Introduction of the expat

My name is Natalie and I am the author of the Turkish Travel Blog. My aim is to travel to every village, town and city in Turkey to learn about the cultures, traditions and history of this wonderful country.

Why did you move to Turkey to become an expat? What is your story? Why did you choose the area that you settled in?

I never actually intended to settle in Turkey. In 2001, the holiday company that I was working for based me here.  Over the years, I worked in different holiday resorts and eventually met my Turkish husband. We settled in the small seaside resort of Didim because price of property was very cheap. Eleven years have passed since I first came to Turkey and the time has just flown by. This makes me more determined to get to know as much about this country as I can.

How do you find life in Turkey different to where you are from originally?

I love the relaxed way of life and the community spirit. Even though I am British, I feel like an insider. It is also cheaper to run a household in Turkey, as bills are a lot less. For example, my council tax is approximately 20 pounds a year. Compare this to the thousands that the UK charge and it makes life a lot less stressful.

What advice would you give to other people looking to move to Turkey?

Just do your homework. I have heard stories of expats that feel they have been ripped off on property and furniture purchases but then they confess that they never shopped around. Also, if you intend to move here permanently, find something to fill your days, whether it is a hobby or fulfilling that long life dream to write a book. While a carefree life in the sun sounds fantastic, many expats end up complaining that they are bored but there is no need to be.

Have you ever experienced any trouble whilst living in Turkey?

Of course and I do not think there is one person that can say they have not. If this was this case, then Turkey would be paradise and everyone would be living here. I experienced trouble and then moved on from there. Made my decision as to whether it was my mistake or just one of those things in life. I also make a habit not to befriend expats just because we are both foreigners in another country. If I would not be friends with that person in my own country, then I am not friends with them in Turkey. No matter where you are in the world, there will be times of trouble and how you deal with it is the most important thing.

Does the language barrier affect your lifestyle in Turkey? Did you try to learn Turkish? Why/Why not?

I can speak day to day Turkish but shy away from complicated conversations. In my home town of Didim, it is possible not to speak a word of Turkish and get by as most of the Turks there, speak English fluently. I learned Turkish because I married a Turkish man and his family do not speak English.

How do you find medical services in Turkey? Do they compare with where you are from originally?

Fantastic. If I want to see a doctor, I just walk in without an appointment. The same goes for the dentist. I always had to make appointments to see these professionals in the UK. I have never had cause to end up in the hospital emergency room but if I did, I would not fear the Turkish health system. Did you know that some of the best doctors in the world are reported to be in the Izmir hospitals?

Thanks a lot to Natalie for the interview. Remember, if you are an expat in Turkey – we want to hear from you!

Please contact Turkey Expat Forum and we will be happy to interview you.

Duke also has a very informative website you might wish to take a look at – Captivating Cappadocia. Take a read of Duke’s story..

Introduction of the expat
My name is Duke Dillard. I live in a village in Cappadocia with my wonderful wife and 7 never-boring (but sometimes bored) children. I was born in Germany (parents were in the US military serving there). We moved to the USA before my second birthday. I grew up in a normal middle class suburb, had a good childhood. I had a significant encounter with Jesus Christ as a child that has made all the difference in my life. I went to Washington & Lee University, played soccer for the university team, and majored in Economics and German. After graduation I moved to Los Angeles and taught in inner city public schools with an organization called Teach for America. In 1992 I rode my bicycle from Seattle to Boston with 2 friends. I married an amazing woman in 1995 and am still madly in love with her. We had our first child in 1997 and moved to Kazakhstan. (I fill in more below.)
CaptivatingCappadocia.com is a blog that tries to “capture the heart of Cappadocia” for visitors and other interested in the region. I give information and tell stories to help tourists have a fuller experience, I share about daily life, and introduce outsiders to the locals who make this region the special place that it is. My philosophy is that your most memorable experiences in Cappadocia will not come from seeing historical rocks (although they are very cool), but from connecting with Cappadocians in the context of this historically significant land. That is what I try to do with the blog.
Why did you move to Turkey to become an expat? What is your story? Why did you choose the area that you settled in?
We first moved overseas in 1997 to Kazakstan to work with an NGO. After a few years we moved to Uzbekistan and then in 2007 we moved to Turkey. I attended Bilkent University in Ankara where I got my MBA. After living in Central Asia, we thought Turkey would be a good fit. We have been pleased even though we were surprised at how different it is, even with a similar language. After finishing the MBA we wanted to stay in Turkey so we travelled around a bit to see where we should go. After much prayer and consideration, we decided the best place would be Cappadocia. We feel that we can do everything we want here while enjoying an amazing location. We go exploring regularly and feel we will never run out of things to see and do. Among other things I write for CaptivatingCappadocia.com (as described above). We do not know how long we will stay, maybe 3 years or maybe 20 years. We figure we will know when our time is up.
How do you find life in Turkey different to where you are from originally?
In many ways life in Turkey is similar to life in America, especially in the big cities. However, at a basic level the worldview is quite different. Turks have a high level of nationalism and a history that still greatly influences them today. This affects daily life in subtle ways and takes time to understand. Of course the Islamic practices are different with the call to prayer sounding five times a day. A number of subjects are taboo to discuss in public, which took me a while to understand. I got in trouble on one occasion at least. Overall, we have adjusted pretty easily and have found life in Turkey very enjoyable.
What advice would you give to other people looking to move to Turkey?
I would encourage anyone interested that Turkey is a great place to live. I have found, however, that not everyone thinks this way. I have met a number of expats who seem addicted to complaining about life in Turkey. Honestly, I am not sure why they stay. At the same time I understand that it is easy to fall into this mode. No matter where we live there is plenty to complain about if that is our bent. I would recommend a practice of regular thanksgiving. Find people who like living here and talk about what you are thankful for on a regular basis. That may sound cheesy or naive, but I promise that your life in Turkey will benefit.

