How to Find Flexible Medical Space
Tips for healthcare professionals looking for short-term or part-time medical office space without a long-term lease.
Whether you're launching a new practice, expanding into a second neighborhood, or testing a new market, you don't always need a five-year lease. Flexible medical space—subletted exam rooms, shared suites, and part-time offices—lets you see patients where they are, on a schedule and budget that works for you.
1. Define What You Need
Before you search, get specific about your requirements:
- How many days per week? Some providers only need space 1–2 days; others want full-time access.
- What kind of rooms? Standard exam rooms, procedure rooms, treatment tables, or private offices each serve different workflows.
- What amenities matter? Think about shared reception, waiting area, Wi-Fi, EHR compatibility, medical equipment, and parking.
- Which neighborhoods? Proximity to your patient base matters. Consider transit access and competing practices in the area.
2. Search by City and Specialty
SubMed lets you filter by city, practice type, price range, and amenities. Start with your target city, then narrow by the type of space or features you need. If you're flexible on location, browsing multiple neighborhoods can surface unexpected options—sometimes the best deal is one ZIP code over.
3. Evaluate the Listing
When you find a promising listing, look for:
- Photos and floor plans—gives you a realistic sense of the space before visiting
- What's included—furniture, equipment, utilities, shared staff?
- Terms and flexibility—month-to-month, daily, or weekly? What's the minimum commitment?
- Price range—does it fit your budget? Are utilities and common-area charges included?
4. Connect and Tour
Reach out through SubMed to ask questions and schedule a tour. Meeting the practice owner in person helps you gauge compatibility—scheduling overlap, patient flow, and general practice culture all matter when you're sharing space.
5. Negotiate Terms That Work
Don't be afraid to negotiate. Many listers are flexible on pricing, hours, and contract length—especially if you're a reliable, long-term subtenant. Start with a trial period if you're unsure, and formalize the arrangement in writing once both parties are comfortable.
Real-world example
A board-certified internist wanted to see patients in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens without signing three full leases. She found same-day or weekly sublets in each area through SubMed—an office in Flatiron, a suite in Park Slope, and a shared space in Astoria.
She's been using the platform for over a year and keeps her overhead low while growing her panel across three neighborhoods.
Another success story
A licensed acupuncturist needed a treatment room two to three days a week in San Francisco without a 12-month lease. She found a shared wellness space in the Mission District on SubMed that offered existing tables, shared reception, and month-to-month terms. Within six months she had a full book on her days and later expanded to a second location in Noe Valley.
Start Searching
Browse available medical office space by city. New listings are added regularly.