13 Best Places To Live In Turkey

Turkey, officially known as the Republic of Türkiye, is a transcontinental country, mainly located on the Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with a small portion of the country in the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe.

Turkey is a popular destination both for tourists and immigrants due to its good climate, welcoming residents and high quality of life.

Let’s take a look at the best places to live in Turkey.

Sections

Best Places To Live In Turkey

City	Reason
Istanbul	Best for work
Urfa	Best for affordability
Ankara	Best for families
Antalya	Best for immigrants
Izmir	Best for retirement
Bursa	Best for young adults
Ankara	Best for students
Gaziantep and Bodrum	Best for food and nightlife
Istanbul, Historic Quarter	Best for singles
Istanbul, Beyoglu	Best for members of the LGBT+ community
Muğla	Best for the weather
Marmaris	Best for beaches
Bursa	Best for mountains

Best Places To Live In Turkey for Work

Those looking to move to Turkey and have ambitions to work should consider moving to Istanbul. The city straddles the Bosphorus Strait, with Asia on one side and Europe on the other.

Istanbul is considered the business hub of Turkey and has many opportunities for those looking for a job. It’s also great for digital nomads or freelancers.

The main industries in Turkey are agricultural products, textiles and motor vehicles, though there is also quite a thriving tourism market. Competition for jobs in Turkey is high, however, so finding a position with an international company before moving may be a benefit.

Izmir, located on the Aegean coast, is another good option for people considering moving to Turkey. It has a low unemployment rate and an existing expat community.

Cheapest Places To Live In Turkey

Turkey is a very affordable country and is commonly known to be one of the least expensive in Europe. Urfa, officially called Şanlıurfa, is one of the most affordable cities in Turkey.

Urfa is located in southeastern Turkey and is known for its historical sites – such as being home to the World’s Oldest Temple – and is also a very prominent religious site for multiple religions.

The costs of living in Urfa are extremely low, both in housing prices and in cost of living, making it an ideal place to move for those who are on a budget.

Another affordable city in Turkey is Mardin, which is located in the Mardin Province and is known for its architecture. Mardin has affordable housing, and, like Urfa, the costs of living are very affordable.

Best Places To Live In Turkey for Families

Relocating to a new country is a huge decision and requires you to take into account various factors such as the location, the amenities available, the access to education systems and the access to healthcare.

Ankara is a great choice for families as it has both an active job market for internationals and some great international schooling options. The city is the capital of Turkey and is considered Turkey’s hub for arts and culture.

Real estate is relatively affordable in Ankara and the city has a slightly more relaxed atmosphere than Istanbul while retaining all the luxuries of a large, cosmopolitan city.

Istanbul is another great choice for families due to the size and convenience of the city, plus the existing expat community which many new immigrant families find to be beneficial for creating their new home away from home.

Best Places To Live In Turkey for Immigrants

Antalya is a resort city that acts as a gateway to Turkey’s southern Mediterranean region, known as the Turquoise Coast. The Turquoise Coast is named so because of its stunningly clear blue water and beautiful beaches.

Antalya is a great city for immigrants because it is safe, clean and has many amenities that provide a high quality of life, such as shopping markets, restaurants and entertainment options.

It is a popular tourist destination as a resort city, so those hoping to find work or even start a business in this location are likely to receive seasonal opportunities. It’s an extremely popular area for foreign residents who are looking to purchase housing, as there are many natural advantages to the city such as fishing spots, hiking trails and areas of natural beauty.

Istanbul is another stand-out choice for immigrants. The city is primed for international residents and has an active job market, though competition is high.

Istanbul has the atmosphere of a metropolitan city, also. There are plenty of shopping districts and vibrant nightlife scenes for those who enjoy partying.

Best Places To Live In Turkey for Retirement

There are many reasons to consider moving to Turkey. The climate is wonderful, there is plenty of natural beauty, and the cost of living is low.

Izmir is one of the largest cities in Turkey and is located on Turkey’s Aegean coast. Along with Antalya it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in Turkey and is considered a cultural hub due to its high number of archaeological sites.

Izmir has very good national and international transport links, including an international airport. Transport in Izmir is very cheap and easy, with well-connected buses and trains throughout the whole country.

Both private and state medical care in Izmir (and throughout Turkey) is considered very good. The city also has excellent amenities for shopping, dining out and entertainment.

Izmir is often considered one of the most Westernised cities in Turkey, making it the perfect spot for retirees looking for a little more familiarity in their new homes.

Antalya is another good option for retirees – the city’s lovely climate and natural beauty, paired with the convenience of the resort city makes it the perfect spot for retirees looking for a more relaxed atmosphere.

Best Places To Live In Turkey for Young Adults

There are several good cities in Turkey for young adults, catering for a range of tastes from those looking to start their business careers to those hoping for good nightlife, to those who simply want an affordable lifestyle.

Bursa is a great city for young adults. It’s the administrative capital of its region and rests in the foothills of Mount Uludağ.

Bursa has a strong economic position in Turkey and sees rapid growth year on year. There is a large manufacturing industry in Bursa, along with food and agriculture.

It’s also a well-connected city; Bursa is only two hours away from Istanbul and there are a variety of transport options available.

Apartment prices in Bursa are much more affordable than in larger cities such as Istanbul, making it a great option for young adults who may be keeping to a lower budget.