Also, as I have written on my blog, be aware that relationships are the key to life in Turkey. If someone is moving here from a western country, they will probably not understand how much having the right relationships opens any door. We would not have been accepted in our village if not for one friend and our landlord who accepted us. Through them the whole village has received us. This applies to neighbourhood life, buying/shopping, traveling…every aspect of life. Take time to build relationships and your life in Turkey will be full.
Have you ever experienced any trouble whilst living in Turkey?
Of course, but no more than anywhere else. We have had no major troubles worth sharing. The only area I should warn newcomers about is discussing taboo subjects. Understanding how to function in a honor/shame society takes time. Determining the topics is not difficult, just read some books on Turkey. I learned this the hard way.

Does the language barrier affect your lifestyle in Turkey? Did you try to learn Turkish? Why/Why not?
Yes and yes. The language barrier has definitely made life difficult at times. I think it is possible to live in certain parts of Turkey (an English speaking university campus like Bilkent, for example) without needing Turkish language knowledge, but for most of the country knowing Turkish is vital in order to have real relationships. We have been learning Turkish. At this point I can speak a bit and understand much of what is said to me, but I have a long way to go.

How do you find medical services in Turkey? Do they compare with where you are from originally?
We have been very happy with the medical services. With seven kids, one born in Ankara, we have had plenty of opportunities to use them. The basic neighbourhood clinics have been fine for minor sicknesses like colds and strep throat. We even had two of our boys circumcised at our neighbourhood clinic- very painful for them!! We used a private hospital for the birth of our seventh child and were very pleased. It was as good as our experiences in America. Then when our son swallowed poison and needed an endoscopy, the public hospital was great- and cheap. Also, when our first daughter was very small she had part of her pinkie finger cut off from a door that slammed due to the wind. We rushed her to the International hospital in Istanbul and they performed emergency plastic surgery to sew it back on. They did a great job. Definitely no need to worry about medical care when moving to Turkey!
If you moved to Turkey as a family, how do you find the education system in Turkey?
We have been very happy with our experience with our local village school. We home school most of our children but two of the younger kids attend the village school. I cannot say it has the highest standards comparable to the top private schools in Ankara and Istanbul, but for what we want, this has been perfect. We supplement the kids’ education with home school. Our main goals for the local school are learning Turkish, making friends, and being a part of the village. All three of these goals are being accomplished at the village school, and we love the teachers who have been very kind and understanding with our children who do not speak Turkish well yet.
We also have many expat friends whose children have attended Turkish public schools, private schools and international schools. For the most part they have been very happy, at least in the early elementary years.

Thanks a lot to Duke for the interview. Remember, if you are an expat in Turkey – we want to hear from you!

Please contact Turkey Expat Forum and we will be happy to interview you.

Sarah has an interesting story to tell and provides some great insight into anyone looking to move to Turkey to live in Istanbul.

Sarah also has a blog that is well worth reading. Check out her blog at Istanbul’s Stranger.

Introduction of the expat

I moved to Turkey from the US in early 2002. I’m originally from Reno, Nevada, but I’ve also lived in San Francisco, CA and Eugene, OR, plus some short stints in Baltimore, MD and Monterey, CA. My family moved to just outside Portland, OR a couple of years after I came here, so that’s where I go home to now.

Why did you move to Turkey to become an expat? What is your story? Why did you choose the area that you settled in?

I didn’t exactly plan to be an expat, though I did haul an awful lot of stuff over here when I first came. I’d planned to stay for maybe a year or two and see how it went. I’d just finished an MATESOL, so getting a decent job pretty much anywhere in the world wasn’t an issue. I’d been to Turkey as a tourist the year before, and it was still a yabancı teacher oyster at that time. Plus I had this Turkish  Navy officer boyfriend who dumped me 3 months after I moved here, so I like to leave him out of the story except as the bit of coincidental good fortune that brought me here.

After a couple of years I got married, and then came the boy, and various forces both within and outside of my control conspired to keep me here. I really hated it for awhile, but now I like it again and I’ve dug in my heels for the long haul.

I came to Istanbul because that’s where most of the jobs were, and why the hell not move to Istanbul? It’s one of the coolest places on earth. I lived in Bakırköy for awhile (ew, but a good place to start out in its weird way), then Beylikdüzü (completely sucked), then to Sarıyer, where I am now. Sarıyer is part of why living in Turkey got good again.

How do you find life in Turkey different to where you are from originally?

Everything is completely different. The longer I stay here, the more I realize how completely different it is.

But I can’t really compare the two lives– the US life and the Turkish life– anymore. I’ve been here too long, and I was never really a grown-up, with real responsibilities and  stuff, in the US. More and more I can take care of things here by myself in Turkish and everything, so the lack of independence that made life here so different from home, is starting to go away.

What advice would you give to other people looking to move to Turkey?

Don’t buy property without checking everything out very carefully. Develop a solid sense of humor because everything will be different and incredibly frustrating even though Turkish people are super nice and helpful and everything. It seems strange to me to categorize the whole race of Turkish people this way, but it is a characteristic that will strike you again and again. If you’re going to work somewhere, especially a school, check it out very carefully before you come, and talk to other people who work there. Bring more money than you expect you’ll need to tide you over until you get settled. Get a Turkish person or someone who speaks Turkish very well to help you through the bureaucratic crap, like buying a car or getting electricity turned on.

