Looking to purchase an apartment in Izmir...

Hi,

I too, have decided to retire to live in Turkey in few months time. I live in UK, but lived in Istanbul for over a year, and have been back there many time on holiday, or part of my work. I do speak Turkish quiet good.

I will be buying a property in Yalova, where Ataturk retired, a nice area between Istanbul and Bursa.

If you need my help or assistance, specially after I have completed the move and learnt all the pitfalls, you are more than welcome to get in touch.

Hi Cilcain,
Absolutely, It would be nice to know someone who has already dealt with purchasing a realestate in Turkey. Language is a big deal when moving in. I have lived in Ukraine but it was government assignment and interprettors were provided.
Thank you for offering to help. My wife is from a large city so wants to be in Izmir or Istanbul so she has access to city like life as well. Yalova sounds like a smaller town? Please, let me know what makes you choose this area.
Thanks a lot.
Bilal Ghayur
***

Attention, the law was changed started with 5 of January 2022 ❗
You can NOT get the Turkish citizenship for 250.000 $ anymore.  The new level is 500.000 $.  Not having a passport, you need a serious health insurance for be fully covered.  Just let you know.

Serious safe buildings, new construction are expensive today. Still cheaper than UK. But keep in mind that are built following the new standards and regulations, are safety in case of an earthquake, and you can sell it without a problem any time you want, because Turkish people prefer new buildings.
Also remember that companies import majority of the staff they use for buildings, therefore new buildings are expensive (they import paying $ or €).
For be in PIECE for what you pay, to be sure you pay the real price for what you buy, ask for an official evaluation. Don't buy without this paper. The evaluator works for guvernment. They have a good, safety job. They will not mass with their job.  The seller (private or company / the developer) still can ask whatever price he want. But you will know the real value, negotiate, decide ...
I would aim for city center. Is clean, close to the see, with life. But this is what I like.
If you want peaceful life, go outside of Izmir. There are many cute & quiet villages and you are still not far from a big city. But there are not cheap, cheap either. And you need a car if you don't like public transport, which is good in Turkey.  Anyway you need a lawyer company specialised in purchasing properties by foreigners. It's cost you between 1000 and 3000 $ depending on the area/city/village....etc. There are companies who ask for 5000 or 8000 like "Turkish Property" but they are actually a British company...
I hope I was useful.

Thank you so much for your invaluable information for purchasing property.  The information you provided leads me to a few questions:

✸  What advantage does an expat gain in becoming a turkish citizen?  The half a million dollar (US dollar I assume) seems to be a very steep amount.

✸  How do you locate an evaluator (or as the US calls them appraisers) and do they charge a fee.  My fear would be that the appraiser/evaluator may artificially increase the appraised value for expats.

✸  Likewise, how does an expat find a reliable lawyer for purchasing property.  Is there a list of recommended lawyers published on any websites for foreigners? 

I am very guarded in who I work with and making sure the process is fair and reasonable.  Thanks again.  Great forum and great topic.

Look at Kusadasi if you are interested and want information I would be happy to help. I don't have much time in Izmir but the little time I spent there I did not like it. People. are not as friendly as they are in Kusadasi, cost of living is higher, Not as many English speaking Turks as in Kusadasi, Many more reasons if you would like to discuss.

A lot of promotion that taxes are low or non-existent for retirees, I think this is not true (very much dependent on the situation). Be careful I would say if you get more then EUR 10K per year.
I do not get any pension until 65, so fine until then without work  (also be careful I want to say)
Turkey is a great country, BUT ...

As a more generic question/ remark why nothing about questions.
I think I will create a post on that