I have written before about expat life in Turkey and how foreigners often cluster into their own communities. Turkey today hosts a diverse multinational expat population. According to Eurostat, in 2013 there were 272,842 foreigners permanently residing in Turkey, a modest number compared with the country’s population of around 74.9 million. Still, many of us are content with life here and try to build positive relationships with Turkish neighbors and friends.
Last week I spoke with Cameron Deggin, a sales expert for Property Turkey, and we realised that many people who have never lived here — and even some Turks — hold widespread misconceptions about expat life in Turkey. Below are the most common myths we identified, and a more balanced view of what life here is really like.
Myths about Expat Life in Turkey
1 : Turkey is a Big Rose Garden or the Flames of Satan’s Den
Views of Turkey tend to swing to extremes. Some imagine a perpetual utopia where every day is sunshine and leisure. Others react with fear or prejudice, painting Turkey as dangerous or intolerant because it is a Muslim-majority country. Both extremes miss the point.
For example, family and friends at home might picture me strolling the beach daily, while my real life mostly involves working at a computer to earn a living. My Facebook albums of travel, nights out or boat trips create a polished impression that doesn’t show ordinary chores, minor frustrations or mundane domestic details.
Equally misleading are lurid online claims from people who haven’t visited Turkey, describing a war zone or extreme punishments. The reality is far more ordinary: daily life in Turkey combines positives and negatives, like anywhere else. Expats get sick, deal with bureaucracy, worry about family and argue with neighbours. Living by the sea doesn’t erase taxes, paperwork or the usual stresses of life.
The point is, life here in Turkey is neither idyllic nor hell.
2 : Expats are Rich
Another common belief is that expats are wealthy. This assumption is more common among Turks than foreigners. In truth, many long-term expats worked for decades to build their savings, while younger arrivals often take informal or cash-in-hand jobs to make ends meet. Tourists who appear to live luxuriously are usually spending vacation money for a short period, not representing local reality.
When foreign property purchases became widely possible after 2001, living standards for some expats improved dramatically: property was inexpensive and savings interest rates were high. However, over the past decade interest rates have fallen and overall living costs have risen. Long-term residents have had to adjust budgets and adapt to a different economic landscape.
Over the last ten years that has all changed.
3 : Living Off the Grid is Possible
In the past it was somewhat easier to avoid formal residency by rotating tourist visas or working informally for cash. I did that early on, travelling across to Greek islands and receiving wages off the books. But the system has tightened considerably.
Today, obtaining and renewing residency involves a detailed, time-consuming process and sometimes home visits. Authorities are more vigilant about illegal work, and personal records are increasingly digitised. In short, it’s much harder to live entirely outside the system now. If you plan to reside long-term, follow the legal routes: visas, residency permits and work permits are enforced more strictly than before.
4 : We all Ride Unicorns and Have a Genie in a Bottle
Many new expats expect cultural immersion and language learning to magically produce a stress-free, blissful existence. They arrive full of enthusiasm, travel, connect with locals and feel exhilarated. That honeymoon phase can be intoxicating, but it doesn’t protect you from life’s inevitable challenges.
Homesickness, concerns about ill family members back home, culture shock, and bureaucratic changes all affect expats. Finding meaningful daily routines and hobbies can be difficult, and shifts in residency or property regulations can be frustrating. Cameron from Property Turkey often fields the question of whether to buy or rent — advice depends on personal circumstances. If you’re uncertain about a long-term move, renting for a year first is sensible. If you’re committed, buying can make sense given ongoing construction and market opportunities.
Just don’t give up at the first hurdle!
Leaving at the first setback isn’t always the best option — life changes and challenges are part of any expat experience. Living in Turkey can be mentally demanding at times but also highly rewarding. Most people who choose this life are searching for something different; they accept the ups and downs as part of the journey.
Question for readers: What are your thoughts about expat life, in Turkey or elsewhere?