(Update! Please also check out this updated blog post for a more complete list of co-working spaces in Portland.)
Working from home saves you money, but for the sake of creativity, productivity, and sanity, many freelancers choose to rent office space, or at least a desk. By renting a desk in an office or co-working space, you can reap all the benefits of having an office without paying a ransom in rent.
The average cost to rent a desk in Portland is about $300 per month. Costs for a permanent, private desk are higher, and costs for an actual office with a door are higher still. If you’ve thought about renting a desk or office in a co-working space, visit each one and see how they feel. Many of them have various amenities and perks for their members.
Here are 5 co-working spaces in Portland to consider:
Renting a desk/office is definitely not a requirement for success as a freelancer. I know quite a few freelancers who are perfectly happy with their home office setups, or nomadic working conditions. So, if you’re happy working at the kitchen table, couch, or coffee shops, keep doin’ what you’re doin’.
Are there other co-working spaces in Portland that I’ve missed? Share them in the comments.
Have you checked out PivotDesk yet? We’re a marketplace for shared office space. Lots of great hosts in Portland. Check us out at http://www.pivotdesk.com.
Cool, Danielle! A few of our members actually rent desks from host businesses. It’s good to know that there’s a resource out there facilitating the process. Thank you for sharing PivotDesk.
I learned about two more co-working spaces in Portland! Well, one of them I already knew about but had forgotten. They are ADX on SE 11th (http://www.adxportland.com/) and Hatch on NE Sandy (http://www.hatchthefuture.org/).
+! for Hatch I rented a fixed desk there for a while and it’s a great community of social entrepreneurs. hatchthefuture.org
The Guild Hall of Community Supported Everything in the heart of Alberta is now renting office/ work space on the top floor of the community event space. More info here: http://bit.ly/1vt3dXt
Hey Amber:
I looked at a space in NE Portland, and they are expanding to add a couple more desk spaces over the course of the next month or so. Check it:
http://www.cleanslatepdx.com/wp/
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Awesome, Uma! Thanks so much for sharing that. It looks beautiful.
In addition to the great coworking space options, there’s now an online community for those who work from home, have extra space, and want to network with other freelancers/remote workers in their neighborhood, while making some extra cash at the same time. You’re able to offer workspace or book a session at someone else’s workspace. Check us out at https://sparechair.me/. We just launched. (BTW, beautiful site!)
Hi Fernando,
Never heard of SpareChair! What an awesome resource! There’s even a few places in Portland. Thanks for sharing.
Hey guys! Have any of you heard about CENTRL Office? It is a new shared work space that just opened in the Pearl on 13th and Everett. It provides a range of workspace options from dedicated rooms and desks, to open part-time desks. Membership includes unlimited use of common spaces, including kitchens/coffee bars, showers, conference rooms (when available), free access to events and discounted pricing for Meeting/Event spaces. The official soft open is Jan 5th. It’s a super cool space too 🙂
Wow. I’m sooo glad I posted this blog post. And here I’d only heard of 5 co-working spaces in Portland! Just goes to show you how much more we can know when we share information and collaborate with one another.
You guys have truly shown that Portland is a hotbed of freelance talent (which we mostly knew, I think) that supports a significant number of flexible working spaces. I think I count 12 with our collaborative list. Awesome work, team!
Oh, I wanted to add two things:
1) Forge Portland also offers a 3-day/week rental option (not sure of the cost)
2) Workfrom offers structured freelance working at different cafes and locations around Portland (and other cities). It’s like being alone together while working. (https://workfrom.co/portland)
Thank you Amber for the Workfrom shout out! Hope to see you at a meetup soon.
No problem, Darren. Any organization that seeks to create community among freelancers is okay in my book. I love what you guys do, and I’ll spread the word as far and wide as I can!
It’s counterintuitive, but one of the major benefits to renting desk space -for me, at least- is removing the need to decide where I’ll be working. Having a definitive answer frees my brain to think about serving clients and building my business. (Admittedly, not The Answer for everyone.)
On that note, my studio has a couple of dedicated desk spaces for the price others charge for ‘hot seats.’ Anyone interested in details should email studio3 [at] zoomtopia [dot] com
Way to spark a popular conversation, Amber!
That’s a good point, Mike. It’s the same logic President Obama uses for why he has multiples of the exact same suit: because he’d rather spend his time doing his job than deciding what suit to wear everyday. Yes, Mike, I just compared you to the President. Mark that off your bucket list.
