Natalie There is a general unwritten rule when considering where expats live in Turkey. Working ex-pats usually head to major cities, while retired ex-pats love the stunning beaches of coastal resorts. Since living abroad has become a popular choice for retirees, potential candidates often consider Turkey their second or first home. However, most expats want to keep ties with their nationalities, and this is another determining factor.
Another factor is that expats rarely venture east in this beautiful country. The conservative east is landlocked with no beaches and lacks job opportunities for foreigners. Most retired ex-pats settle on Turkey’s Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. In contrast, working ex-pats head to Turkish cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir for their jobs and abundant opportunities. Likewise, the largest city and its counterparts have several choices of international schools.
But let’s drill down further to discover the exact towns, villages, and cities where ex-pats head and the reasons why.
Where Do Expats Live in Turkey?
1: Bodrum Peninsula for Vibrant Atmospheres
The Bodrum peninsula sits neatly on Turkey’s west coast, just a short distance from the Greek island of Kos. Already proven as a top holiday coastal resort, foreigners have lived here ever since the 1960s. However, the boom happened roughly 25 years ago, when buying real estate became legal for foreigners.
The scenic waterside town centre attracts nautical travellers with an esteemed reputation on the Turkish Riviera for gulet boat cruising. Otherwise, expats strongly favour the resort of Yalikavak and the multi-billionaire Marina, which accommodates mega yachts. When considering expat experiences, Bodrum is pricey. However, the lifestyle is like nowhere else.
2: Didim – Altinkum: Little Britain
Altinkum, nicknamed “little Britain” because of the many Brits who live there, is cheap for property and has a low cost of living. Bars and restaurants highlight the influence of expats by advertising British food and entertainment; however, in the old quarter called Didim, you can find cultural experiences. It offers the best of both worlds in that expats can experience the Turkish lifestyle but seek out their home comforts as well.
Altinkum has three major beaches and also attracts Turks as a popular holiday destination. The central bus station connects to other parts of Turkey should you want to explore, and Bodrum airport is just an hour’s drive away. This isn’t a place for affluent travellers but is budget-orientated, and the wide range of properties for sale ensures everyone finds their dream home.
3: Fethiye for Laid-Back Lifestyles
Fethiye Centre and the surrounding coastal resort towns entice foreigners from European countries and international tourists to experience an idyllic Mediterranean lifestyle. The nearby Dalaman airport is just an hour’s drive away. Fethiye connects to Turkey’s main D400 highway, so expats can easily explore their newly adopted country.
Notable landmarks of natural beauty include the Blue Lagoon, Oludeniz beach, Butterfly Valley and Saklikent Gorge. Fethiye isn’t one of Turkey’s larger cities, which is precisely the charm. Favourable weather during winter is a bonus, and for Brits, most establishments sell the typical English breakfast. This place is ideal for expats seeking tranquillity, and as well as the centre, you can look to places like Uzumlu, Hisaronu, Ovacik, and Calis Beach.
4: Antalya For Mild Winters
Moving around to the eastern tip of the Mediterranean coastline, Antalya, on the turquoise coast, has European vibes. Much like Western countries, the region lures Germans, Russians, and other East European nationalities. Antalya also does an excellent job attracting digital nomads and ranks well for foreign house sales.
Because of affordable prices, expats have settled in coastal resorts, each with unique characteristics. Indeed, as one of Turkey’s best cities for expats, people buy in surrounding resorts and catch the bus when they want to tap into the central delights.
Belek, a famed golfing hotspot, excels in spa hotels, while Side, a small town built around historical landmarks, is great for slow-paced expat living. Antalya centre opens all year round and is famed for two beaches, Lara and Konyaalti, while Alanya, on the outskirts, also earns fame for the long sandy beach. Kalkan has an entirely different atmosphere on the western Mediterranean tip, attracting an upmarket clientele with luxury villas.
5: Dalyan Region for a Relaxed Pace
Mainly famed for Dalaman International Airport, this region has a pleasing atmosphere for people who want rural vibes. The lush green Akkaya Valley, with lake views, is rising in popularity. Dalyan has been famous with day-trippers from other resorts for years thanks to Köyceğiz mud baths and Lycian rock tombs. You won’t find a language barrier since most locals speak English, and Dalyan features the beautiful beach of Iztuzu.
