Fethiye voted best retirement spot in Mediterranean

A retirement lifestyle magazine has voted Fethiye as the best retirement spot in the Mediterranean after a study of comparable coastal areas.

The study by Living International, which took into consideration living costs, ease of integration, weather and property prices, found Fethiye to be a clear winner.

Spokesperson Kath Robinson said the study also took into consideration the economy, political situation and bureaucratic system. “Fethiye came up on top on all counts,” she explained.

“This lovely, laid back town is a complete gem,” Robinson said. “It has everything you could possibly need in your retirement - decent shops and markets, top healthcare facilities and of course, beaches.”

She said that housing prices were a huge consideration. “So many people dream of retiring to the Mediterranean but the days of low priced housing is almost gone. However, Turkey is one of the last places to find property that is reasonably priced.”

Villas in Fethiye start at around £60,000. However, Robinson warns potential buyers not to get complacent. “Interest in Fethiye and Turkey in general is rising, and so too will the property prices.”

“Of course, we’re not looking just for low prices, but also for quality,” Robinson said. “As long as you use a reputable developer you will be able to find quality homes for most budgets.”

Irish retirees Colm and Mary Jones agree. The Cork couple bought a small villa in Ovacik in 2010 and haven’t looked back.

“The sun shines every day and we’re just down the road from the local market, so it’s cheap and easy to eat,” Mary said.

The couple were also surprised to find a vibrant and growing expat community. “We’ve joined the gardening club and go to all the car boot sales,” Mary said. “And we’ve also made some fantastic Turkish friends locally, too.”

The only problem the Joneses have found is trying to accommodate family each summer. “Come April, we start getting the calls and emails from friends and family saying they want to come and stay. It can get a bit much,” laughs Colm. “We look forward to October when it gets a little quieter.”

The study found that properties in Fethiye and other parts of Turkey were on average 50% cheaper than comparable Mediterranean areas in Spain and France.