I’m flattered, Amber!
Update: I’ve moved into WeWork (highly recommended) and no longer offer dedicated desks.
Thanks for the TENpod love! I’m sad to report that the Burnside Rocket has been closed.
But I’m very happy to say that our Ode to Roses building is alive and well. Our desk spaces range from $225-$350 per month.
Take a look at tenpod.org or call (yep, it’s a real landline!) 503-335-0091.
Thanks!
Lorelei
Cool, Lorelei! Thanks for the update.
SUG – Starve Ups Garage – http://www.starveups.com/ (NE)
HATCH – http://www.hatchthefuture.org/ (NE)
Centrl Office – http://centrloffice.com/ (Pearl)
WeWork is also coming to the Pearl soon. https://www.wework.com/locations/portland
Pep Coworking Shop has just opened in the Kenton neighborhood of North Portland!
Flex desks available for $150/month.
All of our current members live in the neighborhood and walk/bike in each day. It’s a great little shop where we know each other and get along. Come join!
http://www.pepcoworkingshop.com
Good to know! Thanks for sharing, Darsey.
Awesome list! You can check out all the coworking spaces in Portland Aug 4-8 for Portland Coworking Week — free to register and you’ll get free day passes, tours & access to sessions, social events and more. All the ones on your list plus great new ones — meet other members and the owners 🙂
https://coworkpdx2015.splashthat.com/
This sounds great, Jewel! Thanks so so much for sharing. We’ll be sure to tweet this too.
Hello,
I’m offering an office share – I rent an office in SW Portland and use it during the late afternoons and evenings and one weekend day. Only $150 a month! Read more here:
https://post.craigslist.org/manage/5290179113/yvptk
There’s a new one opening in Hillsboro. They will have their soft launch February 1st, and their official launch within two months. http://www.TheProfessionalCollective.com
It sounds pretty awesome – both offices and desks, a Business Café, conference room, event center capability, business training events and even a video room to record high quality videos and podcasts for your business.
That sounds awesome, Amanda! I love the video room. So many businesses are podcasting and creating videos. Very nice to see these needs are being accommodated at a co-working space. Thanks for sharing.
Hey, guys, I just opened my space:
http://pdxcoworking.space
Hope that you dig, we offer a great rate in the Grand Basement starting at $150/month.
Congrats on your new space, Chris! Thanks for sharing your opening with us here.
My wife and I are happy to join the Portland Coworking movement. We operate NXT industries with 2 locations in Central Portland for our members to work. One thing that sets us apart is our photography studios, we are truly proud to offer this unique amenity and connect traditional businesses, freelancers and entrepreneurs with the arts in a shared space that ignites our creativity. http://www.nxtindustries.com
Thanks for sharing your new space on this thread, Dayna!
Wow, I love how alive this thread is! From the folks that run Clean Slate Studios, we bring you Desk and Mug. Its a similar shop in a beautiful old building at NE 60th and Glisan, on the same corner as the O’Neal Pub.
Check it out: http://www.DeskAndMug.com
NE 60th & Glisan
Congrats on the new space, Trip! Thanks for keeping this thread alive and relevant.
Hey! just “stumbled on this website” I want to learn more about copywriting. Can someone refer me to a tutor online?
And please follow us @LagosCowork
Hi Anslem,
I recommend you read “The Well-Fed Writer” and our blog post series for new copywriters.
Cheers,
Amber
Does anyone know of any places in Beaverton or Tigard?
thanks!
After five and a half years, on February 24th 2017, Collective Agency moved our main location from Old Town to 1410 SW Morrison, Suite 850, Portland Oregon 97205. We’re calling it Collective Agency Morrison. http://collectiveagency.co/morrison/
Congrats, Alex!
Does anyone know of a place to rent a desk just for 2-3 days while traveling?
Thanks
Hi Brooke, sorry on the delay; check out: https://workfrom.co/
I’m getting lost in all the comments trying to keep track of those places I want to check out! Would it be possible to edit the original post to include an updated list with all these additional spots?
This post is awesome by the way!!
Industrious is coming to Portland in September! Located at 6th and Yamhill, we’re a hospitality focused, sophisticated premium co-working space providing five-star service, best-in-class workplace management and stunning design for companies of all sizes. Our mission is to make you proud and excited to come to work. I’d love to be included in this list! You can find more information (and schedule a virtual tour) at http://www.industriousoffice.com/Portland
So happy to be a part of this thriving community!