The main problem was, is, and shall ever be communication - but that's the same if you're face-to-face. I actually communicate better via email and forum than face-to-face, so remote work is good for me.
Especially in freelancing situations, it's a natural fit for how people like to do business; you have to organize yourself more carefully than if you were simply sitting next to your customer, but that's not actually all that onerous.
I wouldn't go back to commuting for anything. Life's too short.
How do you deal woth the isolation?
I worked remotely for around 3 years and in the end I was begging for an office. Desperate need to see other human beings...
I grew up on a semi-remote farm in Indiana, so I actually prefer isolation and good books. Plus I have a wife and kids (and neighbors and extended family), so human contact isn't actually a problem. And honestly, back when I was working contract in Indy, the people I worked with were shallow and kind of stupid, mostly.
The main problem was, is, and shall ever be communication - but that's the same if you're face-to-face. I actually communicate better via email and forum than face-to-face, so remote work is good for me.
Especially in freelancing situations, it's a natural fit for how people like to do business; you have to organize yourself more carefully than if you were simply sitting next to your customer, but that's not actually all that onerous.
I wouldn't go back to commuting for anything. Life's too short.