How to choose a coworking space
Coworking spaces are excellent havens for freelancers, entrepreneurs and start-ups. These workspaces are affordable, stimulating and great for meeting people. But every coworking space is unique. Some run regular events, others only offer private offices, and others still have their own gyms.
Here are 11 things to consider when choosing your coworking space!
1. Location
The main thing to consider when choosing your coworking space is location. If you're going it alone, make sure your coworking space is easy to reach by your preferred mode of transport. For example, if you cycle everywhere, summer and winter alike, your coworking space should be within a short radius of your home. If you have teammates, go for a coworking space roughly equidistant from where your colleagues live.
2. Facilities
Some services are common to all coworking spaces: Wi-Fi, tea, coffee, cleaning, a printer… To stand out from the crowd, some coworking spaces go further, offering showers for sporty members, a business address service, meeting rooms, networking events… When choosing a coworking space, it's crucial to compare the facilities each one offers.
3. The working environment
The working environment in a coworking space plays a decisive role in your productivity and that of your employees. Before taking the plunge, get a feel for the atmosphere. Some spaces are very studious and professional. Others are relaxed and collaborative (for example: open-plan areas, comfortable break and nap rooms…). It may seem like a minor detail, but the working environment is one of the most important criteria on this list.
4. The cost of a coworking membership
Beyond location, facilities and working environment, you'll need to make sure the cost of the coworking membership fits your budget. To do this, we recommend adding it to your financial forecast. And to make sure you get your money's worth, we suggest contacting the coworking space to ask whether a trial day is possible. At Panda Coworking, for instance, every coworker is offered a free discovery day.
5. The community
Lots of people rub shoulders in coworking spaces. And that can be a real boon for your business! If your goal is to meet other professionals and build partnerships, make sure the coworking space you have in mind makes networking easy. That might mean afterwork drinks, networking events, talks…
Alternatively, you may be looking for a place where you can work in complete peace and quiet, without social interaction. In that case, make sure the coworking space offers private offices where you can work away from prying eyes.
6. Wi-Fi quality
In Paris, Lyon or Bordeaux, this shouldn't be an issue. But outside the big cities, good Wi-Fi isn't always a given. And a patchy or slow connection will make your tasks more tedious and can make you look unprofessional on video calls. That's why it's essential to test the Wi-Fi quality before choosing your coworking space.
7. Coworking opening hours
Are you an early bird or a night owl? Good news: some coworking spaces are open 24/7. That's the case at Panda Coworking in Lyon. These extended opening hours let you work whenever you like, with unlimited access to your workspace using an access badge.
8. Public transport
How long will your commute be, and your team's?
If most of your team takes public transport to work, your coworking space needs good transport links. Bus, tram, metro: your employees should have at least one way (other than driving) to get there. And if you don't have employees, make sure that YOU can reach the coworking space quickly by public transport.
9. Hidden extra costs
When choosing your coworking space, watch out for hidden extra costs. Some spaces may charge extra for using the printer, accessing the meeting room, renting a locker… Some coworking spaces also have different rates depending on whether you have a flexible (hot) desk or a fixed (dedicated) desk. So we recommend getting in touch with the coworking manager to make sure all the services you need are included in your membership.
10. Coworking comparison sites
Some websites and blogs specialise in comparing coworking spaces. At a glance, they show you the best coworking spaces in your city, along with their advantages, locations, prices and facilities. These coworking comparison sites include photos, so you can get an idea of what the space looks like inside without visiting in person.
11. Customer reviews
The last thing to consider when choosing a coworking space: customer reviews. Google ratings will give you an accurate picture of the coworking space you're interested in.
Coworkers speak freely about their experience of the space and highlight what they like about it. This feedback makes it easier to picture yourself working there. At Panda Coworking, we're rated 5/5 on Google (16 reviews as of October 2026).
Panda Coworking is a coworking space in Lyon perfectly equipped to meet all your professional needs. You'll find it at 54 Rue Chevreul, 69007 Lyon, in Lyon 7th (7e arrondissement), next to Jean-Macé station.
Living or working in Lyon? You're very welcome at this coworking space, open 24/7.