Do you work independently or freelance, but occasionally reminisce about the cubicle neighbors you left behind, even though they sometimes annoyed the hell out of you? Does freelancing get a little lonely, or do you wish you had someone to bounce ideas off of and collaborate with? Then Coworking might be for you. Brad Neuberg, a computer programmer in San Francisco, started the Coworking movement in 2005 as a middle of the road solution between working for a soul crushing corporation and working independently. Instead of clicking away at the keyboard on the couch in your undies, Coworking spaces bring likeminded freelancers and independent contractors together into communal offices.

Coworking provides the camaraderie, structure and social interaction usually missing from the freelance lifestyle. The offices usually implement an open floor plan with desks and a few cubicles. Most usually include a communal meeting room and some kind of kitchen area. The prices range from $10 per day to around $400 or $500 per month for your own personal desk space, with many options in between.

It’s a great solution for people who don’t want to commit to an extended office lease since most Coworking spaces operate on a month to month agreement. If you are a freelancer, contractor or consultant, a Coworking space offers an alternative to the sometimes stodgy office suites.

The movement has been catching on, fueled by an increase in freelancers, a prevalence of vacant office space and the grassroots nature of the movement. The whole movement is very connected and the Coworking wiki and blog help foster development of new Coworking spaces. Although the movement began in San Francisco, Coworking offices continue to spring up around the world and exist in most large cities. The basic model is very altruistic and flexible with some spaces allowing people to hang out for a few days before making a commitment. The main idea is to build a tight knit community, where people work and interact, through the shared space.

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