ray613•2mo ago

I was wrong about renting a room in a shared house versus a studio

For my first year freelancing in Austin, I rented a small studio for $1,400 a month, thinking I needed total quiet. Last month, I moved into a room in a house with two other remote workers for $850. The difference is huge, not just in cost. Having people around during the day for quick coffee breaks has completely stopped the feeling of being stuck in a box. Has anyone else found a shared living setup actually improved their focus?

4 comments

4 Comments

fionanguyen1mo ago

Focus improved, but you still need quiet time, right?

scott.alex1mo ago

Nah, my focus is actually better with a little background noise now.

daniel3911mo ago

Exactly, total silence can be weirdly distracting.

rowan_ross25d ago

Jumped into a shared spot myself last month and @scott.alex you get it, the background noise actually helps me stop overthinking every little noise. I was so worried I'd need a library quiet space but now I'm the guy who can't work without the faint sound of someone else typing down the hall. Plus now when I spill coffee on my notes, I can just yell "Whoops" instead of whispering it to myself like a weirdo. Still need my headphones for deep focus stuff, but having people around for those 2pm energy slumps is way better than staring at my own wall.