One of the biggest perks of being a full-time blogger, designer, or freelancer of any kind is that you can pretty much work from anywhere. When I began freelancing, I definitely felt like the world was my oyster. I was so excited that I could have complete control over my environment and post up at beautiful coffee shops every day. Of course, I ended up working from my couch most days. Taking my work to a cafe was always my intention (especially in Portland where coffee shops are literally everywhere), but I found that it was a lot easier to stay in my comfy clothes and hide out at home. I quickly learned that I (like most other people) don’t work super efficiently from home. I still do it sometimes but I have to really be willing to prioritize and block out distractions.
As freelancers, Angela and I both try to get out and explore coffee shops in our cities but trying new places is always hit or miss. Here are some tips that have helped us seek out the best away-from-home workspaces:
Do your research
If you’re trying a new place in your town, make sure to check out its reviews on Yelp first. It’s a bummer to drive to a new coffee shop only to discover that there isn’t wifi, good seating, table space, etc. One tool that I love is the website Workfrom. I found it shortly after I moved to Portland and quickly became obsessed with it. It allows you to search workspaces around you, using tons of different filters like “open late”, “quieter”, or “reliable wifi”. Another great resource is the app Work Hard Anywhere, which is perfect for finding workspaces on the go. Each location is rated based on food, wifi, capacity, outlets, parking, and price. All good things to know before trying out a new place.
Mix it Up
I’m totally guilty of finding a place I love, and going there every single day. When my barista has my drink order memorized, I get warm fuzzies and never want to leave. However, I’ve realized that changing up your location can bring about a different kind of inspiration. Just like working 9-5 in an office can get monotonous, working at the same coffee shop every day can eventually start feeling less exciting. Angela has been trying out a new cafe every Friday, which is such a simple but effective way to branch out.
Find a Work Buddy
My friend Jessica and I get together almost every week and just work on our laptops at a coffee shop. Sure we chat a little, but we also encourage each other to stay focused. By the end of the day, I always feel a little more productive than I do when I’m working alone. We also make it a point to try out a new coffee shop each time we meet (see #2)!
Look into coworking spaces
Coworking office spaces have become huge over the past year, and I’m all about it. I know I’m stating the obvious but social interaction is very important. Sometimes when I’ve spent a few days working only from home, I get all awkward and forget how to talk to people in the “real world”. Working at a coworking space allows you to get that social interaction but stay focused on your projects. WeWork is one of my favorite places to browse coworking spaces. It isn’t something that is in my budget right now but it’s fun to dream, right?
Don’t Underestimate Familiar Places
While it can be really fun to visit new trendy coffee shops, some of you might find that you work best in familiar, comfortable places like the library, Starbucks, or other well-known places. I used to live right next to a cafe downtown that had amazing drinks, big windows, and the coolest industrial design. I went there almost every day for a while, but I soon realized it wasn’t the right workspace for me at all. It was always freezing cold, there was only one outlet, and sometimes I couldn’t hear my own thoughts over the artsy intellectual conversations around me. So I ditched this coffee shop for a Starbucks down the street and immediately felt comfortable and focused. Sometimes the simple places are the best places.
I would love to hear your thoughts on finding workspaces away from home! What kinds of environments do you work best in? And how do you find those places?
Alyssa J Freitas says
I am a library person through and through and simply can’t work at home either! 1. It’s quiet 2. Everyone else is working so it encourages me 3. It’s free! A coffee shop is great for being creative, but when I really need to get down to work, it’s the library all the way.
Angela says
I’ve been thinking of spending more time working from the library myself. I like how quiet it is and it’s always inspiring to be able to go grab a book if I need a break!
Kelsey says
I love working at places like Starbucks, busy enough for me to tune out without being dead silent.
http://www.kelseymarie.co
alex says
I just moved to Portland and work from home, I’ve been looking for good coffee shops to go too – something bright and airy! I love Starbucks but it’s so dark sometimes, I get sleepy haha. Anyways, I just found Workfrom and found a coffee shop I want to try in town – Upper Left Roasters. If you know of any really good coffee shops (with good wifi!) you should let me know :)
Jennifer says
Welcome to Portland! Upper Left Roasters is actually one of my favorite places to work. It’s so bright and spacious, and their coffee and food is amazing. I also love Case Study on Alberta. Let me know if you ever want to get together! :)
Melody says
These are great tips! I live in a small town in Korea but luckily, coffee shop culture is huge here so there’s quite a selection to choose from. I scoped the scene for a while but I’ve found my favorite spot- it’s full of natural lighting, and has great wifi, food, and coffee. And to top it off, it’s close to my place!
Melody // http://www.marevoli.com
Angela says
That sounds amazing! There’s a spot like that here in Los Angeles that is pretty much all windows and that really helps me wake up and stay focused. Plus it’s good for Instagramming :)