Izmir panorama

Is Turkey a Good Country? 6 Main Reasons Why You May Want to Move Here

Last updated on August 21st, 2023

The idea to write this post came to me after a few random conversations with some of my acquaintances. They were really curious to find out what were our reasons to move to Turkey. And why after traveling here and there and living in different counties, we decided to make a base in Istanbul

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, political tensions between Turkey and other countries automatically call into question the safety and quality of life here. 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 it is not only an incredibly beautiful country but also a good place where to live.

There are multiple reasons for moving to Turkey, buying a property, or just coming here as an expat. Also, there are many reasons for digital nomads, people who work remotely, and those who think to retire here. Below I explain why.

Psst: If you are coming to Istanbul for the first time, check my posts about the most dangerous Istanbul areas and the best areas where to stay or live.

6 Main Reasons You May Want to Move to Turkey 

Getting a Residence Permit in Turkey is Quick & Easy 

Moving to Turkey

When I started to write this post about reasons to move to Turkey, I thought for a while what should be a first bullet point on this list. And then I decided to begin with the residence permit since without it you won’t be able to stay long-term in any country.

So, getting a residence permit in Turkey is a very easy thing to do. Any foreigner can just come here and apply for residency from the first days in the country. And after 5 consecutive years as a resident, it is also easy enough to obtain Turkish citizenship. 

The process of getting a residence card requires you to lease an apartment for a year, fill a few forms, and apply in one of the Immigration department offices in the city where you are based. You can do it on your own or hire someone to help. I will be writing a separate post about our experience in getting a residency card in Istanbul. More details are yet to come. 

But the point is that Turkey is only one of a few countries where you can become a resident quickly, without spending much effort and money on it. A lot of countries around the world that have a high quality of life also have a very strict and complicated process of obtaining a residency. Turkey, on the contrary, being a developed country, made it extremely easy to become a resident and settle here.

The government every year makes some adjustments to the legislation regarding residency. But requirements for application stay pretty basic. 

Turkey is a Very Safe Country to Travel & Live In 

When Mark and I were traveling around budget destinations in Europe, trying to find a country where we could settle down for a few years, a few things came as a real surprise. For instance, I didn’t expect to see so many homeless people in literally every city we have been to in countries of the European Union. And I didn’t expect to find out how many people lived below the poverty line.

But besides the homeless, we often saw drunk people in the streets, lots of beggars, gypsies, drug addicts, and simply very poor people. Surprisingly for many reasons, we didn’t feel completely safe in many large cities around the EU.

The US, where I spent almost 10 years of my life and where I was robbed by a guy who pretended he had a gun, where my car was almost stolen, and where I was abused and harassed, didn’t prove to be a safe place. I always put this country on a pedestal in regards to safety but it failed to be the one. 

The reason why I am saying it came as a surprise is because for a long time, I had this picture in my head that western world countries shouldn’t have had those issues at all.

Turkey, as shown in the media, is often having problems with refugees, terrorists, the homeless, and ethnic groups who are constantly conflicting with each other. Some European countries along with the US have tight relations with Turkey. So no wonder why their media like spreading a myth that Turkey is poor and not a safe destination. And that’s what we also believed before getting here. And it was such a mistake.

So Why Is Turkey Safe?

Should I move to Turkey

Yet the reality turned out to be so different.

Turkey is a very safe destination. In fact, we personally feel definitely safer here than in any of the countries in the EU (besides Norway, Austria, and Switzerland) or in the US. Actually, it surprises us a lot when people ask if we are doing fine in such an unstable country like Turkey.

Unstable? Unsafe? Who told you that? Media? 

If you won’t settle in the far, far south-east where tensions with Syria are seen on the ground or in the most conservative cities like Konya for example, then you shouldn’t worry about safety.

All big cities in Turkey where expats usually choose to live such as Istanbul and Antalya, Ankara, Izmir, Bursa, Bodrum, Fethiye, etc. 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.  

