There is SO MUCH context involved in onboarding a new grad. Just wandering past the person's desk regularly will give clues about work ethic, where they're gett

There is SO MUCH context involved in onboarding a new grad. Just wandering past the person's desk regularly will give clues about work ethic, where they're getting stuck, and when the person should be encouraged to stop + ask for help. Being in an office environment give the opportunity to overhear technical conversations and arguments. The learning opportunity is HUGE. So no, I also would not hire a remote Junior. My advice to OP is to move physically to a better job market if at all possible. If it works out, then consider a move back to the remote location after ~5-10 years.