To Work in a Neighborhood or Downtown? That is the Question.

“The work environment can bring out the 'best' or the 'worst' in you.” ― Abhishek Ratna,

Work environment can be the the road that leads you to the top or it can be the straw that breaks your back. It effects productivity, motivation, focus, mood—everything, so it is integral to create the best working environment possible. This includes the workplace or office and the surrounding area. So it’s also important to consider where you work, and if you’re based in a big city, if you should work in a neighborhood or downtown.

Many big companies are based downtown, so workers have to work there. But remote workers, digital nomads, and coworking members have a choice. Though there are many advantages to working downtown, this article argues for working in a neighborhood in order to get the best work environment.

The first benefit is the commute.

According to data taken from the US Census Bureau, at 32.4 minutes, Chicago has the highest commute time of the 50 biggest cities in the country. It’s no surprise then that the Texas A&M Transportation Institute found that “congestion on Chicago-area roads sucked up more than $6 billion in wasted time and fuel in 2011”, as reported by WBEZ.

Commute time varies, but in most big cities, the commute time is longer if you’re going downtown during rush hour by car, train, or bus. The commute to a neighborhood can be shorter, especially if you live in a city neighborhood or suburb. It will be cheaper, better for the environment, and more comfortable because you can avoid the more congested spots closer to downtown

Generally, it’s also easier and safer to bike to a neighborhood rather than downtown, not to mention a healthier and cheaper commuting option. But if you’re driving, there’s still the added benefit of finding more parking spots in neighborhoods.

In neighborhoods, you can develop a strong sense of community and you can also support small businesses at overall better prices than downtown.

Neighborhoods tend to be less noisy than downtown areas, with less sirens going off and a smaller scale of construction. But this can vary widely based on which city you’re in.

Finally, neighborhoods are better for the body and mind because they’re surrounded by more nature than downtown areas.

­­­­­­­­

In her study Neighborhood Design, Physical Activity, and Wellbeing: Applying the Walkability Model, Zuniga-Teran found that in neighborhoods, "The presence of trees was related to a higher perception of safety and people interacting more with their neighbors.” Thus, neighborhoods feel safer and promote that warm, community feeling.

Through her research on different types of neighborhoods, she also discovered that "Maintenance — removing incivilities like trash, and trimming trees and bushes and painting graffiti — is also related to less stress and better mental health, so that would probably help increase well-being, too." While some cities are exceptions, most downtown areas have less parks and trees than the neighborhoods, where plenty of trees are planted by houses and apartment buildings. Residential areas also tend to be better maintained than downtown city blocks.

Of course, it can be thrilling and fun to work downtown, especially if you’re in a city as incredible as my hometown Chicago. And even downtown, you can find quiet office filled with plants and no outside noise distractions.

It’s always your choice in the end. But if you do choose to work in a neighborhood and you’re in Chicago, there’s the beautiful coworking space of Free Range Office in Wicker Park/Bucktown, one of the best neighborhoods in the whole city. If you want to learn more about Chicago neighborhoods, this site will tell you all you need to know.