In a lot of neighborhoods of Antalya, Alanya, Izmir, and even Istanbul, you can be walking in the middle of the night with children and be totally safe. We can leave our personal belongings on the beach, go swimming, and know that when we return, everything will be in place. 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. 

Understand Turkey Better Through These Books 

People With Low Income Can Have a Good Quality of Life in Turkey 

reasons to move to Turkey
Just an interesting fact about Turkey: The steepest amphitheater in the world is here. Did you know that? It’s in the ancient Bergama Acropolis!
Having a Turkish breakfast is always like a ritual here

Another point which I find extremely important for an average person who wants to move to Turkey is the quality of life here. And that you don’t really need to make a lot of money to be able to live comfortably, travel, eat well and simply be happy. 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 multiple cities around Turkey where you can live on $1000 per month and the standard of living is very high. Istanbul is more expensive but even this city has options for a tight budget if you don’t mind a modest lifestyle. 

Mark and I have been living in Istanbul for almost a year but within the first few weeks after arrival we noticed one thing. We can afford much more here than in a small town in Europe, spending the same amount of money as in Ukraine. Bonus. If curious, you can read my guide to Istanbul prices to find out how much things cost.

If you are thinking to retire in Turkey or come and settle here as a digital nomad, this country is a wonderful destination for that. 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. There are literally tons of things to do and see, many road trips to take, unique and romantic hotels to stay, and people are very welcoming.

If you don’t feel like living in the city, there is a chance to move to a smaller town or even 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. 

Low Costs of Property Maintenance & Low Annual Tax

One of the reasons we moved to Turkey was a desire to live here a bit and see if that’s the country where we’d possibly want to invest in property. We started to think about buying a home a long time ago. But with all our travels, it was hard to decide on a place.

And then surprisingly, Turkey happened in our life.

Buying a property in Turkey is quite popular among Ukrainians (as well as Russians, Brits, and Germans). So we thought why not come here by ourselves and test the waters. Who knows, maybe this is a country for us for the long run.

After talking to some real estate agents, lawyers, and expats, we came to the conclusion that Turkey is actually one of the best countries for housing investment.

In fact, with its real estate value, low taxes, economical development, and cost of living, Turkey is way ahead of countries such as Spain, Portugal, and Greece. Buying a home in Turkey is simple and transparent. And annual taxes are quite affordable for the buyer with any budget. 

For example, the equivalent real estate in Turkey costs 3.5 times less than in Spain. The annual real estate tax amounts to 0.1 and 0.2% of the cost for residential real estate and land without a building permit.

A tax for land with a building permit amounts to 0.3 and 0.6%. And this tax amount uses only the cadastral value of the property. And if the owner owns the house, he/she needs to pay only residential property tax. There is no requirement to pay land tax in this case.

The Climate in Turkey Suits Everyone 

Another important reason why you may want to move to Turkey is definitely the climate. This sunny, warm country has 300 sunny days a year, mild winters, salty air, and pleasant comfortable temperatures year-round.

Every region of Turkey has a bit different climate but overall, all cities where foreigners choose to live are very comfortable in terms of temperature and weather.

The only exception is the South of Turkey which sees scorching heat in July and August.

Cities such as Antalya, Alanya, Bebek, Side, Kemer, Kas get incredibly hot. Small coastal towns between them are slightly cooler thanks to their location in the bay.

But having a sea nearby and knowing that winter is going to be mild and warm, is really inspiring for many. Well, and those who love snowy winter days, can visit the ski resorts that are scattered throughout Turkey. In the south, by the way, you can swim in the sea until the end of November.

The climate and weather in Istanbul are also extremely favorable. Due to its unique geographical location, winters are also mild and short. It rarely rains for many days in a row (except for January) as in many countries in Northern and Eastern Europe.

This past winter was our first winter in Turkey and honestly, we loved it much more than anywhere in Southeast Asia, Spain, or Montenegro. Winters in Montenegro and winters in Spain have a similar climate with Turkey, but there is one problem with them. None of the apartments in Spain or Montenegro have heating. It can be real trouble for many folks. 

