My workspace cost me money to furnish, and it permanently takes up part of my house. I don't personally mind as software development is a large part of my hobbies as well so I'd have that dedicated space irrespective of my job, but for a lot of people the need for a dedicated work space is tied to their job, and not something they'd otherwise need.

Whether or not it's a net saving vs. transport costs really depends on where you happen to live.

Are people really creating dedicated spaces? What happened to all those people who were in coworking spaces and cafes where they really had nothing more than a desk and a chair?

I think the developer perspective can cloud the fact that the overwhelming majority just have a laptop and a place to put it for their "workspace".

I think people quickly will realise that if they're working at spaces like that full time in front of a laptop they'll soon be dealing with neck strain, back pain and all kinds of issues. I've worked with "just a laptop and a place to put it" and it can work for a while, but it's an awful full time replacement.

There's little that is special about software development from that point of view.

"All those people" who are in cafes really are a tiny little fraction of workers, and most co-working spaces I've been to have a wide variety of proper office environments because unsurprisingly a lot of people need a proper environment to get work done.

Everyone whose house I've seen who works from home more than every now and again has had a dedicated space.

Creating an office at home? For a lot of people, making your home a viable working space is very expensive. It may even require the worker to purchase a home or apartment with an extra room.

If you're creating a real dedicated space then that can be justified. If it's to the point where you have to buy a new house/apartment with an extra room then I'd rather just have a real office space instead, especially as an employer.

Imagine if you will: a condo building that's designed as a mixed residential/commercial space, where there are apartment units, and office units that are free-to-use for anyone with an apartment there. And the office units are pre-furnished.

Now you're essentially paying for a co-working space (whether you use it or not or whether there's always a space available) through some combination of higher unit prices and condo fees.

Wouldn't it make more sense for those who need/want a work area outside their apartment to get a co-working space?

The idea here isn't that you want a work area outside your apartment. The idea is that you'd ideally want an extra room in your apartment to serve as a home office, but you are willing to time-share it with other people to make it cheaper than the cost of an actual additional room for your exclusive use. But you still get to wander over there in your house slippers, just like a dorm kitchen.

Sounds great, but the cost of that office square footage is going to be reflected in the price of the residential units.

Highspeed broadband internet, personal devices that may be used for work including phone line/data, webcam etc.

That not true for everyone. I live a 1.6 mile walk/run to work so my commute is 35 min a day and free.

A lot of people outside of urban centers have spare space and the money/time cost of their usual commute adds up. But, absolutely, there are many people in cities who have low commuting costs and their apartment is basically somewhere to sleep. I can't imagine working remote like that is sustainable long-term. Many will have to move into a larger place or rent a co-working space.

That's 35min a day you don't have to spend. That's 2.5 hours a week.

No, that's 35 minutes of physical activity they have to make up some other way.

They're free to spend that time doing whatever they want instead of being forced to travel to a location. That's the freedom they gain.

Of course they can continue to spend that time doing the exact same walk if they want, no "make up some other way" necessary.

I'd guess there are plenty of people in high-rent areas who'd need larger and more expensive living quarters to work from home long-term.

If they previously chose those areas for convenient location in regards their work, now they're free to move anywhere they'd like.

“Free”? Do you have absolutely no attachments to where you live? People have social support networks - friends, families, places that they go to, classes they’re taking. Children who go to schools and have friends there and go to parks for play dates and birthdays.

Those are just one or two of the social costs. How much does it cost in real money to relocate a family of 3 or 4?

People who live close to work in an expensive area have traded money for time. Higher salary; shorter commute. They may not have the resources to move.

IMO, that’s a strange definition of free.

Actually, yes. I have no attachments to where I live. I am personally free to go live anywhere I want in the country. I don't really have friends, don't have children, I don't want to live near my family, and I'm single.

"How much does it cost in real money to relocate a family of 3 or 4?"

Versus living in the aforementioned very expensive area? Seems like it would probably save money to move somewhere more affordable.

Those social attachments are not the responsibility of the employer.