workers looking for a dedicated space to get some work done.
Many of these spaces provide access to much of the office equipment you would find in a typical setting while also supplying conference rooms, coffee makers, and break areas. Co-working spaces are also convenient due to their round-the-clock availability, as some are even available for use 24/7.
Coffee Shop
If you primarily have individual work that would be best completed with a pair of noise-canceling headphones on, a coffee shop may be a great home-office alternative for you. Nearly all coffee shops offer internet access with your purchase, and you’ll likely be amongst friends: surrounded by students and fellow remote workers looking to accomplish a few tasks while enjoying a latte.
Public Park
With a fully charged battery and a personal hotspot or portable wifi device, why not take your work outdoors for a change? Some city parks are beginning to offer free internet access, though it’s not likely to be a high-speed option. Still, if the majority of your workload can be completed with little or no internet access, a shaded table or park bench can provide a pleasant change of both scenery and pace for remote workers.
Museum
No, you won’t be hauling your laptop around the exhibits. Many museums have cafes or outdoor spaces that offer Wi-Fi, making the location a great, quiet home office alternative. Those who work in the creative fields may also find that taking a quick break to enjoy the exhibits or wander around the galleries could spark a little inspiration for their work.
Restaurant
Give “work lunch” a new meaning by taking your computer to a favorite lunch spot and crossing some projects off your list while enjoying a meal. Like coffee shops, many restaurants offer free Wi-Fi, and you’ll likely only be politely interrupted by restaurant staff as you work. However, not all restaurants are equipped with workspaces, and you may not find a spot near a wall outlet to plug your computer in to charge.
A Friend’s House
While going to a friend’s house to visit or catch up is usually the first reason you’d dial them up, their home may be a great place to set up a temporary workspace for a day. You may consider swapping homes with a fellow freelancer, invite them over to collaborate on a project, or join them in their own home office to switch up your scenery, even for just a few hours.
The lines between work and home life can get hazy when working remotely. Try one of these options the next time you need to refresh your environment, rejuvenate your attention span, and buckle down to work.
