If you’re reading this, you’ve probably already decided to escape the 9-5 grind and live the remote life. Maybe you’re ready to get out of your cramped apartment, or perhaps you’ve just ditched the office entirely. Now comes the question – where do you actually get work done? Enter coworking spaces!
I had no idea what coworking was before I became a digital nomad. The term was completely alien to me until I moved to Bansko (a charming little village in Bulgaria) and discovered that it had *three* coworking spaces. Yes, three! That was when I realised that coworking wasn’t just some trendy buzzword, it was a lifesaver for remote workers like me.
Coworking spaces come in all shapes, sizes, and vibes. Some are ultra-corporate, designed for 9-5 workers. Others are more creative or techy. Some places are bustling with energy, while others are peaceful sanctuaries for focus. But the one thing they all have in common is that they’re a place to work that isn’t your kitchen table or your sofa. Think reliable Wi-Fi, comfortable desks, and a change of scenery to help you get your work done, and maybe even make some friends while you’re at it.
So, what is coworking?
You might have heard the term, but what does it actually mean? Let’s break it down.
Essentially, a coworking space is a shared office environment. It’s a place where people from all industries and backgrounds come together to work, share ideas, and collaborate. These spaces are designed to be comfortable, flexible, and most importantly, productive.
They come in all shapes and sizes:
- Community-focused spaces: Designed for people who want to network, make friends, and be part of a group.
- Corporate-style spaces: More professional and structured, often catering to 9-5 workers or companies that have remote teams.
- Creative hubs: Spaces that encourage brainstorming, idea-sharing, and sometimes even art and design projects.
- Techy spots: Filled with developers, designers, and entrepreneurs, these spaces are often minimalist but high-tech.
One thing’s for sure: a coworking space is a far cry from your kitchen table. It’s a place to focus, get work done, and have the right environment for productivity. Plus, you won’t have to worry about the Wi-Fi cutting out or sitting on a rock-hard kitchen chair for hours.
Are you a new or aspiring digital nomad? You might find these interesting…
- My favourite digital nomad destinations (as of June 2025…)
- 10 things I wish I’d known before becoming a digital nomad
- How I quit my 9-5 and became a digital nomad
- Why I became a digital nomad in the first place (in 2021!)
Why coworking is your new best friend as a digital nomad
Now that you know what coworking spaces are, let’s talk about why they’re essential for digital nomads like you.
As a remote worker, you’re not tied to an office, but that doesn’t mean you should be working from home (or a random coffee shop) all the time. Here’s why coworking spaces are your new best friend:
They help you find your crowd
Whether you’re a solo traveller or working remotely as a couple, community is important.
Working from home can get lonely, especially when you’re in a new place.
As much as I’m sure Aaron enjoys my company 24/7 (lol), getting out and about and socialising with other nomads and travellers is key to feeling connected and normal.
Plus, meeting new people means discovering new ideas and experiences that you never would have encountered otherwise.
Coworking spaces are perfect for this. They bring together people from all over the world, fellow remote workers who understand what you’re going through. Plus, many coworking spaces host events like dinners, happy hours, or even weekend hikes, making it easy to meet people without feeling pressured.
For your physical wellbeing
Let’s be honest, working from your kitchen table or the couch isn’t great for your body. After hours of hunching over a laptop, my neck and back always feel sore. My decrepit old body needs a comfortable place to work to ensure that I am not looking like the Hunchback of Notre Dame in 10 years’ time (she says, writing this from the sofa…).
Coworking spaces are (or at least should be) designed with comfort in mind. Ergonomic chairs, proper desks, and even standing desk options are just a few of the perks. You’ll be amazed at how much better your body feels when you’re sitting at a proper desk in a properly designed space – I always notice the difference.
For the glitch-free Wi-Fi
Glitchy Wi-Fi? Ugh, no thanks. It’s so frustrating when your internet cuts out mid-email or while you’re on a Zoom call. And honestly, working from a café or home doesn’t guarantee the kind of fast, reliable Wi-Fi you need to stay productive.
