7 Best Turkish Regions for Expats

Entertainment01 Apr, 2021

If you dream of living in Turkey, you should decide first which region seems the most appealing to you. This article will help you to make the right choice.

Before the pandemic, many foreigners used to relocate to Turkey after they retired. This country was also popular among affluent families where at least one of the spouses did not need to work. Now that more and more companies around the world switch to remote work, Turkey might face a large influx of expats. Many of them will be young and single — and they will need comfortable accommodation that will become their home and office at the same time. In this article, we will compare the pros and cons of those Turkish regions that are especially popular among expats.

Istanbul

This city attracts the most foreigners. But so far, they were relocating here because of the conventional offline work. Others would find a flat for sale in Istanbul at an early construction stage, buy it and resell it later at a profit. The city has amazing infrastructure, including plenty of leisure facilities. The authorities invest large funds in its development and transformation. Old industrial areas are being converted into new residential neighborhoods, new metro lines are being built.

On the flipside, Istanbul is not the best place to relax. Its Asian part is calmer than the European but it is also less developed. Properties on the shores of the Bosphorus bay can boast of the most stunning views — but you will struggle to find new development because this area was declared protected. Also, the prices in this city are higher than in many other parts of the country.

Izmir

It is the third-largest Turkish city and it is exceptionally Westernized. If compared to Istanbul, it is a bit more relaxed and remarkably biker-friendly. You will never get enough of taking pictures in Izmir: there are ancient ruins here, modern entertainment facilities, comfortable pedestrian routes and colorful seaside streets. You will be able to enjoy the urban cosmopolitan vibes and explore multiple adjacent villages on the Aegean coast. The Alacati village, in particular, has the reputation of the surfing capital of Turkey.

Antalya

Antalya is an extremely popular seaside resort on the south coast. This region consists of a large city center and multiple small settlements. It occupies the second place in the rating of Turkish regions that enjoy the highest demand among expats. It is busy all year round, even though the conventional tourism season lasts from May to October. Here, you will be surrounded by hundreds of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. At the peak of the season, the local venues might be crowded and you might lack privacy. You will not feel lonely here if you do not speak Turkish because there are so many expat communities in Antalya. When you want to travel to another part of the country, you will be able to do it either in your private car or on public transport.

By the way, Alanya, which is also a highly popular resort, technically belongs to Antalya. It is located at its far eastern tip and has a slightly different atmosphere.

Kalkan

It is situated on the western tip of Antalya and is considered its most premium part. Some mansions cost over $1 million — which is rare for Turkey, where the real estate prices are considerably lower than in Western countries. Social life here is not too active in winter — but you will not feel bored anyway. The prices in local eating and shopping facilities are much higher than in the most part of Antalya. But expats nevertheless love this region because of its elevated landscape and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. Besides, here you can purchase an ultra-modern property because the legislation does not limit the architects' creativity.

Bodrum Town

The name of Bodrum is synonymous with luxury holidays in Turkey. But foreign retirees also fell in love with this sunny resort a long time ago, in the middle of the previous century. Bodrum, located on the Aegean coast, is a world-famous sailing destination. Life here is more expensive than in most parts of the country — but if you do not mind paying a bit extra for the refined atmosphere, you will appreciate these upscale vibes. To explore other Turkish regions, you can catch a plane in the local airport or take a coach.

Yalikavak

It is situated on the Bodrum peninsula and it turned into a fashionable sailing hub almost overnight. The modern upscale infrastructure appeared here very quickly and real estate prices skyrocketed unexpectedly. But you can still savor the atmosphere of the old, unpretentious Yalikavak when visiting the local tea shops, barbershops and Turkish restaurants. Many international retirees live here comfortably all the year-round. When you need to go to Bodrum town center, just take a bus — the ride will not be too long.

Fethiye

You can buy a new decent apartment in this budget-friendly resort for less than $100,000. The prices in the local shops are considerably lower than in the above-mentioned regions and the overall lifestyle is much more laidback. The Fethiye landscapes are very picturesque and the transport system is vast and reliable. Shopping, eating and entertainment facilities remain open all year round. So far, the Brits are the largest expat community in this region.

Conclusion

When choosing a nice place to live in Turkey, opt for the regions with a big expat community. Otherwise, you might fail to understand local salespeople, hairdressers and doctors. Also, in the regions that are popular among expats it will be much easier to hire a translator to accompany you to the bank or the lawyer's office. If you buy a property in this country, you can apply for a residence permit. This document remains valid for 1 year and then you can renew it. If you cannot afford to pay the full price of the property upfront, you can rather easily get a mortgage at a local bank. No matter if you relocate to Turkey for good or spend here just a few months per year, you will enjoy every day of your stay.



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