There are many reasons why people want to move to Turkey, and if you are considering it, you will find your own personal reasons, too. However, from Turkish people to beautiful coastal destinations, major cities, and the cultural heritage, everyone moves to Turkey for what they see is a better life.
Turkey is a Muslim but secular country, and most foreign citizens, upon first arriving, are surprised at just how relaxed Turkey is. Friendly people, an easy immigration process, and the Western-eastern culture make this country unique when pitted against European cities.
From the black sea region to the capital city of Ankara to Aegean and Mediterranean towns, for some, living in Turkey is the best lifestyle move they have ever made. So, regardless of your origin, let's learn why people choose this beautiful country.
Why People Move to Turkey
1. Gorgeous Weather
This doesn't need much explanation. However, Turkey's glorious weather makes the country one of the world’s top beach tourism destinations. The southern coast enjoys typical Mediterranean weather, with long, hot, and dry summers and short, wet winters. There's not much to dislike about. However, some people find July and August too hot. During these months, temperatures soar to over 35 degrees. Turkish citizens stay inside during peak hours, especially with young children. Luckily, Turkish houses are built with natural materials that resist heat in summer and trap warmth in winter. Some homes are open plans with large windows and terraces to make the most of Turkey’s sunshine.
2. Excellent Healthcare
Turkey's medical facilities are top-notch, as the comprehensive medical infrastructure has developed over 20 years. Modern hospitals and even smaller centres have specialist equipment only found in larger cities in your home country. Dynamic training institutions produce top-rate medical professionals. Turkish doctors used to train overseas, but now, overseas students come to Antalya and Izmir to train. (Medical insurance for foreigners is now compulsory. They can buy private or opt into the social juvenile kurumu program, which is social security.)
3: Great Outdoors and Travel
Few countries are as diverse as Turkey, and few have climates that allow outdoor pursuits and travel all year round. Turkey's leisure facilities include sailing, climbing, skiing, rafting, hiking, and swimming. For those who enjoy sedate paces, there's golf, island cruises, historical tours, jeep touring—and much more. If you like travel, exploring from East to West highlights the diversity of this fantastic country.
4: Turkish Residence Permit
When comparing the visa residency process to other countries like France, Spain, and Portugal, Turkey's process is much easier. Recently, because municipalities reached their quotas of 20% foreign residents versus Turkish citizens, they tightened visa processes, but it is still more accessible than in other countries. People apply for short-term residence permits for themselves and their families, then move onto long-term residence permits, which gives permanent residence. With an online visa application process, you can legally live in Turkey in as little as four weeks.
5: Turkish Culture and Traditions
The rich culture of Turkey welcomes everyone. Having previously belonged to the Ottoman Empire, previous generations had borrowed influences from the Persians, Greeks, and other nationalities. Twin this with everything 100% Turkish, for delightful days that emphasises great food, excellent quality of life, numerous social life outlets, and, albeit it is hard to learn, the Turkish language that is surprisingly easy on the ear.
6: Existing Community of Expats
Us Brits rarely test out unknown lands but venture where others have headed before. Since Turkey has an expat community in most coastal resorts and large cities, newbie arrivals have much local support and sources of helpful information for easy living. Additionally, there is no language barrier in destinations for expats, so making friends with Turkish nationals is easy. All this means that foreign nationals have an easier job settling in and rarely experience culture shock or homesickness. However, we recommend trying to learn at least one Turkish word daily.
7: Real Estate Sector and Investments
Real estate investors love the big city of Istanbul, where they buy apartments for money purposes only. However, some expats make real estate purchases with the intent to live in Turkey permanently and build generational wealth from their property investment. Whether you move to Istanbul city or somewhere smaller, you will be surprised at the excellent building regulations and standards for apartments and villas. Regarding property, there are various types of investments, so don't rush this stage, and you will find your dream home.
