Good places To work on your laptop

[coach]

Well, as my career path changes (by choice) I am going to be finding myself with a much more flexible situation about where I actually work. By, that I mean, have laptop, will travel. As such, I thought it would be nice to be able to get out of the office and do my work around town. Unfortunately, I've never really looked into good places with WiFi hotspots that allow folks to hang out for hours on end. So, I figured I would come to the one place with all the Miami info to see if anyone had any suggestions. Where are good places for freelancers to take their laptops to work for a few hours? I know Starbucks is a common one, but I am not fond of them, nor of the smell of coffee for hours on end. It doesn't have to be just Miami Beach. Downtown, Brickell, MidTown, etc, are all good, too. I'm looking for places with good WiFi connections and comfortable seating who don't mind you hanging around for a while working. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Doug]

What about the library?

[Blackford Oakes]

As you seen to be a " Happy Meal " type of guy, try McDonalds.

[moltobene]

They have USB plugs that allow you to work off your network.. Use it myself when on the road . You'll have to open up another line.. Nice thing about it is you can take it anywhere ,even on the bus,or car

[coach]

Thanks for the ideas. Doug, the Library is a little quiet for what I'd like, but it's a good thought. At least it would get me out of the house.

Blackford, I am definitely not a happy meal kind of guy, I have no idea what gave you that idea. I've been to McD's maybe once in the past 2 years, and regretted it later. I despise almost all fast food restaurants, for both taste and ethical reasons. Pollo Tropical is pretty okay, and I'll go to Checkers once every 6 months.

Moltobene, that's an interesting idea. I've looked at those, but I'm not sure I want to pay the extra $50 a month just so I can surf around town.

[Blackford Oakes]

Just messing with you.

I know I can be a a-hole at times for those that don't know me personaly, but I got irked when you blocked me on Twitter. I'll admit I'm a love or hate type of guy as well as a Rara Avis.

I'm curious as to why. If you care to explain, you can PM me. I liked following you because you gave me a sense what was pulsing on SoBe.

As far as the serious answer to your question: I dig the environment of hotel lobbies. Pretty condusive and constructive for what you're trying to do. Great meet up spot as well.

If you can befriend the staff of a particular one you like, that's what I'd do. It might require a purchase of the house coffee or a nice stiff drink a few times. You can also rotate and try different lobbies around the beach. They'll think you're a guest.

If it was me personaly, I can't name the hotel. It's just south of the Puma shop on Collins. I felt at home in their all white lobby. I'd try to set up shop there and get chummy with the concierge and staff in the lobby. They in turn can be rewarded about what's happening on the beach with your knowledge.

You'd figure, that would be fitting for the @Soulofmiami to handle his operation. You probably already got a nice network on the beach and this would be a piece of cake.

I understand MB has free WiFi that would enable this. It was also be quite easy to obtain a properties access code.

Good luck

[Jess]

Personally I would take my laptop to one of the below:

• Segafredo on Espanola Way: Quiet, artsy, hippy vibe for you.
• French Restaurant on Espanola. Ditto to the above.
• Lincoln Road cafes.

I'd use a usb wifi or the MB free wifi. I'd rather work in a place where I can concentrate but gaze off to people watch at the same time.

[Maria de los Angeles]

My fave place to work is my second office -- Fox's during happy hour. But no wi-fi. Strictly writing. However you should avail yourself of one of those insta-wi-fi cards if you can afford it. Then hell, you can work from anywhere, even while on the road! (Provided you are not in the chauffeur's seat, of course.)

Panera spots are pretty good too.

[Maria de los Angeles]

Also, James, if being at home is an issue, why not consider one of those co-working spaces? You can sublet a desk just for the day.

[Matt Meltzer]

I've found UM's campus to be very nice. It's almost like a park, but with decent people watching. And as long as you don't bother anybody, nobody bothers you. If I had an operative laptop I'd probably do that instead of work in my "office."

[coach]

Thanks all for the great ideas. I look forward to checking them out. I am in the process of moving out of my "day job" and into doing Life Is Art and Soul Of Miami full time, in addition to whatever other opportunities pop up. Yeah, what kind of crazy quits his job in this economy? That would be me.

Blackford, as far as the blocking goes, I'm just not into the whole teasing thing. In addition, it really does not fit with my social media persona. Sorry about that.

[Blackford Oakes]

No sweat.

Whenever you want to slip out of that persona , I think I still owe you a drink.

[Sorry]

As everyone else suggested one if you can afford it then definitely one of the mobile hotspots. When I was apartment hunting I used one from I think Verizon and it was better than the hotel's connection.

Other than that you can check the link below...seems they have a pretty large list of places.
http://www.openwifispots.com/FinderD...Miami&State=FL

[Carlos Miller]

BO,

What did you tease coach about that made him block you? LOL.

Coach,

I don't get out of my building as much as I should, but every once in a while I take my laptop across the street to Hooter's. I sit at the outside bar where there is great ventilation from all the fans and they have several electric sockets to plug in.

Plus, during the day on a weekday, there is not many so people there where it's crowded, but you get enough people to keep it interesting

And the waitresses are cool and not hard on the eyes. They'll be as social as you want them to be. They'll leave you alone if they see you working, but they'll come by and talk to you every once in a while.

And while the food is not great and can be very greasy, you can actually order salads with grilled chicken breast, which I've done a couple of times.

Panera Bread is also a cool place with decent sandwiches.

[Blackford Oakes]

BO,

What did you tease coachabout that made him block you? LOL.

Not able to pinpoint an occurance. Only DM I remember sending @soulofmiami, was giving him CRED, staying on the beach for MDW.
Must have been one of my late night anti-Miami rants which are sprouted out of love.

[Carlos Miller]

Not able to pinpoint an occurance. Only DM I remember sending @soulofmiami, was giving him CRED, staying on the beach for MDW.
Must have been one of my late night anti-Miami rants which are sprouted out of love.

How did you know you had been blocked? Did you get an email notification or something?

[coach]

Carlos, I was about to come mention Hooter's. I just discovered the other day that they do free wifi.

For others that might be interested, one great place I've found is Panther Coffee in Wynwood. They wifi seems solid and reasonably fast. They don't seem to care if you sit there 4 hours (which I did). The coffee is good and it's a local biz.

Right across the street is Lester's. I like it, but could not get my computer to hook into their wifi, though my Android phone did without problem.

[Mario]

I was gonna recommend Starbucks, but I think everyone already gave better options.

[Doug]

Doesn't Starbucks charge for internet use? Like you have to sign up for their wi-fi program? Unless things have changed...

[Catt]

Nope, no charges or signing up - you can just buy a coffee and sit down with your laptop and go online....... i used to do this all the time when traveling (before i had a mobile hotspot via my cell phone)