Many foreigners fall in love with this beautiful country and dream about living in Turkey someday. If you’re one of them, you may wonder if it’s a good idea to live in Turkey as an expat.
I can give you numerous reasons to live in Turkey: culture, food, natural beauty, affordable cost of living, Mediterranean climate, the beautiful Turkish language, and much more. So, if you’re thinking about living in Turkey but can’t decide whether it’s worth it, I’ve written this blog post specifically for you!
Why Is Turkey A Good Place To Live?
Living in Turkey may initially become difficult because of the language barrier. The English-speaking rate in non-tourist areas and rural towns is very low. That’s why I suggest you learn at least simple Turkish phrases to perform your daily tasks and get by in the country.
If you are wondering how you can learn Turkish in a short time, the Ling app can help! Ling teaches you only what you need in your daily life interactions. You can download it from the App Store or Play Store and get a free 7-day trial now!
1. Turkey Is A Secular Country
In contrast to popular belief in Western countries, Turkey is a secular country, and it’s not ruled by Islamic law. The majority of the population is indeed Muslim, but everyone is free to believe what they want, so there is no pressure at all.
2. Amazing Turkish Culture
Turkey has a multicultural environment in almost every region. This is because many different people from various backgrounds live in the country. Therefore, Turkish people have learned to be hospitable and friendly. Especially in tourist areas, local people are used to having foreigners around.
You may even see signs in two or three different languages because many business owners and workers speak more than one language. They welcome thousands of foreigners every year and enjoy the multicultural environment!
3. Amazing Food
I’m not saying this to brag, but we have the best food in the world! Turkey is well known for this since Turkish cuisine has a very rich and wide variety of delicious meat and vegetable dishes as well as pastries. Additionally, you can easily find a grocery market where you can buy fresh fruits and vegetables directly from farmers.
4. Many Cultural And Historical Sites To See
Since it has hosted many civilizations throughout history, Anatolia has a rich history. There are countless artifacts, museums, historical sites, and so on from various periods of history. For a culture enthusiast, Turkey is a treasure chest with countless opportunities to see and learn. You can also stay in restored historical places for a unique experience.
For such reasons, Turkey attracts many tourists every year. Combining natural beauty and historical structures, its geography offers the opportunity to have many different experiences.
5. Affordable Cost Of Living
Living costs in Turkey are lower compared to European countries. Although the cost of living has risen in recent years, it’s still cheaper for foreigners who earn dollars or euros. So, you can live a relatively comfortable lifestyle in a Turkish city for very little cash, which will help you save money. For example, the average price of renting a one-bedroom apartment in Istanbul is around 10,000-15,000TL ($340-$500) with utilities on top.
However, it’s worth keeping in mind that for a Turkish person, the cost of living isn’t that cheap. The Turkish minimum wage is still quite low. The minimum wage in Turkey is 17.000TL ($526), and the official poverty line is 52.954TL ($1,639).
But generally speaking, for people visiting or living here with foreign purchasing power, the cost of living is much lower than in most other countries.
6. Large Communities Of Expats
There are large expat communities (from the US and EU countries) in popular seaside Turkish cities such as Marmaris and Fethiye on the south coast, plus Istanbul, so you can meet like-minded people easily. You can also make many Turkish friends, but I understand it’s more comforting to meet people with whom you share a similar background in terms of culture and lifestyle.
7. Great Summer Weather And Mild Winters
Another good reason foreigners choose Turkey to live in is the Mediterranean climate. Turkey experiences all four seasons during the year: the hottest days in August, romantic rainy days in October, snowy and stormy days in January, and the refreshing breeze of spring in May. I can’t even imagine living in a country that has the same weather all year long!
The Mediterranean weather is dominant in the South of the country, where popular summer vacation cities like Antalya and Muğla are located. Even during the winter months, the temperature never drops below zero degrees here.
As such, Turkey offers many opportunities to enjoy its magnificent nature, clear sea, and underwater world. There are long and beautiful beaches where you can experience outdoor sports like sailing, paragliding, snorkeling, and diving.
8. Good Healthcare System
In Turkey, the state provides citizens with free healthcare services, aside from private healthcare. Through the General Health Insurance, the state covers many services and drug expenses. Medical support is available at every site, and patients have access to many specialties such as ophthalmology, internal medicine, gynecology, general surgery, and more.
Organ transplantation, hair transplantation, and plastic surgery are also prominent medical procedures done in Turkey. Furthermore, compared to most European countries, medical treatment and operation costs are quite affordable. Likewise, medicines have affordable prices compared to their counterparts in different countries. This, and the development of health services, has also led to health tourism.
9. Friendly People
In general, Turkish people are very friendly and helpful; they eagerly go out of their way to make you feel comfortable as an expat. It’s the cherry on top if you speak a few basic Turkish phrases; even if you just say a few words, locals will love it. If you stay in a more rural area or somewhere less touristy, you’ll notice from the moment you arrive that Turkish hospitality goes up a notch. People do their best to give you a pleasant welcome and make you feel at home.
Ready To Explore Turkey?
Turkey is home to many foreign residents and digital nomads who are living their best coastal lives at affordable prices. Are you ready to be one of them?
Since you’ve read this blog post to learn more about life in Turkey, I think topics like Turkish traditions and Turkish tea culture may also interest you! That’s all from me for this post; see you in the next one! Bye, hoşçakal!
