Turkey has traditionally been a popular tourist destination due to its geopolitical location and hospitality. As a result, it has become a key draw for both domestic and foreign investors in a variety of industries, including tourism and real estate. It's tough to be unimpressed when visiting Turkey. On your route to the gym, you may have to pass through a 130-year-old Roman gate. Simple, but not quite. When you meet a buddy for a cup of coffee, you can view Hagia Sophia, one of the "Seven Wonders of the World."

Expats in Turkey enjoy a plethora of options due to the country's combination of Eastern and Western traditions. Expats in Turkey can choose to live in medieval cities full of Middle Eastern bazaars or on sun-kissed Mediterranean beaches. Turkey is an appealing destination to live for both long-term residents and newcomers to the expat community. It is critical for new immigrants to recognise that living in a foreign nation with significant cultural differences necessitates significant adjustment.

As an expat in Turkey, you will benefit from reading this information on The Best City for Expats. Here is the list.

1. Istanbul
   Istanbul is undoubtedly one of the greatest cities to reside in Turkey for individuals looking for work, particularly in the business sphere. It is the country's historic, economic, and cultural sector, which is why it is so beneficial to business. Istanbul, Turkey's most populous metropolis, attracts expats and foreign investment. The city is the country's principal financial, commercial, and industrial hub, with a varied economy. Expats seeking for a new job may find it in the automotive and electronics industries.

Istanbul appears to be an appealing destination for foreigners wishing to settle in the country. with a population of 17 million people and beautiful monuments such as Hagia Sophia. The city attracts people from all around the world, notably those wishing to work or invest in Turkey. As a consequence of its ever-expanding potential, Istanbul can boast a diversified infrastructure as well as a variety of real estate development projects. Public transit is expanding in lockstep with new infrastructure investments.

Because of its economic potential, the city is the site of one of the world's most major infrastructure development projects. The third bridge over the Bosphorus, which links to the world's third largest airport (Istanbul Airport), has attracted additional real estate developments, assuring the airport's expansion in the next years. Istanbul is also a wonderful option for digital nomads because it has the greatest internet services. 

For obvious reasons, the cost of living is greater here than everywhere in Turkey, but you can get around this by searching in the suburbs and commuting to work. It offers everything you might want in a metropolitan area of this size: a busy nightlife, plenty of shopping, good local and foreign schools, and, of course, sights like the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and others. Istanbul has pleasant weather and does not become very hot in the summer (it usually peaks around 24 C). It does become chilly in the winter, and snow is not rare.

If business isn't your thing, it won't be difficult to get a job teaching English or in a related field. Furthermore, if you don't know Turkish, staying in Istanbul is a wonderful option because many people speak English.

2. Bodrum
   Due to its relationship with international artists and authors in the 1960s, Bodrum soon became a high-class city. Nowadays, it's a renowned tourist location, especially among celebrities. Kate Moss, Bill Gates, Nicole Kidman, and Tom Hanks have all been seen here in the past. Within the bigger region, there are lots of more rural retirement options, such as Gumusluk, Turkbuku, and Gumbet. The latter is ideal for folks who enjoy water activities. The city itself is perhaps "ritzier" than the surrounding districts, although it is also more popular with tourists. There are lots of mega-hotels along the shore, but if you dig hard enough, you can get some incredible deals on houses and villas.

The Gumusluk International Classical Music Festival, held in Bodrum each year, deserves special note. It draws a large number of skilled performers from all over the world, as well as classical music fans. The festival is held at the stunning 2500-year-old Antique Koyunbaba Stone Quarry. Bodrum is located on the Aegean Sea, and its temperatures reach dizzying heights. The average summer temperature is 34 degrees Celsius, although it has been known to exceed 45 degrees Celsius! Winters are moderate around 15 degrees Celsius, so it's a wonderful alternative if you don't enjoy the cold.

If you want to work or raise a family, the city is a wonderful choice because it is accessible to all of the required resources. However, if you want to retire somewhere more rural, the bigger region has lots of possibilities.

3. Antalya
   Antalya is a well-known tourist location and would be great for anyone considering opening a restaurant or hotel. Of course, this means the employment will be seasonal, but it still provides tremendous prospects. This Antalya park amphitheater is part of a more than 25-kilometer picturesque waterfront walk that runs along the Gulf of Antalya. Antalya and other beach communities in the region draw many expatriates who want to enjoy the splendor of living on Turkey's turquoise coast.

The city itself is clean and safe, and there are weekly food markets, which assist to keep the cost of living low. If you want to work, the city is a preferable option because of its faster internet connections and public transportation network. The Antalya coastline would be an excellent alternative for retirees. It has an abundance of natural beauty places, fishing villages, and fantastic rural treks for those looking for a good time. All of this is supplemented, as one might anticipate, by fantastic restaurants and shopping choices.

In fact, if you enjoy outdoor sports, you can attempt to conquer the Antalya to Fatty path, which is one of the world's longest single treks. At 320 miles, you might need a few hits to complete the journey. Two of Turkey's nicest beaches are located in Antalya province: Konyaalti and Lara. There are also many hidden beauties that do not attract as many people.

Because it is near the Mediterranean shore, it has a milder climate and significantly less temperature spikes. It frequently reaches temperatures of roughly 28 degrees Celsius in the summer and seldom falls below 10 degrees Celsius in the winter. Living in the city or its outskirts will cost more than living elsewhere in the Antalya area, but a family may still live comfortably in the city for less than you'd anticipate. The coastline region is one of the most popular regions in Turkey for property sales to foreign retirees, and it's simple to understand why.

