I had the inspiration to write this post during a few impromptu chats with some of my acquaintances. They were really curious to find out what were our reasons to move to Turkey. And why did we decide to settle in Istanbul after traveling around a little and staying in different counties?
Yeah, I can understand why a lot of people question Turkey. Media in some European countries and the US does a good job representing it in a bad light. For some reason, worries about the safety and quality of life in this country are always heightened by political unrest in Turkey and other countries. So definitely, people will show interest and be on guard at the same time.
This is why I decided to start sharing more about our life and travels in Turkey. I want to show you that this is not only a very beautiful country, but also a pleasant place to live.
There are multiple reasons for moving to Turkey, buying a property, or just coming here as an expat. Furthermore, there are numerous reasons why people who work remotely, think about retiring here, and live as digital nomads do so. I’ll go over some of these reasons below.
P. S. If this is your first time visiting Istanbul, make sure to read my posts about the best places to live and the safest neighborhoods.
So, you’re thinking about moving to Turkey, but you’re not sure if it’s the right place for you?
Well, you’re in luck! I’ve done some research and talked to some experts, and I’m here to give you the lowdown on what it’s like to live in Turkey as a foreigner.
The short answer is: it depends.
Turkey is a beautiful country with a rich history and culture. Additionally, living there is reasonably priced, especially when compared to other European nations.
However there are also some challenges to living in Turkey as a foreigner. The language barrier can be a major obstacle, and you may find it difficult to find work or integrate into Turkish society.
The choice of whether or not to relocate to Turkey is ultimately a personal one. There are a lot of things to think about, so carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages before choosing.
The benefits and drawbacks of being a foreign resident in Turkey are broken down in more detail below:
Pros:
- Beautiful country with a rich history and culture: Turkey is home to some of the most stunning scenery in the world, as well as a long and fascinating history. From the ancient ruins of Ephesus to the bustling streets of Istanbul, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Turkey.
- Relatively affordable cost of living: Compared to other European countries, Turkey is a relatively affordable place to live. Housing, food, and transportation are all relatively inexpensive, making it a great option for budget-minded travelers and expats.
- Friendly people: Turkish people are generally very friendly and welcoming to foreigners. They’re always happy to help out, and they’re often curious to learn about other cultures.
- Delicious food: Turkish cuisine is one of the most diverse and delicious in the world. From savory kebabs to sweet baklava, there’s something to please every palate.
- Great weather: Turkey has a Mediterranean climate, which means warm, sunny summers and mild winters. This makes it a great place to enjoy the outdoors all year round.
Cons:
- Language barrier: Turkish is a difficult language to learn, and many Turks don’t speak English fluently. This can make it difficult to get around and to find work.
- Integration into Turkish society: It can be difficult to integrate into Turkish society as a foreigner. Turks are very close-knit, and they often prefer to stick to their own groups.
- Limited job opportunities for foreigners: It can be difficult to find work in Turkey as a foreigner, especially if you don’t speak Turkish fluently. Many jobs require Turkish citizenship or fluency in the language.
- Political instability: Turkey has been politically unstable in recent years, which can make it a risky place to live. There have been a number of protests and terrorist attacks in recent years, and the government has been cracking down on dissent.
- Conservative culture: Turkey is a relatively conservative country, and this can be off-putting to some foreigners. For example, women are expected to dress modestly, and there are restrictions on alcohol consumption.
Overall, Turkey is a great place to live if you’re looking for a beautiful and affordable country with a rich culture.
But it’s crucial to be conscious of the difficulties that you might encounter as a foreigner.
If you’re considering moving to Turkey, I recommend doing your research and talking to other expats to get a better idea of what it’s like to live there.
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
People With Low Income Can Have a Good Quality of Life in Turkey
Another important consideration for the average person thinking about moving to Turkey, in my opinion, is the standard of living there. And that being able to travel, live comfortably, eat well, and generally be happy doesn’t actually require having a high income. Of course, the more you make, the more you can afford. But there is no need to be rich and famous to have a beautiful life.
There are several Turkish cities with very high standards of living where you can get by with $1000 a month. Even though Istanbul is more expensive, if you don’t mind living a simple life, there are still affordable options here.
During our first few weeks in Istanbul, Mark and I noticed one thing even though we have been here for almost a year. Compared to a small European town like Ukraine, we can afford much more here with the same amount of money. Bonus. If curious, you can read my guide to Istanbul prices to find out how much things cost.
If you’re thinking about retiring to Turkey or moving here to become a digital nomad, this country is a great place to live. You can easily have a higher level of comfort, without spending much.
