Contemplating moving to Antalya from USA

14POSTS

12 years ago

Hi Everyone,

I've been living most of my life in US but now that I've reached 50 and recently single again, I've been thinking more and more about semi-retiring to Turkey where I was born.

Antalya region where I've spent many summer vacations is my favorite. However, I have a few questions for the expats who've been living in Antalya.

- Cost of living. Based on my estimates, $2,000/month would cover the basics (rent, utilities, food, etc). Is that a safe assumption?

- Social engagement. I'm most worried about meeting like-minded people who have similar interests as mine; running, cycling, tennis, cooking/food, wine, travel and arts. Do you find Antalya lacking in that respect?

- Keeping busy. Are there any opportunities for charity work? If you're retired, how do you keep yourself busy?

Thanks in advance.

See also

Relocating to Türkiye - Guide
Strategy for Purchasing Cell Phones When Moving to Türkiye - 40 Replies
Considering moving to Turkiye - 4 Replies
Moving from England/UK to Turkiye ☺ - 5 Replies
We moved to Antalya - 9 Replies
Moving to Türkiye and become citizens - 2 Replies
Moving from Canada to Konya with two boys - 4 Replies

stumpy Laos Expert

18028POSTS

12 years ago

For cost of living try numbeo.com

boletqabarday Active member

41POSTS

12 years ago

specialized wrote:
Hi Everyone,

I've been living most of my life in US but now that I've reached 50 and recently single again, I've been thinking more and more about semi-retiring to Turkey where I was born.

Antalya region where I've spent many summer vacations is my favorite. However, I have a few questions for the expats who've been living in Antalya.

- Cost of living. Based on my estimates, $2,000/month would cover the basics (rent, utilities, food, etc). Is that a safe assumption?

- Social engagement. I'm most worried about meeting like-minded people who have similar interests as mine; running, cycling, tennis, cooking/food, wine, travel and arts. Do you find Antalya lacking in that respect?

- Keeping busy. Are there any opportunities for charity work? If you're retired, how do you keep yourself busy?

Thanks in advance.

My dear friend ,

Good afternoon . If you are going to live alone in a furnished apartment that you are going to rent will be good for you . 2000 USD is enough but you have to know which part of the region you are going to move . For your all needs & questions please feel yourself free to contact with me .

Warmest regards

specialized Member

14POSTS

12 years ago

Thanks Stumpy. Numbeo is helpful for getting a general idea on cost of living but I'd also like to hear from people on the ground.

specialized Member

14POSTS

12 years ago

Thanks for your kind offer Boletqabarday. I'll be in touch.

jadegl Active member

34POSTS

12 years ago

hi there DALLAS!!!!

your budget sounds just fine for Antalya.

I agree - Antalya is a very nice place to live in. There's lots to do here.

First of all there are a few expat clubs here where people from all over the world get together.

There are lots of activities in both the summer and winter.

The weather is, most of the time, mild but too hot in August!!!

I think you'll like it here.

I also live here, near Lara.

Hope this has been of help to you and look forward to hearing from you,

Jade

boletqabarday Active member

41POSTS

12 years ago

jadegl wrote:
hi there DALLAS!!!!

your budget sounds just fine for Antalya.

I agree - Antalya is a very nice place to live in. There's lots to do here.

First of all there are a few expat clubs here where people from all over the world get together.

There are lots of activities in both the summer and winter.

The weather is, most of the time, mild but too hot in August!!!

I think you'll like it here.

I also live here, near Lara.

Hope this has been of help to you and look forward to hearing from you,

Jade

Dear Jade ,

I agree with you my friend . I live in Sarisu

specialized Member

14POSTS

12 years ago

Hi Jade,

Thank you so much for the feedback. It's very helpful. I'm happy to hear about the active expat clubs there. What kind of activities are they engaged in if you don't mind me asking? My biggest fear is being bored out of my mind shortly after I move there.

I bet Antalya in August is not as bad as Dallas although this summer has been unusually cool here so I shouldn't complain.

jadegl Active member

34POSTS

12 years ago

hi there DALLAS

I can assure you that you don't get bored here in Antalya, unless you choose to stay at home and not socialise.

