13 ms·

I have been working remotely for around 8 months. The best thing about remote work is not that you can work from home but the fact that you don't need to be in

by neebz 15y ago

I have been working remotely for around 8 months. The best thing about remote work is not that you can work from home but the fact that you don't need to be in office to work. We know you can work in cafes etc. but also you can work while travelling around the globe. That's one great advantage and I love it. I get the luxury to go around, stay in new cities (heck even countries) and meet new people while working. All I need to ensure is that I have internet access.

smackfu 15y ago
I have been tempted by that, a working vacation, but how do time zones work out? Do you not need to be available at particular hours? I work from home but have a fairly regular schedule of phone meetings during the Eastern Time Zone working day. (Those same phone meetings would also get quite expensive overseas.)
- neebz 15y ago
  Yup Time Zones does become an issue. You need to plan accordingly. You can't go to Australia where there is a full 12-14 hour flip. But still you are not really short of places to travel. Frankly it's good to start with travelling in your own country first. Can't say about phone meetings as we usually have our conversations over Skype.
  - smackfu 15y ago
    Yes, seems like iPhone Skype client into the 800 numbers over Wi-Fi would probably be the best way to handle that.
- fortes 15y ago
  Google Voice / Skype are the way to go here. Keep a US number that rings on your computer (or on your cell)
JonWood 15y ago
So very true - I'm going away for a week with extended family in the middle of August, and because I work remotely anyway work had no problem with me working from a different place. That means I get a week of seeing family and relaxing with them in the evening without having to take any holiday to do so.
danenania 15y ago
Yep, this has been my approach as well. I moved to Buenos Aires a month ago and I'm planning to stay for at least six months to learn Spanish, then who knows--I'd like to travel around Latin America (and Spain) to get some use out of my new language chops, but I'd also really like to spend some time in Asia, especially India. One of the difficulties I've had with remote work, as mentioned in the op and comments here, is lack of daily structure and socializing. I think learning a new language is one of the best antidotes for this. You can do a language program for four hours a day and meet a huge variety of people from all over the world while picking up an incredibly useful and rewarding skill. The natural focus on conversation and collaboration is a great counterweight to the solitary nature of programming. Good programs also tend to offer a lot of cultural and social events outside of classes. It's pretty low stress and leaves plenty of time in the day to get work done. Aside from all this, it's pretty awesome to be able to live in a nice, sunny, furnished, utilities and internet included studio with a balcony and view in one of the nicest areas of a giant cosmopolitan city for ~33% or less of what a similar arrangement would cost in SF or NYC.
- atte 15y ago
  Sounds like you read 4HWW. I'm doing pretty much the same thing. Half-way back from BA, kicking it in Panama for the moment.
  - danenania 15y ago
    I haven't actually, though I've been meaning to. Does he recommend language programs? How's Panama?
- outside1234 15y ago
  how did people find a remote gig like this? I'm self motivated, an Android developer (which I only mention because there is huge demand for this so it seems like I should be able to find a good company that is interested in this), and it seems like I should be able to find a great company interested in this - but I haven't - any advice?
  - 15y ago
jamesteow 15y ago
Precisely. I was able to travel literally around the world while working remotely in apartments and cafes.

by neebz 15y ago

smackfu 15y ago

I have been tempted by that, a working vacation, but how do time zones work out? Do you not need to be available at particular hours? I work from home but have a fairly regular schedule of phone meetings during the Eastern Time Zone working day. (Those same phone meetings would also get quite expensive overseas.)

neebz 15y ago
Yup Time Zones does become an issue. You need to plan accordingly. You can't go to Australia where there is a full 12-14 hour flip. But still you are not really short of places to travel. Frankly it's good to start with travelling in your own country first. Can't say about phone meetings as we usually have our conversations over Skype.
- smackfu 15y ago
  Yes, seems like iPhone Skype client into the 800 numbers over Wi-Fi would probably be the best way to handle that.
fortes 15y ago
Google Voice / Skype are the way to go here. Keep a US number that rings on your computer (or on your cell)

JonWood 15y ago

So very true - I'm going away for a week with extended family in the middle of August, and because I work remotely anyway work had no problem with me working from a different place. That means I get a week of seeing family and relaxing with them in the evening without having to take any holiday to do so.

danenania 15y ago

Yep, this has been my approach as well. I moved to Buenos Aires a month ago and I'm planning to stay for at least six months to learn Spanish, then who knows--I'd like to travel around Latin America (and Spain) to get some use out of my new language chops, but I'd also really like to spend some time in Asia, especially India. One of the difficulties I've had with remote work, as mentioned in the op and comments here, is lack of daily structure and socializing. I think learning a new language is one of the best antidotes for this. You can do a language program for four hours a day and meet a huge variety of people from all over the world while picking up an incredibly useful and rewarding skill. The natural focus on conversation and collaboration is a great counterweight to the solitary nature of programming. Good programs also tend to offer a lot of cultural and social events outside of classes. It's pretty low stress and leaves plenty of time in the day to get work done. Aside from all this, it's pretty awesome to be able to live in a nice, sunny, furnished, utilities and internet included studio with a balcony and view in one of the nicest areas of a giant cosmopolitan city for ~33% or less of what a similar arrangement would cost in SF or NYC.

atte 15y ago
Sounds like you read 4HWW. I'm doing pretty much the same thing. Half-way back from BA, kicking it in Panama for the moment.
- danenania 15y ago
  I haven't actually, though I've been meaning to. Does he recommend language programs? How's Panama?
outside1234 15y ago
how did people find a remote gig like this? I'm self motivated, an Android developer (which I only mention because there is huge demand for this so it seems like I should be able to find a good company that is interested in this), and it seems like I should be able to find a great company interested in this - but I haven't - any advice?
- 15y ago

jamesteow 15y ago

Precisely. I was able to travel literally around the world while working remotely in apartments and cafes.