The shift to remote work has produced effects that few predicted. Commercial districts built around office workers have seen lunchtime economies shrink, while suburban cafés report record trade. Employers initially feared a collapse in productivity, yet most large-scale studies find output stable or slightly higher, with the caveat that newly hired employees integrate more slowly without in-person contact. Meanwhile, the boundary between work and home has blurred: average working hours have lengthened, and many employees report difficulty switching off. The clearest conclusion is that remote work redistributes costs and benefits rather than simply adding or removing them.