8: Turkish Citizenship Program and Buying Property
For some, Turkish citizenship through an investment program has enabled them and their families to gain the right to live in Turkey permanently. They just made the minimum investment of $400,000 by buying a home and pledged to keep it for at least three years. The Turkish citizenship program by property investment extends to dependents and is ideal for large families. The process, known as a golden visa, is much easier than in Spain or Portugal, making the country perfect for expats.
9: Affordable Costs of Living
Even though Turkey’s economy is going through the hurdles now, many British nationals live here rather than in the UK or other European countries. In some cases, the standard of living is better, and some say they don't have the same lifestyle now. With low council tax rates, affordable food markets, and cheaper house running costs, the sun shines down on expats.
10: Turkish Banking system
From our experience, Turkey’s banking system is fantastic. Regardless of your country of residence, the average person can quickly deposit money into high-interest savings and current accounts. Choose Turkish or international banks; for friendly staff, with some branches even employing English-speaking staff for foreigners. The range of banking services extends from government bonds to gold and silver and time deposit accounts. (About expat banking in Turkey.)
But what are the Downsides?
From our experience, most customers who move to Turkey have grown-up children who no longer rely on them. We rarely see couples moving to Turkey with children since the education system doesn't win fans. Some foreigners with children put them in international schools that operate global curriculums with internationally recognised qualifications.
Some foreigners on family residence permits who married Turks put their children through the public educational system but remark that they would likewise sign up for international schools if they had the money. The one exception is international students who flock to Turkish universities with good reputations.
Additionally, work is tricky for small business owners. Most foreign investors and businesses are global companies. Small business owners need substantial capital investments, and strict rules about employing Turks exist. Additionally, it is hard for young people without housing. Getting work permits is complex; with one, they can receive medical care and the same rights as Turkish workers.
Tips for Making the Move Yourself
1: Know Your Finances: Some expats, when judging how much it costs to live in Turkey, do not consider the cost of inflation, the ever-changing exchange rates, or that the interest savings rate of their bank accounts can go down as well as up. When figuring out whether you can afford to live in Turkey, have buffer zones for your finances, as well as rainy-day accounts.
2: To Rent or Buy Property: There is considerable debate about renting or buying a home. There are pros and cons for both avenues; your choice will depend on your preferences. Some rent because they eventually plan to return to the UK. Others buy because they intend to pass on the property to their children by building generational wealth. If you can’t decide, rent first, and give yourself 6 months to find out which is better.
3: Politics: Stay out of political discussions unless you genuinely want to learn about the political landscape. Much like America and the UK, political discussions get heated and people disagree. It’s better to keep political discussions with your family and close friends.
4: Language: Most retired expats don’t attempt to learn the language. They cite age as the reason. However, you will hamper your experience. Try and learn at least one word daily. Don’t be too concerned about results; just try.
5: Culture, History, and Travel: Likewise, some expats don’t learn about the culture, history, or delights of this country, and never get to know turkey under the surface. Turkey is diverse. You can’t stereotype any town or city. Head to Turkish restaurants, travel occasionally and learn about the vast historical sites scattered around the country. This fun journey will enhance your day-to-day living.
6: Regulations: Stay current with changing regulations regarding foreigners. These could include residency permits, healthcare, driving, bringing pets in, and, for those who work, working laws. Always keep backup copies of important documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, and health insurance.
More About Living in Turkey
About Us: We are Property Turkey, and we’ve helped thousands of foreigners buy holiday homes and relocate to the country. If you are interested in buying property, see our portfolio of apartments and villas for sale in many areas, including Istanbul, Bodrum, Fethiye, and Antalya. Contact us here to speak to a sales agent, or see our blog for more information on why people want to move to Turkey.
Where Do Expats Live? Putting aside the reasons why people want to move to Turkey, if you want to decide where to live, explore the seven geographical regions. Each is unique regarding weather, landscapes, people, food, and culture from the East to the West. This article highlights popular areas where expats live and why they choose that destination in Turkey.
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