Take a quick look at the picture below. What does it remind you of?

If you spent any time in college studying, then perhaps this reminds you something of your college or local library with a more modern spin. The only difference between your local library and this space is that this one costs around $300 to $600 a month.

What is this environment? It’s called co-working. You pay a membership and depending on which level you pick, you may get a desk and probably some coffee, access to the internet, access to a printer/copier/fax machine, and special events for members.

You may call me crazy, but this does sound awfully similar to a library. Desks, internet, business resources, events, access to information, and sometimes, coffee. Check, check, and check. Oh, and no application, requirements , or membership fees to work there? Check.

So Why Spend $300/month on Co-Working?

The advantages of co-working are simple. Less distractions (no talking to your cat), networking and collaboration (that is if people don’t put in the “hey don’t talk to me” headphones), and a mailing address. I think all of these can be pretty crucial, especially when you’ve become so used to working from home with everything from Reddit to laundry to distract you.

Is Co-Working for You?

If you’re starting to go a little stir-crazy at home or the local coffee shop just isn’t cutting it anymore, then perhaps it is a good idea to look into a co-working space . Especially if you can afford it. Make sure to watch out for ones with applications. Plan accordingly so you don’t have to talk to your cat about what to eat for lunch anymore.

Am I Going to Start Co-Working?

The idea has crossed my mind more then a couple times. I work from home, so distractions are easy to come by. Getting into an office would help me develop a focused schedule and get work done quicker. However, with the outlandish prices of office space around here and subsequently, the cost of co-working, all on top of recurring expenses, co-working for me isn’t an option right now. When I get more cash flow though, definitely. Until then I’ll just use my (actually) fancy local library.

Fo’ free.