To get a better idea of what winters in Turkey are, read my other posts:

Health Care in Turkey is Affordable & High-Quality 

Health care services in Turkey are affordable if you have insurance. But as a foreigner who plans to live here, having insurance is a must anyways.

The quality of health care in Turkey is quite high and is comparable to health care in Germany and Israel, albeit it maintains affordable prices and costs much less. This applies both to minor treatment during the year, and to more serious issues, including various types of surgeries. By the way, many Turkish clinics perform surgeries with the assistance of robots.

All Turkish hospitals, even those in small towns near the border with Syria, have the latest equipment, all needed materials, and tests. 

If someone happens to travel in Turkey and needs medical help in a small village in the middle of nowhere, a local clinic will send this person to a neighboring hospital 10 or 15 km away. Such a hospital has everything necessary one may need.

Being a doctor in Turkey is considered prestigious as local doctors study abroad and make good money. This is why you can be sure that Turkish doctors are highly qualified and skilled. They are caring, courteous, and attentive to everyone who turns to them for help. In addition, they do a good job of maintaining the confidentiality of patient records. 

Also, Turkey is among the top 10 countries in the world with the most developed medical tourism. As a matter of fact, according to the Turkish Healthcare Travel Council, medical tourism is one of the fastest-growing industries in Turkey. 

Even during the pandemic, Turkey proved that its health care system is an example to follow.

Final Word 

If you have been reading this post, most likely you were (and probably are) thinking about a possible move to Turkey. I know, there may be still hundreds of questions without answers. But I hope I was able to shed light on some of them.

Honestly, there are many more reasons to move to Turkey. And you may have your own ones. To be able to understand if this is a good country for you personally, I suggest you plan a trip to Turkey. But don’t come as a tourist on a 2-week vacation. Come to rent a flat and spend some time.

Before you do so, read my post about the most common mistakes people make when planning their Turkey holidays. Don’t make them on your travels! If you will be in Istanbul, see my guide to the best areas and neighborhoods where to stay

For more resources, check all my Turkey posts

Are you moving soon? I encourage you to read my checklist for moving abroad

Have you been thinking to move to Turkey as a digital nomad, expat or retiree? There are many reasons why you should do that! We were living in Turkey for a while and think it is a truly wonderful country to be in | Life in Turkey | Moving to Turkey | Best Places to Live #movingtoturkey
 
 

Similar Posts

60 Comments

  1. Hello Anya,

    I really enjoyed reading this blog. I am wanting to teach English abroad and I like in the UK. Could you tell me if you know about expats experience teaching English in turkey. As Turkish is their national language and I am optimistic to learn Turkish while I am there in the summer. I’m wondering if there is anything of concern. The teaching style or anything like that? Thanks for your reply. Noreen.

    1. Hi Noreen, I would love to tell you anything about teaching English in Turkey but unfortunately, I don’t know much. I’ve met a few people who are living and working here as English teachers and loving it but I don’t know the details. The only thing I know is they are based in central Turkey. Usually, schools that are looking for native English speakers in Turkey are located in smaller towns and villages. English teaching positions for foreigners are not very common in cities like Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, or Antalya.
      As for learning the Turkish language, you can easily do it in any part of the country. There are many schools in all major Turkish cities for different budgets, so finding a good school for yourself will not be a problem.

      1. Dear Anya,

        Trust you are well and safe. I am seriously thinking of settling in Turkey. This is the very first log I have read about Turkey.
        I am South African and the current overall living conditions are really bad.
        I am an Indian female…46 years old…single. I am Muslim…I belong to the Islamic faith.

        My life is very modest and simple. I would like to set up a business with an online store and also continue with consulting that I do independently.

        Please can you advise me Anya. I think I may be able to spend a minimum of 2 months to get a feel of the place and make a decision to lease a place for a year and take it from there.

        Much appreciation and gratitude for your help and taking the time to doing your blogs.

        Warm Regards,
        Shamim

        1. I am glad to hear you find it helpful, Shamim! If you need some specific tips or recommendations, let me know and I’ll do my best to help!

