Which city in Turkey is better to live in?

Choosing where to live is a decision that requires careful consideration. Türkiye, with its rich culture, wonderful climate and varied landscapes, offers many attractive cities for permanent residence. From major cities to cozy coastal cities, Türkiye offers places to live to suit every taste and budget. In this article we look at the best cities to live in Turkey:

• Istanbul
• Mersin
• Antalya
• Alanya

We will evaluate them on various aspects - from the cost of living to climatic conditions. We hope that our review will help you decide on the choice that best suits your needs and preferences.

Istanbul

And first in our list of the best cities in Turkey we will look at Istanbul - a unique city located on the border between Europe and Asia, is the cultural and economic center of Turkey.

Located in the north-west of Turkey, it is a unique city, divided into European and Asian parts by the Bosphorus Strait and the Golden Horn Bay. The city, covering an area of ​​5,461 km², has a population of 15.46 million (as of December 31, 2020). It plays a key role in maritime trade, connecting the Black and Marmara seas.

Istanbul has a developed transport system, including metro, buses, trams and ferries, providing convenient travel both within and outside the city.

Climate

Istanbul is located on the outskirts of the subtropical zone, experiencing the influence of cold northern winds. Winters here are cool (from +3 °C to +9 °C) and humid, with snowfalls. Spring and autumn are mild but with extreme temperature changes, while summers are hot (19°C to 28°C) with periods of high humidity.

The cost of living

The average salary in Istanbul is 9,100 TL. The city experiences high costs of alcohol, cigarettes and electronics due to high taxes. It should also be noted that international education here is significantly more expensive than in government institutions.

Some professions, such as legal, medical, veterinary and pharmaceutical, are closed to foreigners. However, the city offers extensive opportunities in the fields of trade, finance and tourism.

Safety

In terms of crime, Istanbul ranks 188th among 427 cities with a crime index of 47.62. The city is also characterized by high seismic activity.

Cost of buying and renting housing

Rent of a one-room apartment in the center: 17,564.98 ₽.

Rent of a one-room apartment outside the center: 10,005.86 ₽.

Rent of a three-room apartment in the center: 31,672.70 ₽.

Rent of a three-room apartment outside the center: 18,287.51 ₽.

Buying an apartment in the center: 77,205.44 RUR per sq. m. m.

Buying an apartment outside the center: RUB 35,696.60 per sq. m. m.

Mersin

Second in line in our review of the best cities in Turkey is Mersin, famous for its coastal boulevards and parks.

The city has a population of approximately 955,106 people (as of 2014) and covers an area of ​​15,485 km². The city consists of the following districts: Akdeniz, Mezitli, Toroslar, Yenisehir, Tarsus, Silifke, Gelnar and Erdemli.

Mersin is located on the southeastern coast of Turkey, on the shores of the Gulf of Mersin.

Mersin's economy is diversified and includes fishing, oil, cement, food and textile industries. Tourism also plays an important role.

Turkey's largest port, which is an important hub for the country's trade relations, is of key importance for the city's economy. Employment among the male population is 60%, among females - 16%.

Climate

The climate in Mersin is characterized by long, hot summers and mild winters. The hot season lasts approximately 3.6 months, from June 12 to September 29, with average daily temperatures exceeding 30 °C. August is the hottest month of the year, with an average high of 33°C and low of 25°C. The cool season also lasts for about 3.6 months, from November 30 to March 16, when the average daily temperature drops below 18 °C. January is the coldest month, with an average high of 18°C ​​and low of 8°C.

Safety

The city sits on a seismic rift, but due to the low depth of the earth's crust, seismic activity here is lower than in other regions of the country.

As for criminal activity, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the crime index in the city is low - 37.

Cost of buying and renting housing

Price per 1 sq. m. in the central region varies from 63.77 thousand rubles to 519.39 thousand rubles.

Price per 1 sq. m. in the non-central area ranges from 53.45 thousand rubles to 269.87 thousand rubles.

