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I Quit My $120K Tech Job to Go Remote - Here's What Happened

Mike Chen••6 min read
Remote WorkCareer ChangeWork-Life Balance
I Quit My $120K Tech Job to Go Remote - Here's What Happened

One year ago, I walked into my manager's office at a Fortune 500 tech company and quit my $120K job. No backup plan. No offer in hand. Just a strong conviction that there had to be a better way to work.

Everyone—my parents, my coworkers, even my wife initially—thought I was insane. Here's what actually happened.

Why I Left

The money was great. The benefits were solid. On paper, I had everything I was supposed to want. But I was miserable.

My daily reality:

  • 2-hour round-trip commute (4 hours in traffic on bad days)
  • 8am-6pm in the office (because "face time matters")
  • Pointless meetings where nothing got decided
  • Watched my kids grow up via FaceTime
  • Weekends spent recovering, not living

I was trading my life for a salary. The math didn't work anymore.

The Breaking Point

It was my daughter's 7th birthday. I promised I'd be home by 5pm. My manager called a "quick" meeting at 4:15pm that ran until 6pm. By the time I got home at 7:30pm, my daughter was asleep.

My wife said, "She waited for you until 7, then cried herself to sleep."

That night, I decided: I'm done. Life's too short for this.

Month 1-2: The Search

I started looking for remote roles while still employed. Key lessons:

  • Remote-first vs. remote-tolerant: Huge difference. I only applied to companies that were remote-first (not just "COVID remote")
  • Salary expectations: I was willing to take a pay cut for flexibility. Set my target at $100K minimum
  • Job boards: WeWorkRemotely and Remote.co were better than LinkedIn for genuine remote roles
  • Geography: Looked for companies that hired in my state (tax implications matter)

After 6 weeks and 47 applications, I had 3 offers:

  • $95K at a startup (full remote, looked unstable)
  • $105K at mid-size SaaS company (remote-first, good culture)
  • $115K at another Fortune 500 (remote but with "quarterly office weeks"—nope)

I took the $105K offer. Took a $15K pay cut. Best decision of my life.

Month 3-6: The Adjustment

Remote work isn't automatic paradise. There's an adjustment period.

Challenges I faced:

  • Isolation: First month was weird. No water cooler chat. No random conversations. Just... quiet.
  • Overworking: I worked MORE hours initially because the boundary between work and home was blurry
  • Communication: Had to learn to over-communicate. Can't just tap someone's shoulder
  • Home office setup: Realized my "kitchen table office" wasn't cutting it. Invested $2K in a proper setup

What I learned:

  • Set boundaries: I work 9am-5pm, then close my laptop. Physically. In a drawer.
  • Create routine: Morning walk replaces commute. Helps me transition to "work mode"
  • Async communication: Default to written updates. Fewer meetings, more deep work
  • Coworking once a week: Gets me out of the house, around humans

Month 6-12: The Benefits Became Real

This is when it hit me: this isn't just different, it's better.

Time reclaimed:

  • 10 hours/week commute time → now exercise, reading, family time
  • Lunch with my wife 3x/week (we never ate lunch together before)
  • Pick up kids from school every day (used to see them 30 min before bed)
  • Attend school events without "taking PTO"

Financial wins:

  • Sold my car (saved $600/month payment + insurance + gas)
  • No more $15/day office lunch (saved $300/month)
  • No more work clothes (saved ~$1000/year)
  • Net result: Making $15K less but saving $11K/year = $4K actual difference

Health improvements:

  • Lost 20 lbs (time to exercise, less stress eating)
  • Sleep quality improved (no 6am alarms for commute)
  • Blood pressure dropped (doctor was shocked)

Career benefits:

  • More productive (fewer interruptions, fewer meetings)
  • Better work-life integration (not balance—integration)
  • Happier = better at my job
  • Got promoted after 10 months (now making $120K again, remotely)

One Year Later: The Verdict

What I gained:

  • 10+ hours per week with family
  • Better health
  • Lower stress
  • Same salary (after promotion)
  • Freedom to live anywhere (we're moving to cheaper city)

What I lost:

  • Water cooler chat (don't miss it)
  • Free office coffee (my home coffee is better)
  • The "prestige" of a big company office (don't care)

The Harsh Truths About Remote Work

It's not for everyone:

  • You need self-discipline (no one's watching you)
  • You need a dedicated workspace (dining table doesn't cut it)
  • You need to like your family (you'll see them a lot)
  • You need to be a strong communicator (over-communicate or get left behind)

It's not "easier":

  • You still work hard
  • You still have deadlines
  • You still have stress
  • You just have more control over your environment

Would I Do It Again?

Absolutely. Without hesitation.

The biggest regret? Not doing it sooner. I spent 6 years in that office, convincing myself the salary made it worth it. The truth? No salary is worth missing your life.

My daughter is 8 now. Last week, I picked her up from school, we got ice cream, and she said, "Daddy, I like that you're home now."

That's worth more than $120K.

That's worth everything.

If You're Considering It

Ask yourself:

  • What am I trading for my salary?
  • Is my commute stealing hours I'll never get back?
  • Am I present in my own life?
  • What would I do with 10 extra hours per week?

If your answers bother you, start looking for remote roles. You don't have to quit without a plan like I did (that was risky). But start exploring.

Life's too short to spend it in traffic.