Free Alternative Places to Work When You Work at Home (besides Starbucks!)

As a Work at Home Woman some days it is just hard to focus on your work at home. Whether it’s the regular distractions of household chores, unexpected kids at home or you just need new scenery there are a number of places you can go to get your work done.

There are great FREE alternative places to work from without needing to wash the Starbucks smell out of your hair and clothes. You know what I’m talking about, right?

I’ve talked with other work at home women about where they work from when they need to get out of their house.

Below are some of theirs and my favorite alternative places to work from when you work from home.

FREE Alternative places to work when you work from home

Your Public Library. The number one place that came up (after coffee shops) when I asked work at home women alternative places they work from was the library.

If you are someone who hadn’t thought of the library, you aren’t alone! It never occurred to me to work from there even though my daughter and I are regulars on Saturday mornings.

A library is a perfect alternative place to work from. It’s quiet, you don’t have to pay $5 for a cup of coffee and most libraries now have free Wi-Fi.

AND if you are like me you’ll be less likely to allow yourself to be interrupted from what you are working on to take a phone call in a library.

The YMCA or your gym. I LOVE this idea that one of my mentors mentioned. Its perfect for a day when school is closed or a rainy weekend day when you can’t send your kids outside to play.

Check your kids into the YMCA or gym kids care center, do a 20 minute intense cardio workout then find a quite chair and get some work done until you have to check your kids back out.

You get exercise and some work done and your kids get to play. It’s a win-win-win!

An Art Museum Lobby. If you live in a city I with good museums I encourage you to give this one a try. When I travel, visiting a new-to-me Art Museum is something I love to squeeze in. A great benefit of Art Museums is that many have cozy lobbies or unique cafes.

There is just something about working sounded by art that inspires me. And like most places these days, Art Museums tend to have free Wi-Fi.

Bonus, if you are a member of your local museum treat yourself to a walk through the new exhibit as a reward for finishing your work. Enjoy and use the flexibility and freedom you have of being able to control your schedule!

A Food Hall. This is my NEW FAVORITE place to work from!

Food Halls are the new food trucks and they are popping up everywhere. According to an article in the Washington Post by 2020 there will be at least 300 Food Halls across the country.

These eclectic spaces are filled with the buzz of community and the scent of yummy food. They are a great alternative to Starbucks or your house as a place to work from.

I spend a lot of time visiting family in Tampa, FL. My go-to place to work from is the Heights Public Market. With great food options, outside riverfront tables and indoor air-conditioned space for warm days (with free WiFi of course) it’s the perfect alternative place to work from.

If you haven’t been to your local Food Hall yet I encourage you to check it out!

A Public Park. Speaking of outside tables, more and more communities are adding free Wi-Fi to public parks.
I love working outside and don’t mind using my phone’s Wi-Fi outside on a nice day if the park doesn’t have free Wi-Fi.

Take advantage of being part of the laptop lifestyle and find a park bench to work from. Google your public park system + free Wi-Fi to see what options are available.

A Couple More Alternative Places to Work From as a Work at Home Woman

The next two aren’t free but are worth considering.

Co-Working Space.  I tried out a co-working space where I live and fell in love with it. They have super-fast internet which is great for days when internet speed is necessary, like uploading a video. They also host lunch and learns, happy hours and other events with local entrepreneurs.

Co-workspaces were originally designed to give entrepreneurs a place to work from that they could also collaborate. If you are having writes block or a mental block related to finishing a project you are working trying out a co-working space is a great solution.

Be sure to ask about membership cards, my local co-work space lets you sign up for a drop in days. Instead of paying to use the space every day I have a 10 day drop in card the same as signing up for a package at your favorite yoga or barre studio.

A Hotel. This is the priciest option available but if you NEED to get a project finished and the distractions at home are overwhelming you call your local hotel and ask if they have a last-minute local resident rate they would be willing to give you.

I know a couple of work from home women who also rely on hotel rooms when they have workshop or course videos to film. There is no chance of your kid or husband interrupting you during filming if you are in a hotel room!

Conclusion

When you work from home sometimes you just NEED to work from somewhere else. That alternative work place doesn’t have to be Starbucks!

There many free and a couple paid places that are great to work from.
From your local library and YMCA to a Food Hall or Pubic Park there is a free alternative work space that can work for you!

You can also check with your local co-working space and ask if they have a drop in membership option.

And when you really need continued quiet uninterrupted time ask you local hotel for special resident rate. Book yourself a room and get your priority work done!

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