Hot take: that $300 coworking membership was a waste for me in Chiang Mai

Signed up for a month at a popular spot near the old city. Thought it would help me focus. Instead I spent most days on the roof terrace on my own laptop anyway because the wifi in the main room kept dropping every 20 minutes. The free coffee was bad too. Has anyone else found that local libraries or just cafe hopping works better for less than half the price?

2 comments

2 Comments

richardfox1mo agoTop Commenter

Lol I noticed this pattern everywhere now. People buy expensive memberships thinking the environment will magically make them productive but really it just gives them a new place to procrastinate. I've seen friends drop cash on fancy hot desks in Bali and end up just scrolling instagram on the beanbags all day. Libraries are underrated honestly, the wifi actually works and nobody bothers you. Cafe hopping keeps it interesting too, plus you get to try different iced lattes instead of that sad free coffee.

kim.sandra1mo ago

Used to be one of those people who thought a coworking space would fix my focus problems. But after three different memberships in three different countries, I slowly realized the fancy desk and the "community" didn't actually make me write any faster. The worst was in Kuala Lumpur where I paid a premium for a place with a pool and then spent half my time swimming instead of working. Libraries are the real hidden gem, especially university ones that let visitors in. You get solid wifi, quiet rooms, and nobody tries to sell you an overpriced matcha latte. Cafe hopping keeps things fun too, just pick spots with good power outlets and acceptable wifi.