Story: Daily choices
Since the pandemic has started, I am using a co-working space. I wrote about co-working space before.
Blog: Co-working Space for Freelance Graphic Designer In Vancouver, BC
I am working at L’Atelier for 1 year. I received the receipt for auto-renew last night. Then, I noticed that I had many choices to work. One of the benefits of co-working space is that a freelancer doesn’t need to commit annual contract. We can move anytime.
Still pandemic restricts our life, but I am going to try many co-working spaces during this summer 2021.
Google maps
Pickup:
– L’Atelier Coworking
– WeWork
Coming soon
– 312 Main
– HiVE coworking space
– The Network Hub
– The Profile / future of work Gastown
– Makeshift Workspace
– Envision Coworking
– Suite Genius
L’Atelier Co-working(March 18, 2020 – May 18, 2021)
I worked L’Atelier Coworking for 1 year. It was only 5 blocks from my apartment, Chinatown. I think L’Atelier Coworking is affordable compare to other places. I was using Hot Desk space. If I had a window, it was better. I could compromise though.
1 issue was that people use phone calls on the seats. Some salespeople are calling every 30 mins and it was annoying. Some people are typing laptops quite hard. It was noisy. I searched for coworking space etiquette on the internet. People are relatively enduring for it. I cannot believe that. Keeping quiet in the working space is a general manner.
In April, vaccination has been started for working age in the City of Vancouver. People are gradually back to the office. I realized that I could choose working space everywhere in the city, but I did not do it in the year. It’s my fault. I should not stick to one place, keep always flow like a wind.
WeWork(May 19, 2021 – July 31, 2021)
When the city shut down in March 2020, I visited WeWork at Main. I was not welcomed. After I visited the site, there was no follow-up email that a receptionist promised. I don’t have a good impression to WeWork.
I visited WeWork again. This is one of preparing for this summer. I am going to nomad trip to Montreal, QC. I chose Saymour Office, but actually, I can visit any office at WeWork. There was a promotion, one month trial. So, I can enjoy city travel in a month.
On the 8th floor at Seymour was a just gorgeous view. I saw around 20 people on the floor, hot desk and office space. After COVID, here will be a quite crowded, Too good location. It’s in front of the Waterfront station. WeWork provided an access key and APP. It was a new experience for me. I don’t know why their business was not well in 2 years ago. WeWork changes the value of working space. During COVID, a freelancer has increased. I feel the time has come for WeWork.
*Note: May 20th, 2021
I chose WeWork at Seymour again. I came to the office at 7 am. I saw a few people at the elevator. That’s good. I sit on the window sheet. I can see North Vancouver and Gastown through the window. I could feel the sun. I thought the office(environment) should motive people somehow. The delight of work. WeWork(Seymour location) at least has.
*Note: May 21st, 2021
I chose WeWork at Bentall 2. I visited the office at 7 am. I saw 1 person in the phone booth. I sat the window sheet at the ground level. Bentall is close to the Burrard Station, the center of the downtown. There are many buildings surrounding it. So, I could not feel the sun even it was a beautiful day. One of the issues of Canadian building is too much AC for ordinally Asian. I felt super cold. I packed a bag at lunchtime and moved the seat to the 2nd floor in the afternoon. On 2nd and 3rd floor, I could not find a plug at the seat. The seat was too low for me.
Bentall 2 was a very office atmosphere, but it was not for me.
*Note: May 22nd, 2021
On Saturday & the first day of a long weekend. I chose WeWork at Main St. I visited the office at 7 am via Starbucks. I did not see anyone until 9 am. I did a tour myself.
I did chat with Peter who is a writer. He is a long-time Weworker, 2 years. He can afford WeWork. It means he has a good amount of client work. That’s great. He gave me a pound cake and coffee. WeWork does not serve coffee on weekends, he said. I did not know that. I could not ask him about work deeply, but this kind of small chat is valuable for me. This is the value of co-working space as well.
I found the seat on the second floor. It looks exclusive area. However, the seat(not the chair) is too low for me. I tried the entrance table area on May 29th, 2021. It’s ground level, but much brighter. The chair is not bad. I feel something does not fit the angle. Anyway, please try it.
