I know why you’re here. You’re looking for the best places to work remote.
I’ve been a remote employee for years. I know how boring the same scenery can get.
And guess what? I’ve sniffed out the best places to do remote work.
Join me as I walk you through 9 of my favourite and best remote work destinations.
Ready? Let’s roll.
My Secret List Of 9 Best Places To Do Remote Work
Here’s my not-so-secret list of the 9 best places to do remote work. I’ve ranked my favourite spots according to how much effort it is to work from them.
- Public parks
- Local libraries
- Coworking spaces
- A friend’s place
- Coffee shops
- Restaurants
- Microbreweries or bars
- During commutes
- Another country
Let me take you on a whirlwind tour of my best remote work spots.
1. Public Parks
Is your home office getting you down? Tired of the same old four walls. Then head outside and work while surrounded by nature.
I love going to a public park (or even my garden!) to work from there. The best part is that it’s almost always free.
However, you do need to take some things with you to make it a great experience. Not all the parks where I work remotely have excellent WiFi. So, I always create a WiFi hotspot using my phone.
I almost always stop to grab something to drink and take some snacks with me. In my case, coffee or juice and a Greggs pastry will do!
Here’s a pro tip: Choose a spot with loads of shade. Nothing is more annoying than having to constantly move around looking for shade.
And before I forget, why is a park one of the best places to work remotely?
The Journal of Environmental Psychology found that humans are more productive when surrounded by natural scenery. They found that nature can boost your mood and concentration!
Both are wins in my book. But what if you live in an area where the weather doesn’t always play along? In that case, head to a local library.
2. Local Libraries
I think my local library is a not-so-well-known remote work destination. And it kicks ass.
Why? Because:
- It is free of distractions,
- Has excellent WiFi,
- You can do research while working,
- It’s always quiet,
- You can also print documents.
And what will all of this cost? Nearly nothing! If you don’t have a library card, you can get one for free.
While the library is an excellent place to work remotely, it does have a drawback: You can’t make calls or attend virtual meetings in a library. Keep that in mind if you want to work from your local library.
So, what if you need to attend virtual meetings but are tired of your home office? I have a solution for you.
3. Coworking Spaces
Coworking spaces are everywhere. They’re also one of the best places to do remote work. Why? Simply because coworking spaces have everything you need to be productive: printers, meeting rooms, coffee, and snacks.
Some coworking spaces also host networking events. While I don’t often attend these events, they’re great for meeting new people and building your professional network.
There is one drawback, though, and that’s why coworking spaces are third on my list of best remote work locations.
The cost.
DeskMag found that the average coworking space in the US is around $387 monthly. In the UK? You’re looking at nearly £170.
My pro tip: Only go when you really want to get out. The average daily cost is $23 or £24.
Are you looking for a cheaper alternative? My next best place to work remotely may be perfect for you.
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4. A Friend’s Place
Sometimes, working from home means getting distracted by household chores. It’s also pretty easy to switch on the Xbox or do some gardening.
My solution? I go and work from a friend’s place. I get to socialise while working. We eat lunch or grab dinner together.
The best part? It costs nothing, except for some snacks and a short commute.
My pro tip? Motivate each other to achieve specific goals during the work session. This stops you from hanging out and not getting things done. It’s also an excellent break in your routine!
5. Coffee Shops
As a remote worker, I used to love going to coffee shops. It’s almost the perfect place for remote work! Snacks? Got it. Coffee? Certainly. Free WiFi? You bet.
But lately, and perhaps this is just me, I find coffee shops can quickly get overcrowded. So, instead of going to the same coffee shop every couple of days, I mix it up.
The change in scenery, atmosphere, and routine keeps me refreshed, energised, and ready to up my remote work productivity.
And here’s something else to convince you that coffee shops still deserve a spot on my best remote work destinations list.
According to research by The Conversation, noise, like that found in a coffee shop, can boost your performance and mental well-being.
But, if you don’t like working in noise, noise-cancelling headphones are a lifesaver. And talking about noisy work environments, have you ever tried working in a restaurant?
6. Restaurants
A restaurant might not be the first place you’d think about when looking for the best place for remote work, but it certainly is!
I usually head to a restaurant after the breakfast rush. It won’t be too crowded then, and the staff will be happy if you hang around for an hour or two.
It’s also an excellent opportunity to get some food while doing work.
Think restaurants are too busy? Try your local mall’s food court. Most food courts have free WiFi, and you can still fuel up on coffee and food while working.
7. Microbreweries Or Bars
No. This isn’t an excuse to start drinking during the day. And it also won’t work during happy hour.
However, microbreweries are some of my favourite remote work locations.
I usually go after the lunch rush. These locations are quiet then. There may be some noise, but we have already covered how noise can improve productivity.
And I don’t have to sample the local craft beers. My favourite microbrewery serves coffee, tea, and cold drinks.
This is one of my solutions to getting away from it all and doing some work. And talking about getting away, did you know you can do remote work while travelling?
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8. During Commutes
Having no commute is one of the benefits of remote work. Still, it doesn’t mean I won’t have to commute at some point.
Whether out exploring or visiting friends, commuting allows me to do some remote work.
Trains are fantastic for it. The WiFi may sometimes be spotty, but it's nothing I can’t handle. Sadly, I’ll never attend a virtual meeting while on a train, but if I’m in the airport? Certainly!
9. Another Country
I’m a remote worker, of course, I’m going to work from different countries.
My friends? They do the same! I’ve got a friend who often travels to Mexico. He books an Airbnb for $300 a month. After work, he goes surfing or exploring.
Now, that’s the remote work lifestyle we all want.
Some villas or hotels also boast shared workspaces for remote workers like us. You share the space with two or three people and get access to all the modern office equipment, like a phone, WiFi, and a printer.
I’ve worked in various countries and plan to work in many more! Unfortunately, working in another country is last on my list because it requires the most effort. But if you’re up for it, it’s well worth the hassle.
My Tips For Choosing The Best Places To Remote Work
Okay. Before you grab the best laptop for remote work and rush off, let me ask you this: Do you know how to choose the best places to do remote work?
Here are some of my hard-earned tips for choosing the best locations.
- Always look for a location that has excellent WiFi. Otherwise, ensure you can set up a reliable hotspot.
- Don’t forget to use a VPN. Remote work security should always be a priority.
- Look for comfort. You want a comfortable place to work from. It'll impact your productivity if it’s cold, muggy, or too noisy.
- Choose remote work locations with easy access to power sockets, snacks, and drinks.
Finally, consider your task for the day. Meeting a client? A library, train, or bar might not be a good match.
The same rules apply when you must have intense work sessions. You don’t want a location with tons of distractions.
My Final Thoughts
And there you have it: I listed my 9 favourite places to work remote. From parks to restaurants and even other countries. Your options only depend on how much effort you’re willing to invest. So, where will you be working from?