I'm over 40, but only spent about a year of my career in an office. I haven't seen an office since 2001. I don't feel I missed much in the subsequent years. I still stay in touch with people I worked with remotely. I never spoke to anyone in said office again. Your stated opportunity seems rather romanticized from my perspective. Relationships can form anywhere.

You don't have to go too far back in time to when work from home was also the norm (when everyone stayed at home on the farm). The office age was the aberration.

I'm 38, remote, and can't imagine working in-office ever again. Our small-ish team (~25) works very effectively remotely.

But I suspect you're right. I learned a huge number of skills being in high velocity office environments, shadowing/observing others, etc. Starting out remote must be much harder.

I'm of a strong opinion not to form big friendships at work. I now started making friends outside of work at 37.

At work I'm looking out for myself.

Forming professional friendships is looking out for yourself; they get you new jobs. Ones that you won't have access to otherwise. Or employees, if you are hiring.

I thought that older people with families and bigger houses prefer WFH, because it is more convenient and it makes more time for the family. while younger single people with smaller apartments prefer the office, because it’s less cramped and lonely.