One of the hottest trends for those working remotely is coworking spaces. Thanks to the rising popularity of online jobs these days, such establishments have become more appealing than ever. While coworking spaces are less common here, they’re found in most major cities in the Philippines.

Coworking spaces are members-only places that offer flexible rental arrangements for fully equipped offices. Desks can be leased by the day/hour as needed. Some discounts may be available when you book several workspaces at a time, such as when you’re renting for a whole team in the same city.

Before you make the commitment, however, it’s best to be aware of the pros and cons first. Regardless if you’re a self-employed virtual assistant doing small gigs, or an SME that’s just starting out, there’s no denying that there are numerous benefits to be had from coworking – but are they worth the drawbacks too? Weigh in below.

Coworking Spaces: The Pros and Cons

Pro – Getting to socialize

Working from home is convenient and comfortable, but it also makes you feel isolated at times. By joining a coworking community, you have numerous chances to build your network of contacts. You’ll be able to bounce off ideas with like-minded individuals and maybe land your next client there.

Con – Getting distracted

Being surrounded by people may either keep you motivated throughout the day, or give you an excuse to slack off. As the office is shared, you have no control over what’s happening around you, unless you pay premium for an exclusive room. A walled space is obviously going to cost a lot more than a cubicle.

Pro – Getting out of the house

Perhaps you constantly find yourself getting interrupted by household chores or taking care of the kids when you’re at home. Maybe you’re renting out a small room and feel like you’re suffocating from staying indoors too much. Either way, leasing a desk is the perfect solution for these woes.

Con – Getting stuck in traffic

Chances are, you live a good distance away from your nearest coworking facility. Even if you do reside in the surrounding neighbourhood, it’s won’t be a comfortable walk when you have to lug around a heavy laptop. You don’t have much of a choice but to commute then suffer from the traffic congestion.

Pro – Getting access to amenities

Coworking spaces vary in how the desks are laid out and what kind of equipment are available, among other things. Some offer a buffet of snacks so people have something to munch on to replenish their energy stores. Others have conference rooms with wall projectors for meetings and client visits.

Con – Getting second-rate technology

Let’s say there are renovations being done at home or there’s something wrong with your equipment, so you decide to work outside for the week. The sad thing is that the establishment might not have an IP phone, doesn’t offer internet bandwidth in the double digits, or any other disappointing matter.

Pro – Getting to skip cleanup

When you work from home, you have to perform all of the maintenance stuff yourself. This includes putting away your chair, sweeping the floor, dusting the table, and cleaning the air conditioner. You don’t have to think about any of these things in a shared office. You just work, then go as their staff handles the cleaning for you.

Con – Getting zero customization options

Unless you’ve rented out a private room for the long-term, you are provided with either a cubicle or a spot on a shared table. You can’t even leave your computer there where others will have access to it, how much more a vase of flowers or a frame containing your favourite quote for inspiration.

Pro – Getting to save money

Sometimes, an online employer will demand that you work in an office. A commercial lease is going to be expensive but a coworking space tends to be more affordable. You usually have to pay only for the time that you’re using the place, and it doesn’t count the weekends like a typical lease.

Con – Getting hit by hidden costs

You might be thinking that you need to budget just for the rent. However, the costs are actually higher than that. There’s a premium for lockers or storage as well as printing and scanning services. A portion of your payment may be going to a networking event that you’re not even going to attend, too.

Should You Join a Coworking Space?

The answer to that depends on your needs and priorities. If a professional office is a must for your client, you don’t really have much of a choice. If you’re more productive in a busy environment but can’t afford the fees yet, look for alternatives while you continue to work from home.

Of course, this is all secondary to actually finding a remote job. What’s the point in thinking about your work area when you don’t even have stuff to do, right? Remote Workmate can help you with that. We’re connected to clients who are looking for online workers like you.