Pros and Cons of Living in Turkey

Summary: The pros of living in Turkey include its rich cultural heritage, its diverse landscape, its vibrant cities, its delicious cuisine, and its friendly people. On the other hand, the cons of living in Turkey include its high cost of living, its lack of public transportation in some areas, its high levels of air pollution, and its occasional political instability.

What are the pros and cons of living in Turkey?

Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Turkey responded:

"Expats and digital nomads often appreciate the low cost of living in Turkey, as well as the warm climate and the friendly people. They also enjoy the country's rich culture and history, as well as its diverse cuisine. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads may find the bureaucracy and red tape in Turkey to be a challenge, as well as the language barrier. Additionally, the lack of reliable public transportation in some areas can be a source of frustration," explained one expat living in Turkey.

"Living in Alanya (aka The Turkish Riviera) is a wonderful experience! The weather is beautiful, except for the Summer, when many people go to cooler areas. The main downside are the MANY international tourists which makes driving and parking very challenging. On the flip side the stunning Mediterranean Sea, amazing Bazars selling fresh produce, the many historical landmarks and the 'walkability' adds so much quality to this area," said one expat in living in Alanya, Turkey.

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What do expats in Turkey appreciate most about the local culture?

"I really like how everyone is so hospitable and they love to tell you about Turkey. Everyone wants to present a good image of their country. The healthcare is wonderful and so is the food (both which are cheaper than in the US). I love the historical sites and the greenery. The pace of life is much more relaxed here in Izmir than in Istanbul and that is really a blessing. Everyone loves to sing and some people will just break out in song (almost feel like I'm in a Hindi film sometimes :-)," remarked one expat in Izmir.

"I think I reflected on it in the other entries. Public transportation goes everywhere and is often just as fast as driving yourself. I have found my limited Turkish to be enough to get help when traveling. The pharmacy I go to has a program to translate for them to explain what is available or not and why. Great medical and dental care and no where near as costly as the US. Many of the doctors trained in Europe and the US. The equipment is state of the art and many speak English. The hospitals paired with the US ones are the best," explained one expat living in Istanbul.

What do expats find most challenging?

"Expats in Turkey often find the language barrier to be one of the most challenging aspects of the local culture. Additionally, the country's conservative values and customs can be difficult to adjust to, especially for those coming from more liberal backgrounds. Furthermore, the Turkish bureaucracy can be complex and time-consuming to navigate, making it difficult for expats to settle in. Finally, the country's strong sense of national pride can make it difficult for expats to feel accepted and integrated into the local culture," replied an expat in Turkey.

"Domestic violence is fairly normal in Turkey. Seeing a man hit his wife in the face, and seeing no one come to help her, was very upsetting. Turkish men frequently have the perception of Western woman as being sexually promiscuous. I have blonde hair and fair skin, and I was regularly referred to in Turkish by the word for prostitute. I even had men ask me how much I cost. Another concern is that the men have no compunction about following a woman, even when she tells them she is uninterested. I was followed by a man for over an hour on the streets of Istanbul over the course of several kilometers (even onto public transit and ferries). Rejection in Turkey means "try harder," and situations that we would view as stalking in Europe/USA are ways that some Turkish men try to prove themselves to you," remarked one in Istanbul.

Pros and Cons of Living in Turkey

What are the pros and cons of living in Turkey?

What do expats in Turkey appreciate most about the local culture?

What do expats find most challenging?

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