While many of our clients are retired, wannabe expats, younger generations often ask if it is easy to find a job in Turkey. Many foreigners want to work in the country and live here all year round. Before 2000, anyone could get on a plane and work in a bar or restaurant the next day. In the years to follow, Turkey tightened up and started deporting and fining foreigners without a work permit, and by receiving cash in hand, they were not paying taxes and had no healthcare coverage.
Moving countries is exciting. New food to discover, new neighbourhoods to explore. But there's also the uncertainty of negotiating the strange new customs and sights of your new home. We outline a few things you might not know about Turkey, from its obsession with cay (tea) to its ubiquitous fountains.
Sometimes clients ask, is Turkey a good place to retire? Having previously bought holiday homes here, they think about living in Turkey as retired expats when they finally give up work. Our answer is always the same. If you have funds and do not have to work, life in Turkey for foreigners is perfect. We need only look at people who already moved to see proof. The best places to live in Turkey include thousands of expats within their communities.
With so many beaches, green areas, friendly people, and hotspots, Fethiye is a virtual playground for children to enjoy. In this blog we showcase just why those who move to Fethiye with kids will find that there is never a shortage of activities for the little ones and things to do to keep everyone happy in their new life in Turkey with the kids.
Many people often ask if they can live in Turkey permanently. The answer is yes. The gorgeous weather, beautiful beaches, and delicious cuisine all speak to our senses and the thought of experiencing it 365 days a year is what some would call their idea of heaven. However, much like any major lifestyle decision, it is about more than just yes or no.
You can Google all you like, but you'll never know all there is to know about a country before you get there. The parts of culture that puzzle tourists and newcomers to Turkey can frustrate, annoy - or delight in turn. Discover what two expats living in Turkey found the most challenging when they first moved to Istanbul and Fethiye.
Altogether 81 provinces in Turkey form this magnificent country that captures the hearts of holidaymakers and foreign expats. While many assume all of Turkey is golden sands like the travel brochures portray it to be, the provinces are as diverse as they are varied. They also belong to 7 different geographical regions, each with unique climate, culture, traditions, and cuisine.
Are you thinking of moving to Turkey? Or looking to spend a Turkish summer travelling? Before you go, have a read of our top things you wish you knew before stepping foot on this part of the world. We talk to veteran traveller and current Turkish expat Ulrike Bauer has lived in an impressive eight countries across four continents during her lifetime. The 62-year-old former teacher from Munich is currently finding home in Antalya City and we pick Ulrike’s brains and discover what people really need to know before they move to Turkey. Anyone thinking of buying a property in Turkey - this is a must read before you do, it could save you a lot of money and hassle.
Ask any expats in Turkey, and they say living abroad in this country was the best lifestyle move they made. Don't just take our word for it, either. Thousands of expatriate circles exist in towns, villages, and cities. According to the annual expat survey by HSBC bank, they also ranked Turkey as the seventh-best country for overseas living by foreigners.
Moving can be an onerous task; moving abroad can seem as daunting as climbing Everest. But never fear. One you break it down, it's simply a case of doing one thing at a time. We've done the hard yards for you and compiled a checklist of 27 essential tasks you'll need to complete before you head to the land of sea and sun.
Turkey is a beautiful and fascinating country, a wonderful country that attracts thousands to relocate every year to new landscapes. But how well are you prepared for your move? From the essential art of haggling in the local market to the inevitable homesickness of pining for your home country, in this blog we give you a rundown on the five essential aspects of Turkish life and relocation tips you'll need to prepare for before you leave and start your new life in Turkey.
We take a look at the top 6 most asked questions by people who are looking to move to Turkey with family and children and are worried about how their children might settle into life overseas. We address safety, schools, language, healthcare and more.
While we can list many things, it is hard to define precisely what is special about Turkey. It is a combination of qualities, but every foreigner who visits this country picks up the vibe. The unique ambience washes over everyone from the moment they step off the plane. Following them around for every day of their holiday, it easily lures them back year after year.
If we follow trends, deciding where the best place to live in Turkey is, Istanbul firmly stands out. Turkey already has thousands of foreigners of various nationalities residing here all year round and stats show they tend to gravitate to some areas more than others. As a general rule, you will find very few foreigners living in the south in places like Mardin. They are landlocked districts, keep a conservative ambience, and few locals speak foreign languages.
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.
Stay too long in Turkey and you'll inevitably find yourself starting to adopt aspects of the culture - both positive and negative. The little cultural quirks that initially drive you mad will soon be forgotten and integrated: from haggling over the price of an orange, to fearlessly weaving across roads full of haphazard drivers, discover the ways expats adapt to living in Turkey.
The long list of Istanbul neighbourhoods run into hundreds and this is no surprise given, it is Turkey’s largest, most populated city. As a hub of everything and anything, including business, education, tourism, health, and economy, people flock from all over the world to boost the local population of Turks. Many Istanbul expats are working professionals, while others just like an urban lifestyle. All have one thing in common, though, and that is to live somewhere decent.
From tourist to expat, if you are thinking of living in Istanbul as a foreigner, it is a great lifestyle move to make. As Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul offers so much including a low cost of living, a unique culture, the best nightlife and shopping scenes in the country, as well as abundance of tourist and historical attractions.
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.
When deciding where is the best country to live in Europe, you need to consider several factors. Everyone’s lifestyle needs and wants differ and what might be an excellent country for a working expat is not ideal for one who has retired. Some have a family to care for and need to find good schools, while others want excellent health facilities for any ailments they have.