Before I began working at home, I used to wonder what the heck all of those folks were doing in all of those coffee shops!
I’d stop for a cup of coffee on the way home from a meeting and would think “They can’t ALL be students. Or writing the Great American Novel. Or checking out internet sites that they can’t watch at home. What ARE they doing?”
Turns out – while some ARE students, writers, and folks wanting a break from being in their home – a LOT of them are working from home – but home means my front porch, the bus, the local coffee shop – anywhere were I can get access to wireless.
I’ve developed some favorite spots to get out of the house and stay productive – here are a few:
- Irwin’s Cafe and Bakery: Just up the street, cozy, tasty food and coffee, and friendly people!
- Starbucks on 45th: Surprisingly quiet in between 10 and noon, lots of room. And I like their drip coffee – strong, acidic, dark!
- Kate’s Pub: Don’t laugh –but on a Friday afternoon when I’m meeting friends for a post work pint – it’s a great spot to finish up the day’s work!
- Fuel: Right in the ‘hood, (I like their macchiato), and more room in the back than you think!
(There are a LOT of places that cheerfully offer internet access here in Wallingford, too!)
Do you work at home? Have some favorite spots? Tips for people just getting started working at home
Upstairs at Chocolati – am posting even though I’m just a student 🙂
Murphy’s has free wi-fi.
I work from home, and the Gypsy Cafe on Stone Way is my current favorite “satellite office”. They have wifi, coffee, sandwiches, and beer.
I also really like Ladro in Fremont.
I’m torn on this topic. While I understand the desire to “work from home” in these places. It’s really annoying when I stop in for a cup of coffee, or meet a friend and there is no seating available because people plop down and “work from home” for hours on end. Makes many of these places impossible to count on as a place to stop after your dr appt for a cup of coffee or a chat with a friend.
Linda
I’ve always been curious about working on a laptop in a bar like Murphys – is that acceptable, normal, are others doing that?
I buy something every couple of hours and honestly, I’m usually one of only a few people sitting in coffee shops when I’m there in the middle of the afternoon. I suspect that working from home is a major source of business for coffee shops, hence the free wireless they provide.
I’ve been meaning to try out Gypsy Trader for ages – looks so fun! I tired Sosticio today and found it to be delightful in the sun!
When I first started working from home – I figured that the going rate for office space is way more than a latte or two every couple of hours. I sorta think that 5-10 bucks an hour seems like a fair price for the shops that provide desks, chairs, and wireless access.
And having a pint with a laptop at the end of the day seems like a pretty good way to end the day.
I (used to) trade my time between my home office, my real office, and Zoka in Tangletown. I found I needed the variety between these places to kickstart me every now and then. Zoka was good as well, but trying to find:
a spot near an outlet,
that doesn’t get major exterior light glare, and
that has enough room for my laptop and a cup of coffee
was a struggle nearly every time I went in there. It’s all free of course, but for me I found I would get what I paid for — the coffee.
That said, I found the use of having my own office much more useful than either home or a public spot. In my case, the benefits of having your own chair, enough space, and quiet were well worth the $$$.
A couple of years ago I went into Zoka’s in the middle of a weekday and was struck by how full it was. Now I know why.
Caffe Appassionato at 45th & Stone Wy: Free wifi, open til 6pm, outdoor sunny seating too. Good coffee, pastries, cookies, oatmeal, salads, sandwiches.
Teahouse Kuan Yin on 45th is quiet, has a few comfy chairs, and delicious tea and nibbles.