This is all very vague advice, sorry. I never properly moved here, like a grown up with plans and stuff. I just hauled all my stuff and lived in school housing for awhile and then just went with whatever came my way. Not everyone has that luxury.

Oh, and ladies, if you prefer tampons with applicators, bring a bunch with you. You’ll almost never find them here.

Have you ever experienced any trouble whilst living in Turkey?

A bit when I first came, I suppose. I had a scary curb-crawling incident where keying the car and spitting in the guy’s face didn’t even make him go away. I got assaulted on my doorstep one night, but he ran off when I screamed. I was pretty drunk though, so even though it wasn’t my fault it was pretty much my fault. The whole thing about women here is pretty different too, though it’s getting better. Sort of.

Our house was robbed last year, and I’ve had a few other house-thief related issues.

But these are things that can happen anywhere, especially in any big city. Istanbul is actually pretty freaking safe, compared to US big cities, or even small ones. Common sense will be your best protection, and except for the house robbery, it was a lack of common sense that invited all the other bad things.

Does the language barrier affect your lifestyle in Turkey? Did you try to learn Turkish? Why/Why not?

The language barrier will affect every aspect of your lifestyle in Turkey. Some people choose to keep the language barrier and engage with the world in whatever way they do. That seems to be fine for them, though it looks more stressful from where I’m standing. I chose to learn Turkish partly because Turkish is cool, and partly because it just makes my life easier and makes me more independent and flexible. Everyday things like going to the doctor or sorting out a problem over the phone are unnecessarily difficult if you don’t speak Turkish. And Turkey is way more fun if you speak Turkish. People more and more treat me like a normal person because I can sort of speak like one. If you don’t mind needing to depend on other people a lot, or always being treated as a foreigner (and it has its good and bad sides), then there’s really no need to learn Turkish

How do you find medical services in Turkey? Do they compare with where you are from originally?

Short answer: So long as you can pay, and you live in a big city, you’ll find everything as good as any Western country. Long answer: It’s really long because medicine is one of those things that is so deeply different across cultures, going to the doctor is still something I struggle with. And I don’t know much about medical services in small towns.

I’ve written tons of posts about going to doctors here, because it’s always either an adventure or an ordeal. Usually an ordeal because of feeling poorly throughout the whole thing. If you’re really interested, here are some links to my rants: Doctors  http://istanbuls-stranger.blogspot.com/2008/04/doctors.html , More About Doctors http://istanbuls-stranger.blogspot.com/2011/04/doctor-update.html , A Medical Adventure (Part I) http://istanbuls-stranger.blogspot.com/2011/10/how-i-completely-suck-at-life-part-i.html , A Medical Adventure (Part II).

If you moved to Turkey as a family, how do you find the education system in Turkey?

As a teacher, I find it appalling. Public schools  in Istanbul are, for the most part, overcrowded and understaffed and the kids often only go half-day to make room for all of them. Private schools are expensive and not all that great, really. The system itself is very outdated and 1950s, mostly memorization-based, and seems to suck every last bit of joy from the learning experience.  Critical thinking is strongly discouraged. Your 12 years of education culminate in a single, high-stakes multiple choice exam you spend 2 years memorizing for, and which determines your entire future, down to which university you may study at, and in which department.

As a mother, it is with the greatest of consternation I’m looking toward getting my son into school here. I’ll just have to try undo every bit of educating they do on him, and make sure he remains  the curious and imaginative little person he is. He mostly loves school now, and he loves learning stuff. I hope to keep it that way.

Thanks a lot to Sarah for the interview. Remember, if you are an expat in Turkey – we want to hear from you!

Please contact Turkey Expat Forum and we will be happy to interview you.

Introduction of the expat

I’m Gemma, a 22 year old from London, England. I originally came to Turkey a year ago so still a newbie when it comes to being an “expat”! However it’s been a great fun year and I hope to spend many more of them with my Turkish Fiancé.

Why did you move to Turkey to become an expat? What is your story?

Well, to be honest I never moved to become an expat. I came with a friend of mine from Belgium to visit, my now fiancé, for a 3 week holiday. When I arrived I was in awe at what I found. Originally schooled at a boarding school, my need to move around and travel was always something that I was in my mind and Turkey seemed like a great place to start. I spent 3 weeks living as a tourist and a local, this is probably the best insight to a country you could ever experience, and this is how Istanbul won my heart. When I arrived home, I made the choice that I had to go back, so 4 days and £90 late, I was back on a flight to start my new life in Turkey, living with my friend.

How do you find life in Turkey different to where you are from originally?

I find it totally different and that’s what I love about it. It’s not your normal life that you would experience in the UK. There is always something different to do as Turkey is growing and changing every day. Istanbul is a huge city, somewhere you could get lost in for weeks, and that’s what makes it different, is you can pick a new place to adventure and discover. Back in the UK life was the same cycle of events, with the same faces, here; you can find a new quiet bar or a quirky little restaurant that makes the day different from the last. A day is never the same in Istanbul.

What advice would you give to other people looking to move to Turkey?

The first piece of advice I would give and always give to those that ask me about moving here, is if you are coming to work, find a job before you move. I ended up using all my savings just to get by while trying to find a job here. If your coming to live but not work, take your time with doing everything, enjoy what you are doing and don’t rush. Many of us tend to rush what Istanbul and Turkey has to offer and by the time a year or 2 has passed, you can end up regretting rushing too much.

