The driving force of your expatriation in Turkey

Yes moving to Kusadasi, Turkey was a big decision for me. I am a divorced man, so I am free to move where ever I choose. My children are grown and have thier own families and are doing well. I had never been to Turkey before I made up my mind to take the plunge. I did my due diligence in investigating every aspect of life and how would it affect me being in a foreign country and not knowing the language. I bought a one-way ticket. I already had a lawyer and a real-estate broker set up to get me started.   

I would have to say the main reason for me making the change was financial. I live on Social Security from the USA and with all the investigation I did and talking to ex-pats, that already lived there, I came with confidence I would have enough money to live and thrive in Turkey. I booked a hotel for two weeks and then got to work with the help of a very good lawyer and real estate broker. It was only a very short time before I had a residence and most, if not all the paperwork needed to exist here. I now have been here for close to eight months and all my expectations of been met and exceeded.

Although I have found that I can afford to live here, there are many bonuses to be living in Kusadasi. I am a very outgoing personality and have found the Turkish people to be very warm and friendly. I can truthfully say I have made more good friends here in eight months than in the last 40 years in the USA. I will warn you, anyone reading this must take precautions. Do not, and I repeat do not let people into your lives too easily until you are absolutely sure of their motives. As with the rest of the world, there will always be people to try to take advantage of you. The other criteria that was important to me was to be able to obtain a residence that was not only comfortable but with a great view and also big enough to entertain friends. I love to cook and have guests over for stimulating conversations all the time. I have a three-bedroom, rented, and furnished condo overlooking the Aegean Sea, that could easily have 15 to 20 guests. This condo would have easily cost 10 times what I am paying here in Turkey in the USA. You asked if I am satisfied with my choice, and I can truly say that if I would have known what Turkey had to offer 15 years ago when I got divorced, I would now be a resident for fifteen years. I am completely 100% satisfied with my choice. Considering the cost of living, the culture, the people, the food, the everyday life and the nightlife that is available. The fresh air 24/7/365. Having this beautiful fresh air and the slower pace of living alone will add years to your life.

I am going to tell you a short story of what happened to me after being here for only three days. I was walking along the street, the seaside. When a Turkish man approached me asking for a light. I was smoking. We got into a short conversation and he asked why I was here in Kusadasi and invited me to come with him across the street to his now-closed Bar/Restaurant. Mind you this was a Sunday night around 9 pm and Covid at that time had all the businesses closed. He unlocked his doors and invited me in to sit at the bar, share a few drinks and talk. Around 10 pm he asked if I was hungry, and I replied I was. He got on the phone and called in his chef to cook for me, he was there in fifteen minutes and turned out a beautiful and tasty lamb dinner. No charge for the drinks or the food. That does not happen in the USA anymore. I said to myself am I living in a dream? Is this really what happens here? He became a good friend and catered to my every need over the next few weeks driving me around, making sure I was going to the right locations as being a new foreigner in Turkey. I could tell you ten stories like this that occurred over the next few weeks and months. Sorry for the long explanation but I did not see any other way to explain this beautiful experience I am living.

If you are at all struggling in life and want to take a peek at what could become a magical living experience, Do some research on life in Turkey. As with any country you move to you will make more good friends and have an easier time getting through your daily routines if you attempt to speak their language. Even though I still do not speak much Turkish, Kusadasi was a great choice as it is a tourist town and a lot of Turkish citizens understand the English language to accommodate tourists coming into their city.