How to Find a Third Place

Less commuting, greater schedule flexibility, and a better work-life balance makes working from home very attractive for many Vermonters. Remote work also offers several health benefits, including less stress, more time for exercise, being able to eat healthier, and getting more sleep.  

A major downside of working from home is increased feelings of isolation and loneliness. About 25 percent of remote workers say they often feel lonely, according to a Gallup survey, compared to 16 percent of on-site workers. Loneliness can lead to many physical and mental health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, anxiety, and depression.

If you work from home, finding a “third place” is an important way to protect your health. Having a physical place where you can go to relax and socialize with other people helps alleviate loneliness and improves your well-being.

In a rural state like Vermont, such places can be difficult to locate. Here are some ideas and tips for finding places to connect with people in your community.

What’s a Third Place?

Home is your first place and work is your second place. A third place is a public space where people gather and interact.

The term third place was coined by Ray Oldenburg in his 1989 book The Great Good Place. "The character of a third place is determined most of all by its regular clientele and is marked by a playful mood, which contrasts with people's more serious involvement in other spheres,” Oldenburg wrote. Third places are the heart of a community’s social vitality, he added.

According to Oldenburg, third places should have these characteristics:

• Neutral ground. People have little to no obligation to go there.
• A leveling place. Socioeconomic status doesn’t matter in third places.
• Conversation is the main activity. The tone of conversation is usually light-hearted and humorous.
• Accessibility. They must be open and readily accessible to everyone.
• Regular crowd. There should be a number of people who visit regularly, helping to give the place its tone and set the mood.
• Low profile. It should not be grandiose and have a cozy feel.
• Playful mood. The conversation is never tense or hostile.
• A home away from home. Patrons should have the same sense of warmth and belonging as they do in their own homes.

A third place is somewhere you can go to strike up a conversation with a stranger and get to know other people in the community. What kinds of places fit that description? Examples include:

• Cafes
• Coffee shops
• Bookstores
• Bars
• Barber shops and hair salons

Finding Your Third Place in Vermont

Discovering third places in your community may seem challenging. Unlike major cities, there aren’t cafes and bars on every corner in most Vermont towns. You may have to look harder and be more creative, but you can find a third place where you feel comfortable and are able to make new friends. Potential third places include:

• Libraries. Vermont has 185 public libraries, in towns both large and small. You may not think of a library as a place for conversation, but libraries host many events where people can talk and mingle. Best of all, you don’t have to buy anything to be there! Find a link to your local library and then check the library’s website for events that interest you.
• Community and senior centers. Many Vermont towns and cities have community centers, which are welcoming spaces with a wide range of activities. To find one in your area, call your town or city clerk’s office or check your community newspaper’s events calendar. A network of senior centers across the state serves more than 15,000 older Vermonters, providing them with social opportunities.
• Cafes and Bars. There’s nothing like hanging out where good food and drinks are served to get a conversation started. Look for places that host events which appeal to you and are likely to draw people who share your interests. Front Porch Forum has an extensive food and drink directory, or post a message in your community’s forum asking for recommendations.
• Farmer’s Markets. Speaking of food, Vermont’s farmer’s markets are not only a great place to buy locally-grown healthy food, they’re also a good spot to meet people from your community, as many customers shop there regularly. The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont maintains a directory of farmers markets.
• Gyms and fitness centers. You usually have to pay to use them, but gyms and fitness centers can be excellent places for socialization as they have regulars who are there often. Check out our member discounts page for gyms and fitness centers offering discounts. To find additional places, visit Front Porch Forum’s gyms and fitness centers directory.
• Community gardens. If you want to grow your own fresh food, learn new skills, and meet new people who share a passion for gardening, Vermont’s community gardens are the place to hang out in the warmer months. The Vermont Garden Network has a directory of community-based gardens.
• Coworking spaces. Your second place can also be a third place, if you use a coworking space. You’ll have a comfortable place for working remotely that gets you out of the house, and you’ll meet other remote workers. Check out Think VT’s list of coworking spaces or this one from DropDesk.  

Get Connected

Working from home has a lot of potential health benefits, such as getting more sleep and exercise, eating healthier, and being less stressed. However, it can also harm your health if you feel isolated and lonely. To protect your health, we encourage you to find a favorite third place and go there often. You’ll feel great and be more connected to your community!