Are you dreading the possibility of a long commute back to a traditional office? If yes, you’re not alone. Over the past few months New York Mayor Eric Adams called for people to get back to work.
For you, that might mean prepping for those Metro-North fares, and loading up on coffee along the way there. For others, it means a long drive to the office in addition to the rise in gas prices lately. The national average was around $4.33 a gallon on Monday, according to AAA. Though daily surges have paused following falling oil prices, it’s uncertain when things will return to normal.
Whether you’re a NY placement living in Fairfield County, CT or a native with a job in the city – you might feel the same. After months of adjusting to the WFH lifestyle, it’s hard to imagine going back. Fortunately, suburban coworking spaces are a great way to prepare for what’s ahead in the spring and summer.
What is Coworking?
If you’re not versed in the coworking scene, we’re here to guide you. Coworking spaces are environments designed to accommodate workers of all backgrounds. Since its launch in the early 2000s, cowork spaces have become home to all – beyond entrepreneurs and freelancers. We list a few key features below that characterize coworking.
- Access to secure shared facilities, office spaces, conference rooms
- Services and tools to conduct business, as you would at home
- Opportunities to collaborate with professionals across industries
- Virtual office services, including professional mailing addresses and package handling
It’s The Office Feel Without The Commute
Mary O’Connell is one of many members new to coworking this year. She sat down with us to share her experience as she began her hybrid commute to American Express in Manhattan.
“I have been virtual since March of 2020. It’s just about two years but in anticipation for our return to the office,” she said. “I started [coworking] in February, and it has been nothing but a positive experience.”
What made O’Connell’s membership more enriching was the ability to broaden her network during HAVYN events like women’s trivia night and book club.
“The environment [at HAYVN] is very positive. I like being surrounded by other like-minded professional women. There’s something nice about getting up, getting ready, getting out, and coming to this space on a daily basis. I’ve really enjoyed it.”
O’Connell loves her job and values the flexibility to return to HAYVN. Pre-pandemic, she traveled to the office daily – a two-hour commute to NYC and back. This hefty commute might sound familiar whether you work in the city, Brooklyn – even Queens.
“HAYVN is a great first step towards going back to the office, but they can co-exist together!”
Why Coworking is Important
Cowork spaces are valuable to companies and employees alike. Over the past year, more city workers have moved or relocated to Connecticut. With that in mind, many small businesses and corporations have begun to support cowork sponsorship, as it’s equivalent to being at the office in person.
Most people expect coworking spaces to be in the heart of major cities – but they’re also in the heart of suburban communities. People from different teams and companies can network or work in a single space. It is a perfect opportunity for NY commuters to embark on, whether it’s once or twice a week.
Fortunately, times are changing – and we’re accommodating to them. At HAYVN we want to ensure the coworking space is a perfect fit for you. Three factors are of most importance to professionals: fostering a community, the possibility to work hybrid, and flexibility.
Community is Essential
Working remotely from home seemed great at first. Now more than ever, having a community is essential. COVID-19 has taken its toll on American adults emotionally and physically. In a recent study by Harvard, 36% of respondents reported that prolonged isolation made them feel lonely frequently. A high percentage were young adults between 18 – 25—approximately 51% of mothers with young children.
These concerns have been prevalent since the outbreak of the pandemic. The inability to physically connect with people and have an in-person conversation has led to anxiety and depression. According to the study, “about half of lonely young adults in [the] survey reported that no one in the past few weeks had ‘taken more than just a few minutes’ to ask how they are doing in a way that made them feel like the person ‘genuinely cared.'”
Coworking is more than a workplace. It’s a space to combat the loneliness that might come from working alone at home, not seeing co-workers between city lines, getting your company off the ground as a solo entrepreneur, or even freelancing between jobs.
We can all admit the initial transition was no easy task in 2020. Why not work alone together?
Hybrid Offices at A Cowork Space
Hybrid work has become increasingly popular as more people across the country work remotely. Those who previously commute to Grand Central five days a week are not prepared to go back as the pandemic continues to loom.
If you’re one of them, you might want to continue working from the comfort of your home – we don’t blame you – and get out a few days to socialize in a traditional office setting. In a way, coworking gives you the best of both worlds if you’re not expected to return just yet!
At HAVYN we offer a selection of full and part-time private offices with a cowork space design that you’ll love. Our members can attest that you’re guaranteed to strike up a conversation within seconds in our communal spaces, whether it’s the lobby or elsewhere in the building.
Unlike going to a local coffee shop to do work, we ensure that you have the setup you need, on a secure network, and in a quiet designated space.
Book When You Need It
A part-time office is the best option if you plan to work once or twice a week at the cowork space. You have free range to book when you need it, whether it’s in the morning, afternoon, or for the day.
For Lisa and Josh Garofano, it was a great way to balance their careers and parenthood. The Garofano family joined HAYVN two years into the pandemic – they are happy parents to a 3-year-old and 10-month-old.
“My husband and I decided that we needed a space that we could turn to focus on our professions, refuel our energy and focus during the workday,” Lisa said. “Between the two of us, we are at HAYVN pretty regularly and full time.”
Commuting as needed and utilizing the shared space has been a beneficial experience for Lisa. “I feel like when I enter [HAYVN], I am immediately in the zone and ready to perform,” she said. “It’s incredible what the right environment can do for your productivity and spirit.”
“Working full time from home was a shift I don’t think many people were prepared for, and now I couldn’t imagine commuting five days a week. HAYVN has provided me the luxury of keeping my house a home while enjoying HAYVN as my place to escape and do my best work (and even sneak to the gym whenever possible)!
Coworking Flexibility is A Must!
If you like flexible workspaces, you’ll enjoy what our coworking space has to offer. As a modern workplace, you can choose what makes you feel comfortable from the moment you walk through the door. Cowork spaces mirror the types of creative desk options, workspace designs, and structures companies provide.
- Hot Desks : Work at any open table in a common area Monday to Friday between 9am – 5pm
- Dedicated Desk: 24/7 Access to your own open space dedicated desk
- Private Offices: Full-time or part-time furnished, private, offices (individual or with team)
Get work done free from distractions and interruptions. The benefits of coworking are endless. Before you return to the office in the city, join us for a tour of the space and spend the day with us!
HAYVN Coworking
Founded in 2018, HAYVN is a flexible workspace for enterprising women (and men) to connect, create and grow. Along with a vibrant & engaged coworking community of entrepreneurs and business professionals, HAYVN is a business HUB, offering short- and long-term office space leases, meeting rooms rentals, and events to support local businesses. HAYVN is proud to be a Certified B Corporation™ and a CTNext partner. We believe in using the power of business to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy and have met the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. HAYVN’s workshops and signature programs encourage women of all colors and ages and acts as an incubator for developing skills and pursuing funding. HAYVN Launch incubator is a 2021 winner of the SBA's Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC), and the only 2021 winner in Connecticut.
Visit our beautiful safe ‘HAYVN’ in Fairfield County, CT at 320 Boston Post Road, Darien, CT, 06820. Arrange a private tour today, or to learn more about our health and safety response, read through our detailed guidelines here.