I want to go work travel to Montreal and Toronto. I can use WeWork there if I were a member. This is the value of WeWork. It’s convenient even though all city has a co-working space.
*Note: May 23rd, 2021
It’s a long weekend. I am enjoying WeWork office travel. I visited Bentall 3. I could not find the office easily. It’s under construction surround there.
I got Bentall 3 somehow and it was a great view on the 16 floor. It’s impossible to rent this kind of office, even a small space, for an ordinary freelancer.
I saw the reception decoration somewhere on the internet. Looks like here is the headquarter of WeWork Vancouver. It’s Sunday at 7 am. No one there. I saw around 8 people in the day. I could not talk with all of them, but when I leave there at 6 pm, I could chat with Daniel who is working E-commerce business(https://fauxalways.com/). Basically, everyone open-minds if I say hello. I should do it spontaneously.
*Note: May 26th, 2021
I visited Bentall 3 on weekdays. 1 person was there at 7 am. I did chat with Claire, WeWork staff. She welcomed me even it was early morning. Thank you.
*Note: May 28th, 2021
I used WeWork for a few weeks. WeWork very much cares about sanitization. Always cleaning person swipes the common area. Sensitive people would be happy and comfortable. WeWork provides refrigerators, ranges, basic kitchen equipment. It’s great and I don’t have any complaints about it.
There are many people use cell phone even there are quite many phone booths on the floor. That makes me irritated sometimes. It’s an open space and the voice is not reflected compared to a small co-working space though. I used several places. I saw some same people at the other offices. People enjoy a city trip. I don’t know how they can afford WeWork. I am going to ask them when I have some chance. This is my impression in 2 weeks.
*Note: June 18th, 2021
It’s been a month. I use WeWork at Main, Seymour and Bentall 3/2. Each place has a different atmosphere. It’s good. I felt noisy when people start a chat in the hot desk area. The Canadian office building is often too cold(AC). Please prepare for it.
When I start a trial last month, WeWork gave me an extra day. So, every day is an extra. If it’s no COVID, WeWork is held some community event. That’s the core value of the global co-working space.
Big appreciation and I have to find my next destination.
*Note: June 20th, 2021
The day one mentality. I visited WeWork Burnaby for the first time(maybe last?). I used Skytrain and visited Metrotown after a long time. I needed to spend time until the Skytrain starts to move. Anyway, Metrotown became a condo jungle around the station. I saw many signs of restaurant tenants. The after-COVID economy has come.
I could visit the office without lost my way. No one there. All WeWork office has some different. It has a huge window and a bright office. I like it.
I could enjoy WeWork in a month. Big appreciation.
*Note: June 22, 2021
I visited WeWork at Marine Drive as the final experience. It’s 18 floors and an amazing gorgeous view. I arrived at 7 am, but the office did not open until 8 am (to 6 pm). I talked with Sophia, the receptionist. This location is actually, 17F 18F and 19F. 18F has a patio.
Overall, I feel much value to WeWork as a user, but it’s too much investment as a business side. Vancouver is one of the expensive cities in the world. I don’t know when they become profitable financially in this city.
*Note: June 28, 2021
It’s the hottest day this year and whether the forecast mentions it may be an all-time record today. I saw many people at WeWork Bentall 2. I think the most crowded day of this month. I checked APP and some office is not available. I think the home office does not work under this weather.
I have only 2 days left in my trial term and I am still thinking about what do I do next.
DoNotPay.com: How To Cancel WeWork Efficiently
*Note: July 1, 2021
After all, I renewed the WeWork contract in July. The first reason is that I could not visit the other co-working spaces because of heat waves. Secondly, I was thinking that WeWork costs $391/2(June+July)=$195.5. So, it sounds acceptable. I personally don’t like to receive anything for free. As you see in the invoice, GST/PST is extra. If I think this is kind of rent, I can not consent to it though.
I thought WeWork users significantly increased through the historical heatwaves. I talked with a receptionist and I heard there is a day-use service. It calls On-demand(APP). Available between 8:30 am to 5 pm. It costs $30/day(Vancouver/Burnaby location). It’s not so affordable. If I contract monthly, it costs $391/30 days=$13.03/day.
Anyway, I have only this month, no more extend. I am going to use WeWork for 31 days.
