[votr]

Nope. Still commuting. But becoming remote is my number one goal.

At the moment, I have a client outside of work (ReactJS stuff), and am negotiating a remote gig with a company in California.

I agree that exotic technologies give you a leg up.

My stance is also that, if you're pushing for remote, then by definition you need to justify why you're a better choice than your remote competition who may live in lower COL areas.

If you're remote, then why should someone pay you a high salary vs. paying a lower one to that bright guy in Romania, who can still live like a king?

That's where marketing, differentiation, and service come in. But these are just my guesses.

Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.

[byoung2]

If you're remote, then why should someone pay you a high salary vs. paying a lower one to that bright guy in Romania, who can still live like a king?

Companies will pay a premium to have someone in the same timezone who speaks the language fluently.

[brianwawok]

Have you ever worked with a guy from Romania?

[piokuc]

I have. He's a good programmer and a nice chap.

[MrMullen]

But he is in Romania. It would be a lot nicer if the Romania guy was in my timezone or, better yet, my office.

[bbcbasic]

Or what if you were replaced with another Romania guy/gal then that would also solve that problem.