Tried coworking spaces for 3 months vs cafes for a month and it’s not even close

I was convinced coworking spaces were a waste of money, so for the first 3 months of my nomad life I bounced between cafes in Medellin. Sure, I saved on the $200 monthly membership, but my internet dropped 4 times during client calls and I blew $8 a day on overpriced lattes. Last month I finally caved and got a pass at Selina and wow, the difference is night and day. Stable fiber optic, a desk where I don't have to guard my stuff, and actual quiet zones for when I need to focus. Plus I met two other designers who hooked me up with referrals that paid for the membership in a week. Has anyone else found that cafes just aren't worth the hassle long term?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_simon1mo agoMost Upvoted

Bro you just described my exact experience. I was totally on the other side of this argument for like 6 months, thought coworking memberships were just a scam to charge people for basic stuff. But after getting burned one too many times trying to take a call in a loud cafe with spotty wifi, I finally gave in. The difference is wild. Having a desk where I can just leave my laptop for a sec without anxiety is worth it alone. Plus the networking thing is real - I met a dev at my spot who ended up subcontracting some work to me. Cafes are fine for quick emails but long term they just drain your focus and your wallet in stupid ways.

sullivan.spencer1mo ago

$45 a month for a locker at a place I have to drive 20 minutes to, or I can just grab a corner table at a diner for the price of a coffee refill? I get the networking thing, but not everyone needs that. Some of us just need a quiet spot and decent wifi.

-1

theac631mo ago

The trick is finding the middle ground. check if your local library has private study rooms you can book for free, some of them even have decent wifi now. I do a mix where I hit the diner for quick stuff and keep a rotating list of quiet coffee shops with solid outlets and internet for longer days. Coworking lockers are overpriced, but don't sleep on community center spaces either, mine has a room for $10 a month and nobody bothers you.