Why Retire in Turkey?

Why Retire in Turkey?
23 June 2021

Here are some reasons why……

If you reach that stage in life, and consider retiring to a foreign country, here’s why Turkey is such a great choice. If you’re looking for the quintessential Mediterranean lifestyle at a fraction of the price, look no further because Turkey checks all the boxes.

Turkey has many variations of lifestyle choices with cosmopolitan, vibrant cities like Istanbul, idyllic coastal Mediterranean villages like Kas and Fethiye with pristine turquoise waters and multi-layered sunsets dotting along the coastline, charming Aegean towns with deep blue waters like Cesme and jet-setting yacht venues like Gocek, Fethiye and Bodrum. There are stunning mountain ranges rising up from the green valleys of Olympus and the Taurus Mountains, offering endless hiking trails immersed in natural preserves.

The Turkish people are renowned for their hospitality and generally love to share their beloved country with visitors, and those who choose to settle down in Turkey and call it home.

The cost of living is also a great benefit to those who wish to retire in Turkey. Property is cheaper and with the exchange rate being so high between the Pound, Dollar and Turkish Lira, it’s easy to find a real bargain price compared to that in other countries.

When eating out, a filling meal in Turkey will cost a fraction of what it would back home. Meals in Turkey are often accompanied by complimentary offerings such as olives, bread and classic Mediterranean style dips, as part of the ingrained Turkish hospitality.

Regional transport and public transport is very cheap and many deals can be found with airlines and train routes.

Ease of residency is a great bonus with one or two years of renewable permits easily available. To obtain a residence permit you submit an application online and provide evidence of lodging for the duration of the residence permit. If you are renting, a notarized copy of the rental contract is required. A basic health insurance is required for the duration of the permit, and this is easily obtained. You will also need sufficient funds to provide for yourself during the duration of the permit and obtain a tax number which actually, only takes minutes.

Turkey’s natural beauty easily rivals any country with lush unspoiled green mountains, pristine coastlines and magnificent historical buildings.

Turkey is lapped by four seas, the Mediterranean, Aegean, Black Seas and the Sea of Marmara with 5000 miles of coastline!

The abundance of vegetation is massive from silver- green olive trees, ruby red pomegranate bushes, fields of lemon and orange trees and carpets of sun- bronzed tomatoes.

The history in Turkey is amazing, with Turkey being referred to as the world’s largest museum. You can discover a treasure of sites for historical and architectural discoveries and many UNESCO world heritage sites.

The climate in Turkey is also a main bonus with foreigners being a year-round destination. Turkey enjoys a temperate climate consisting of very warm summers and mild winters, depending of course, on the area. The Western and Southern coastal towns of Turkey enjoy a mild Mediterranean climate. Istanbul and the coast around the Sea of Marmara have moderate climates, with the interior of Turkey experiencing cold and snowy winters and hot dry summers with temperatures cooler at night.

The Turkish cuisine intrigues with its exotic offerings while representing the best of the Mediterranean diet, revered to for its health benefits. Mainstays of the Turkish cuisine include a variety of grilled meats and seafood, a huge variety of vegetables, lots of yogurt- based dishes, an array of herbs and spices, dried fruit, nuts and plenty of extra virgin olive oil.

Tourism is a huge part of the Turkish economy and foreigners are welcomed with open arms and appreciation. There is something for everyone in Turkey, a lifestyle that dreams are made of.

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