Appreciation post for coworking spaces over cafes

I know everyone in the digital nomad circles always talks about working from cafes for the vibe and cheap coffee. But I spent about 6 months doing that in Chiang Mai and I realized my productivity was tanking. What tipped me off was when I added up my expenses for one month and found I spent $180 on lattes and pastries just to sit for 4 hours a day. Plus the wifi would drop during calls and I'd have to pack up and leave. I finally tried a coworking space for $80 a month in the Nimman area and the difference was night and day. Quiet rooms, stable internet, and I could leave my stuff while grabbing lunch. Has anyone else had that moment where they switched from cafes and felt dumb for not doing it sooner?

3 comments

3 Comments

vera_lewis24d ago

Bruh the latte math hit me hard when I did the same thing in Bali. Realized I was basically paying barista rent for a table. Coworking spaces are just way more honest about what you're actually paying for.

adam_robinson15d ago

The "barista rent" thing @vera_lewis said is so real, I felt that in my bones. I did the exact same math in Chiang Mai and realized I was spending more on iced lattes than my actual accommodation. Coworking spaces might cost more upfront but at least you know where your money is going.

terry_barnes24d ago

Oh honey, that $80 Nimman coworking space was probably closer to $100 with Thai VAT included.