6 Tips for Choosing a Coworking Space in San Francisco and Silicon Valley
photo credit: Josef Willems For freelancers, entrepreneurs, and remote employees based in San Francisco, the coworking space has become the new office space, a place where…
Ask yourself these 6 questions before you choose your Bay Area coworking home:
1. How much space do I need?
Whether you’re a lone freelancer or a startup with several employees, finding the right amount of space is easy. Coworking spaces offer everything from a single table seat or desk, to private offices that will fit your entire team.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="10563" img_size="full" alignment="center"][vc_column_text]2. How much do I want to spend?
Before you drop your credit card details, ask yourself how often and for how long you will use the space. If you want flexibility, look for spaces with hourly and daily rates, which run from $2-5/hour and $20-35/day. Monthly memberships plans range from several hours a month to unlimited hours and access. Plans vary in price quite a bit and depend on your needs. Hot desking, or using any available desk, can cost from $175 to $605/month (see table below) while a dedicated desk might can range in price from $375 to $610/month. A private office at a space like WeWork starts at $900/month and increases in cost depending on the size of your team. Other spaces offer weekly rates, which is ideal for periods when you’re trying to buckle down on a project or are passing through the Bay Area.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="10636" img_size="full" alignment="center"][vc_column_text el_class="post_text"]Coliving in San Francisco is another great way to meet like-minded creatives and entrepreneurs, especially when you are traveling or in transition. Coliving spaces provide accommodations in addition to workspace for as little as a week up to several months. Other spaces offer weekly rates, which is ideal for periods when you’re trying to buckle down on a project or are passing through the Bay Area.3. What amenities do I need?
Whether you’re searching for a place to base your startup or simply want to get out of your house, coworking spaces offer a range of amenities from printers and white boards to conference rooms and soundproof phone booths. Look for extras like mail services if you need a business address, and storage lockers for those things you don’t want to carry back and forth each day.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="10564" img_size="full" alignment="center"][vc_column_text]4. What amenities do I want?
In addition to your basic office amenities, many coworking spaces provide complimentary tea, coffee, and snacks to get you through your workday. Some of the more social spaces have beer on tap for post-work happy hours, and common lounges and outdoor areas where you can meet your fellow coworkers, cheers to the end of the week, and let off some steam with a game of foosball or ping pong.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="10577" img_size="full" alignment="center"][vc_column_text]5. What kinds of events would I like to attend?
Networking and social events are a great way to connect to other people in the coworking community. If you’re looking for professional development, seek out spaces that host guest speakers, panel discussions, and workshops centered around topics that would be helpful or interesting to you. Many coworking spaces in San Francisco also put on a variety of informal events such as yoga, breakfast clubs, and happy hours so you can get to know other members.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="10572" img_size="full" alignment="center"][vc_column_text]6. What’s my work style?
Finding the environment that suits your work style is key to productivity. Do you need absolute quiet, or do you like a little white noise in the background? Do you prefer open spaces and communal tables, or private spaces without distraction? Are you looking for a professional, office-like atmosphere or laid-back, intimate vibe? If you have a chance to visit, pay attention to such things as noise levels and background music, desk height and chair type, and artificial and natural light. Be sure to check out opening hours, too. If you work best early in the morning or late at night, you might want to find a place with extended hours or 24/7 access.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="10582" img_size="full" alignment="center"][vc_column_text]