    2. Hi Anya
      I really liked your blog, it is very helpful for people who are planning to move to a different country.
      I always wanted to live in Istanbul, I have 2 school going kids & i’ve heard that international school are quite expensive in Istanbul. Do you have any idea how expensive are those schools & how good is the education system there.

      1. Hi Heena, I am happy to hear you found some helpful information on my blog!
        Regarding the cost of international schools in Istanbul, education in any private school costs from $5,000 to $ 20,000 per year but you’d probably need to contact them directly to find out details.
        Public schools are free for everyone, including foreigners.

        For quality, Turkey follows the Bologna process and is considered to offer a high level of education (public or private). The educational system fully meets modern high standards but it just has its own characteristics.

        1. Hello
          Dear: am really joyful for your couching us about better place to live, am from Nigeria am really want visit turkey’s varry soon !
          Thanks u good bye!

    3. With hyper inflation, starvation, civil war and out of control crime, I have thought about leaving the land of my being the 4th generation. I feel like I am being forced out of my home, the United States. The food and quality of life would be better there than here. What do you think?

      1. As for me, the quality of many things is much better, not just food. And yes, life is easier and less stressful here. I personally have a higher quality of life in Turkey than anywhere in the States where I lived.
        If you have a source of income online or decent savings, you’ll do very well. But as I mentioned in my post, the beauty of this country is that even with little money, you can still have a good life here. Everything is cheaper and there is a healthier environment. The only things that are mega expensive are electronics and cars.
        But if you want to move to Turkey to find a job, that will be more challenging though.

  2. Well there are so many points that you are wrong and it is clear that you didn’t do your research well. As women we never feel safe in our country. More than 300 women were murdered in 2020. Also Turkey might seem cheap for someone who earns dolar as currency but so many people are starving and attempting suicide because they cannot feed their family. Traffic is another major problem. If you move to Turkey, be ready to be angry and stressful all the time.

    1. Well, it’s pretty clear that you read this post between the lines before dropping this comment, not even paying attention to that part where I distinctly said that I moved to Turkey and live here. What does it have to do with the research? Not clear as well. I have written it solely based on my own experience and perspective. But nevermind.

      Now, about women. I am very sorry you personally never feel safe in your own country. But please, don’t speak for all women. I personally met and worked with a lot of women in Turkey who are happy to live there and feel more than safe. Some of them have lived in other countries but chose to return and settle here. After comparing it to other destinations, they understand what a good place Turkey actually is.
      I have also met many women from Russia and Ukraine who are much happier in Turkey than back home. Everyone’s story is different and things depend on various factors.

      I am very sorry if you had to deal with the situation that made you feel unsafe at home. I did too, so I know how you feel. But please, do not generalize.

      Turkey is not the only country that is dealing with the problem of women’s murder. For example, only in the state of Texas which has a population 2.5 times smaller than Turkey, the number of women murdered by men in the single offender/single victim homicide in 2019 was higher than in Turkey. In 2020, with the pandemic and lockdowns, this number was even higher. Although the US doesn’t use the word ‘femicide’, it doesn’t change the fact that women are murdered. In Mexico, 6-7 women are murdered every single day. And Mexico is one of the leading countries where the victim’s gender is a factor in her death.

      In Ukraine, with a population of 1.5 smaller than Turkey, there were more than 500 murders. And obviously, you don’t know the magnitude of this problem in Europe. Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, all the Balkans countries, Spain… they have insanely high numbers of murders too that just happen on different grounds. And unfortunately, there is just not much attention given to them.
      If you do your research, you’ll see how many other countries have the same problem on the same or even higher level.

      In Turkey, women take it to the streets, spread the word, and share their experiences of the abuse. In Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, for example, women suffer silently. In Russia, women go to jail for speaking up and standing against the violence. There are no rallies, marches, or big social media campaigns in their names. You never hear anything on the International arena about this problem in countries of the former USSR, not even knowing how serious it is.

