How to Find Local Remote Worker Groups and Communities

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The quickest way to find a local community of remote workers is to search by your city on Meetup and LinkedIn, ask the host at a nearby coworking space, and then join a couple of groups on Facebook or Slack. Start with groups that run regular in-person events, because those lead to real contacts faster than online chat does.

Why look for a local group of remote workers at all?

Working away from a shared office removes the casual contact that an office gives you. The U.S. Surgeon General's advisory on loneliness and social connection describes social connection as important for health, which is a good reason to build it into your week on purpose.

Practical gains come too:

• Local tips: which cafes have reliable Wi-Fi, which coworking spaces are quiet, where to find a day pass.
• Work contacts: referrals, freelance leads and people to swap feedback with.
• Accountability: a regular co-working morning is easier to keep than a solo promise.
• Events: workshops, talks and social evenings you would not otherwise hear about.

Where do you search for them?

How do you use Meetup?

Meetup is built around in-person events. Search your city for "remote work", "freelancers", "coworking", "entrepreneurs" or "digital nomads". A group does not need to be labelled for remote workers; a freelancers' breakfast or a startup social often draws the same crowd. Favor groups with events listed in the next few weeks, since that shows they are active.

How do you use Facebook groups?

Try searches such as "remote workers [your city]", "freelancers [your city]" and "coworking [your city]". Read the group rules before posting, then introduce yourself in a couple of lines: what you do, how long you have been in town and what you hope to find.

Is LinkedIn useful?

Yes, mainly for professional contacts. Search for groups and events in your field and city. It works better for finding people in your industry than for casual social plans.

What about Slack, Reddit and Discord?

Many local and industry communities run a Slack or Discord server, and city subreddits often list meetups. Quality varies, so check that a community has recent messages before you join.

Can a coworking space help?

Often it is the best starting point. Community managers know who works nearby, run member events and often host outside meetups. If you are choosing a space, ask what events they run and whether non-members can attend. Our post on hosting workshops in coworking spaces shows how those events work from the organizer's side.

How do you get something out of a group once you join?

1. Go to one event in the first two weeks. Joining and never attending is the usual failure.
2. Introduce yourself clearly. Say what you do and what you could help with.
3. Ask specific questions. "Which coworking space is quietest on Fridays?" gets better answers than "any tips?"
4. Follow up. Message someone you met within a few days and suggest a coffee or a shared work session.
5. Respect the rules. Do not post sales pitches in groups that ban them.

Should you start your own group?

If nothing suits you, start small. A monthly coffee morning or a shared work day at a coworking space needs only a Meetup page or a chat group and a regular time and place. Ask the space if they will host it; many welcome the foot traffic.

Expect some friction: low turnout at first, a time commitment and the occasional difficult member. Write short ground rules, keep the format simple and share the hosting with one or two regulars so it does not depend on you alone.

How do you stay connected if you move or work remotely from home?

Keep one or two online communities for your profession and use virtual events when you cannot attend in person. If you split your time between places, our guide to meetups while traveling covers finding people in a new city. Reliable internet matters for virtual events too, and the remote worker's Wi-Fi guide can help.

If you carry your setup between spaces, Mavigadget's travel gadget section has accessories that make that easier.