As a remote worker, co-working spaces have been a part of my life for the last 6 or 7 years. I have a beautiful office at home but sometimes (especially with kids around) I need a place to escape, focus, and be around others who are doing the same.

I found out about Switchyards a few years ago when they were opening their fist co-working club in Atlanta. I went to a launch party, got a tasty cocktail, and even won some cool swag from a raffle. I’ve been to a few other great co-working spots like Plywood Place and The Gathering Spot, but Switchyards was different. The atmosphere, the access, the setup — it accommodated my work style just a little better than the others.

When looking to commit to a new co-working space earlier this year, I decided Switchyards was it and I’m happy to report it was a great decision. Here’s why:

Easy Access

I am a very spontaneous person; which means I woke up on a random Wednesday and decided I was going to commit to a co-working space. I was excited to see that I could sign up on the Switchyards website an hour before leaving home and already have access to the club by the time I arrived.

The Switchyards team sent over an email with instructions, a link to download the app, and pictures of the front door.

I literally open the app, press the unlock button, and can enter any club I want. I’ve been to two different clubs this week alone and it’s the same easy access every time.

Locations

There are 22 clubs across Atlanta, NC, SC, and TN. Depending on where I want to be in the city, I can always find a club nearby with that same easy access and I love that.

As I write this, I decided to take myself on a solo date to the ferris wheel and remembered there was a Switchyards less than a 2 minute walk away. Being able to move throughout the city and stop in for a quick work session is so convenient.

I also love that the Switchyards team has shared tours of each club on their site so you can see what features each club has — just in case you need a private room or a space with call booths.

The Setup

This was perhaps the biggest reason I committed to Switchyards. I love working in an open space but having my own desk/table is so important for my productivity. Like I want to be close to people but also isolated.

There are quiet spaces and non quiet spaces as well. This is great for when I need to be in silence to work. Knowing I won’t have to worry about someone else on the phone while I’m trying to concentrate is comforting. Like they’ve done the hard part for me.

The Isolation

My favorite part of the setup are these solo cubby type spaces where you are literally in your own world with blockers so that you can’t see the person in front of you. It helps me lock in and get my work done without distractions.

Most co-working spaces don’t have this and I feel like the Switchyards team thought of loner weirdos like me who really need my own space in order to thrive.

This was by far, the main reason I got a membership.

The Coffee + Tea Station

Most co-working spaces have a coffee + tea station but what I love about this one is that it isn’t intimidating. It is really straight forward and there is oat milk in a pitcher which means I can inundate my coffee with as much oat milk as I want.

The station is clean, easy, cute, and has enough variety for every one to get what they want/need.

The Cancellation Policy

This one is short and simple — you can cancel anytime and I love that for me. I can be a bit wishy washy so being able to cancel when I no longer need it or when it’s no longer convenient is a big plus for me .

Cost

When they first opened, they were offing memberships at $50 and I really wish I would have jumped on it then! But now, the membership is $100 and compared to most other places, it isn’t too bad.

For what they offer, $100 a month seems reasonable as long as you attend as often as possible — you’ll get your money’s worth.

The Hours

You can access Switchyards 24/7! This was another big reason I signed up. I have always hated the time restrictions on co-working space. Only being able to access a space mon — fri until 5:30pm wasn’t super convenient for me.

As a writer and creative, I love to work in the wee hours of the night and morning. I’m excited about the opportunity to come to a quiet space whenever I need to — especially on the weekend.

The Aesthetics

The vibe is vibey. There are plants everywhere (albeit fake plants), the decor is so unique and retro. The space is usually filled with neutral colors with pops of green from the plants. They use colored light bulbs to bring in color and really unique vintage pieces that make the space feel really calm and relaxing.

It’s a sweet balance of minimalism and maximalism. Just the right amount of stuff in every space. The music is always soft and versatile — which is great for concentration.

The Accommodations

It’s kinda like, they think of everything. From the feminine products in the bathroom to the helpful staff refilling and washing the creamer pitchers. It kinda feels like they anticipate your needs before you have them.

Even the rules feel like they want to make sure everyone is included and considered.

If you’re trying to decide if Switchyards is for you, I would urge you to give it a try for one month and test it out. They’re running a special right now where you can get 8 days for $12. If it doesn’t work, you can always cancel!

Happy working.