      Again, I hear your pain and your concern. And I am worried as much as you are. But crimes committed against women, including mass murder, assault, and harm are done to women across the globe, not just in Turkey. Based on statistics and my personal experience (not research as you assumed), I will never say that Turkey is a dangerous country for foreign women. It all depends on where a woman chooses to live, what people to surround herself with, and the relationship to get in. As everywhere else there are dangerous areas where not to go and not to stay but it doesn’t automatically put the entire country in danger.

      Next, about the cheapness and starvation. Somewhere in Turkey that really takes place. As in many other countries around the world, really. I have been to dangerous neighborhoods in Istanbul and saw in what poverty some people live. But I have also seen starving people in Vancouver and Hong Kong, in Spain and the Bahamas. Even the US, a country that many people mistakenly believe is the best place to live in the world, has poverty, desperation, and suicides. Unfortunately, it exists everywhere.

      Traffic, oh traffic. Istanbul’s traffic is horrible as well as Izmir’s, Antalya’s, or traffic in any other large city. That’s true. If you have to commute far by public transportation, traffic is going to ruin your life. But to speak frankly, in any large city in the world you are going to encounter just that.

    2. What are you talking about? We as women don’t feel safe.. who are we? I am Turkish, live in Turkey, feel safe and love my country! I lived in England and America and didn’t feel fully safe there. I don’t agree with our government on many topics but it doesn’t have anything to do with the safety you are talking about.
      If you don’t feel safe for some reason, don’t speak for everyone

        1. I really enjoy the way you enlight us about turkey, am from Nigeria and am into telecom. Here in my country our telecom sector is very poor with no insurance. I don’t know if it will be easy for me to work in my field in turkey, because I will love to move down there.

          1. Hi Sodeeq,
            While Turkey is very open and loyal to foreigners coming into the country, let’s be honest and face the reality – finding a job in your field without language knowledge will be incredibly difficult if not impossible at all. Be ready, if/when you move to Turkey, you’ll need at first to join a language course and get a residency permit. It may take up to a year (without any income) before you secure a job.

        2. Thank you Ms. Anya for your excellent article. I am in Turkey now and as someone who is from the states. I honestly feel at home here and want to live here. I love this country it’s amazing. I just need to see if I could work in this country when it comes to the field of biotechnology.
          I been here for a few days and I honestly feel at home.

          1. Hi Kay, yes, Turkey is that special country where it’s easy to leave your heart 🙂 I am happy to hear you are enjoying it! Have a wonderful time!

    3. Hi, Elif I am an American born and raised Turkish woman. I fully understand that you do not feel safe in Turkey as a woman, but even in the most “progressive” countries like the United States, where we supposedly have all these freedoms people are not safe. I know femicide is a problem in Turkey, but I have lived in Turkey for 6 years and I can honestly say it is safer than the United States, that everyone looks up to. Turkey is a beautiful country, and you have a wonderful community there, I only wish that you guys could see that too.

      1. Very well said, thank you, Azra, for sharing your thoughts! I agree with everything you said. And I also admit that Turkey is much safer than anywhere in the US.

  3. I loved your post. I living in New York for over 40 years. I’m retired now. Considering to moving in Turky. Thanks for such a informative article.

      1. Hi.. I am Turkish and i live in Thailand. I think for other foreigners it is better to hear the comments of another foreigner who already lives in Turkey. Because of just some political reasons Turkish people can write negative or positive comments. Also, living as a foreigner in a country is really different sometimes. In Thailand also people have many complainings but foreigners mostly out of that atmosphere. For Turkey, what can i say? Turkey is geographically, culturally in middle of east and west. So half people are secular, liberal, they like European life style. But the other is conservative. So, if you plan to live, choose your area depends on your life style. And then enjoy your life..

        1. Thank you, Kaya, for sharing your thoughts! For me that’s the beauty of Turkey – you can really choose the lifestyle you want, either conservative and religious or secular and liberal. As you said, the main thing is just to choose the right place where to live.