Coworking spaces are built for remote workers, so Wi-Fi is usually top-notch. No more stressing about slow speeds or unreliable connections. This means more time getting work done, and less time pulling your hair out.
For your mental wellbeing
One of the hidden perks of coworking is how it helps you mentally separate work from home life. If you work from home all the time, it can be hard to switch off. After a while, you start feeling like you never leave work, and that can lead to burnout.Usually, the apartments we rent are open plan, lounge/kitchen/dining room situations, which means if you’re doing a full day of work, then cooking at home, then chilling in front of the TV, you’re spending pretty much the WHOLE day in one room – and it tips me over the edge after a while. Productivity levels nosedive and I generally start to feel very restless.
Coworking spaces give you a physical space to work, which helps to create a boundary between your “work” time and “home” time. Home can be for relaxation, while coworking is for productivity. Trust me, this boundary is important for your mental health.
What makes a great coworking space for beginners?
There are loads of reasons a digital nomad new to freelancing and working remotely might want to join a coworking space. Here are just a few of them:
For wi-fi that doesn’t make you want to throw your laptop out the window
This is non-negotiable. If the Wi-Fi doesn’t work, you might as well be working from a cave.
Reliable Wi-Fi is usually the number one reason people choose coworking spaces in the first place. It’s so frustrating when your Wi-Fi at home keeps cutting out. Having somewhere you know is reliable takes a load off your mind and keeps you productive.
Check the reviews before you book anything. If a coworking space has bad Wi-Fi, it will be pretty obvious in the reviews. And most coworking spaces will let you trial the space for a day, so make sure to test it out before you commit to anything long-term.
For somewhere comfortable to work, no matter the task
When it comes to choosing the right coworking space, it’s all about what suits your needs. Some people like hot desking, others need a dedicated desk or even a private office. What you choose depends on your personal work style.
Hot desks
Hot desks are my go-to if the coworking space is up to scratch. If there’s enough space, decent chairs, and a reliable spot to set up my laptop, I’m good to go. No fuss, no commitment. I can pick where I want to sit based on my mood for the day.
Dedicated desks
Dedicated desks are great for people who like a bit more stability. You don’t have to worry about hunting for a desk every time you arrive. It’s yours to set up and leave your things (but don’t get too attached, this is still a shared space).
Private offices
For those who need quiet, privacy, or are on calls all day, private offices are the way to go. They tend to be pricier, but if you need to take calls or work on sensitive materials, it’s worth it. Aaron and I rented a private office in Cape Town (and it was marginally more expensive than hot desking, split between us). But let me tell you, it was basically a box room with no windows and an air conditioner that could freeze a penguin. It did the job, but wasn’t exactly a luxury office.
Community vibes (because you can’t work in silence forever)
Coworking spaces are more than just a place to park your laptop. The good ones offer a community. They host social events, like dinners, weekend hikes, or drinks on a Friday to celebrate making it through the week. You’re never pressured to join in, but it’s a great way to meet people without feeling like you’re going out of your way.
My personal favourite coworking space, hands down, is AltSpace in Bansko. The community there is top-notch. Bar crawls in the mountains, wine & watercolour on Wednesdays, and New Year’s Eve parties that are nothing short of legendary. Honestly, some of my best nomad experiences have come from being part of that community. You can’t put a price on that.
Things to consider when choosing a coworking space
When you’re searching for the perfect coworking space, it’s important to consider a few factors that can make or break your experience.
After all, you’re investing your time and money into a space that will be your ‘office’ for a while, so it better meet your needs.
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you explore coworking spaces, and some practical tips to help you make the right choice.
Location (because remote shouldn’t involve a massive commute…)
Find a coworking space that’s not going to require a 3-hour trek to get to. You’re not commuting to an office job; this is supposed to be flexible!
The first thing I look for when I’m researching a digital nomad destination is where the good coworking spaces at at. I usually do this by searching ‘coworking’ in GoogleMaps and simply reading some of the reviews (I know, groundbreaking!).
Once I’ve found a good one or two, I’ll try and find an apartment within walking distance to it.
