Price: $375/month
Co-Working Space
Discount: $100 (Tell them TopDown sent you)
Los Angeles Coworking
I tried out a lot of spaces before I found Cross Campus. This includes BizHaus, Satellite, WeWork, and even a few miscellaneous places from craigslist. They all had their merits, but didn’t really fit the fresh, energetic (yet casual) vibe I was looking for. I was about to give up and settle for one of them….when I discovered Cross Campus.
The Space
I will start off by saying that Cross Campus is one of the more expensive co-working spaces I checked out. Paying close to four hundred dollars a month is not cheap, especially when I have a perfectly good desk at my house. So why did I still decide to bite the bullet and rent space there?
The answer is simple really. Cross Campus feels like a place I’d feel happy, sociable, and productive. The atmosphere and energy level at Cross Campus is exactly what I was searching for. It’s full of vibrant entrepreneurs passionate about their work. After the somber library-like atmosphere I’d experience in some of the other co-working spaces, Cross Campus was a dream come true.
Some of the awesome Features
Obviously, Cross Campus has great internet connectivity. Usually there are over a hundred people working there, and I’ve never yet had a problem with my connection. They also have an abundance of power outlets, even if you’re sitting on a couch (which they have a ton of as well)!
I usually work out of Cross Campus Santa Monica, but I’ve also spent a good amount of time at the Downtown one. Both of them always have free seats, but it does fill up a bit as the day goes on. Of the two places, Downtown seems to be even more roomy, but I actually prefer the energy in the Santa Monica one, even if it’s a bit more crowded. And I often arrive between 9-10 so can usually can grab my “usual seat”, even though it’s open seating.
The people at the front desk are super friendly, and very accommodating. If you have any sort of problem just ask, and they’ll help. This also seems to go for a lot of the actual members—everyone seems very up for helping each other out, chatting if you need a little break, telling each other about the exciting things they’re up to—but people will also let you be if you look super busy. A couple people bring in their (quiet and well-behaved) dogs, which is great for a little break.
The spaces also have excellent restrooms and kitchen facilities. It’s easy to bring in your own lunch, grab a coffee, or enjoy one of their little free snacks. Although I will note that they sometimes run out of drinks and some snacks by the middle of the week (but they normally refill them within a day or two).
Each membership also comes with 12 units of conference time—with each unit worth 30 minutes. So if you need to have a little meeting or just want some quiet time, you can easily book a private space for a bit of time, whenever you want. There are always open conference rooms so you don’t really need to book in advance.
Did I mention Free Beer?
While this wasn’t all that big of a draw for me, it was definitely a nice little surprise. Cross Campus has a bunch of snacks and drinks that are available to the co-workers, and this includes a new craft beer on tap each week, as well as kombucha. In the morning I love getting a big glass of kombucha and sipping it slowly as I read through my emails.
The free beer aspect does add a social, casual atmosphere to the place—and a way to encourage its members to grab a drink and get to know each other.
The Location (Re: Cross Campus vs WeWork)
The only real competitor (in terms of vibe) I found for Cross Campus was WeWork. I did like their space a lot, but their location really was not convenient for me. Their major space on the westside of LA is near Lincoln and Jefferson. So unless you live nearby, this location really isn’t worth it—traffic getting there from Santa Monica or Venice is a nightmare.
Cross Campus not only has a great location in Santa Monica, but they are also in Downtown LA, and Pasadena—with a fourth location opening in El Segundo at the end of 2017. The Membership works for any of the spaces, allowing me to work anywhere in LA. Which is really nice because it means when I have a nighttime event in Downtown or the East side—I can head on over to one of those spaces earlier in the day, skip rush hour traffic, and then just jaunt on over to my event in the evening. Cross Campus even has lockers where you can lock up your stuff overnight (you have to bring your own lock).
Drawbacks
I feel like a fan boy so far in my Cross Campus Review, so I figured I would throw in a couple drawbacks for consideration. I’d say there are two main issues that might cause you to think twice about the space—cost and parking.
Depending on what you do (and whether someone else is paying for you), as a freelancer $375 is a pretty heavy price to pay. I have often checked out other spaces to see if anyone has the same vibe for less money. So far no luck—it seems you get what you pay for. You can find co-working spaces for closer to $250 a month, but you’re getting pretty bare bones at that point. But if you literally just need a space and don’t care about the vibe (or want somewhere super quiet), you might try one of those places. But if vibe and energy level is important to you, the $375 at Cross Campus will be well worth the cost.
The last issue is parking. Anyone living in LA knows how bad parking is wherever you go, and Cross Campus locations are no different. It makes sense—considering they are in such high density, great locations. Cross Campus Santa Monica does offer a $13/day Valet option if you’re really desperate (and I’m sure it’s true of other locations, but I haven’t driven to them yet). Otherwise there are parking meters, and lots of places to lock your bike. In Cross Campus’ defense, there really isn’t a Los Angeles Coworking Space that provides parking free of charge (BizHaus let you have a spot for $100/month for example).
Cross Campus Review: A Great Los Angeles Coworking Space
Rating: 9.5
If it wasn’t for the heavy price tag, I would have given Cross Campus a 10 out of 10. They provide a great space to work in the perfect locations. And honestly, the cost is worth the environment and amenities, if you can afford it. So if you are looking for an energetic work place make sure to give Cross Campus a try.
*And be sure to mention that TopDown sent you when you contact them and you will get $100 off your first month.*