There are all kinds of meetings, excursions and events here in Antalya organized for the expats.

There are cycling, walking, camera and painting clubs too.

There's a huge foreign community here in Antalya.

There are lots of festivals too.

You will not get bored!

Jade

specialized Member

14POSTS

12 years ago

#10

Hi Jade. That sounds great.

Are expat clubs active year round? I suspect not everyone spends winters in Antalya but I might be wrong.

jadegl Active member

34POSTS

12 years ago

#11

hi there specialised,

the clubs are active all-year round.

Don't forget that the foreign community is huge here.

Jade

boletqabarday Active member

41POSTS

12 years ago

#12

khd.akkad wrote:
hi boletqabarday,
what is minimum salary to survive there in turkish lira?
and r there job offers for expat.

thank u ,

Bro ,

Please check the previous correspondences

boletqabarday Active member

41POSTS

12 years ago

#13

jadegl wrote:
hi there specialised,

the clubs are active all-year round.

Don't forget that the foreign community is huge here.

Jade

Dear Jade ,

I would love to become friends & be in touch with you .

Warmest regards

specialized Member

14POSTS

12 years ago

#14

Another question that I forgot to ask in my original post was about health care costs.

I've read several posts on purchasing private health insurance versus pay-as-you-go. I've never worked in Turkey so public health insurance is not an option. Will anyone venture to guess what a private health insurance would cost for a healthy individual in 50s?

boletqabarday Active member

41POSTS

12 years ago

#15

specialized wrote:
Another question that I forgot to ask in my original post was about health care costs.

I've read several posts on purchasing private health insurance versus pay-as-you-go. I've never worked in Turkey so public health insurance is not an option. Will anyone venture to guess what a private health insurance would cost for a healthy individual in 50s?

Ask your insurance company if they have a partner in Turkey (Antalya) . There so co operational firms around here so not a great problem

specialized Member

14POSTS

12 years ago

#16

Unfortunately, thanks to the current health insurance system in USA which is company sponsored once I leave my job I'll also lose my health insurance coverage and will have to purchase private insurance.

jadegl Active member

34POSTS

12 years ago

#17

hi there specialised,

I would suggest that you take out the state health insurance which is available now (has been since last year) for foreigners in Turkey who have a residence permit.

It's inexpensive at approx 260 TL a month which covers your wife/husband and children too if they have got residence permits.

The new state hospital here in Antalya is very modern and has got a good reputation.

I may have written before that I run a real-estate agency here in Antalya - it called Anatolian Rose Homes. We rent out and sell properties in and around Antalya so maybe I can help you find an apartment/villa to rent - furnished or unfurnished as you wish.

We have lots of properties which are not on our website. If you want to know more, pse take a look at our website and contact me via the contact address given there.

We also offer professional help with getting all this paperwork done here which is pretty daunting for people who don't know the ropes here,

I'll give you my private email address (and we'll see whether it will be blocked or not on this website!!!)

jadeglnn@yahoo.co.uk

Lara I think is the best part of the city to live in and then Konyaalti area.

Have a good day,
Jade

specialized Member

14POSTS

12 years ago

#18

260TL a month is very reasonable indeed.

If I do move, I'd start out by renting a furnished apartment first. I'll take a look at your web site. Thanks for the email and offer to help.

jadegl Active member

34POSTS

12 years ago

#19

hi there specialised,

we have several properties to rent which are not on our website - have some problems with our website at present.

Just for info.

If you let me know more details -

size of desired apt?
how many bedrooms?
Budget?
Area desired?
Is a swimming-pool a must or not?
Can it be a ground-floor apt?

Then I can send you some photos and infos - pse contact me at

jadeglnn(at)yahoo.co.uk

or

info(at)anatolianrosehomes.com

Thanks,
Jade

specialized Member

14POSTS

12 years ago

#20

Thanks Jade. I sent you a PM.

agupta122 New member

4POSTS

12 years ago

#21

Hi Jade,
I'm a natural health / Ayurveda doctor. I'm also from the USA, living in Antalya. But having difficulty finding people who speak English and like to go do various excursions. You mentioned in one of your posts "There are all kinds of meetings, excursions and events here in Antalya organized for the expats. There are cycling, walking, camera and painting clubs too." ... can you please tell me where these are? Who to contact etc? If you don't mind, I can PM you as well about it to your email?

