Ask HN: Do a coworking space make you more productive? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Do a coworking space make you more productive?

9 pointsramadis12 comments

I'm having doubts on buying a coworking space versus working from home. Not sure if coworking will really boost my productivity (since in home I have a few distractions, but not many).

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Not at all. I'm not a people person and it distracts and drains me like an illness.

Try it for a month, it works for some people it doesn't work for others.

Yes, A/B testing is the best means to answer this question. What works for other people says little or nothing about whether it will work for this person, though some comments might contain nuggets of insight as to why it works for some people and not others and that might be useful. But, ultimately, trying it is the way you find out.

It's more distracting than sitting next to a jackhammer. This isn't hyperbole either: I actually had to program once in an industrial setting next to a jackhammer. It was less distracting.

As others have said, do some trials at a few and see how they work out. Though from past experience it’s difficult to judge the long-term experience of a space by a 1 or 2 day trial. Ask if you can get a week at a reduced rate.

Coworking spaces are not for everyone and it depends on many factors, specifically your personality type and your ultimate goal for a space. ie: if you ultimately want a space that helps you extend your network and you’re willing to sacrifice the fact that the environment will be more distracting than working at home, you’ll more likely forgive the latter to gain the former.

If you are worried about distractions, get some noise cancelling headphones (I have Bose QC35s and they make the world of difference). There's no reason you shouldn't be able to be productive in a coworking space. If you are in a good one you will also benefit from networking. Most people working there will understand to leave you alone when needs be.

I tested out a co-working space last year about 15 minutes away.

I have a pretty nice setup at home, quiet, a few different setups to work from so I still get more work completed at home vs. co-working or coffee shop.

It is nice to get out every once in a while but it's not something I would do every day or even a few times per week. So If I want to get out I go out to a coffee shop.

Now if I didn't have a private area to work from at home I would definitely consider using a co-working space.

Yes. I find working next to people that are working on completely different things is hugely beneficial. If i need help, then I am required to explain my problem in a way that ramps up and keeps the interest of volunteers around me. This means that i'm required to connect with people in a very particular way.

Whenever I need privacy, I can put in my headphones. The only down side is when I need to make a phone/video call.

For me yes, I find really really difficult to focus at home, even if I live alone there.

I prefer much much more coworking spaces, the more crowded the better for my focus. Ironically is deep silence the thing that disturb me the most.

I need some separation between my bedroom and my working area.

I get lazy at home easily, I turn to lay down and just pass out sleeping.

No, I found it distracting, personally.

However - it's great for networking if you participate in a well-organized one!

Pretty sure coworking spaces make for pretty shitty programming environments.

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