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When working on a solo project, sitting at home on your own can get a bit depressing after a while.
I can go to Starbucks, but feel a bit awkward sitting in Starbucks after an hour or so (even if I am buying plenty of coffee).
When all I need is space for a laptop and some wifi, what other sorts of places are good to go to, where I can experience a nice environment and be around other people?
As a freelance, sometimes I work also at my clients's company offices, when I do a project for that specific client, if they have a free office or desk usually I can stay with them from a few hours up to a few days. While I work there I have people around, and the client is happy because we can interact more efficiently as I develop their project.
Of course I do that only with clients that I get along very well.
Other places where you can work being with others is the city or university library, parks when is summer, etc.
I wouldn't stay at Starbucks or places like that, I would feel very uncomfortable and is not a stimulating place.
From my experience,
Trying not to sound like a plug for any particular place, but there are shared/collabrative workspaces popping up all over the place.
The one I am most familiar with is Gangplank It is a location you can just drop into an do your work. There are no fees and you don't have to share anything. However the idea is basically that while you are sitting there doing your work, you have a casual conversation with someone else doing their work and you both discover and untapped opportunity and come together to fulfill it and make more $$$.
My local group provides basic desk/tables, free internet and free printing, and a free conference room - all designed to lure unsuspecting people into their midst in order to foster new business opportunities! These facilities have been donated by people/businesses with no expectation that you have to repay other than by being open to talking to and/or helping other people.
For more general ideas, google collaborative works spaces in your area and see what pops up. Also check up on any business incubator groups that may also have workspaces. There are also some subscription based groups doing the same thing, and I would also check into any maker groups in your area as well.
I don't know if this is standard, but the Barnes & Noble near us is open until 11pm and has free Wi-Fi. I like the atmosphere a lot better than Starbucks, and you'll have plenty to read on your break.
