The day I stopped trying to work from hostels and got an actual co-working membership

I used to think I could just set up my laptop in any hostel common area and get my work done. That worked fine for maybe the first six months of my digital nomad life back in 2019. But after I spent three straight afternoons in a hostel in Medellin trying to edit client videos while someone played reggaeton next to me, I finally cracked. I paid $150 for a month at a local co-working spot and suddenly I was finishing my work in half the time. The wifi was actually stable, there were real desks, and nobody tried to talk to me about their travel stories while I was on a deadline. Now I book my accommodation without co-working access and just get a separate desk pass wherever I go. Has anyone else made the switch from hostel work to dedicated co-working spaces? What city had the best setup for you?

3 comments

3 Comments

cole_murphy1d ago

Start noticing how much easier everything gets when you stop fighting your environment and actually set yourself up right. It's like trying to cook a meal in a messy kitchen versus one where everything's in its place - same task, totally different outcome.

hannahcraig1d ago

Hard disagree, honestly. Hostel common areas are PERFECT for getting REAL work done because they FORCE you to adapt to chaos. I edit audio files and the background noise actually helps me focus better than dead silence. Plus those random conversations with travelers? That's where you get connections for future gigs. I landed a six month project last year because I chatted with someone at a hostel in Chiang Mai while we both complained about the wifi. Paying $150 for a desk you sit at alone feels like throwing money away when you could spend that on experiences or saving up for better trips.

johnson.river1d ago

Gotta disagree with @hannahcraig on this one though. Hostel common areas are fine for answering emails or light research but anything that requires real focus is a nightmare there. The reggaeton thing hit close to home, literally had the same experience in Peru last year. Paying for a quiet desk with good wifi is worth it when your income depends on deadlines, not random travel chats. Different strokes but I'd rather finish work in 3 hours and explore than fight noise for 6.