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- I Ditched NYC for Istanbul—You Won’t Believe How I Now Make $164K/Year!
I Ditched NYC for Istanbul—You Won’t Believe How I Now Make $164K/Year!
Trading city chaos for culture, coffee, and a six-figure remote income—here’s how I built a dream life abroad.
Ark
August 09, 2025
Living the Dream in Istanbul: A Journey of Independence and Adventure
From Small-Town Connecticut to Global Explorer
Hi, I’m Doug Barnard, a 29-year-old American who traded the quiet farms and bear-filled backyards of Simsbury, Connecticut, for the vibrant, continent-straddling city of Istanbul, Turkey. Growing up in a small town of 30,000, I never imagined I’d end up living in a place as dynamic as Istanbul or traveling to destinations like Iraq, Syria, and Pakistan. Yet, here I am, running a YouTube channel and a boutique tourism business that together generated $164,000 in revenue in 2024. My journey from a corporate job in New York City to a life of cultural immersion and adventure has been unexpected, challenging, and profoundly rewarding.
A Leap into the Unknown
In 2018, fresh out of college, I moved to New York City to work for Walmart’s e-commerce division, managing a niche category—cat flea and tick medications. Life in New York was good, but a restless hunger to see the world gnawed at me. Then, in 2020, COVID hit, and I was laid off in a massive corporate cut. Around the same time, I’d started a YouTube channel as a side hobby. When I lost my job, that hobby became a lifeline. In January 2021, I took a one-way flight out of the U.S., with no clear destination in mind, just a desire to wander.
Fast forward to 2024, and my YouTube channel earned $64,000 from AdSense and sponsorships. While that’s not enough to live on, it laid the foundation for my main venture: a boutique tourism company specializing in cultural immersion tours in off-the-beaten-path destinations like Iraq, Syria, and Pakistan. In 2024, we ran five small group tours, each with 8 to 10 travelers, generating $100,000 in revenue. Combined, my businesses brought in $164,000, with a personal income of about $84,000 after expenses like paying local guides and covering hotel costs.
The Challenges of Running a Middle East Tour Company
Operating a tour company in the Middle East comes with unique challenges. The summer heat can be unbearable, making travel impractical. Many of the destinations we visit, while rich in authentic culture and hospitality, lack established tourism infrastructure. This raw, unpolished experience is part of the appeal, but it also means navigating logistical hurdles. Political instability or recent conflicts in some regions add another layer of complexity. We’ve had to make tough calls when tensions escalate, but working with the best local guides—well-connected and deeply knowledgeable—ensures our guests’ safety and enriches their experience.
Finding a Home in Istanbul
After years of full-time travel, I craved a home base. Istanbul, with its unique position straddling Europe and Asia, felt like the perfect fit. It’s a hub for my business, with easy access to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. I share a two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath apartment in Kadıköy, on Istanbul’s Asian side, with my girlfriend, Mea. The rent is 55,000 Turkish lira a month, and the apartment is a cozy blend of functionality and personal touches—like canvas prints of drone photos I’ve taken on my travels. The highlight? A rooftop terrace with views of Kadıköy’s rooftops and the European side across the Bosphorus.
Istanbul has transformed me. Navigating daily life with my basic Turkish has boosted my confidence and independence. Walking into a store and managing a conversation in a new language feels like a small victory every time. The city’s energy, its blend of cultures, and its central location make it an ideal base, even if the cost of living has risen sharply. When I first arrived, $1 was worth 12 Turkish lira; now, it’s about 40. Everyday expenses—like 124 lira for 15 eggs or 111 lira for a grocery haul—reflect this change. While Istanbul is no longer the budget-friendly haven it once was, it’s home. My girlfriend is here, my business thrives in this region, and the more I learn Turkish and connect with locals, the more it feels like where I belong.
Balancing Passion and Practicality
Securing a short-term residence permit in Turkey wasn’t easy—it took three tries—but it was worth it for the stability it provides. My life here is a far cry from what $84,000 would afford in New York City, where the same income would mean a tighter budget and fewer luxuries. In Istanbul, I can live comfortably, dine on sherdan (a local delicacy that’s less scary than it looks), and build a business that fuels my passion for travel and storytelling.
My high school classmates might be surprised to see me now, leading tours in the Middle East and posting YouTube videos from places they’ve only read about. I didn’t set out to be a YouTuber or a tour operator; I just wanted a way to sustain a life of exploration. My family back in Connecticut is proud but misses me, and I miss them too. Still, they understand that this is my passion, my moment.
A Life of Meaningful Connections
Living in Istanbul has taught me that home is more than a place—it’s the people you meet, the barista who knows your order, and the language you stumble through until it starts to feel natural. While nothing can fully replicate the comfort of where I grew up, Istanbul comes close. The more time I spend here, the more it shapes me—independent, confident, and endlessly curious about the world.
