I truly believe that if the manager of the space is doing his job correctly, being in a coworking space should easily pay for itself within a couple of months. We focus on making sure the companies in our space all meet each other and get business and referrals from one another. Currently we host around 3-4 events per week – anything from our Sunshine bowling team to educational events and speakers to our weekly networking lunches. All these events are designed to make sure the people in the office (over 1,000) all get to know each other.

I’m the part time manager at Citizen Space (and a graphic designer). Here are some of the benefits of coworking I’ve noticed since I’ve become involved (my personal opinions):

1. Disciplined work space. It’s not your home, it’s not a coffee shop. You are surrounded by other people who are also working and there for the same reason. You see other people focused, taking breaks, focusing again, and it generates a work momentum.

2. Community. You work with a group of people that you see on a regular basis to bounce ideas off of, take a coffee break with, feel accountable with. The “see you tomorrow” said at the end of the day goes a long way. I’ve never said that to anyone in a coffee shop.

3. No office politics. It’s great. Since no one shares the same boss, there is no gossip or jockeying for power that can happen in some office situations. We are all our own bosses in that space.

4. Responsibility. Independent workers respect each other and each other’s time because they know what it’s like to work on their own, be meeting deadlines, acquiring clients, balancing expenses, etc.

5. Investment. Yes, coworking spaces cost more than a latte and a scone. The people I work with are well aware of the investment they make in themselves by choosing to pay for a coworking space and I think it creates a dialogue with yourself. The, “Hey, my work/dreams/startup/sanity is worth this and I am going to prove that”. Some folks are more established in this investment and some are up for the challenge of proving to themselves their work is viable.

I just have a mid-range MacBook Pro for when I’m out and about or working from home and sync my documents using Dropbox. Works a treat.

http://www.ntileeds.co.uk/co-working/

By the way, the price includes 30″ Apple Cinema Displays and Mac Pros. We’re very spoiled!

Having returned to freelancing for a second time I resolved it would only work if I made efforts to overcome this major obstacle. Coworking proved to be the answer.

I’m lucky in having a very cheap (£70 plus tax per month) space in my home city that is well equipped and highly professional. But I would be prepared to pay more, as coworking has enabled me to grow my professional network, increase my opportunities for work and provided me with a much improved quality of life.

And for the social, it is definitely a place to make job and business connections. In some there are events, socials, and even a step further with round table discussions and strong ways to utilize the community to grow your professional or business needs, which frankly, in this economy everyone needs. Also, if you usually work as a one person company, it’s a great space to brainstorm ideas and have live feedback and discussions, which ultimately helps you as well. I find the people work in a bubble (i.e. at home or Starbucks) are not just lonely but they don’t have that constant support and team effect that really isn’t a dollar amount but ultimately benefits themselves and their business or professional growth.