*Note: July 30, 2021
Almost at the end of July, I canceled the WeWork membership. To be honest, I have no idea how much stress I will face in August in the City of Vancouver. This is a test, releasing everything that I currently have. The practice of the simple life.
When I sold the Mini Cooper, I felt sad. I am sure this is human nature. I have the same feeling. At the same time, I am sure that it will be okay after all. I hope so.
*I did signup WeWork on-demand!
*Note: August 2, 2021
I received the invoice on August 1st. Simply, I was charged the fee for August. I expected it. I sent an email to support. Then, I received it.
The receptionist might explain it in May, but who can remember it? Second, I don’t think this happen only to me. Why don’t you mention it on the account? I hesitated the cancel in early July. Because I wanted to use WeWork during July. I did not know what will happen after the cancelation. Third, I don’t think this is a good user experience.
After all, I will use WeWork near future. So, I asked support to apply the fee to September/October.
It was refunded. *May not be charged to the bank account even I received the invoice.
Montreal
Toronto
Public Library
*Note: July 31, 2021
The end of July and it’s the first day of the long weekend. I am planning how to survive during August. After the COVID, I have not been visited a VPL since March 2020. I don’t know how I feel.
Will be updated.
*Note: August 1, 2021
In August, it’s a grounded month. I release what I have. I appreciate what I have and utilize all resources. Therefore, I am using VPL.
I visited VPL Mount Pleasant. I found 5-7 seats for work. I saw a few people in 6 hours. Everyone kept a distance. I did not uncomfortable. Just too cold temperature.
*Note: August 3, 2021
I visited VPL Robson today. I saw that around 30 people were waiting. It was obviously small before the COVID. Some people use a mask, some are not. It’s been over one year. When the government shut down public space in mid-march 2020, I was here. I found a table on the 8 floors.
Nothing special. Just too cold temperature for Asians as same as usual.
*Note: August 12, 2021
I developed a routine. When I used WeWork, I got to the office at least 7 am. Now, I work at home between 7 am – 8:30 am. Then, 9:30 am to 6 – 8:30 pm at VPL 8F on Robson. In the afternoon, it’s quite full. You can find a desk on the other floor.
The library is quieter than WeWork. Everyone is keeping a manner. I buy coffee every day. It’s $90/mo. I can prepare the water/tea by myself if I want to save money. If I need a phone call, I can use the terrace, 9F. Not so inconvenient, in my experience.
*Note: September 5, 2021
I have a few new web design projects. If I calculate the total revenue, I can use WeWork for a couple of months, but I am still working in a library. WeWork is okay as an experience, but if I don’t interact with other people, not many values for me. After all, what I need is only a desk, WiFi and quiet space.
HIVE(TBU)
We have wild dreams of building a network of knowledge, connection and innovative action in order to take on society’s most complex challenges.
Main312(TBU)
We have wild dreams of building a network of knowledge, connection and innovative action in order to take on society’s most complex challenges.
The Profile(TBU)
Office-Space-As-a-Service We provide the best of a combination of Flex office, Packaged turn-key solutions, Coworking spacious open work areas, small offices, no matter what the your requirement, we can provide a combination that serves you best. Monthly, Weekly or Yearly.
MAKESHIFT(TBU)
Coworking in Vancouver offers connectivity and collaboration to help you build a more successful business. But besides being dynamic, shared spaces need to ensure that you can deliver the work that needs to be done. Our space minimizes distractions and trappings, while bringing like minds together.
Suite Genius(TBU)
Our second Suite Genius location in Mt. Pleasant brings an open and inspiring workplace to within walking and transit distance from Main Street, Cambie Street, West Broadway and Olympic Village. This is our largest space (over 10000 sq. ft.) located in the heart of Mt. Pleasant next to a large grassy park, awesome coffee shops, Vancouver’s best breweries (in our opinion!) and tasty lunch spots.
Conclusion: City travel(kind of)
I chose L’Atelier Coworking 1 years ago. At first, I visited WeWork at Main St., but I was rejected. I visited here before some community events. Thanks to Freelance Friday. It’s a good memory for me in Vancouver.
Decide the time limit is good for life. I have almost 4-5 months in Vancouver, BC. I would like to enjoy the last summer.
