We’re comparing the two popular shared offices to help you determine the right space in Portland for your career needs.

the community work space at vida coworking in portland

It’s no surprise Oregon’s largest and most populous city, Portland, is home to a multitude of coworking spaces. With shared office spaces on the rise in the post-pandemic world, new coworking buildings have noticeably joined the ranks of the city’s top players. Two of the most popular shared workspaces in the Pacific Northwest are VIDA Coworking, a local- and woman-owned space, and WeWork Portland, a national coworking chain. 

Most Portland, Oregon, residents find themselves deciding between the two when they transition from a corporate or home office to a shared office space. But how do you choose? Consider the following it-factors when determining which shared office space—VIDA Coworking or WeWork Portland—is right for your evolving career needs. 

Location & Travel Time

Location is one of the most important factors when deciding between VIDA Coworking and WeWork. The first question you should ask yourself is: “How far do I want to commute to and from the office?” It’s up to you if you want your commute to be, say, 10 minutes or if a longer commute works for you (hello, Podcast time!). Ensure you factor in your means of transportation—bike, car, train, bus or foot—when calculating travel time. Put each location in Google or Apple Maps during peak traffic times to discover the longest possible amount of time you could spend commuting. 

VIDA Coworking is centrally located at 401 NE 19th Ave. with dedicated parking and easy access to all four of Portland’s quadrants. WeWork Portland has two locations: 830 NE Holladay St. in the Lloyd District and 920 SW 6th Ave. in the Power and Light Building.

Amenities

The next question you should ask?: “What amenities do I want to enjoy while working?” 

VIDA Coworking offers a variety of amenities to its Members including:

  • Contemporary, Beautiful Office Spaces 
  • Private Offices with Lockable Doors 
  • Dedicated Desks 
  • Community Workspaces
  • Herman Miller Desks and Poppin Ergonomic Chairs
  • Front Desk Reception
  • Outdoor Patio
  • Conference Rooms
  • Podcast Studio
  • A Fitness Studio with a Peloton bike, cardio machines and weights
  • On-Demand Wellness, Yoga and Meditation Classes
  • Childcare Support
  • Beverage Station and Snacks
  • Concierge Services
  • Address and Mailbox Services
  • High-Speed WiFi
  • Free Printing, Copying and Scanning
  • Office Supplies
  • Business Services and Masterminds
  • Lending Library
  • Storage
  • Enhanced Cleaning

On the other hand, WeWork provides the following amenities:

  • Private Offices
  • Dedicated Desks
  • High-Speed Wifi
  • Enhanced Cleaning
  • Meeting Rooms
  • Onsite Staff
  • Common Areas
  • Phone Booths
  • Business-Class Printers
  • Professional Events
  • Stocked Kitchens
  • Tech Services
  • Outdoor Space

Work-Life Balance Features

It’s hard to just stare at a computer screen or data documents all day without breaks that allow your battery and brain to recharge. Luckily, both coworking spaces offer several work-life balance features to provide a reprieve from the grind. And, coworking spaces like VIDA and WeWork allow you to make connections with other driven, like-minded remote workers! 

In addition, VIDA Coworking offers multiple fitness options, including a workout studio complete with a Peloton bike and treadmill, pilates studio and wellness classes such as yoga, meditation, mat pilates and strength training. For new mothers, VIDA Coworking also provides a nursing room, and a community rest area is available to all for a quick break from the hustle and bustle of the day. To professionally assist workers in growing their careers, VIDA has invested in professional advancement opportunities, including life and professional coaching, concierge services and personalized business solutions.

Not only are your break and career needs covered by VIDA Coworking, but our coworking space also supports working families. In addition to onsite activities for children, there are monthly meetups and playdates, and childcare resources. During the summer months, VIDA runs multiple summer camp programs so adults don’t have to worry about finding childcare for their kids when school’s out.   

WeWork, unfortunately, does not offer nearly as many work-life balance features. In addition to a mother’s room, the WeWork Portland’s shared office has a wellness room for meditation, an event space, and shower facilities for those who bike to work. The 830 NE Holladay St. location does not offer a fitness studio. Neither location provides a podcast studio. Childcare and educational programs are also not offered for working parents. 

Armed with this info on the benefits of VIDA Coworking and WeWork Portland, we leave it to you to decide which facility is right for you and your business needs. If you’re interested in the many amenities and features a woman- and locally-owned coworking space like VIDA Coworking has to offer, book a tour or become a member today!