Life in Turkey Blog Posts


How moving to Turkey could increase your life expectancy

How moving to Turkey could increase your life expectancy

Researchers from a Turkish university have just completed a study exploring why the populations of certain villages have a life expectancy way beyond the norm. Turkey’s life expectancy has increased a great deal in the last couple of decades thanks to economic prosperity - but this is more than that. Whether it’s the Mediterranean diet or the high number of sunny days allowing people outside to exercise, We explore why life expectancy in Turkey is growing - and how it can impact anyone looking for a new life.


Navigating Istanbul’s Transport System

Navigating Istanbul’s Transport System

As the largest, and certainly the busiest city in Turkey, Istanbul is a hive of frenzied activity for the tourism, business and financial sectors all fighting for public transport and highway access. Naturally, these are all supported by an intense network of transport options, ranging from the Metro, tram, car hire, taxis and buses, all used by millions of people per day. Here is the lowdown on navigating and moving around Turkey's greatest city. 


12 MORE unspoken Turkish rules you might not know

12 MORE unspoken Turkish rules you might not know

Our first article on Turkey’s unspoken rules generated much discussion and debate. Based on the original article we’ve compiled a few follow-up rules. Have you encountered any of these during a trip to Turkey or among your Turkish friends? Read on and learn about some of the nuances that many people miss when they visit Turkey.


The Istanbul Shopping Maze

The Istanbul Shopping Maze

From the historic Grand Bazaar, to some of the largest shopping malls in Europe, to some of the most famous shopping streets full of boutiques and antiques - Istanbul is a maze for shoppers and a delight for those who are looking to shop until you drop. Follow us on a journey, an expensive journey, through some of the best malls, avenues, and markets for shopping in Istanbul. 


Common Tourist Scams to Avoid in Turkey

Common Tourist Scams to Avoid in Turkey

As every tourist knows, no matter what country you go to on your holidays, you will always find common tourist scams and things to avoid once you land on your vacations. Turkey is no exception, here we provide you with some helpful tips to avoiding the classic tourist scams in Turkey. Prepare yourself with the knowledge beforehand and you will have no problem enjoying the holiday of a lifetime in Turkey. 


Seven mistakes people make when they move to Turkey

Seven mistakes people make when they move to Turkey

There are two types of people who move to Turkey: the planners, who spend time researching their new country and all their new lives will bring, and the impulsive, who dive in headfirst, making it up as they go along. Which group you belong to can greatly impact your chances in a new country. However, as much as you plan for the concrete there will always be a few things you hadn’t anticipated. We look at some of the most common mistakes people make when they move to Turkey - and how you can combat them.


6 strange festivals in Turkey

6 strange festivals in Turkey

In Turkey, you will always find a celebration, whether that is a birthday, a family occasion, or a whole town coming together in a festival - Turks pull out all the stops to celebrate events successfully. Yearly there are several festivals that raise an eyebrow, and in this blog we present to top 6 weird and wonderful festivals that you simply have to see when you go Turkey. 


8 Books about Turkey that you should read

8 Books about Turkey that you should read

A country of the magnitude of Turkey, the diversity, and history is sure to have many a book written about it throughout time. From travel guides, to romantic fiction, to historical events, there are hundreds of books for you to read about Turkey to get a flavour of what this magical country is all about. In this blog, we have gathered eight books that we have personally read and think expats and tourists would enjoy a read also.


13 unspoken Turkish rules you might not know

13 unspoken Turkish rules you might not know

Is it OK to blow your nose at the dinner table? When you go to a friend’s house, who should you greet first? And why is making an “O” shape with your thumb and forefinger considered so rude? We explain a few customs and social rules that manage to bamboozle and confound visitors and new residents. Memorise these few rules and ensure you never get caught out again.


Everything You Need to Know about Ramadan in Turkey 2015

Everything You Need to Know about Ramadan in Turkey 2015

All around the world, June 18th marks the beginning of Ramadan 2015, and in a country where officially 98% of the population are Muslims, people will naturally wonder how Ramadan in Turkey will affect their day to day live if they are an expat or someone looking to visit Turkey during this period. In this blog we give you the lowdown on everything you need to know about Ramadan in Turkey, including some tips and advice for those who will be on Turkish shores in the next month.


Traffic solutions greenlighted for Istanbul congestion

Traffic solutions greenlighted for Istanbul congestion

At the moment, it seems that all roads (and ferries, bridges and tunnels) lead to Istanbul. The fast-growing population has meant congestion problems: the city’s traffic has reached a crucial point, and officials are scrambling to find solutions. Work is underway on a new bridge, a Bosphorus tunnel and more creative solutions, all expected to roll out in the next couple of years. Public transport is also expanding, with new ferries and hundreds of kilometres of metro lines being added to the commuter arsenal, endeavouring to make travelling around Turkey’s largest city pain free.


Living in Turkey: Will The Language Barrier Be a Problem?

Living in Turkey: Will The Language Barrier Be a Problem?

As Turkey becomes one of the top destinations in the world for expats and foreigners purchasing real estate, more people are asking: ​Do you need to learn Turkish in order to live in Turkey? In this blog we take a look at the language barrier you might experience if you move to Turkey, including some helpful tips for getting around it, and some helpful phrases to get you started on your way to learning some Turkish language skills. 


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