I tried that approach with the first company I worked at. They eventually gave me permission to work from any country that they had an office in (large western European countries, Japan, Australia, US) but I wanted more freedom so I took a new job with a slight pay cut that let me work anywhere. I built up my salary within that company over a couple years, then changed jobs, getting a significant raise in the process.

I taught myself how to code, worked in a non-remote job for a year and a half, then found a remote job through an online job board.

Yes it is possible, just harder to find. I have worked for two US based companies while abroad, making six figures.

I haven’t been everywhere in Turkey, but have been around quite a bit, and I haven’t felt unsafe anywhere. I honestly doubt there is anywhere in the country that is truly unsafe (think bad neighborhoods in Latin America).

Conservative and unsafe aren’t the same thing. If anything there is a direct coorelation between a place being more conservative and it being safer. Saudi Arabia for example is extremely safe. Maybe you wouldn’t prefer living somewhere that is conservative (like to drink/party, really want to wear shorts, etc), but that is a different topic.

All of the towns/cities along the southern coast that I have been to have been great. I also really like the southeastern Kurdish region, but it is definitely more conservative.

Yes you are right that it is luck as to whether you become the victim of a scam or not, and some places it is more likely than others, I just find it strange because in many countries I have been to I have seen things like this regularly, but in my many visits to Turkey I haven’t.

That’s strange, I have spent long periods of time staying on the Asian side of Istanbul and have never had a bad encounter with a local. Also travelled through south eastern Turkey and only had positive experiences.

Haven’t lived in Turkey for a year, but have spent 4 months there cumulatively over a few trips. Lived in SEA for 6 years too.

Turkey is more expensive than SEA for the most part, particularly over the past year or so as prices have gone up a lot due to inflation. Still though, it is a great value destination in comparison to Europe and much of the world. The food is amazing, locals very welcoming and kind, tons of diverse places to visit. With a US passport you can get an e-visa allowing you to stay 90 days out of 180. My only complaint is that internet can be a bit spotty at times. Overall it is one of my favorite countries of the 66 I have been to.

Man I have had such a different experience. Food in Turkey is amazing IMO, and outside of the extremely touristy areas I feel like it isn’t scammy at all.

Yes

Bag/phone/camera/jewelry snatching is very common in Phnom Penh. I lived there for most of my 20s and it happened once or more to most of the people I knew there. It happened to my wife twice, one of the times she was pulled off of our moto in the process and was injured badly.

Do not have your phone out in tuk tuks, walking down the street, etc. don’t walk with a purse over your shoulder unless you have a jacket or something over it.