My second advice would be, and I know it sounds funny, don’t take for granted the summer weather, this is something I didn’t realise until it was too late, Turkey isn’t sunny and warm all year round, you would be surprised the amount of people who don’t realise this because its portrayed to us as a hot sunny country all year round. I didn’t pack winter close and this winter I’ve had to spend a nice amount of lira on some jumpers and coats to keep me warm in the snow. Be prepared for all weathers here because they get all of it, spring, summer, autumn and winter….

Thirdly, if you are coming to live now you need a residence visa to stay longer than 3 months, just a small pointer for those in Istanbul at least, the government agency’s that you apply to and have to visit for these don’t speak a great amount of English, let alone any other language other than Turkish. If you know a Turk see if they are prepared to come with you to help or try and find a agency that might be able to help you sort this out too, there are a few of them around but personally I just let my friend translate.

There is so much here that I want to write but a lot of it you also have to experience too, my last major piece of advice would be to try and start learning Turkish, if you wish too, as soon as possible. I didn’t and year later I really wish I could speak it. I rely on my little amount of Turkish and friends to get by as best I can. Most popular restaurants in busy places will speak English and have English menus but small markets, supermarkets in some of the suburbs have very limited amounts of English knowledge.

Last enough, enjoy yourself, live, laugh and love the country and its people.  Live everything your city has to offer, laugh with the locals, you would be surprised how many of them actually would love to sit and learn about you over a beer, love the country, its culture and it’s food, especially is food!!

Have you ever experienced any trouble whilst living in Turkey?

Personally, not any big troubles, day to day like any foreigner living in a foreign country but nothing you don’t learn from and change the next time. I feel more comfortable being out at night alone as well as travelling around as a female than I can remember at home in the UK. The feeling of safety and homeliness is something that I feel everyday while I’m in Turkey it’s not a feeling I every really felt in the UK.

Try and remember that there are some heavy religious people within Turkey, some Turks are not so religious but try and remember to respectful. Islam here is not just a religion, it’s a way of life for some, so their views of you maybe a lot different than yours of them, just try and stay on the right side of them and you should be fine.

Does the language barrier affect your lifestyle in Turkey? Did you try to learn Turkish? Why/Why not?

As previously mentioned, I know enough basic Turkish to get by, I’m very lucky that my friends and fiancé have all studied outside Turkey so speak better English than I do, however just for my own benefit when I do meet people who speak limited amounts of English I would love to be able to communicate with them. I really think Turkish is a beautiful language, and am now, 1 year on finally starting to advance my language skills.

How do you find medical services in Turkey? Do they compare with where you are from originally?

I’ve only visited the doctors here for various reasons, and I have to say they probably were the best visits to a doctor/hospital I’ve ever had, all be it expensive due to going to a private one. The doctors spoke English and the staff were very caring and helpful, I would rate any private hospital here 10/10. State hospitals here are not so great a lot worse than our NHS at home I’m told so private is the only option. Get insurance! In time hospital, dentist, optician and more can get very expensive, and you never know when your going to fall ill.

Thanks a lot to Gemma for the interview. Remember, if you are an expat in Turkey – we want to hear from you!

Please contact Turkey Expat Forum and we will be happy to interview you.

Terry Henson Kaymak has been kind enough to provide us with her thoughts on life in Ankara for expats in Turkey. Terry also updates her life in Ankara through her blog, Adventures in Ankara – well worth a read.

Introduction of the expat

Terry Henson Kaymak is a Philadelphia lawyer who quit her day job and moved to Turkey. Her life now brings a new adventure each day and she shares her musings in her blog, Adventures in Ankara. Through the blog, she explores Turkey with photography and wit, shares the cuisine, and provides useful and practical information to expats and visitors.

Why did you move to Turkey to become an expat? What is your story? Why did you choose the area that you settled in?

Honestly, I didn’t move to become an “expat”.  I was not familiar with that term at all!  But I guess that is exactly what I did.

I was looking for adventure.  I have always been a person who gets easily bored.  I like to be on the move.  For years, my job had kept me on the road and that was perfect for me.  When that changed, I needed something else, something more.  Having married a Turk in 2009, the decision to move here came easily.

My husband found a job as an assistant professor at his undergraduate university and therefore, we moved to Ankara.  It’s a really big city with lots to offer.  My husband selected our neighbourhood before I arrived.  He was looking for something not too far from his job, so the commute would be easier.  But he was also very considerate of my needs.

My neighborhood is very close to the downtown district, which means I can walk to top-rated stores as well as traditional small shops.  As far as groceries, I can throw a stone in any direction and hit a small market. I rarely drive to a larger grocery store.  It is also very close to one of the better hospitals.

What I truly love about my neighborhood is that while it is close to all of the Embassies so that I have easy access to other expats, it is not what I would define as an expat neighborhood.  It is traditional Turkish mixed with modern Turkish, older families and younger writers and artists.  It’s rather bohemian.  My husband did an excellent job of selecting the right place for me.  I am happy so far!

How do you find life in Turkey different to where you are from originally?

Life is actually easier for me now.  Not much is expected of me since I don’t speak the language yet.  Other than teaching English, it very difficult to get a job that will sponsor a work permit.  I get contract work from the States that I do online, but it is not full-time work.  I love it because it allows me the free time to explore, write my blog, and do whatever crosses my mind on a particular day.  However, I am constantly questioned by others as to how I spend my time.  It seems a bit unusual to many that I could actually enjoy being at home every day.  My friends in the States, on the other hand, would probably ask me where they could sign up!

What advice would you give to other people looking to move to Turkey?

