I’ve worked remotely for the entire period I have been freelancing full-time, as well as my first full time job after leaving university. The only period when I didn’t was the ~15 month period where I was working at a university, between my first full time job and going freelance. There are several reasons why I prefer working remotely.
Working environment
Working from home means that I have everything I need to do my work effectively. Fast internet is essential for my job, and I need a PC with lots of memory, as I run virtual machines and Docker. This was a challenge when I worked at a university, as I was initially given a PC with Windows and no support for hardware virtualisation (software emulation was so slow it would take over an hour to boot a VM). A comfortable chair and desk that is exactly right for me is also important, especially as I get older.
No commute
Not having a commute saves time and stress, as well as nearly two thousand pounds a year in transport costs (which would come out of my post-tax earnings and therefore be closer to a £2500 reduction in gross earnings). When I worked on campus, my commute added 45-60 minutes each way, and this could double if there were major problems – such as when the tram operator decided to suspend all services from my town for a week.
I can also start work earlier – basically as soon as I’ve had a shower and breakfast – which is helpful when working with developers in different timezones.
Fewer interruptions
I can concentrate on work with far fewer interruptions than if I worked in an office. This is particularly important for the work I do, which involves periods of intense concentration where I need to think exclusively about the problem I’m trying to solve. When I worked in an office it was rare to get more than 30 minutes of time without an interruption. This was incredibly damaging to my productivity, as I was frequently context-switching and losing my concentration.
Household chores
Working remotely means I can set off household chores in the background, such as putting the washing in before I start work and having it ready for lunchtime. This means I have less to do in the evenings and weekends, which are freed up for leisure.
Exercise
As I’m already at home, I can exercise more frequently. This usually takes the form of going for a walk before lunch and after work. When working from an office, I’d often be so tired after a commute – as well as getting home later – that I would want to eat first and then never got round to exercise.
Downsides
There are some downsides to working from home – in particular I miss having colleagues to talk to and work through problems with (and do the same for them). It can also feel a bit isolated at times. However, overall I find the downsides are more than offset by the benefits.