When you spend over 40 hours a week at a job, not only is your company culture important, so too is the location of the office. I’m not talking about various cities to work in across the country; I’m talking about the difference between working in a city and working in suburbia. The location of your office can impact your work environment greatly, and depending on who you are, it may be the difference between loving your company culture and stepping on the gas at the end of the workday. Here we’ll offer some pros and cons of different office locations.
We’ll start out with the pros and cons of city work life–first with a factor some people consider a pro and others consider a con: public transit. Getting a job in a major city likely means tough, expensive parking, and an emphasis on mass transit to get you to work. Some people love public transit, and depending on the city, it may be a cheaper option. Others though, would rather drive to work, choosing that time to unwind alone or make phone calls (legally with a bluetooth-enabled option). City offices offer a vibrant atmosphere, putting you right at the heart of other activities. If you’re easily distracted, however, a city office might provide too many distractions.
Suburban offices often offer a different company culture. The location may be a little more isolated, with fewer lunch and after-work options, in many suburban settings. In some cases that can breed a closer company culture since you’re less likely to be able to meet friends outside of work for lunch or drinks. On the other hand, if you’re not as close to your coworkers, it can be harder to see other friends during the week if they work in or near the city. Instead, you may find yourself rushing out of work to meet people elsewhere–decreasing attentiveness and productivity.
If you’ve found your dream job, the setting may not matter, but location can play a big part in company culture, one that may not be listed in the job posting. If you have a location preference, keep that in mind in your job search. You can make adjustments in the workplace to increase your job satisfaction, but office location is something out of your control once you take the job.
Have you worked in the city and/or the suburbs? Which atmosphere do you enjoy more? Share your thoughts in the comments!
IMAGE: Courtesy of Flickr by The Wandering Angel
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