After two months of membership, I’ve weighed the pros and cons and can share my experience:
Pros:
1) You can choose any WeWork location (from 4 options or even from all worldwide, depending on your membership level). This flexibility is convenient and adds variety to the work routine.
2) The spaces themselves are fantastic—both in terms of design and amenities (kitchens, work areas, multiple floors, relaxation rooms, good internet, plenty of outlets, etc.).
3) There are plenty of phone booths and meeting rooms, which is a big plus. Other coworking spaces usually have fewer booths, and they are often less private and comfortable.
4) Free tea, coffee, community events, and sometimes sweet treats are always a nice bonus.
5) The reception managers are very responsive, always ready to help, and provide guidance in a polite and friendly manner.
Cons:
1) Working hours. Some WeWork locations open at 8:00 AM, others at 6:00 AM. Almost none are 24/7, which was inconvenient for me. I sometimes have meetings with Europe at 7:00 AM, so I was limited to the one WeWork that opens at 6:00 AM.
2) The system for booking phone booths is very inconvenient. Every morning, you have to approach a community manager, tell them what time you need a booth, and they’ll write down your reservation on a piece of paper. It’s extremely inconvenient and inflexible. You can’t choose which booth is most convenient for you, check availability, etc.
3) A significant issue is that phone booths are often occupied without a reservation, and people just don’t leave. You might have a critical meeting at 12:00 PM, arrive at the booth, and the person inside will just ignore you and continue their call. You’ll either have to insist (which isn’t always comfortable and takes time while your important call is already starting) or quickly think of an alternative, sometimes starting your call in the hallway. This is more of a human factor issue, and it’s unlikely the coworking space can do much about it, but it’s something to be aware of.
4) The system for canceling membership and making payments is not very transparent. Canceling your membership requires a lot of effort. You’ll also find out that you need to do this five business days before the end of the month, and on the 1st, you’ll be charged again. It’s inconvenient and not very transparent.
There are pros and cons, so I’m giving a neutral rating of 3 stars.
However, I must note that this was still the best choice for me in terms of value for money and accessibility. All other coworking spaces in NYC seemed less suitable.
%20New%20York%20USA%20Business%20Lounge%20-%20One%20Liberty%20Plaza.jpg?width=550 "One Liberty Plaza")
%20New%20York%20USA%20Reception%20-%2014%20Wall%20Street.jpg?width=550 "Wall Street")