I am currently writing this post from an apartment that is a 30-minute walk to the only coworking, with no public transport connections, and where renting a car is more expensive than the rent… so how many times do you think I have been to the coworking? Zero. No times. You need to make it easy to go, or you just never will. And as a result, I am feeling really stir-crazy right now!
Make it easy to build it into your daily routine and easy to get work done, not harder!
The vibe: figure out what it is you’re looking for
If you’re going to spend hours a day in a coworking space, you’ll want to vibe with the people there.
Obviously, this is very subjective, but I tend to look for a place that doesn’t feel like a corporate jungle, but more like a fun, productive hangout with comfy chairs and desks. A decent bar or kitchen area. Meeting rooms for Zoom calls are a HUGE benefit, especially if the use of them is included in the membership fee.
Some coworking spaces can feel like a soulless office, and I tend to avoid those at all costs. I didn’t leave an office job in the UK to work in a similar environment abroad after all. I always look for a space that offers a relaxed, but still productive environment, because that is usually conducive to it not being a library, but also not being a cafe.
Things like free tea and coffee, community events, or comfortable common areas are all great signs of a fun, more productive coworking. After all, you want to enjoy being there, not just grind away in a dull, sterile room.
Price: don’t break the bank just to be productive
Coworking spaces can get pricey, but you can find affordable options. Don’t pay for a VIP package if all you need is a hot desk and a steady internet connection.
I would say the going rate in and across Europe for a monthly hot desking membership is around €150. The more you commit to it, the cheaper it gets. This is why I usually spend 1-3 months somewhere, because not only is the rent cheaper, but so is the coworking!
Meeting rooms
Meeting rooms are a big one for me. I usually take a lot of calls with the work I am doing, so I need to be able to answer a call sporadically and book in time multiple times per day to take scheduled video calls.
Of course, if you’re not required to be on calls, you can bypass this. But in my experience, a good coworking space will include a few spaces for people to take calls. It should include a room or multiple rooms that can be booked in advance to take scheduled video/telephone calls.
My opinion is that any coworking that charges you extra to use these gets marked down. Calls are part of many jobs and should be catered for.
I’ve been to a few coworking spaces where the price to rent a meeting room (which is usually a seminar room with a board table, way too big for what I needed) was really expensive – too expensive to justify.
A good coworking space is where they have sealed-off pods, or rooms where you can book to take your calls. The best one I’ve been to is AltSpace, which has small meeting rooms with a desk and chair in each of their three spaces, which you can book in advance via their website/app.
It’s so easy, and encourages me to join! I’ve not come across that apart from in Bansko, it’s such a great idea.
Common questions new digital nomads have about coworking
As a new digital nomad, you probably have a lot of questions about coworking spaces. Will they really make a difference in your productivity? Are they really worth the money? Here’s a quick rundown of some of the most common questions I get about coworking spaces.
How to find the best coworking space for you
- Do your research and actually read reviews: Don’t just pick the first coworking space you find. Spend five minutes online reading reviews from people who have used them. It’ll save you time and frustration later, and you’ll have a much better idea of what to expect.
- Check the vibe before you sign up: Visit the space in person (or virtually) to see if it feels right. Go for a look around. Does it include a kitchen? Free tea/coffee/water, are there activities? How loud/quiet is it? Are there different zones? What about meeting rooms? Ask all the questions and make sure you’re happy.
- Ask about trial periods: Some coworking spaces offer a trial period, and if they do, use it! Test out the space for a day and see if it meets your needs. You might even find that the atmosphere isn’t quite what you’re after, and it’s best to know that before you commit long-term. And if a space isn’t formally offering a trial, you can usually email and ask them if you can come test it out.
Coworking is for everyone, especially new nomads!
Coworking spaces are for EVERYONE – whether you’re a writer, designer, lawyer, or budding YouTuber. If you need a place to work outside of your apartment, coworking is a great solution.
Get out there and try a coworking space. It’s a game-changer, trust me. The productivity, the community, the Wi-Fi. All of it.
Disclaimer: My blog contains affiliate links. If you buy something through these, I get a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you x
By Meg
