These days, 21 million of us are independent workers, with offices at home. In fact, with today's modern technology, working from home is the 'in' thing to do.

While there are definite perks, sometimes it can be tough going it alone. Now, there's a new way to keep that freedom without the fallbacks.

It's called 'Co-working'. People can belong to a co-working facility. It's a place where they work side by side…but they don't actually work 'together' at all.

The idea? Have a place where the self-employed or telecommuters can go to either share work space or just be around other people. It sounds like a coffee shop, but with a little more formality than a coffee shop.

Alex Hillman founded one spot after working at home left him lacking a few things. "The good parts of office culture --the camaraderie, the going out to lunch with people," he explains.

So Brad Neuberg, who's credited with actually coining the phrase 'co-working', opened a space a few years ago where others could come work with him.

"It's a lot like having fellow employees at a company, but you get to keep your independence," Neuberg says.

There are several dozen of these facilities already in place in North America with more opening almost every day. The spaces vary…some are casual, wide open rooms, created for camaraderie. Others have formal set ups, with cubicles, conference rooms and enviable amenities.

Rachel Findlay is a 'co-worker'. She says one of the benefits is access to all the devices and gadgets you'd need to buy while working from home.

"It's like having an office but not having to worry about the overhead. If you're at home and your fax machine breaks, then, you know, you're responsible for replacing it," Findlay points out.

'Co-working' is designed for telecommuters, freelancers and even entrepreneurs starting up companies too small for independent office space, but too big to work from home anymore.

James Nicholson falls into that last category. He says, "At some point you sort of need to start meeting clients, and have business meetings and once there was an employee added, then we needed a little bit more space."

The fees vary--you can often pay by the day or the month--depending on how much you're at the site.

Brad Neuberg is back in a traditional office now, but is not shocked by how the movement has grown.

"It's really hit a nerve with a lot of people," Neuberg admits.

If you'd like to co-work but don't have any extra cash, some sites are offered for free in homes.

Here is Milwaukee, a popular co-working site is 'Bucketworks', at the corner of McKinley and North 6th street.