Working from home is full of pitfalls: Your Wi-Fi is patchy, your printer is out of ink, laundry needs to be done — not to mention the kitchen is one giant, tasty distraction.
Luckily, Austin is awash with a variety of coworking options where members can toil side by side with like-minded individuals in a focused community. It doesn't matter if you're a freelance writer, a remotely stationed employee, a startup whiz, or a seasoned entrepreneur, one of the offices below could be your new professional home.
Capital Factory
Where: Downtown
What: Capital Factory is a magnet for entrepreneurs and startups. The open floor plan includes plenty of space to spread out, as well as amenities like meeting rooms and a video recording studio. People who cowork at this downtown mecca can sign up for "office hours" with fellow investors and entrepreneurs to get advice or feedback on their projects. Office access ranges from part-time coworking to dedicated desks, and if you need something more secluded you can rent a private office.
Cost: $200-$750/month; $1,700-$4,000/month for private offices
Chicon Collective
Where: East Austin
What: This east side haven considers itself an "experimental" community for the creative types, attracting a variety of freelancers. Coworkers can opt for a part-time package as low as five days per month, or upgrade to a dedicated desk or private office. Chicon Collective is a nonprofit, so depending on your budget you can contribute by helping out around the office. If you want to get an idea of the space, simply swing by or check out one of the many events regularly happening at the Collective.
Cost: $50-$300/month; $1,250/month for private offices; day pass by donation
Createscape Coworking
Where: East Austin
What: Createscape is another great option for creatives, especially photographers and videographers because membership comes with discounts on studio and equipment rentals. This smaller, quiet space offers both full-time general coworking and dedicated desk packages. Createscape regularly hosts socials so you can get to know your coworkers during happy hours or other fun industry-related hangouts.
Cost: $150-$300/month; $20/day
fibercove
Where: South Austin
What: This former dance studio turned coworking space comes equipped with modern elegance. Fibercove puts a huge emphasis on technology with reliable, high-speed internet being the main focus. The blanket membership gets you 24/7 access and all the tech you could possibly need, including large monitors at nearly every desk. There are several conference rooms and meeting spaces available to rent, although the major selling point for fibercove is the full-service cafe.
Cost: $500/month; $35/day
Link Coworking; Link Too
Where: North Austin
What: Link Coworking is a super hip space for general coworking. Link Too — the office expansion conveniently located next door — offers dedicated desks and private offices as well as an open space to lounge in. Perks at Link include meeting rooms, an outdoor courtyard for midday breaks, tons of parking, and easy access to plenty of lunch and post-work options along Anderson Lane. The office also offers month-to-month leases or discounted annual contracts depending on your needs.
Cost: $300-$550/month; $900-$3,000/month for private offices
Orange Coworking
Where: South Austin
What: Orange Coworking puts an emphasis on networking and the spirit of serendipitous collaboration. This is a really great option for entrepreneurs or business people, but freelancers are more than welcome. The office hosts meet ups, happy hours, workshops, and lectures, often with discounts for Orange members. Memberships range from part-time and full-time general coworking to a dedicated desk. Bonus: parking is hassle free (the office is in the H-E-B shopping center on Slaughter Lane).
Cost: $75-$450/month; $25/month for a "community" pass to stop in every once in a while
Patchwork Austin
Where: East Austin
What: Patchwork is a small space that is perfect for those who need to get out of the house and focus on their work. A membership here comes with basic access to the neighboring Mueller at Mosaic residences, which includes meeting rooms, a pool, gym, and more.
Cost: $350/month; $22/day
Perch CoWorking
Where: East Austin
What: Perch CoWorking aims to satisfy "self-contained businesspeople." Members here get a dedicated workstation, as well as access to the conference room and personal lockers. This small, quiet space has great natural light and a very laid-back vibe.
Cost: $175/month; $25/day
Posh CoWorking
Where: Central Austin
What: Where the ladies at? Working at Posh, that's where. This open space was designed with ladies in mind, featuring different kinds of seating and a nice free-flowing energy. Private rooms are available for meetings and conferences, as well as something called the "Think Tank" room for brainstorming days with your coworkers. The higher your monthly membership, the more access you get, including extended office hours.
Cost: $125-$400/month
Soma Vida
Where: East Austin
What: Soma Vida emphasizes health and wellness, so if this aligns with your business or your habits, then this might be the space for you. This east side nook has an open general coworking space in addition to offices, meeting rooms, and even a yoga studio that are all available to rent.
Cost: $175-$250/month; $25/day
Tech Ranch
Where: North Austin
What: A membership with Tech Ranch means a place in a community of fellow business people — networking is a part of the culture here. This modern coworking space is perfect for both budding or seasoned entrepreneurs as Tech Ranch offers several office amenities to help you focus and grow your business, including classes and programs. Options range from coworking to reserved desks to private offices.
Cost: $75-$375/month; $975-$2,000/month for private offices; $20/day
Urban Co-Lab
Where: East Austin
What: This new coworking space just launched Tuesday. Urban Co-Lab aims to be a home for small companies focusing on social innovation in the following areas: transportation, education delivery and education technology, housing, digital inclusion, and environmental equity. The office has partnered with Huston-Tillotson University to provide networking opportunities for businesses and college students looking for internships. Co-Lab offers part-time general coworking as well as dedicated desks for teams of two and four (although they are flexible with pairing people up if you need a desk).
Cost: $15-$750/month; $15/day
Vessel Coworking
Where: North Austin
What: Vessel Coworking strives to be a space for anyone and everyone, from social organizations to business entrepreneurs. Located on the second floor of the For the City Center, this coworking office affords a lot of flexibility with deals on daily punch cards and weekly memberships. For the more structured worker, you can opt for a place in the general area or a dedicated desk.
Cost: $200-$350/month; $20/day
Vuka
Where: South Austin
What: Vuka embodies the funky South Austin spirit. This warm, eclectic office has a large, general coworking area as well as a separate space for dedicated desks. The vibe here is inviting — so inviting, in fact, that the CultureMap team is proud to call the Vuka office home. Vuka also regularly hosts a variety of pop ups, meet ups, socials, concerts, and even weddings in the beautifully decorated event space next door.
Cost: $200-$400/month; $20/day
WeWork
Where: Downtown
What: WeWork has multiple locations in addition to the Austin office, so you'll be tapping into a coworking conscious that spreads all across the globe. This upbeat place includes several private offices, but the general coworking and dedicated desk areas a great place to lounge. Consider WeWork if you often find yourself downtown or live close by.
Cost: $45-$400/month
Coming soon:
Atmosphere Coworking
Where: East Austin
What: This new coworking space on the east side is currently in the works and will open early next year. Once completed, Atmosphere will feature two-stories worth of space and options that range from a permanent desk to a spot in the general coworking area. The folks at Atmosphere are currently operating out of a satellite office on East Sixth Street.
TechSpace
Where: Downtown
What: TechSpace — which is slated for 2016 — will feature a massive coworking space in addition to private spaces for mid-sized companies. TechSpace is a great option for companies, whether you're a young startup or a small, flourishing business.
Vuka provides a comfortable, eclectic vibe in its large, general co-working space.