I have three pieces of advice that I have offered over and over again.  1.  Keep an open mind.  Just because things are different does not mean they are wrong.  2.  Get out and meet the natives.  You are in a foreign land, take advantage of it!  It’s a unique experience that will teach you a lot!  3.  Laugh.  Do it every day, whether you are feeling it or not.  It helps to keep things in perspective.

Have you ever experienced any trouble whilst living in Turkey?

Unfortunately, I have experienced trouble first-hand.  My wallet was stolen.  I actually caught the guy, but at the time, I was not sure of what he had done.  I had a friend try to occupy him while I checked my purse.  By the time I returned he had struck my friend and got away.  These things can happen anywhere.  But the experience with how the police handled it was quite different from the States.  Suffice it to say, I was unhappy with the whole mess.  Next time, I will act on my instinct.

Does the language barrier affect your lifestyle in Turkey? Did you try to learn Turkish? Why/Why not?

Of course it does, but I am getting rather good at not letting it.  I find that lifestyle is more about personality.  I am an outgoing person, therefore, I think it is easier for me to make myself understood, even without a full grasp on the language, because I am not afraid to make hand gestures, draw pictures, and such.  I have no issue with going to the store, only knowing two words, “I want”, which is only one word in Turkish, “istiyorum”, and pointing at something or drawing a picture of it.  I always walk away satisfied.

I am learning Turkish and I am sure this is something I will be doing for the rest of my life. It is difficult in any language to understand everything.   I wouldn’t say Turkish is hard, but it is very different.  I believe the best way to learn it is to start at the beginning like a child does.  I learn words and phrases and I don’t harp on grammar.  Trying to translate Turkish word for word is one of the worst things a new learner can put themselves through.  It causes frustration.  As I said, it’s not like English, so a direct translation never works.  Turkish is more like, “Me Dick.  You Jane.”  It’s simple, uncomplicated, and often rhymes.

I should mention that I have yet to come across a Turk who laughs at my lame attempts to speak their language.  They simply adore those who try!

How do you find medical services in Turkey? Do they compare with where you are from originally?

Medical services are different than in the States.  I don’t like it as much so far, but it is growing on me.  One of the positive things about health care here is the cost.  Generally, medical services are much cheaper.

An interesting difference is that most doctors’ appointments are held in hospitals or clinics.  It is less common to go to a private office than it is in the States.

The health insurance laws have changed several times since I have been here.  So it’s hard to explain.  There is both private and government insurance.  A brand new Turkish law has required that all citizens maintain government insurance.  We will have to wait to see how that plays out.  But before the latest law was enacted, a visit to the doctor was quite interesting for me.  Some hospitals only accept one insurance or the other.  While it is common that doctors and practices do this in the States, for an entire hospital to be based on the system was strange to me.  Often, the hospitals that accept both types of insurance also have different corresponding wings.  The doctors who accepted the private insurance work in the nicer part of the hospital, and their patients were scheduled better with less wait time.  The check-in counters in the “government insurance” sections of the hospitals are a crazy scene.

I am also surprised by the lack of cleanliness in some hospitals.  It is worse than I have ever seen in the States.  But it is not so at all hospitals.  With a little research, a traveller or expat will find a place where they will be comfortable.

There are many minor differences, too many to mention here.  Your readers should feel welcome to read my blog from time to time, where I have and will continue to note those differences.

If you moved to Turkey as a family, how do you find the education system in Turkey?

I moved here with my husband.  We have no children, but I am somewhat familiar with the system.  Grade schools can vary.  There are both public and private.  The most interesting thing about the public schools is that classes are only scheduled half the day (at least in my area of Ankara).  That leaves me to wonder about the system.  But again, I don’t have children.

High schools are full-time, I believe.  Again, there are public and private schools, but there is also a third option, the Anatolian high school.  It is part of the public system, but admittance is based on a nationwide entrance score.  My husband attended an Anatolian high school and he is brilliant.  So the Turkish public school system must be doing something right!

Entrance to and the selection of universities is based on an exam.  Universities are also either private or government owned.  But don’t let that fool you.  One of the top universities in the country, METU, is government owned.  We are lucky to have it right here in Ankara!

Thanks a lot to Terry for the interview. Remember, if you are an expat in Turkey – we want to hear from you!

Please contact Turkey Expat Forum and we will be happy to interview you.

Ayak has a blog about her time and life in Turkey. You can read her blog at Ayak’s Turkish Delight.

Introduction of the expat

I moved to Turkey from England in 1998 and married my Turkish husband in 1999. We have lived in different areas of Turkey. In fact we have moved 15 times to date.

Why did you move to Turkey to become an expat? What is your story? Why did you choose the area that you settled in?

I moved to Turkey nearly 14 years ago to marry my Turkish husband.  We both have adult children from previous marriages.  He had no desire to live in England, and I was prepared to give Turkey a try.  We have lived in various parts of Turkey, mostly tourist areas because my husband works in the tourist industry.  We were in Cappadocia for almost 4 years and this is one of my favourite areas.  We now live in a very traditional Turkish village between Milas and Bodrum, and have settled here in a house given to us by my father-in-law.

How do you find life in Turkey different to where you are from originally?

Completely different in every way.  The weather of course is so different to the UK.  Long hot summers, warm in Spring and Autumn, and the winters, although wet and cold, are short.  But mostly the friendliness of the Turkish people is the biggest difference.  They are so open and welcoming, and very family orientated.  And they will always go the extra mile to help you..nothing is ever too much trouble for them.

What advice would you give to other people looking to move to Turkey?