  4. Helo Anya, good evening to you
    [ it is 8:07 pm here in Addis Ababa , while I am writing this message to you ]
    What an inspiring article you forwarded. Your English sounds like an American. I am wondering to read such an explanatory literature from the Ukrainian native. Western Media is untrusted. They usually provide the interest of their affiliated parties. CNN supports Democrats what so ever the Republicans are doing good .Fox-news supporting Republicans even when the Democrats are doing right. The west , specially Europe , they need to underestimate Turkey a country of unsafe destination , just because Turkey has a Muslim majority with a pragmatic leader who is again a change maker , even again ,Erdogan is a practicing Muslim . Europe don’t like to accept the Turkish EU membership. They rather want to continue to undermine the importance of this historically wonderful country.
    Your article sounds objective and accurate, firsthand information that can be used as a reference for a scholarly writings. Why did then make it uncopy, unprinted, [ Iam afraid it is going to be unseen latter ] . Common Anya, why did you do that? even a frustrated readers could love your article , regardless of these “ uncopy and unprinted ” things

    1. Hi Tewfick,

      All the content on this blog is intended for information purposes only, not for scholarly writings, printing or copying. Why did I do that? To protect my work from theft.

  5. Hi Anya,

    Thank you very much for providing very useful information. Your articles covers most of the important factors one has to consider before taking a major decision for migrating to a country.
    I am considering to apply for Turkish Passport and to move to Turkey. Can you please help me with further information on the quality of public schools/ colleges’ education and the quality of public hospitals. I understood the healthcare in Turkey is very high quality but is it economical for the citizens?

    Thank you once again,

    1. Hi Rashid,
      Foreigners with a residence permit, like Turkish citizens, are required to purchase health insurance when living in Turkey. The cost depends on your age, chosen company as well as the city/neighborhood where you reside. The more expensive neighborhood will mean that health insurance will cost more too.
      On average, the amount can vary from 500 Turkish Lira to 2500 TL per year. And yes, healthcare, as well as public hospitals, are on the highest level and supplied with the newest equipment.
      In recent years, Turkey invests in healthcare more than the nation’s defense.

      As for your other question about the quality of public schools/colleges, as far as I know, Turkish diploma is recognized among the countries of the EU and Turkey perfectly implements the Bologna Process. Regardless of which of the 206 universities you go to study, you’ll be provided a modern and comfortable campus equipped with the latest technology.
      Public schools are different. I’ve heard various stories from my friends about public schools their kids were/are going to. On public schools, I’d suggest you do research based on that particular district where you plan to live.

      1. Hello Anya
        I am a nurse in the United States, retirement age, but still working. I would love to live the rest of my life in Turkey. I wonder if there is some possibility for a 67 year old woman to be accepted in this beautiful, interesting country as a resident and why not a citizen later on.
        Thank you so much.
        Selene

        1. Hi Selene,
          Definitely, there is a possibility, especially if you would like to retire here. Turkey is one of the best countries where to retire in Europe since getting a residency is very easy. I recommend you arrive on a tourist visa, get to know a bit your surroundings, perhaps visit different cities to understand where you want to live, and then rent an apartment for 1 year and apply for residency based on your lease. That’s it. Pretty easy!

        2. Thank you for your articles and opening our eyes about a country that is indeed under publicised. I have been in Turkey as a tourist and am already enchanted. I am however planning retirement and searching for the right city where I would settle.

          1. Hi Kad,

            I feel that it’s difficult not to like Turkey, there is really a lot to this country! 🙂
            If you want to understand which city is the best for you, I’d recommend you travel around and visit different cities. In this case, you’ll be able to get a feel of each of them.
            I wish you luck and hope you’ll find the right place where to settle!

    1. Thanks for the information, am planning to send my daughter to higher institution s in Turkey in 2023, later alone I will also relocate to Turkey for work and would wish to acquire citizenship in years that will follow.

      This has been very helpful to me.
      Thanks again.

        1. Hi Anya, it is said that the Turkish government has tightened requirements for residency. I wish to know if it is true. If so, does that affect people from Australia and New Zealand much?

          1. Hi Rick, every year (usually in the wintertime) Turkish government “tightens” requirements for residency but they are minor.
            I know this year a new policy came into effect on July 1 that implies that Turkey limits the number of residence permits for foreigners in certain areas across the country. What those areas are, it has not yet been specified.