Turkish food is delicious and healthy. Beaches in Turkey are one of the best in the world. Fruits and vegetables are naturally grown. Everywhere you look, there are endless things to see and do, endless road trips to take, unique and romantic hotels to stay in, and amiable locals.
If you don’t feel like living in a city, you can move to a smaller town or maybe one of the cutest Turkish villages. We have been also living for almost two months in Bodrum and enjoyed it very much.
When it comes to travel, you are also able to travel often around Turkey. Even if you do not have your own car. Intercity roads are of excellent quality, and, thanks to this, a bus network is also well-developed. The prices of bus tickets are very reasonable and buses run in different directions. Domestic flights in the country many times cost less than dinner in a nearby restaurant. Finding a cheap car hire in Turkey is also possible.
So yes, Turkey really offers a good life even for people on a budget.
Turkey is a Very Safe Country to Travel & Live In
While Mark and I were looking around Europe for low-cost countries to move to for a few years, I discovered a few things that really surprised me. For instance, I had no idea that every city we visited in an EU member state would have so many homeless people. And I didn’t expect to find out how many people lived below the poverty line.
Apart from the homeless, we also regularly saw drunks, a great deal of beggars, gypsies, drug addicts, and just really poor people living on the streets. Surprisingly for many reasons, we didn’t feel completely safe in many large cities around the EU.
I spent almost ten years living in the United States, but it wasn’t a safe place. There, I faced harassment and abuse, had my car almost stolen, and was robbed by a man who pretended to be a gunman. I always hold this country in the highest regard when it comes to safety, but it hasn’t lived up to my expectations.
My claim that it was unexpected is based on my long-held conviction that those issues never should have arisen in western countries.
Media reports state that Turkey regularly deals with problems related to terrorists, refugees, homeless people, and competing ethnic groups. Some European countries along with the US have tight relations with Turkey. It follows that their media enjoys spreading the myth that Turkey is a dangerous and impoverished nation. And that’s what we also believed before getting here. And it was such a mistake.
Yet the reality turned out to be so different.
Turkey is a very safe destination. Well, we feel a lot safer here than we do in any US or EU member state (except for Switzerland, Norway, and Austria). To tell the truth, we are surprised when people ask how we are managing in a place as unstable as Turkey.
Unstable? Unsafe? Who told you that? Media?
If you refuse to move to the most conservative cities, such as Konya, or to the far, far southeast, where there are evident tensions with Syria, you shouldn’t worry about your safety.
Every significant Turkish city, such as Istanbul, Antalya, Ankara, Izmir, Bursa, Bodrum, Fethiye, etc., where foreigners generally choose to settle are very safe. The entire Turkish coastline, including the Aegean coast and Turkish Riviera, is incredibly safe too.
In the cities, you won’t see drunk people walking on the streets. City centers rarely have any homeless or beggars. Of course, there may be some dangerous neighborhoods to avoid (like those in Istanbul that I mention above). But if you stay away from them, you will be safe.
Many of the neighborhoods in Antalya, Alanya, Izmir, and even Istanbul allow you to take nighttime walks with your children and feel totally safe doing so. With the knowledge that everything will be there when we return, we can swim and leave our personal belongings on the beach. The sense of community in Turkey is very strong and people help each other.
That being said, you shouldn’t trust media or big-name online sources that say that Turkey isn’t safe. It’s better to listen to people who live in this country. As they are the only ones who can share their first-hand experience.
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FAQ
Is it a good idea to move to Turkey?
Can Americans live in Turkey?
Does Turkey have a good quality of life?
Is Turkey safe for foreigners to live in?
Is Turkey a good place to retire?
Turkey can offer its residents a good climate and an active and healthy lifestyle, and most expats find they get good value for money when they move to Turkey. According to the Expatra Global Retirement Index, Turkey is in the top 20 best countries to retire in the world.
Is Turkey a good country to live in?
Turkey boasts a cost of living that is much lower than many other European countries. Expats with foreign purchasing power can live very well in Turkey, although even those who work in Turkey and are paid in Turkish lira can live comfortably. Due to a high import tax, imported goods come at a premium.
Is Turkey a good destination for expats?
Turkey is a brilliant value-for-money destination, and many expats find that their income lasts longer in Turkey and buys them more than in their home country. This is because, on average, the cost of living in Turkey is lower than in most Western countries, and Turkish prices come as a pleasant surprise to expats.
What are the advantages of living in Turkey?
Tea is a big part of Turkish culture. If you are going to be looking at the advantages of living in Turkey then it’s best to start with the tea. Look at any of the tea places in Turkey and you are going to enjoy riveting tea leaves that are simply better than other parts of the world. We highly recommend drinking tea in Turkey.