Do your homework.  Research the country, it’s traditions and it’s culture.  Don’t expect life here to be the same as your home country.  It’s very different but in a very good way.  Keep an open mind.   Maybe try a few different areas before settling to make sure you pick the right one for you.  If you decide to buy a property, make sure you use a reputable company who know exactly what they are doing and will act in your best interests.

Have you ever experienced any trouble whilst living in Turkey?

I can’t say that I’ve experienced any real trouble here.  Obviously there are the day to day problems that we all face wherever we live.   I have to say I feel a lot safer living here than I ever did in the UK.   I’ve always been able to travel alone anywhere in the country without any problem.  I feel very reassured for example that there is such good security at airports here, which you don’t necessarily find elsewhere.

Does the language barrier affect your lifestyle in Turkey?  Did you try to learn Turkish?  Why/Why not?

No it doesn’t appear to.  My Turkish is not nearly as good as it should be after 14 years, but I’ve never been good at languages.  I did try lessons in the early days but didn’t manage very well.  I found it easier to learn from watching Turkish TV programmes, reading newspapers, and attempting to talk to people around me.  You never feel inhibited or embarrassed when you practise the language with Turkish people.  They really appreciate you making the effort to communicate and are happy to help you.

How do you find medical services in Turkey?  Do they compare with where you are from originally?

I have found medical treatment here to be excellent.  I have used both state and private hospitals and found them both to be entirely satisfactory.  Some years ago I spent 5 days in hospital after a very prompt diagnosis by a Turkish doctor, followed by an operation, which saved me from becoming seriously ill, or worse.  It’s possible to walk into a hospital here, see a doctor, have various tests and receive the results within hours, without an appointment.   I don’t believe it’s possible to do that in the UK.

Costs of treatment are a fraction of those charged elsewhere, and Turkey is in the process of new legislation which allows expats to join the government health scheme.  There are a few teething problems at the moment but once it’s been sorted, I think it will be to everyone’s advantage.

Thanks a lot to Ayak for the interview. Remember, if you are an expat in Turkey – we want to hear from you!

Please contact Turkey Expat Forum and we will be happy to interview you.

Introduction of the expat

We are Ashley and Hilary.  We both used to work for the National Health Service in London, UK.  We retired early, sold up everything in London, and came to live in Turkey.  A lot of planning and research went into the move and, so far, this seems to have paid off well.

We blog about are experiences on Pul Biber. (omentide.wordpress.com)

Why did you move to Turkey to become an expat? What is your story? Why did you choose the area that you settled in?

Our work with the NHS was very stressful and the changes that the UK government are making to the NHS made it even more so.    Various things happened that  made us question whether we really wanted to go on working to retirement age.  We looked at our options and our possible budget.  We gave up cigarettes which does make the budget go a whole lot further.

Why did we come to Turkey?  Well, we considered other options but Turkey was one of the few affordable options within easy reach of friends and family.  We know many expats say that Turkey is expensive but we do not find it so.  Of course it was about far more than just money, we had been visiting Turkey for many years, we both really like the country, the people, the magnificent countryside, the climate.

Why Selçuk?  Well, we travelled extensively around Turkey and decided that the Aegean region would suit us best.  Then we travelled more intensively.  We were looking for somewhere that was not ‘just a holiday town’ but had enough tourism to provide us with a few home comforts – like bars where we can drink together, a few passable restaurants and a spattering of English speakers.  We did not want to be in a major expatriate centre, nor did we want to be the only yabancı in town.  Property prices entered the equation.  We seriously considered Kaş, Fethiye and Ayvalık.   All of which are large enough to have some sort of life in winter.  Selçuk ticks all the boxes for us.  There are a few supermarkets in town (none of them very big) and two weekly markets selling fresh local produce at very cheap prices.   Kuşadası is half an hour away by dolmuş and Izmir a bit less than an hour.  We can also get to Aydin easily.  All of which is handy when we need what a larger town has to offer (e.g. doctor or insurance broker who speaks excellent English).   We found a house here that suits us – our neighbours are all Turkish but the town has a number of expatriate residents of several nationalities.  All in all we think we made a good choice – we find Selçuk very congenial.

How do you find life in Turkey different to where you are from originally?

Many of the differences we are experiencing are due to being retired (as opposed to working).  Many of the differences we are experiencing are due to living in a small town (as opposed to London, UK).  Many of the differences we experience are due to being away from friends and family.  Taking all that into account it’s hard to work out which of the differences are due to being in Turkey.  The language, definitely.  The wonderful, wonderful fresh produce.  The sense of community.  The friendliness and openness of the people, the loss of the anonymity that comes with living in a big city.

Shopping.  Whatever you’ve paid, someone is going to tell you that you could have got the same thing for less.  Unless you get a genuine bargain!  Shopping is a game – pay what you think the product is worth – sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.  Whether it’s a bottle of milk, a carpet or a house, the rules are the same.

What advice would you give to other people looking to move to Turkey?

Do your own research.  Understand the rules.  Yes, it can be difficult but it’s not impenetrable.  Be aware of the difficulties, but don’t lose your ability to trust people.

Be very clear about what you want and be very clear about what is practical.  That villa with the stunning sea view, for instance, may be impossible to keep warm in winter.  What you want will be different depending on whether you want a holiday home in the sun or somewhere to live all year.

Be clear with yourself about your own intentions, about what you want to achieve.  Learn the language, it is difficult, but, if you can get to evening classes you will have a head start.  We believe that learning Turkish is important, unless you intend to live in a tourist resort surrounded by other ex-pats and only engage with Turkish people who speak English.

Be prepared for everything to change at very short notice (we found working for the NHS is good preparation for this).  Be equally prepared for things to take longer than expected, there could be many reasons and without good comprehension of Turkish it may be impossible to fully understand.

