It’s no secret that coworking spaces have recently experienced a rapid rise in popularity, but no other state has embraced them in quite the same way that California has. With more than 800 coworking spaces dotted around California, coworking has firmly established itself as the new normal.
Why is this, and are other states likely to be following this lead? Join Circle Hub as we take a closer look at the California coworking scene and how this is going to impact the future of work around the country, if not the world.
The Rise of the Remote and Hybrid Work Models
While working remotely isn’t a new concept, it, along with the hybrid work model, really came into its own during the Covid-19 pandemic. While it was a shock to the system for many at first, the surprising benefits soon emerged, for both employer and employee.
As a result, although the pandemic may now be behind us, remote and hybrid work models aren’t. In fact, they’re more prominent than ever, especially in California. Around 21% of professionals in the state currently utilize a remote or hybrid work model, which is more than anywhere else in the country.
Of course, when working remotely, you still need somewhere to physically work. Working from home may seem appealing at first, but the novelty can quickly wear off. Coworking spaces, however, provide a professional working environment that’s highly conducive to remote and hybrid working models. They give you flexibility, autonomy, and a credibility that’s impossible to achieve when working from home, along with a variety of amenities that make each working day that little bit easier.
An Affordable Alternative
In many parts of the world, working from home is seen as preferable to coworking. Even though a coworking space may be cheaper than leasing a private office, it still costs significantly more than working from home. In California, however, things are a little different.
Thanks to how many coworking spaces there now are all over the state, competition is fierce. This is especially the case when it comes to pricing. Not only does a California coworking space cost drastically less than a private office space but once you take into account all of the perks that you’ll be receiving, that low monthly fee pretty much pays for itself!
Let’s use Circle Hub as an example. We have two locations in California; one in Northridge and one in Ventura. Compared to other California coworking spaces, our monthly fee is very competitive. This is one of the reasons why we’re such a popular choice! With this fee comes access to our various shared workspaces, along with our Designated Desk service that allows you to reserve a desk in advance to guarantee its availability during your working hours. You’ll also be able to use our high-speed WiFi, enjoy free coffee in our kitchen space, make the most of our onsite gym to save on your gym membership, attend our networking events, and more!
With many California coworking spaces now offering a number of added extras at a fraction of the cost of leasing a private office, it’s easy to see why more and more professionals have been flocking to these workspaces.
A Wider Appeal
When coworking first emerged, it was primarily aimed at individuals who didn’t really need an entire office space of their own. Now, however, its appeal has widened, especially in California. Many coworking spaces in the Golden State have now expanded their horizons. Not only are they offering a convenient workspace option to individuals and startups, but they’re increasingly catering to larger businesses too.
While those larger corporations may not be able to solely operate from a shared workspace, many California coworking spaces offer other workspace arrangements too. At Circle Hub, for instance, members have access to our onsite private office suites, as well as our conference rooms. This means that everything from confidential meetings to noisy brainstorming sessions can all be held at a coworking space. This does away with the need for a business to fork over for an office space of its own.
The End of Campus Culture
If you’re familiar with the California tech world, you’ll be aware of campus culture. It’s an approach that’s common in the tech industry. Companies foster a diverse and inclusive campus-like environment in an attempt to retain top talent. Employees usually work on-site. This means that coworking spaces were never really utilized by many of the big players (or their employees) in the tech industry.
However, like with many things in life, certain concepts run their course, and campus culture in the tech world seems to be dying down. Again, the pandemic played a big part in this, but so has the growing popularity of California coworking spaces. Tech companies are realizing that they no longer need to dedicate a large chunk of their budget to attention-grabbing architecture or trendy interiors. Instead, with most of their employees more than capable of carrying out their jobs remotely, excessive spending is unnecessary.
From Google to Pinterest and many more, a number of tech companies that have a strong presence in California are now becoming visible in the various coworking spaces dotted around the state. This has really helped California coworking spaces to go mainstream and be seen as the new normal.
A Refreshing Focus on Work-Life Balance
Some states are known for being much better than others when it comes to promoting a healthy work-life balance. California sits at the top of that list. The Golden State has long since recognized the importance of a good work-life balance, ensuring that Californians have rights that make it easier for them to set boundaries between their home life and work life.
This, of course, goes hand-in-hand with coworking. The flexibility and sense of separation that a coworking space provides allows for a solid distinction between work and ‘life’, in a way that works well for each individual. Work from a coworking space and you’ll find it much easier to balance your personal obligations with your professional duties each day.
This is another reason why California coworking has really taken off. The push for a good work-life balance coincided with the rise in the popularity of coworking spaces. Both work synergistically together, meaning that Californians quickly saw the value in making a coworking space their professional base.
A Sense of Community
Humans are social creatures. Our social nature is integrated deep into our biology. Social interactions influence everything from emotional well-being to the ability to learn. Social connections are known for being absolutely vital, yet this is something that’s often lacking in a traditional office space. With so much emphasis placed on individual progress, most traditional office spaces lack the sense of community that coworking spaces are loved for.
This sense of community is yet another reason why California coworking has really taken off. People want to experience support and belonging. A coworking space is able to offer this in a way that other workspaces can’t compete with.
At Circle Hub, we go the extra mile when it comes to fostering a sense of community. In addition to our working areas, our members can also take their pick from a variety of spaces that are perfect for taking a break and mingling with other members. We host regular events too, hoping to encourage interaction between our diverse clientele. This all creates a very close-knit feeling in our coworking spaces. You won’t feel the sense of isolation that professionals in traditional office spaces do. Instead, you’ll feel like you’re a part of something bigger, which is great for giving self-esteem a boost.
Valuable Hubs of Innovation
California has a reputation for being one of the most innovative states in the USA. There are various innovation indexes out there that measure how innovative a state is. Interestingly, the Golden State consistently comes out on top.
Why? From its thriving tech industry to its entrepreneurial activity to its world-famous research institutions, innovation abounds in California.
While there are various ways in which you can immerse yourself in this and soak up some of those creative vibes, coworking spaces tend to be where innovators often gather. Thanks to how coworking spaces are home to professionals from such a wide range of industries, they’re known for being valuable hubs for innovation. You’ll be able to meet like-minded people who inspire and motivate you in a way that pushes you to work to your full potential.
Resilience Amid Adversity
We’ve already mentioned the Covid-19 pandemic a few times. It had a huge impact on the California coworking scene. While traditional offices had to shut shop for a few months, coworking spaces were surprisingly adaptable. They quickly implemented social distancing, increased hygiene, and more, enabling professionals to still work amid a challenging climate.
The fact that coworking spaces showed such resiliency during these difficult times helped to earn the public’s trust. Sure, the pandemic may be over, but no one knows what the world has in store for us next. Set yourself up at a coworking space, however, and you’re less likely to be affected by whatever gets thrown your way. Coworking spaces bounce back in a way that will provide you with continuity, no matter what else may be going on around you.
Coworking With Circle Hub
If you’ve been thinking about signing up for a California coworking space, make sure that Circle Hub is on your short list of considerations. With two locations to choose from, each one kitted out with a variety of workspaces, business amenities, recreational facilities, and more, you’ll soon find that your professional life really starts to thrive. Circle Hub showcases the very best aspects of Californian coworking spaces, making us a great choice for professionals from any industry.
Want to know more about Circle Hub’s coworking spaces? Click here to book a tour today!