Thank you, Amit

specialized Member

14POSTS

12 years ago

#22

I'd like to know that too. I'm planning on spending some time in Antalya in November. I'd like to meet some of the expats while I'm there.

agupta122 New member

4POSTS

12 years ago

#23

specialized: you may contact me if you wish at agupta122 /!\ I AM A STUPID SPAMMER /!\ (dot) com

I'll be happy to meet. Where are you coming from in the US? I moved here from NY.

Talk soon.

specialized Member

14POSTS

12 years ago

#24

Great. Thanks Agupta. I currently live in Dallas, TX. I'll send you an email.

specialized Member

14POSTS

12 years ago

#25

I'm going to stir the pot a bit now. As an expat living in Antalya, what's one thing you would like to see changed the most?

Barbrey New member

5POSTS

12 years ago

#26

I'd love to know the answer too! I'm 50, single, semi-retired (small pension) from Vancouver Canada, looking to teach English in Turkey. I have the degrees and credentials. I'm trying to decide between Izmir and Antalya. Both appear beautiful from the photos! I'm really into scuba and snorkelling, book clubs, archeology and I'm a would-be writer. I need a decent one-bedroom in a good area that's not too far from the water if possible but isnt more than $600/month. Would you say Antalya is for me?

And a big hey! to all of you - maybe we can get to know each other when I arrive mid-October!

Barbrey

specialized Member

14POSTS

12 years ago

#27

Hi Barbrey,

Izmir and Antalya are two very different cities. Cost of living in Izmir would be higher but not as high as Istanbul. I personally prefer Antalya but my experience is limited to short vacations in both locales.

From some of the posts here and browsing around finding a small flat under $600 shouldn't be a problem.

Flaming Spaz Member

17POSTS

12 years ago

#28

Sorry but the worst decision that u can Ever make

specialized Member

14POSTS

12 years ago

#29

Flaming Spaz, a comment like that is not helpful. We're here to learn from the experiences of those who've already been down this path. Everyone's situation is different. Give us the facts and we'll decide on our own whether it's a good decision or not.

ellanja Member

21POSTS

12 years ago

#30

Hi Im expat too living here... If you want a health Insurance.. Get a Turkey residence permit and then go to SGK office and apply and Insurance. Its 240 something and ıts worth it. you will be free of all hospital bills if you go to government hospital but private ull pay 20% something. I have many foreigner patient and they have SGK. and its great.

Guest5962 Guest

0POSTS

11 years ago

#31

Hey

With the budget you can either spend minimal or you can spend a bit, depending on how you choose to live. Although i do not have rental cost in itself, I wouldn't be spending much more than $100 a week in all honesty. That would change if i started doing more activities etc, but general living expenses are about that if you live more the Turkish way.

There is plenty to do here and some people keen to do it, as long as you get out there and meet the people around the place, which will happen if you come here.

I havent been here ages so cant say too much definitively, but good luck

kenjee ViP

19610POSTS

11 years ago

#32

Hello Tamermol

Thank you for the share!

Also, just for info, you are on quite an old thread, but useful informations are always welcome

Regards

Kenjee

Guest5962 Guest

0POSTS

11 years ago

#33

Hey yeah I know. I was sending personal messages and it said I need to post on more forums before I can send more personal messages. So I just went on anything Antalya and offered my help, old or new

ahgirl Member

24POSTS

11 years ago

#34

hi jade i saw your email address on forum for antayla. I am an american coming to antayala on 29 august. i will be working in fener area. i am trying to find some kind of temporary housing or room etc until i find a permanent place to sign a long term contract. i will be starting work sept 1 my husband will be arriving around 10 sept. i will not collect my first salary until the 1 week of october. i will be making 3000 tl a month plus my employer will pay half my rent up to 350 tl max on his half. i need a furnished flat not too expensive nothing extravagant. any help would be appreciated. i am still in cairo egypt at moment. [Moderated: Please avoid posting personal details on the forum]