Be prepared to feel frustrated when things do not go as expected, and to feel suspicious about what is really going on.  Try to put these to one side and go with the flow.  In all probability some bureaucratic rule just got changed and it will all work out fine with a bit of patience and trust.

Be careful.  Remember that builders (or any other business) can go bust and that this is not usually intentional.  In any big move or change in lifestyle there are always those running scams.  You may want to consider making use of a local solicitor.  Don’t get carried away, if you would not hand over your life savings to an agent in the UK on word of trust, why would you do it anywhere else?     At the same time, remember that most people the world over are honest.  Be sensible, be careful but  don’t lose your ability to trust.

Does the language barrier affect your lifestyle in Turkey? Did you try to learn Turkish? Why/Why not?

Our difficulty understanding Turkish is, we think, the biggest problem we have here.  It doesn’t affect our lifestyle greatly, though we are sometimes reliant on translators.

Hilary took four years of Turkish Evening Classes at Westminster University before we moved out (like we said, we have been planning the move for a long time).  Her comprehension of written material is reasonable; though understanding spoken Turkish is still difficult for her.  We are both making real efforts to become more fluent and have just found someone to give us private lessons.

How do you find medical services in Turkey? Do they compare with where you are from originally?

We’ve not had reason to use much other than our local eczane.  Our local eczane has been very helpful – very much on a par with the pharmacists in the UK.  We did make use of a dentist – the first one we visited wanted to do a lot of cosmetic work (undoubtedly of high quality and very good value, but not what we wanted), we found another who was willing to do the work we wanted and at a very reasonable price.

We have taken out private Health Insurance here and will probably sign up to SGK once we have been here for a full year.

Thanks a lot to Hilary and Ashley for the great insight on living in Turkey. Remember, if you are an expat in Turkey – we want to hear from you!

Please contact Turkey Expat Forum and we will be happy to interview you.

With a wealth of experience in Bodrum, there is none better to offer potential expats in Bodrum advice than Annie.

Annie first moved to Bodrum in the 80s, and now finds herself back in the Peninsula for a second experience in Turkey. Take a look at what Annie has to say.

Introduction of the expat

If I’m to be defined by my occupation, what do you call a cook, who used to be an archaeologist, a travel rep, a travel agent. a property agent, an English language teacher and a PA who is now “resting”.

Why did you move to Turkey to become an expat? What is your story? Why did you choose the area that you settled in?

I answered an advert for a cooking job on a 76 ft ketch based in Rhodes. The yacht spent 80% of its time on the Turkish coast  and we visited Bodrum several times. I enjoyed being in the town so much that I got a job in Bodrum the next year.  That was 30 years ago and I worked here until 2000.  After a break of 12 years in England, while my daughter went to school , I’m now back in Bodrum.

How do you find life in Turkey different to where you are from originally?

It’s unpredictable; keeps you on your toes. I enjoy this.  If you completely embrace the Turkish life style you can live very cheaply but if you intend to carry on your European way of living and eating here, it is probably more expensive than Europe but the option is there.  So life in Bodrum can be pretty similar to life in Brighton. The broadband is much better here than where I lived in East Sussex.

What advice would you give to other people looking to move to Turkey?

Expect the unexpected and revel in the lack of logic.  Remember that you are living in the Near – East, despite it looking very European.  Try out the life style for a full year before you commit yourself.

Have you ever experienced any trouble whilst living in Turkey?

As I’ve lived in Turkey for 18 years, it would be strange if I hadn’t, but I decided to come back so nothing that put me off completely.

Does the language barrier affect your lifestyle in Turkey? Did you try to learn Turkish? Why/Why not?

It took me a while to learn Turkish.  I still have trouble understanding the cold callers that ring to sell me new phone packages, but then so does my husband and he was born here.  I spent 17 years teaching English in Bodrum, so I hope you’ll find that a lot of people who grew up here can speak English.

How do you find medical services in Turkey? Do they compare with where you are from originally?

I’m amazed at how good they are here now.  Test results are quick and treatment is almost immediate.

If you moved to Turkey as a family, how do you find the education system in Turkey?

I can’t speak for the education system now, but it didn’t suit my daughter 12 years ago, which is why I took time out in England. However plenty of my friends’ children have been through the system very successfully from first school to university.

Thanks a lot to Annie for the interview, you can visit Annie’s blog about Bodrum, a good read for anyone looking to move to Bodrum or communicate with other expats in Bodrum.

Are you an expat in Turkey? Do you want to get your story across to other potential expats and those looking to move to Turkey? Contact Us and we will be glad to offer you an interview for Turkey Expat Forum.

Introduction of the expat

Jack Scott was born on a British army base in Canterbury, England in 1960 and spent part of his childhood in Malaysia as a ‘forces brat’. At the age of eighteen and determined to dodge further education, Jack became a shop boy on Chelsea’s trendy King’s Road. Days on the tills and nights on the tiles were the best probation for a young gay man about town. After two carefree years, Jack swapped sales for security and got a proper job in local government with a pension attached. By his late forties, passionately dissatisfied with suburban life and middle management, he and his Civil Partner Liam abandoned the sanctuary of liberal London for an uncertain future in Turkey.

Jack recently published his memoir, Perking the Pansies, Jack and Liam move to Turkey. The book is a bitter-sweet tragi-comedy that recalls their first year as an expat gay couple in a Muslim country. The book is available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk and all major book sellers. For more information, news and reviews please check out Jack’s website.

Why did you move to Turkey to become an expat? What is your story? Why did you choose the area that you settled in?

