Living in Türkiye
The dream of moving to Turkiye often begins with a vision of a sun-drenched Aegean coast or the timeless silhouette of Istanbul’s skyline. Yet, the decision to turn that dream into reality is a search for something more than a holiday—it’s a quest for a new life.
The most critical question on this journey is simply: “Where?” Because everyone’s definition of ‘perfect‘ is different. For some, it is the year-round cosmopolitan energy of Bodrum; for others, it is the welcoming and established community spirit of Fethiye. This guide is designed to showcase the diverse lifestyles Turkiye offers, helping you find not just a popular address, but a ‘home‘ that truly fits your soul and expectations.
The following list is more than a simple ranking of popularity; it is a lifestyle manifesto. From the bohemian and creative soul of Kadıköy to the independent and adventurous community of Kaş; from the urban convenience of Alanya to the untouched tranquility of Datça, each district promises a distinct identity and a different future. Here, we offer you not just a geographical map, but a social compass. Whether you are searching for a peaceful haven for your retirement or a vibrant hub for your digital nomad life, the address for your new beginning may be hidden right here. Let the discovery begin.
The 10 Most Popular Districts in Turkey for Expats
Bodrum, Muğla
- The Vibe: International Glamour Meets Aegean Soul. Bodrum is the classic, high-end choice. It's a year-round, cosmopolitan hub where luxury marinas and chic restaurants coexist with traditional whitewashed houses and local markets. The vibe is one of sophisticated, energetic, and sun-drenched coastal living.
- The Signature "Resident" Experience: Winter lunches. The signature experience of a Bodrum resident is enjoying a long, lazy seafood lunch on a sunny February afternoon at a waterfront restaurant in Gümüşlük, long after the summer crowds have gone. It’s the feeling of having this world-class destination all to yourself.
- Curator’s Tip: Bodrum is a peninsula of many villages, each with a different character. Yalıkavak is for luxury and marina life. Gümüşlük is for the bohemian and artistic crowd. Bitez and Ortakent are popular with families for their calm bays and established communities.
Fethiye, Muğla
- The Vibe: A Home Away from Home. Fethiye is perhaps the epicenter of the British expat community in Turkey. The vibe is relaxed, friendly, and incredibly accessible. It offers a perfect balance of stunning natural beauty (Ölüdeniz, Saklıkent), a functional city center, and a well-established, supportive expat network.
- The Signature "Resident" Experience: The weekly market. The experience is doing your weekly shopping at the massive Tuesday market in Fethiye or the Sunday market in Çalış, chatting with familiar vendors, and then meeting up with friends for a coffee or a beer at a nearby café. It's the heart of the community.
- Curator’s Tip: Understand the different areas. Fethiye town is for city living. Çalış Beach is for beachfront relaxation. Ovacık and Hisarönü are the main "expat bubbles" with villas and pubs. For a quieter, more traditional village life, look to Üzümlü in the hills above.
Kaş & Kalkan, Antalya
- The Vibe: Boutique Living for the Independent Soul. This stretch of the Lycian coast attracts a more independent, well-traveled, and often younger crowd of expats, including many digital nomads. The vibe is bohemian, chic, and adventurous, with a strong focus on diving, hiking, and good food.
- The Signature "Resident" Experience: The sunset ritual. The signature experience is having your "local" spot—be it a small bar in Kaş's old town or your own villa terrace in Kalkan—where you watch the spectacular sunset over the sea almost every evening. It's a daily moment of shared appreciation for the area's incredible beauty.
- Curator’s Tip: These are seasonal towns that become very quiet in winter. Kalkan is very hilly, making a car essential. This area is for the self-sufficient and active; it lacks the large-scale amenities of Bodrum or Fethiye but makes up for it in charm and natural beauty.
Alanya, Antalya
- The Vibe: The Resort City Metropolis. Alanya is a large, vibrant city that feels like a year-round holiday resort. It is incredibly popular with German, Russian, and Scandinavian expats and retirees. The vibe is energetic, convenient, and focused on an easy, sun-filled lifestyle with all amenities at your fingertips.
- The Signature "Resident" Experience: A morning walk or cycle along the endless Cleopatra Beach promenade, followed by a coffee at one of the many beachfront cafes. The experience is about having world-class beach facilities as part of your daily routine.
- Curator’s Tip: Alanya offers a huge range of modern, new-build apartments with fantastic facilities (pools, gyms, saunas) at competitive prices. It's an excellent choice for those seeking a "lock-up-and-leave" apartment lifestyle with a large, diverse international community.
Kadıköy, İstanbul
- The Vibe: The Youthful, Creative Soul of Istanbul. Kadıköy, on the Asian side, is the city's liberal, artistic, and cultural heart. The vibe is bohemian, dynamic, and endlessly cool. It’s a labyrinth of markets, bars, cafes, bookshops, and theaters, with a strong sense of community.
- The Signature "Resident" Experience: A weekend morning spent browsing the Kadıköy Market for fresh produce and cheeses, followed by a leisurely breakfast at a cafe in the trendy Moda neighborhood, and a walk along the seaside promenade looking out at the historic peninsula.
- Curator’s Tip: Kadıköy is a collection of neighborhoods. Moda is for the hip and artistic. Bağdat Caddesi is for high-end shopping and luxury apartment living. Koşuyolu offers a quieter, greener, more family-friendly atmosphere. The ferry is the most romantic and efficient form of transport to the European side.
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Beşiktaş, İstanbul
- The Vibe: Sophisticated Urban Living on the Bosphorus. This area on the European side is the home of Istanbul's established elite and a large number of corporate and diplomatic expats. The vibe is upscale, cosmopolitan, and sophisticated, with beautiful Bosphorus views, gourmet restaurants, and luxury boutiques.
