14 People Share the Biggest Benefits of Remote Work

The benefits of remote work for employees and freelancers are many—no more commuting, being able to make time for exercise, and spending more time with your family are just a few. But how do these benefits play out in the day-to-day life of real remote workers?

Remote.co has an entire Q&A section, ripe with answers from remote workers on a variety of topics related to remote work. We curated several responses that were provided to us from remote workers when asked the question, “What are the biggest benefits to working remotely?” Their answers may inspire you to find a remote job of your own!

14 People Share the Biggest Benefits of Remote Work:

No Commute

“The ability to better balance schedules by eliminating wasted time in traveling to and from the office every day.” —Karen LaGraff

“For me, the biggest benefit is flexibility. I’m not spending 2-3 hours a day commuting to work in heavy traffic, which allows me to start my day early or end it late (or both).” —Chris Schain

“[I] used to drive out of state (100+ miles a day), now my car rarely racks up 10 miles per week (so much for having to get a new car anytime soon).” —Christine Bielak

Schedule Flexibility

“For me it’s about quality of life and the quality of my work. I try to work a normal 9-to-5 schedule, but if I’m feeling a bit foggy at 3 p.m. I can take a break and come back to my work later, and I think I do a better job because of that freedom. If I’m having a slow day, I can take an extra long walk with the dog or putter in the garden instead of staring out an office window (or distracting a coworker with idle chit-chat).” —Theresa Cramer

“I can sleep in and then work late or vice versa; I can take a break during the day to ride my bike to the ocean, or meet a friend for lunch. I didn’t have that level of flexibility when I worked for a multinational agency.” —Kristen Marano

Ability to Travel

“…being able to combine work and travel. My overseas rent and travel expenses amount to less than half of what I would spend at home (geoarbitrage). Not only that, when you’re working a ‘normal’ job, your savings tend to go towards vacations anyway, so this lifestyle makes so much sense. Work from a new city/country, and get to explore it!” —Nicole Fu

“Being able to live in different places around the world without needing a job in that physical location is the biggest benefit for me. I have spent time in places I never would have been able to if I was working a regular job.” —James Clark

“If we want to work from Europe, we hop on a flight and get inspired. Untethering from an office is one of the most rewarding experiences of our lives. We are growing so much as people, and in business as a result.” —Mike & Anne Howard

More Time with Family

“Working remotely has changed my life. I used to leave for my commute before my daughter was awake and get home in time to eat dinner and put her to bed. Those four extra hours a day give me back precious time that I was missing with my family. It’s the little things that matter so much: bringing my daughter new shoes when she (somehow!) breaks her sandal at school, picking my kids up at the end of the day and still having time to ride bikes outside before dinner, working on the couch next to my son when he’s home sick from daycare, telling my husband to have fun when he leaves on a work trip and not being worried about how I’ll manage to drop off and pick up the kids without him.” —Jenn Leaver

“I feel like a high-functioning mom because I can be taking care of my family and working in a way that suits me.” —Liz McGrory

“Flexibility of time is the greatest benefit. For example, for parents it allows them the opportunity to pick up and drop off children from school or care without missing work; working from home also means being available to your family sooner.” —Lauren Antonian

Increased Productivity

“From a work perspective, my productivity is GREATLY improved as a remote worker. I do not ‘commute’ in any sense of the word, nor do I have any daily preparations. I start working almost immediately upon my first cup of coffee, and generally take my laptop to bed with me. Without distractions, I am clear to focus on what I need to accomplish.” —David Daniel

“I get more done and have less distractions. I’m able to use my commute time to get more done at work, at home, or volunteer in the school before work hours start.” —Jennifer Bird

“Less wasted time. In an office, I was always getting dragged into meetings that weren’t really necessary, or fending off interruptions. When I’m working from home, I’m really working.” —Jen Hubley Luckwaldt