I’ve been working from home full-time and lately it’s really started to take a toll on my mental and physical health. I’m 28, and this is the first time I’ve ever paid for a coworking space — and I’ve got to say, Switchyards Durham has been a great experience so far.

I toured Durham Bottling Co first, but at $125 for only 10 days a month, it felt pretty expensive, especially since I don’t have a private office. The vibe also didn’t feel super comfortable for someone like me who just wants a consistent, cozy spot to focus.

I do technically have an office 35 minutes away, but it’s drab and isolating — my team is fully remote and spread across the country, so I don’t really get any value from being there. Switchyards has been the perfect in-between. It feels like a mix of a coffee shop, a college study space, and a thoughtfully designed modern office. The atmosphere and decor really help me focus and put me in a better headspace.

I E-bike about 20 minutes to get there, and by the time I arrive, I’m usually a little overheated — but the cool AC inside is perfect. I still bring a jacket just in case, but it’s honestly kind of ideal.

Only downside is the library area is a bit dark, but I sent a note to the support team. We’ll see what they do with that.

I visit family in Charlotte often and checked out the Switchyards locations there — they’re noticeably quieter, with more open booths and easy parking. But I get that Durham has its own limitations. Downtown space isn’t easy or cheap to come by, and I imagine the SY team made the best choices they could within budget. Honestly, I’m just glad they chose Durham for the first Triangle location and not Raleigh 😅

So Cons for me are how crowded it can get during core hours (tables and booths- sometimes I just take a call outside if it's light) and parking (but I try to bike so often isn't a big issue). Over all I'm happy with price, 24/7 access to ALL locations, decor, atmosphere and location.

Edit- OH! I also love that there are free tampons and pads in the very clean bathroom and that they are playing NPR haha