Public Remote Work Spaces You Haven't Thought Of

When you’re a remote worker, sometimes it can get a bit stale working from home day after day. You may need to switch things up from time to time to keep your mind fresh, break free of negative work patterns and get away from distractions at home. Not to worry. Working remotely doesn’t always have to equate to working from home. It’s easy enough to mix up your work days by heading to these public places to work remotely.

Co-Working Spaces

A co-working space gives you a place to stay on track and get your work done. It's like a remote workers' office. These spaces offer things like desks, office spaces, meeting rooms, and office-related technology and amenities like printers and high-speed internet. Generally, you pay for these spaces by the month, so they make sense when you want to work there full-time or at least often.

In some cases, co-working spaces are included in incentive packages designed for remote workers to move to a certain area. A Bloomington, Indiana incentive package includes a three-year membership to the co-working space called The Mill. The West Lafayette, Indiana incentive package includes a $1,800 co-working discount. You can work remotely from Convergence, a co-working space at Discovery Park that’s part of a Work From Purdue program.

If you only need a workspace occasionally or are seeking a reduced-cost option, look into desk rentals instead. These provide as-needed workspaces without the bells and whistles of a co-working space. Nonetheless, they provide the basics you need to get your work done. You can find these through sites like Desks Near Me or ShareDesk.

Whether you’re home or out of town, try these apps that help connect you with remote workers office space wherever you are:

Another option is to Google "remote work spaces near me."

Coffee Shops

When you find yourself wondering where to work remotely, local coffee shops are always available. They provide a nice place to get away from home and connect with other people, while you gain access to a table for use as a workspace and free internet. Of course, the coffee and snacks available only help to seal the deal. These are great options when you want a place to work for short periods of time.

Aspen Coffee offers free coffee for a year, which equates to a value of $2,000, within a Stillwater, Oklahoma incentive package encouraging remote workers to move there. That’s a lot of coffee you can drink while you do your work from this spot. If you feel bad about drinking for free while you work, go for one of their cinnamon rolls, scones, or other pastries on the menu. Once you’re done with your regular cup of coffee, you might want to enjoy a latte or smoothie if you’re staying for a while.

As a similar option, consider restaurants and bars during their off-hours, when they tend to have plenty of empty tables available. Like coffee shops, these spots generally have free wifi and sustenance that's available whenever you’re ready for it. For a low-key option, consider fast-food cafes like Panera Bread or a mall food court. You can also find cafes or places to sit within bookstores and certain grocery stores.

Small Business Incubators

Business incubators help businesses start and grow through services that tend to include office space, training, and meeting/conference spaces. Depending on the incubator, you may also have access to networking opportunities, help with marketing and accounting, connections with partners and resources, and much more. This is a great option if you’re starting a remote business or working as an independent contractor under your own business.

A Muncie, Indiana incentive package includes co-working space through The Innovation Connector, which is a small business incubator that can offer you a place to work with high-tech capabilities and a whole range of business services to support you.

Libraries

The local library is an excellent place to gain a quiet and productive atmosphere for getting work done, as long as you don’t need to carry out video meetings or phone calls. Benefits include free entry, no obligation to purchase food or beverages in exchange for using the internet, and plenty of resources.

Also, don’t overlook the possibility of a university library, which may be available for your use. Many university libraries are open to the public, at least during certain visiting hours. Look up the university’s policy on that before you go. Also, some remote worker incentive programs include access to a local university library, such as the Muncie incentive that includes access to the library of Ball State University. If you take a course at a university, which presumably could support your career, you could have broader access to other spots good for working, such as computer rooms and eating spaces.

A Room

This option isn’t exactly public, but it does get you out of your house. You could rent a room in a hotel or borrow/rent one from a friend, colleague, neighbor, or someone offering a room through a home-sharing service. A room with the door closed and access to the internet can offer a quiet space to focus. Since it’s not in your own home, you’re less likely to find distractions. Plus, hotels also offer Wifi in areas beyond their rooms, including common areas like the lobby, seating areas, the pool area, and eateries.

Outdoors

If you have a laptop or other device appropriate to your type of work, you can basically work from anywhere. Outdoor spaces are ideal options as free places to work remotely. This means following that often-promised dream of working from the beach. Or, head to a park, sit on a public bench, have a client phone call while going for a walk, or otherwise find a random public space that seems appropriate for the duties you need to carry out. Another option is to simply sit in your car and work within distance of a public wifi signal. Many public spaces have internet access, but if not, you could use your smartphone’s mobile hotspot option.

Airports

If you have an airport within a convenient distance of your home, think about heading there to work remotely. You can stay in the public areas located before you reach the security lines, where you’ll find free internet along with food and drinks. Just try not to get too distracted by the shopping and people-watching! The airport can be a great place to get work done when you’re on a trip, so why not visit one any time for the same purpose?

The next time you ponder where can I work remotely?, try some of the places on our list of public spaces that are good for remote working. We hope you try some you’ve never considered before and take advantage of co-working spaces or university access provided within moving incentive programs. Don’t forget to think outside the box when you need a productive place to carry out your work.