Back in 2015 I had to pick between a WeWork lease or a regular office downtown

I was running a small dev shop out of my apartment near South Congress, and I had to choose between a WeWork hot desk membership for $350 a month or a proper office on 6th Street for $1,200. I went with WeWork thinking I'd save money and network, but it was loud all the time (like, people doing meetings right next to you loud) and I got zero actual work done. After 6 months I moved into that 6th Street spot and my productivity doubled, plus I landed two local clients from just having a door I could close. Anyone else regret a co-working space pick back then?

3 comments

3 Comments

paige3316d agoMost Upvoted

lol @ "two weeks," that tracks. I had a similar experience at one of those shared spaces in Austin back in the day, was loud af and I ended up writing code in my car just to get a quiet hour in. I bailed after a month, no way I could make that work.

marywilson6d ago

I knew a guy who lasted like two weeks at that same WeWork.

kim.jake6d ago

My WeWork phase was short too, but I actually did okay because I found a quiet corner on the third floor that nobody used and brought noise-canceling headphones. I made it work for about 8 months by going in at 7am before the crowds showed up and leaving by 2pm. Once I outgrew the desk I moved into a proper office with a door and never looked back, but at least the coffee was free while it lasted.