            I personally think that this policy is directed at refugees since the public is dissatisfied with record inflation, economic recession, and high competition in the local labor market due to the presence of more than 4 million refugees in the country.

            It will not affect people from the western world countries because usually they bring money in and invest in economy. If you don’t plan to look for a job in Turkey and have money to live on, you won’t have any problem obtaining a residency. I wouldn’t worry about that.

  6. Hi,
    Thanks so much for all the information you packed into this article. How easy is it to live in Turkey without know Turkish? Thanks

    1. Hi Sam, it is very easy to live in Turkey without any knowledge of Turkish if you choose to live on the West coast, Istanbul, on the coast between Bodrum and Alanya, or in Ankara. However, that’s the case if you don’t plan to work in Turkey of course. Otherwise, chances of finding a job without Turkish knowledge are very low.
      I have friends who work online, they have been living in Turkey for more than 5 years, still don’t speak any Turkish and do just fine! I am learning Turkish because I love to understand things wherever I go but that’s not necessary at all.

  7. Good evening. we are thinking about to move to Turkey. We have a 8 year old son. Please tell us about the education in Turkey, Thanks in advance. Nadege

    1. Hi Nadege, what questions, in particular, do you have about education in Turkey? I am happy to give you tips if I know the questions.

  8. Hallo Anya, es hat mir große Freude gemacht Ihre Zeilen zu lesen!DANKE! Wir denken ernsthaft darüber nach, aus Deutschland in die Türkei zu ziehen. Manche Infos haben wir auch schon. Wir wären eigenständig berufstätig, stehen aber auch kurz vor der Rente. Ich wünsche mir aus gesundheitlichen Gründen warmes Klima, die medizinische Versorgung ist ja wohl sehr gut in der Türkei. Dies ist für mich auch als Allergikerin sehr wichtig. Aber nun zu meiner Bitte bzw Frage: wir haben 4 Hunde, zwei eigene und zwei Pflegehunde, von 3 bis 14 Jahren alt, kann ich mit den Hunden einfach einreisen unter den normalen Bestimmungen Impfung und co? Dann suchen wir ein Haus, aber ich finde noch keinen zuverlässigen Ansprechpartner, also ehr auf dem Land mit Garten? …nun habe ich eben noch von giftigen Schlangen in der Türkei gelesen…..muß man sich da gegen schützen? Wäre ganz toll wenn ich Antwort bekomme. Wir würden gerne in der Türkei leben. Ich glaube auch, dass die Menschen dort sehr herzlich sind!? Vielen Dank und herzlichen Gruß Ursula

    1. Hi Ursula,
      If you will be traveling to Turkey on a visa exempt status, then yes, you can travel with your dogs under the normal regulations. But if you plan to apply for a visa or residence in advance while in Germany, I’d suggest you check with the Turkish embassy what the requirements are.
      As for your question about the broker, I don’t know what to answer since I don’t know where you want to live. I have a few contacts in Antalya and Istanbul that I could share but for other cities, I’d need to do some research.
      And to answer your last question about the snakes… to be honest, it’s never been an issue for us or anyone I know. You definitely need to be careful when going for a hike in the woods or on the slopes of the mountains (particularly from the late spring to fall) anywhere on the Turkish coast but you don’t need any special precaution on a regular basis unless you plan to live somewhere in a deserted area in the wild.
      I hope that helps!

  9. Thank you you give me hope. My financee and I have decided to marry and stay in turkey. We feel that Turkey is the best place for us as I am a 70 yo American and she is a 63 yo from Russia. We met online and want to be together without war, and one or the other or both of us being persecuted or worse. I have seen my America turn into a cesspool as you have. So far our immagration situation has been a nightmare. I read your articles and you have given me new strength and hope that we can get a residence permit. My problem is I have tried to get several relocation specialists for step by step help in all area we need help in but I cannot get these people to respond back to me when I fill out my contact email on their site. We want to be there in November. I was wondering if you know anyone there who can help us or should I get an immigration lawyer. I know I may be asking a lot but any help you can give us would make us so greatful. We are planning on settling in Ankara at least for now as Instanbul maybe too much for her. Thank you for everything.