4. Izmir
   If retiring in Turkey is your goal, Izmir is the place to be. It's one of Turkey's major cities, with all the advantages that go with that status. Izmir is generally known as the most Western-oriented Turkish metropolis. Importantly, it has excellent national and international transportation linkages and is a popular cruise port. If you don't want to use the bus, there are lots of walking pathways across the city. Along with the city, there is the Izmir metropolitan region. This includes several smaller places that may be more suited to a retired lifestyle. Fortunately, they remain well connected to the metropolis.

Izmir lies on the Aegean Sea, so it has all the advantages you'd expect. These include a variety of watersports, sailing options, and a pleasant temperature. It normally reaches 33 degrees Celsius at its peak in the summer and dips to roughly 13 degrees Celsius in the winter. It can get a little wet in the cooler months, but it's a pleasant contrast from the dry summer months. Popular expat places for beach life away from the city include Cesme, Kusadasi, and Foca, or if you want to be active, Alacati (Turkey's surfing capital) is a fantastic alternative.

If you are willing to do some searching, you will also come across some appealing home pricing. And, because Izmir is frequently referred to as one of Turkey's most westernized regions, speaking with estate brokers will be a lot easier than elsewhere.

5. Marmaris
   Marmaris is situated on the Turkish Riviera in southwest Turkey. As you'd expect from such a designation, it comes with a sense of exclusivity and lifestyle available only on other Rivieras. The city is a national center for sailing and diving, and it is a favorite wintering destination for boaters. It features several beaches and tiny marinas that are suitable for storing a boat. 

However, if you prefer more land-based activities, Marmaris has you covered there as well. There are alternatives for biking, safari trips, climbing, kayaking, and much more to keep you busy. The region also has a rich natural heritage. Nimara Cave on Heaven Island, which is just off the coast of Marmaris, is a special highlight. It has been a place of religious worship for thousands of years and is well worth a visit.

Marmaris also boasts several historical sites, making it ideal for history buffs. It was an important place for the Ottoman Empire, and many of its buildings (such as Marmaris Castle) reflect this. Of course, the weather is vital, and you will not be disappointed here. Summers can reach the mid-30s, while winters often plummet to approximately 15 degrees Celsius. Winter is the rainy season, yet it's a nice relief after the sweltering summer.

Marmaris is a popular tourist destination, with up to 400,000 tourists each year. This may or may not be a good thing depending on your point of view, but it does imply that there are chances to start tourism-related enterprises if you so choose.

6.  Alanya
   Alanya is a city and province in Turkey's Mediterranean south coast. It's around 133 kilometers from Antalya and is one of the fastest-growing expat destinations. Alanya has a very spectacular medieval castle, amazing beaches and mountains ideal for an active outdoor lifestyle, and a highly tempting cost of living.

Alanya, while a city, is a tiny one. This means it has a lot of rural-feeling suburbs with relatively affordable property prices. Places like Mahmutlar are among the lowest in Turkey. It's an excellent alternative for individuals looking for an active lifestyle because there are several walking trails and, of course, watersports. There are also other yearly festivals, such as a jazz festival and an international culture festival.

Expats from other nations make up a fairly big section of the province's population, with many of them retiring there. According to the latest current census, more than 17,000 foreigners own property in the city. Many people are likely to be lured to Alanya by its blend of rural regions, superb facilities, inexpensive property costs, and good international connections. In summary, Alanya provides practically everything you might want in a Turkish retirement paradise.

7. Bursa
   Many Europeans favor the west side of Turkey because it is more cosmopolitan. However, if you want a true flavor of Turkey, Burse is ideal. It was the second capital of the Ottoman Empire in the 14th century, and it has maintained ties to that past. Because of the concentration of Ottoman architecture, the entire city has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are several mausoleums, palaces, and houses worth seeing.

But, being a metropolis, it also boasts a lot of green space. Because of the local government's commitment to protect natural places including parks and woods, it's known as Green Bursa. This makes it a wonderful family vacation because it doesn't feel too metropolitan.

Skiing is a unique advantage in Turkey. The city's skyline is dominated by Uludag Mountain, which has a ski resort. So, if you want to live in Turkey but don't want to give up your winter activities, this may be the place for you. Because the city was late in creating its property market, it is especially beneficial to younger expats and those with families. This implies that property costs remain extremely cheap, making them perfect for first-time purchasers.

Bursa's temperature normally reaches 31 degrees Celsius in the summer and 10 degrees Celsius in the winter. If the temperature gets too hot, you may easily escape for a short drive to a pleasant altitude. While it may not be your preferred career path, Bursa is Turkey's largest automobile production hub. It is home to plants for Kia and Renault, as well as factories for Bosch and Coca-Cola. In a nutshell, there are always lots of job prospects.

One possible disadvantage is that there are no particular foreign schools in Bursa. It is significantly more in touch with its traditional roots than locations further west, and almost every school teaches in Turkish. However, if you already know some Turkish and are prepared to learn more, Bursa provides an entirely different taste of national culture than you may be used to.

The finest locations to live in Turkey

Even in more westernized sections of Turkey, you may expect a significant cultural shift. All save the most tourist-heavy places preserve its language and lifestyle, and it's crucial to do plenty of study to guarantee it'll be a good fit for you. But whether you're planning to retire or work in Turkey, there are lots of great options.

Reaching out to expats in the nation is an excellent approach to get the proper answers to your inquiries. Turkey is a surprisingly welcoming location for both natives and expats. So, look for expat communities, travel about the nation for a bit, and maybe consider renting a property or two to get a feel for the location.

Given that you are seeking for a permanent residence, this is not a decision to be taken lightly. But, with the correct preparation, you'll be sure to have a great new life in Turkey.