6: Istanbul – The Bustling City
With a fast pace of life and as the most popular tourist destination thanks to the blue mosque and Topkapi Palace, there is nothing slow about Istanbul. This tourist hotspot, famed for being the former ruling capital centre of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, is an Asian / European city with much investment potential; hence, it attracts multinational companies and international real estate investors. The active lifestyle of this famous city stems around the Taksim / Beyoglu area, but for slower paces, look to outskirt districts.
Cihangir is excellent for international living, thanks to the various nationalities that live there, while the Sariyer district attracts wealthy foreign retirees. Etiler is family-friendly, and Kadikoy, in Asian Istanbul, has a good quality of life and excellent ferry transport links. As Turkey’s central city, this is the country’s beating heart, and expats love it, but don’t head here if you want the beach lifestyle.
7: Izmir for Cosmopolitan Vibes
Izmir is known for its social life and relaxed lifestyles in Aegean, Turkey, near the ancient Ephesus. Izmir locals embrace Western cultures, and there are five international private schools and other public schools for families with kids. Expect a modern city that embraces Turkish culture and forward trends.
As a coastal city, the views are amazing, but try outskirt districts like Cesme and Alacati, the surfing capital for gorgeous beaches. Naturally, living costs are higher, but you have an excellent transport network and impressive eating and dining out scenes to tap into. The welcoming environment with a cosmopolitan ambience contributes heavily towards the Turkish economy as Turkey’s third largest city.
8: Bursa – Great for Muslim Families
For a rich culture and a Muslim lifestyle, head to Bursa. With an emphasis on Turkish culture, this place is a celebrated spot for tourist industries and house hunters. The pace of life is less about sandy beaches and bars and more about historical sites and getting out into nature, as seen in nearby Uludag mountain, which, in winter weather, becomes a skiing hotspot.
The real estate market has more affordable costs than other expat places like Bodrum, making it a wise investment. Despite the cold winters, Bursa has a thriving economy and beautiful scenery. The fame of this vibrant city with UNESCO World Heritage sites dates back to when Bursa was the Ottoman Empire’s first ruling capital, and people have never been disappointed.
9: Ankara – The Capital City
Ankara doesn’t do as well as other places for foreign tourists, yet a sizeable expat population of working professionals enjoys living there. As a significant university city and Turkey’s political capital, the blend of cultures shines through to make Ankara an expat-friendly city.
Naturally, daily life in the Ankara centre is hurried, and the nightlife is not like that of Istanbul; it is slower-paced. Some multinational corporations set themselves up here, and the historical significance shines through as home to Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder father of the Turkish Republic. Cankaya, Golbasi and Oran are ideal neighbourhoods for families to set up at home.
Essential Facts About Expat Life
Regardless of where you want to live, you must apply for residency permits to stay for more than 90 days. Do not neglect your preparation and planning for your Turkish residence permit; the authorities are strict about this. Workers also need a separate working permit, which your employer will get for you. Additionally, even though most places have English-speaking locals, brushing up on your Turkish language skills doesn’t hurt. Learning one word a day or attending foreign language schools will help.
Important Facts About Property
If you plan to live in Turkey permanently and buy a home worth at least $400,000, investigate the citizenship by investment program that entitles you and your family to apply for Turkish citizenship. We can also offer our services as a real estate agent, selling properties in all famous places of Turkey. Alongside the gorgeous weather and friendly atmosphere, attractive property prices and a quick buying process are why many buy a home rather than rent. See our portfolio here, and use the contact details to arrange viewings, or call an agent today to learn about where expats live in Turkey.
Also About Turkey
Where do Wealthy People Live? With more than enough Turkish lira to buy a house ten times over, these Turks flock to wealthy neighbourhoods for time-honoured luxury living, the Turkish way. Buying exclusive villas, many also have summer holiday homes in luxury coastal resorts on the southern and western coasts. Let’s look at the top destinations to follow in the footsteps of rich Turkish people.
About Buying Turkish Property: Owning a second home abroad is no longer a trend but a well-deserved benefit of 21st-century life. With many countries allowing foreigners to purchase and live overseas, potential homeowners often look to Turkey. They wonder if this country is ideal for their portfolio and a future destination if they move out here. We discuss the reasons why Turkey is a great choice.
