How to Have an 'Office' in Every City

Several services rate coffee shops and public spaces on how well they double as remote workspaces
Photographer: Getty Images
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Humans are social creatures, and studies show what countless freelancers and telecommuters have long known: When you're not working in a traditional office, the low-level buzz and activity of a café can aid creativity and productivity. Of course, when you tote your briefcase to a coffee shop, you risk contending with slow Wi-Fi or the clerk whose sneer effectively serves as a “no lingering” sign.

To the rescue: a handful of apps and sites that take on the specific task of mapping out the best—and most welcoming—places for digital nomads to break out their laptops.