Türkiye is large and diverse; the relocation experience differs more by city and region than in most countries. The brochures show coast and historic centres; the realities are about which city you actually live in, what level of infrastructure you need, and how the move interacts with FX and tax.
Cities at a glance
İstanbul is the largest market, the business and cultural centre, and the home of most expat-oriented services. Two continents, dense, complex, expensive in the central districts, with multiple sub-markets for different lifestyles.
Ankara is the political capital, with a distinct expat profile (often diplomatic and corporate) and a more administrative rhythm.
Coastal cities (Antalya, İzmir, Bodrum, Marmaris area) attract significant retiree and lifestyle expat populations. Seasonal economy in some; full-year communities in others.
Smaller cities (Konya, Eskişehir, Adana, others) have their own markets but limited international school and expat-services depth.
The choice of city decides everything else.
Schools and education
İstanbul has the deepest international school market; coast and Ankara have meaningful options. Beyond those, international schooling is limited.
Healthcare
Turkish healthcare is generally accessible with a mix of public and private. Major private hospital groups in İstanbul, Ankara, and İzmir are at international standards. International private cover is sensible for cross-border movers.
Connectivity
İstanbul Airport is a major hub. Coastal airports have strong summer connectivity, more limited in winter. For frequent international travel, İstanbul is the practical answer.
Cost of living and FX
Cost of living varies dramatically by city and lifestyle. FX volatility affects effective costs in foreign-currency terms over time; cases earning in non-TRY currencies should plan accordingly.
Banking and administrative
The administrative system is workable with patience. Online services have expanded significantly. Universal handle for most administrative interactions is the Turkish tax number.
What we tell movers
- Pick the city deliberately - İstanbul vs coast vs Ankara is a fundamentally different move.
- Build private healthcare relationships early.
- Treat FX as a planning variable, not background noise.
- For investor-route cases, document everything thoroughly.
- Plan the year-one tax position before the move date.
- Take Turkish language seriously for integration outside expat-heavy contexts.
Turkish relocation rewards intentional choice. The cases that succeed are the ones that picked the city with their actual life in mind.