There are plenty of attractions in Bursa such as the naturally stunning landscapes and mountains, the Ottoman Village for history lovers and many luxurious beaches.

Antalya is another great option for young adults as the city is metropolitan and modern, with a large community of young adults living here to begin their professional careers or expand their networking circles.

Best Places To Live In Turkey for Students

One of the best cities in the country for students is the city of Ankara (historically known as Ancyra and Angora). Ankara is located in the country’s central Anatolia region and has a population of over five million.

There are a range of public and private universities in Ankara and the city is set up for students of both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Some of the most notable universities available are the Middle East Technical University, Hacı Teppe University, and Çankaya University.

The city is good for international students; it’s considered very safe and as Ankara is known for its dedication to arts and culture, there are plenty of opportunities for learning and entertainment.

There are plenty of neighbourhoods for international students to choose from when it comes to housing. In particular, Dikimevi and Kizilay are good areas that are commonly chosen by international students.

Istanbul and Bursa are other good choices for students. Both have public and private schooling options and are used by international students.

Best Places To Live In Turkey for Food and Nightlife

Turkey’s food capital is Gaziantep, (historically known as Aintab and still informally called Antep) a major city in south-central Turkey. The food in Gaziantep is a cultural mix of spices and ingredients.

The food in Gaziantep is considered to be so outstanding that it’s been named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. In particular, the Gaziantep Baklava is one of the most famous dishes to be found in Gaziantep – a delicious sweet pastry.

Though many cities in Turkey are popular with partygoers, the city of Bodrum is repeatedly named as having some of the best nightlife in the country.

Lying on the southwest coast of the country, Bodrum is considered to be a hipster paradise with dozens of bars that each have their specific atmosphere. Partying in Bodrum starts late and finishes early, with some spots only opening at 1 am.

There are also street parties and nightclubs throughout the year, as well as cultural sites in the city for those who may want to spend their day exploring before hitting the clubs at night.

Best Places To Live In Turkey for Singles

Istanbul is a great city for single people relocating to Turkey. Not only is the city huge – offering lots of choices for where to settle – but there are plenty of existing immigrant communities within Istanbul, making it easy for single people to form new connections.

Istanbul also has some of the best job opportunities, though competition is high. The city is more expensive than some other Turkish cities, but it’s balanced out by the high quality of life provided in Istanbul.

The historic quarter is quite popular with singles – this area is also known as the Walled City and has some key tourist attractions, such as the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sofia.

For those who are looking for a slightly more relaxed atmosphere, Kas is a pretty coastal town that is commonly visited by independent travellers. Kas is very beautiful and has been spared too much tourism build-up, retaining an authentic vibe.

Best Places To Live In Turkey for the LGBT+ Community

As much as there are many progressive elements to Turkish society, members of the LGBT+ community should be aware that Turkey is predominantly an Islamic country that is growing more conservative which is having documented impacts on the LGBT+ community.

Freedom of expression, in particular, and transphobia are increasing in Turkey, so it’s best to exercise caution when travelling around the country and do plenty of research beforehand.

The best city to visit in Turkey for LGBT+ members is Istanbul. There is a lively gay scene in Istanbul and the city regularly holds Pride marches.

The main clubs, bars and shops can be found in the district of Beyoglu, with Chianti Bar being one of the nicest gay bars available.

Another city that has quite a lively gay scene is Bodrum, though there is a specific ‘neighbourhood’ as much as the city is popular with tourists and has a more welcoming atmosphere.

Best Places To Live In Turkey for the Weather

The climate in Turkey is classified as Mediterranean Climate – this means the summers are typically dry and hot and the weathers are mild and rainy.

To experience the best weather in Turkey, you should consider the city of Muğla. The city is located in the southwest of Turkey and is very close to the seacoast in the Gulf of Gökova.

The weather in Muğla is typically quite humid, with long, hot summers and winters that are cold and potentially wet. It’s rare for the temperature to drop below 25 degrees Celsius so those who enjoy the warm weather will get along great in Muğla.

Antalya is a fantastic choice for those who enjoy the warm weather and would prefer warmer winters – the city has typically dry weather and very hot summers.

Best Places To Live In Turkey Near Beaches

When it comes to the best city for beaches in Turkey, you’re spoilt for choice. One of the most popular destinations is a seaside city called Marmaris which is located southwest of the Turkish Riviera.

Marmaris has numerous beaches and marinas and the upscale nature of the city makes it a popular place for harbouring boats during the winter. Swimming, diving and sailing are common around Marmaris.

There are also plenty of historical sites on Marmaris to explore for those who enjoy spending time on land. The city was a key area for the Ottoman Empire and was a site for religious worship for years.

Fethiye is a port city located on the southwestern Turquoise Coast and is another great option for sea lovers. The city is famous for its surrounding naturally blue water and the lagoon sheltering the Ölüdeniz beach.

Best Places To Live In Turkey Near Mountains

Turkey is a very mountainous country and multiple cities are located near mountains. Bursa is a particularly good choice for mountain lovers due to how close it is to the mountain, Uludağ.

Uludağ is an ancient Mysian Olympus and is very popular for winter sports, including skiing. However, this is not the mountain in Bursa, as there are 51 named mountains in the area.

Bursa is also home to the Cumalikizik Village, a historical area that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Istanbul is another potential option for those who want to be close to the mountains; they are famed for their natural beauty and the many trails and hikes available.