A good reason to co-work is to bait people into trying to hack your computer while you leave it unattended. Then you can sue or just drag them off to your basement - whatever.
I would share a lot of my strategy if it were a two way street with someone whose primary mandate is different than mine. There is a lot of valuable learnings talking openly with serious traders in other strategies and asset classes.
I traded off CAT6 cable/google fiber in my private coworking space office. I watched my server based automated FX systems on 3 screens. The box I left locked up in my office had zero trading platforms or systems installed. I met some excellent programmers, hardware, and server security people at the coworking space I used - was an overall excellent experience.
ET is my trading room while I trade in my boxer shorts from home until I start my afternoon gig of driving medical passengers to their appointments. I love my new built home and its everything I ever wanted. ES P.S. I just need to get more exercise.
I have a coworker who trades remotely from a shared office that is shared by non-traders, and he does not mind it at all. No one has a clue what he is doing. Your biggest concern should be getting a business class internet connection, residential is notoriously unreliable and will cost you money.
Are you trading with people with enough capital to move a position against you? If so, what the hell are they doing in an open space?
@Here4money Ah, there you go - your reply implies that open space is inferior to a private office - why do you think so?
I've done both in London. I preferred the private room as I got distracted often unless I was wearing noise reduction headphones. It is true though, sitting in a private room can be distracting in itself being in isolation. I myself am looking into shared office space with other self funded traders. That seems like it might be the most ideal situation. I agree with the earlier post - I would avoid sharing with a trader that would go on tilt and break a screen though.
I did the shared office space for many years with 5 other traders...great for resolving many psychological issues that was sabotaging my trading until I was ready to trade from home in a home office after fixing those psychological issues that was hurting my trading (e.g. discipline issues). Trading from home had its own advantages especially if you have a family with young kids. Now the kids are older, less of a burden and I'm going to be traveling more away from home...there will be more of a need to use a "temporary office space" when traveling/trading. That's where I see the advantage of co-working when you just need a temporary office space especially when you're going to be traveling and in a city for a few weeks or month to minimize extensive down time away from trading. Another advantage of co-working or private space is when there's something occuring in your home that prevents you from trading. I did both (co-working & private space) when my home office was being renovated during a 6 week duration. Thus, it was great as a temporary solution when I needed a place to trade from. Yet, anyone trying to distract you, annoying or you think there are people just trying to invade your work space while you trade...that can easily be resolved via a discussion with the person(s) about your need for privacy while you trade or you review the co-working space prior to purchase to ensure its suitable for you as a trader. Thus, if you just need a temporary office space...it may be the only solution you can use instead of trying to setup trading from some public wifi place (e.g. coffee shop). wrbtrader