Depends on the people. I'm currently interviewing with a few different SaaS companies that are fully in person. Everyone there has clearly opted for in person as there are many remote opportunities.
A lot of work, even as a programmer, is about collaboration. Between different engineers, designers, product people, etc. Doing that over a call sucks and is emotionally draining. Doing that with 3 people in a room feels much better. If I'm working I want to do my best work. That doesn't just mean writing good code and keeping services online. It means knowing what everyone on the team thinks.
Maybe this comes down to how you view work. Is it just a way to get paid? If so - getting together in person needlessly complicates your life. For me work is an opportunity to hone my skills and produce something worth using.
Remote can be a huge asset to some companies. I interviewed with render.com for example - and they're mostly remote. Keeping a PaaS online with customers around the world requires you to have good time zone coverage. You can't do that with everyone in a San Francisco office.
Edit: This is very reminiscent of being back in school. I, mostly, liked going to school. I'm not going to force myself into nearly as many learning opportunities when given free time. Sure I'll occasionally pick up a small project, a new hobby, but the amount I get into my brain is far less. And I do have lots of free time. Even when I was in school, even when employed. But working forces me into a better state (not the global max by any means, but more optimal for sure). I feel well paid, live comfortably, and don't work too hard or for too many hours. 30-35 per week is ideal.
A lot of work, even as a programmer, is about collaboration. Between different engineers, designers, product people, etc. Doing that over a call sucks and is emotionally draining. Doing that with 3 people in a room feels much better. If I'm working I want to do my best work. That doesn't just mean writing good code and keeping services online. It means knowing what everyone on the team thinks.
Maybe this comes down to how you view work. Is it just a way to get paid? If so - getting together in person needlessly complicates your life. For me work is an opportunity to hone my skills and produce something worth using.
Remote can be a huge asset to some companies. I interviewed with render.com for example - and they're mostly remote. Keeping a PaaS online with customers around the world requires you to have good time zone coverage. You can't do that with everyone in a San Francisco office.
Edit: This is very reminiscent of being back in school. I, mostly, liked going to school. I'm not going to force myself into nearly as many learning opportunities when given free time. Sure I'll occasionally pick up a small project, a new hobby, but the amount I get into my brain is far less. And I do have lots of free time. Even when I was in school, even when employed. But working forces me into a better state (not the global max by any means, but more optimal for sure). I feel well paid, live comfortably, and don't work too hard or for too many hours. 30-35 per week is ideal.