What’s it like to live in Turkey?

From the mountains of the Kayseri Province to the golden beaches that embellish the Turkish Riviera, Turkey is home to some incredibly diverse landscapes – which hasn’t been lost on the tourists of the world. Millions of holidaymakers from across the globe have savoured the sand and sun on Turkey’s glistening shores, and its most popular resorts continue to attract swathes of visitors, particularly in the peak summer season. But what’s it like to live there all year round? As with any country, Turkey comes with its own pros and cons – it’s important to weigh up both sides before deciding whether or not it may be right for you.

woman in white shirt and black skirt walking on street during daytime

Photo by Yana Hurska on Unsplash

Table of Contents

Living in Turkey is value for money

When it comes to value for money, few European countries can compete with Turkey. Being the most affordable country in the OECD, Turkey offers its residents low prices on commodities and services, meaning you could be three times better off financially were you to continue earning a similar salary. However, that’s the caveat. Not only are wages in Turkey typically far lower, but it can be very difficult for expats to find work there – especially if they don’t speak the language. If you are planning to both live and work in Turkey, it may be best (if possible) to do some remote work and continue earning your salary in a foreign currency so that you can benefit from a better income and a lower cost of living. When doing your calculations, just remember to include any tax you’ll need to pay, as well as the exchange rate.

People in Turkey Photo by David Monje on Unsplash

The people

Turkish people are extremely friendly and hospitable and are used to welcoming visitors from across the world to their shores. However, Turkish hospitality can come as something of a culture shock to people who may be more used to a society where people keep to themselves and more and less significance is placed on social interactions. You will find many of the locals are multilingual, especially in tourist hotspots. However, it’s always appreciated when visitors make an effort to converse in the local language. So if you’re considering Turkey as a destination, it may be worth learning some of the basic words and phrases. Being a Muslim-majority country, the culture in Turkey is largely conservative, but this is made more obvious the further east you go, away from the tourist-attracting Riviera. This may be a stark contrast to what many expats are used to, so consider it as an important factor.

Photo by Atıf Zafrak on Unsplash

The weather

Turkey is such a vast country, and as such the climate and weather conditions can vary greatly from region to region. If you want to make the most of the Mediterranean climate, consider setting up on the southern or western coasts. Antalya is a popular destination for both expats and tourists, with its own perfect blend of culture and coastal delights. If it’s the city life you seek, Istanbul is a great place to lay your roots. The climate there is characterised by high temperatures, long hours of sunshine, and little rainfall during the summer months. However, the winter months bring with them a sharp drop off in temperatures, which is more noticeable here than in some of the sunnier coastal resorts.

Photo by Mar Cerdeira on Unsplash

In summary

Turkey is a beautiful destination that will suit expats with all different tastes and interests. Whether you’re looking for a sun-soaked retirement or a new city to further your career, Turkey could be the place for you.

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