Rent of a one-room apartment in the city center: from 13.74 thousand rubles to 70.04 thousand rubles.

Rent of a one-room apartment outside the center: from 11.71 thousand rubles to 40.37 thousand rubles.

Rent of a three-room apartment in the city center: from 26.65 thousand rubles to 135.58 thousand rubles.

Rent of a three-room apartment outside the center: from 20.13 thousand rubles to 72.74 thousand rubles.

Antalya

The penultimate one on our list of the best cities in Turkey. One of the most popular resort towns in Turkey, it has a population of 1,203,994 people and covers an area of ​​1,417 km². Administratively, the city is divided into 5 districts: Aksu, Döşemealtı, Kepez, Konyaaltı and Muratpaşa.

Climate

The climate in Antalya is subtropical with tropical features. Winters are mild and rainy, summers are hot and dry. The large amount of precipitation in winter is due to the geographical location of the city at the foot of the Taurus Mountains. Relative humidity ranges from 55% to 65% all year round.

Economy

The main sectors of Antalya's economy are agriculture, tourism, trade and light industry. The textile industry plays an important role in the city's economy. The construction of pleasure yachts is also gaining momentum, especially after the commissioning of a new seaport since the early 2010s.

The average salary in Antalya is 5400 Turkish lira

Safety

Antalya is located in the fourth seismic activity zone, which means there is a low probability of destructive earthquakes.

The city is also considered one of the safest in Turkey, both for tourism and permanent residence, with a very low crime rate.

Cost of buying and renting housing

Rent of a one-room apartment in the center: 9,245.75 ₽.

Rent of a one-room apartment outside the center: 6,898.52 ₽.

Rent of a three-room apartment in the center: 16,313.98 ₽.

Rent of a three-room apartment outside the center: 11,654.89 ₽.

Price per sq. m for the purchase of an apartment in the center: 39,288.76 ₽.

Price per sq. m for the purchase of an apartment outside the center: 28,934.07 ₽.

Alanya

The pearl of the Riviera, Alanya, closes our current ranking of the top cities in Turkey.

Alanya, located on the Mediterranean coast and part of the Turkish Riviera, has 364,180 inhabitants and covers an area of ​​1,598.51 km². The city is uniquely divided into western and eastern parts by a rocky peninsula and is located 138 km from Antalya.

Climate

Alanya's climate is typical Mediterranean, with mild winters and hot summers. Thanks to the Taurus Mountains, which protect the city from cold winds, Alanya is one of the warmest cities in Turkey. The average annual temperature is +17.8 °C, the warmest month is August (+29.4 °C), the coldest month is January (+12.2 °C). The average annual sea water temperature is +21.4 °C.

Economy

Tourism in Alanya began to develop in 1958, quickly becoming the dominant sector of the economy, which contributed to the growth of the city's population.

Safety

Alanya is located in the fourth zone of seismic activity, which indicates a low risk of strong earthquakes. The crime rate in Alanya is very low with an index of 23, making the city one of the safest for living and tourism.

Cost of buying and renting housing

Rent of a one-room apartment in the center: 12,852.83 ₽.

Rent of a one-room apartment outside the center: 11,246.37 ₽.

Rent of a three-room apartment in the center: 15,868.41 ₽.

Rent of a three-room apartment outside the center: 15,942.49 ₽.

Price per sq. m for the purchase of an apartment in the center: 35,221.18 ₽.

Price per sq. m for the purchase of an apartment outside the center: 40,644.80 ₽.

Choosing a city to live in Turkey is a decision that depends on many factors, including personal preferences, financial capabilities and lifestyle. As we have seen, each city offers its own unique advantages. Istanbul attracts with its dynamic economy and rich culture, Antalya is an ideal destination for sun and sea lovers, Alanya stands out for its mild climate and affordable housing, while Mersin offers a quiet life with developed industry and low crime rates.

Ultimately, choosing where is the best place to live in Turkey depends on everyone's personal needs and preferences. We hope this review will help you make an informed choice and find the perfect location for your new home in this amazing country.