- The Signature "Resident" Experience: A weekend morning walk or run along the Bebek waterfront, followed by a lavish breakfast at one of the chic cafes. The experience is about seeing and being seen, and enjoying the city's most prestigious and beautiful urban shoreline.
- Curator’s Tip: This is one of the most expensive areas to live in Istanbul. Public transport is more limited to buses, making traffic a major consideration. It's ideal for those who want to be in the heart of the city's social and business life and value the prestige of a Bosphorus address.
Urla, İzmir
- The Vibe: The Gastronomic and Artistic Retreat. Urla has transformed into a sophisticated hub for artists, chefs, and wine lovers. The vibe is one of rustic elegance and creative energy, a "Turkish Tuscany" with its vineyards, olive groves, and a beautifully restored Sanat Sokağı (Art Street).
- The Signature "Resident" Experience: A Saturday spent at the Urla Artichoke Festival (in season) or browsing the local producers' market, followed by a wine tasting at a nearby vineyard and a farm-to-table dinner at a top restaurant like Od Urla or Teruar.
- Curator’s Tip: Urla offers a high quality of life with a slower pace than a big city, but with all the cultural amenities. It's a perfect choice for "foodie" expats and those who appreciate art and nature, while still being just a 30-minute drive from the center of İzmir.
Konyaaltı, Antalya
- The Vibe: Modern City-Beach Lifestyle for Families. Konyaaltı is a modern, well-planned district of Antalya fronted by a magnificent, long pebble beach. It's incredibly popular with Russian, Ukrainian, and Eastern European families. The vibe is active, family-oriented, and convenient, with a perfect blend of city amenities and beach life.
- The Signature "Resident" Experience: An evening stroll or cycle along the stunning, newly redeveloped Konyaaltı Sahili (coastline), with its parks, cafes, and sports facilities, with the dramatic Beydağları mountains as a backdrop.
- Curator’s Tip: Konyaaltı is comprised of many different "mahalle" (neighborhoods). Liman is popular for its new builds and proximity to the marina, while Altınkum and Gürsu are closer to the main social hubs. The area has a large and growing number of Russian and English-speaking schools and communities.
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Alsancak & Karataş, İzmir
- The Vibe: The Cosmopolitan and Cultural Heart of İzmir. This is the historic, vibrant, and liberal center of İzmir. Alsancak is the bustling hub of shopping and nightlife, while the adjacent Karataş is a historic Jewish quarter with a more bohemian and artistic feel. The vibe is intellectual, cultured, and unapologetically urban.
- The Signature "Resident" Experience: An evening spent at a "meyhane" (tavern) in the lively Kıbrıs Şehitleri Caddesi area, followed by a late-night walk along the Kordon (waterfront promenade), watching the ferries cross the bay.
- Curator’s Tip: This area is for those who crave city life without the immense scale and chaos of Istanbul. The historic Asansör (elevator) in Karataş offers not just a great view but is a cultural landmark. It's one of the popular districts in Turkey as the area's excellent public transport makes it easy to live without a car.
Datça, Muğla
- The Vibe: The Unspoiled Sanctuary for Nature Lovers. Datça is for the purist. Located at the tip of a long, rugged peninsula, it is famously protected by its winding roads. The vibe is one of tranquility, unspoiled nature, and a deep appreciation for the simple life. It's one of the popular districts in Turkey with Turkish artists and intellectuals, as well as a growing number of foreign nature lovers.
- The Signature "Resident" Experience: Packing a picnic of local almonds, honey, and cheese and driving to one of the dozens of untouched, crystal-clear "bük" (coves) like Ovabükü or Palamutbükü for a day of swimming and reading, with barely another soul in sight.
- Curator’s Tip: Datça is not for those seeking vibrant nightlife or big-city amenities. It's a place to connect with nature and a like-minded community. Owning a car is essential. The charming Eski Datça (Old Datça) with its stone houses and bougainvillea is the poetic heart of the peninsula.
FAQ: About Popular Districts in Turkey
What are the most affordable popular districts in Turkey for expats?
While “affordable” is relative, districts like Alanya and certain parts of Fethiye generally offer a lower cost of living compared to the premium areas of the Bodrum peninsula or central Istanbul, making them very popular districts in Turkey for retirees and those on a fixed budget.
Which popular districts in Turkey are best for families with children?
For families, districts with strong international school communities and amenities are key. Konyaaltı in Antalya, and Bitez or Ortakent in Bodrum are excellent choices. For those preferring city life, quieter, greener neighborhoods in Istanbul like Koşuyolu in Kadıköy are also among the popular districts in Turkey for expat families.
Are the popular districts in Turkey suitable for retirement living?
Absolutely. Many of the most popular districts in Turkey, especially along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts like Fethiye, Kaş, and Datça, are ideal for retirement. They offer a relaxed lifestyle, excellent healthcare facilities, favorable climate, and established, welcoming expat communities.
How do the popular districts in Turkey on the coast compare to those in Istanbul?
Coastal districts like Bodrum and Fethiye offer a sun-drenched, relaxed, and nature-focused lifestyle, centered around the sea. In contrast, popular districts in Turkey’s megacity, Istanbul, like Kadıköy or Beşiktaş, provide a dynamic, cosmopolitan, and culture-rich urban experience with endless activities but also a faster pace and higher cost of living.
What is the lifestyle and community like in the most popular districts in Turkey for foreigners?
The lifestyle varies greatly. In coastal towns like Fethiye, the community is tight-knit, predominantly British, and very social. In Bodrum, it’s more international, glamorous, and revolves around marinas and chic restaurants. In Istanbul’s popular districts, the expat community is more diverse, consisting of corporate professionals, artists, and students blended into the vibrant fabric of the city.
