Location of Python Virtual Environments - Choosing Between Project-Folder and Centralized Folder

Project-folder Virtual Environments

In this approach, you create a virtual environment within the project directory itself. This means that each project has its isolated Python environment, and you manage dependencies specific to that project.

With this approach you have clarity where the associated venv resides - helpful when doing cleanup or backup.

Centralized Location for Virtual Environments

In this approach, you create a centralized directory where all virtual environments reside. This directory can be outside your projects, e.g., ~/.virtualenvs or any other location you prefer.

With this approach you keep project directory containing mainly code - the other, replicable content - virtual environment files - are located somewhere outside the project. This helps to e.g. backup whole directory without worrying about excluding virtualenv which is typically not worth backing-up.

X: Creating Virtual Environments in Python