We thought it was time to take a break from our labours, put our feet up and watch the pansies grow while we were still young enough to enjoy it. I’d like to say that we chose Turkey because of the swarthy men; Turkey’s a place where sexual ambivalence reigns supreme and stolen glances meet you at every corner. The truth is more prosaic. We had to settle somewhere within easy commute of Blighty. The Eurozone was off the agenda because the Pound to Euro exchange rate conspired against us. That meant the usual nations of choice for sun-starved Brits – Spain, Portugal and Greece – were out. We knew we would get more bang for our bucks in Turkey. Also, we’d been dipping our toes in the warm waters of the Aegean for years and knew the stunning country quite well. With the current crisis in the Eurozone, I think we made a wise choice.

For us, Bodrum was the bookmaker’s favourite from the outset. It’s a chic, cosmopolitan and happening kind of place attracting serious Turkish cash and an interesting cohort of Bohemian types. The little gem of a town also attracts relatively few discount tourists compared to its uglier sisters up and down the coast.

How do you find life in Turkey different to where you are from originally?

The opening words of my book are:

“Just imagine the absurdity of two openly gay, recently ‘married’ middle aged, middle class men escaping the liberal sanctuary of anonymous London to relocate to a Muslim country.”

 

That sums it up really. London is a world city – magnificent, cultured, cosmopolitan, international, outward-looking, frantic, uncaring and unforgiving: a coffee-on-the-run kind of place. Bodrum is an ancient whitewashed resort on the Aegean shore where life is slow and deliberate, where taking tea with the neighbours is a time-honoured tradition of enormous social significance. Bodrum-life is village-life. Your business is everyone’s business. Interestingly, as a discrete but obviously together gay couple, the only overt homophobia we’re encountered is from the expats. Ironic don’t you think? We are surrounded by Turks who, almost without exception, are kind and extremely generous. Of course, we’ve no idea what they’re muttering behind our backs, but if they do have a problem with us, you’d never know it. Perhaps, as infidels, we’re Hell-bound anyway so it hardly matters what we do.

What advice would you give to other people looking to move to Turkey?

Moving to any foreign land throws up a host of practical and cultural issues that everyone has to cope with but with the right advice, a guiding hand and lots of patience it can be a hugely rewarding experience. My strongest advice is to try a place on for size first. Rent before buying and then only buy with the right legal advice and through a reputable agent. Too many people have lost their shirts on a dream that turned into a nightmare. Act in haste and repent at leisure.

Have you ever experienced any trouble whilst living in Turkey?

None (touch wood). Turkey is a low crime country and visitors are unlikely to be troubled. As with any country, people should take sensible precautions. Don’t flash the cash in crowded places and beware of pickpockets. Many Turks are still very poor. Be considerate. Ladies, please remember that, although Turkey is proud of its secular tradition, the overwhelming majority of people are Muslim and many are conservative. Please be respectful. No-one will expect you to dress head-to-toe in a polycotton sheet, but away from the coastal resorts and city centres of Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, women are expected to dress modestly. It’s the way here.

Does the language barrier affect your lifestyle in Turkey? Did you try to learn Turkish? Why/Why not?

Avustralyalılaştıramadıklarımızdanmışsınızcasına is a Turkish term pronounced as a single word and an extreme example of agglutination, the process of adding affixes to the base of a word. This word translated into English means “as if you were one of those whom we could not make resemble the Australian people”. Though rhythmic and poetic on the ear, Turkish is not an easy language for Europeans to assimilate; it’s thought to belong to the Altaic language family and is distantly related to Mongolian, Korean and other inscrutable Asiatic tongues. Despite Atatürk’s valiant adoption of the Latin alphabet in 1928 and the fact that the language is phonetic and mostly regular, the word order, agglutinations and the absence of familiar sounds all conspire to make learning Turkish a very daunting prospect. That’s my excuse anyway. I try but I’m just hopeless. I get away with it in Bodrum where so many people speak good English and those who don’t want to practise on you.

How do you find medical services in Turkey? Do they compare with where you are from originally?

We pay for private health insurance but haven’t used it so far. I’ve been told that private hospitals in Turkey offer excellent care at relatively low cost when compared to the UK and other countries in the West. This makes Turkey a growing player in the health tourism sector. The only medical-related procedure I’ve experienced is having my teeth capped. My Hollywood smile wasn’t covered by insurance but came in at less than a quarter of the price I would have paid in London. My Turkish dentist did a top-notch job. You can see me coming in the dark.

Thanks a lot to Jack Scott, author of Perking the Pansies for the great interview. Are you an expat in Turkey? Do you want to get your story across to other potential expats and those looking to move to Turkey?

Contact Us and we will be glad to offer you an interview for Turkey Expat Forum.

Settling in prime areas for expats in Turkey such as Fethiye, Bodrum, Istanbul, and Antalya – expats love Turkey and Turkey loves expats!

Turkey Expat Forum wants to know –

•Why did you move to Turkey to become an expat? What is your story
•How do you find life in Turkey different to where you are originally from?
•What advice would you give to other people looking to move to Turkey?
•Have you ever experienced any trouble whilst in Turkey as an expat?
•Is the language barrier difficult for foreigners in Turkey to overcome? Do you need to learn Turkish in order to live in Turkey?
•What about medical and health services in Turkey? How do they compare with where you are originally from? Are medical and health services in Turkey up to standard?
•If you moved to Turkey as a family – how do you find the education and schooling system in Turkey? Do your children enjoy school in Turkey?

Get in touch with us and let us know your Turkey expat story! We want to hear from all expats living in Turkey.