    1. Hi Stephen,

      I didn’t really understand. You said you try to get in touch with a relocation specialist but then you mention an immigration lawyer. Those are two different people who help with different things. If you want to apply for residency, you need to do it only inside the country, not when you are somewhere else. Perhaps this is the reason why no one responds to you because they understand you are not in Turkey. For relocation, you’d need to contact a separate company that helps to move, but they don’t help with documents. But I wouldn’t recommend you do it before your get your residency.

      I don’t know where you plan to get married, but I think the best bet for you two is just to come to Turkey on tourist visas and apply for residences there. It will be easy for both of you to get them even if you apply separately not as a married couple.

      I know someone who helps with getting a residency but that person is in Antalya. If you decide to go there, I can share their contact. But particularly in Ankara, I don’t know anyone, sorry!

  10. Hi Anya
    Reading your blog has been very interesting and informative. You are an inspiration, taking the opportunity to change your place of home to live your life. So many of us have been stuck in a one way road of being in fear of change etc.
    My wife and I have been to Turkey several times over the years and both love it there. We usually go to Side and love the atmosphere, weather and people. We usually go in May , we know it gets very hot in July / August so often stay clear as it may be too hot to bare. However one could get accustomed to it im sure.
    We have spoken over the years , could we live there part time or full time. We are both I our early 60s, the thought of warmer weather in winters very appealing and better summers as we live in Scotland and weather very mixed and winters cold and damp.
    Concerns are heath careas we get older and living expenses. Also property prices, we had thought maybe buying an apartment in a small complex where we have stayed on our holidays, as this might be less expensive to run. At the end of the day it is the change of moving to another country which is uppermost in our thoughts and the changes this brings.
    Thank you again for your blog , I we will certainly keep it to look back on whenever we feel the need to read again.
    Look forward to hearing from you.

    1. Hi Gary, thank you for stopping by to leave me your comment.
      I hope you’ll get to decide whether Side is a good place for you where to move to on a more permanent basis. If you’d prefer cooler spots during July and August, I recommend you take a look at the Aegean coast, particularly the stretch between Namik Kemal and Izmir or even the entire Izmir province. There are quite a few charming seaside towns that are not as expensive and where summers are not so hot as in the south of Turkey.
      Good luck and I’ll be certainly happy to see you on this blog again!

    1. Hey Ryan, actually no, I am not in Turkey at the moment but I return there regularly. Thanks to the opportunity to work remotely, I can live anywhere, so I decided to move around a bit and experience life in other countries as well. But I do return to Turkey every year at least for a short visit.

      As for Istanbul, things became much more expensive but I guess that’s the new reality for the entire world these days.

    1. Hey Brian, you can apply for a Turkish visa online on this source, depending on your citizenship the procedure may slightly differ but overall, getting a visa to Turkey is not difficult at all and is possible online for most passports

  11. Hi Anya ,

    I am from India , I had visited turkey twice for couple of days I really loved the place .. the culture , people and food . Considering current situation in life I would like to move to turkey permanently.
    Could you give me better information on finding a job in turkey and how much earning I should keep with me till I find a job to feed me ..
    hope you understand this

    1. Hi Shahana,
      I do not consult on job hire in Turkey, so I won’t be able to help you here, sorry.
      We could discuss all other questions regarding the move to Turkey that would include tips on how much money you need (depending on your lifestyle) and how to save. If you are interested, let me know.

  12. Hi Anya,

    This is a beautiful article. As you mentioned in some of your comments, finding job without knowing Turkish, and living in some parts of the country without knowing Turkish language can be challenging.

    I’d like to mention Turkish Academy, an online Turkish language school that’s rated the highest in Trustpilot. There are group courses and private lessons available at Turkish Academy. You may also join free weekly Turkish language workshops in order to learn the language and culture.

    You may also find free Turkish resource books and flashcards to learn the vocabulary.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *