5 Best Spots to Work from Home, Outside Your Home

One of the biggest perks of remote work is the ability to take your job with you. People live busy lives, and working from home often allows them to maintain a better work-life balance. Many remote workers have converted certain parts of their home into dedicated work spaces, and they tend to stay there for many hours. On the other hand, there are times when staying in all day can drive you up a wall.

If you’re a remote worker and tired of being stuck at home, here are five spots to consider taking your work with you to change up your routine.

Coffee Shops

Do you brew coffee at home daily before clocking in? Switch it up and work at a coffee shop. Coffee shops are one of the best places to go to work. They’re generally pretty quiet and offer comfortable spaces for people to work in. Obviously, they have coffee, but they also tend to have other delicious treats you may not normally get at home. Treat yourself while you work — and support local coffee shops, to boot!

Library

When was the last time you went to your city’s public library? For a truly quiet and focused setting, take a stroll to your local library and get some work done. You’ll most likely need a library card, but these are very cheap. Libraries also offer the added bonus of printers, so if you don’t have a printer at home, make sure to go here whenever you need something printed.

University Buildings

If you live near a university, check out the local campus sometime. You’ll find a wide range of both in and outdoor spaces you can use without being a student. You may want to double check that certain buildings and areas don’t require an access card, but overall, the university libraries, parks, and education buildings have a “come one come all” stance.

A Friend or Family Member’s Home

If you’re not in the mood to go out and work in a public space, you could always work at a close friend or family member’s home. Ask around and see if anyone may need a pet sitter, so you can work in a new setting while also helping the person out. If you know of someone who’s also a remote worker, suggest “office swapping” and dedicate a work day to being in each other’s spaces. Not only does it keep things fun, but it gets you both out of your own homes.

Bookstores

Unlike the library, bookstores have more foot traffic and are not always quiet. However, if you don’t need a super quiet work space and just want to get out for a few hours, a bookstore is perfect. Sit in their comfy chairs and sofas, have a coffee, and casually work. If you’re an avid reader, you can even grab some books to take home.

Work Where It’s Comfortable

It’s okay to enjoy working in your home office. Some people enjoy their routine and aren’t fond of leaving and working elsewhere. But if you want a change every now and then, the five places mentioned above are all great for setting up a work space outside of your home.

Not everyone will be able to work outside of their home due to job needs. It’s important that you also consider your role, and how important a strong internet connection is, as not all public spaces have the best Wi-Fi. You may get by with a wireless hotspot, but if you need to download files, get on video calls, or perform any other internet-heavy tasks, working in a public setting may not be an option. You could do a test run and see if it goes okay, but be prepared if it doesn’t work out for you.

One final thing to keep in mind is security. Public Wi-Fi isn’t always the most secure, so it’s important you access any confidential or private information on a private internet connection before switching to a public one.