If you’ve fallen in love with the area after coming on holiday, you might dream of moving to Antalya permanently. The lure of some 300 days of sunshine each year and a more relaxed lifestyle is enough to make many people decide to up sticks.
If you’re one of them, you’ll doubtless have a hundred and one questions about what it’s like to live in Antalya. There are many excellent resources to help you, but here are some of the points you should think about before you rush to pack up your worldly goods.
Where will you live?
Living somewhere full-time is quite different to being on holiday. The resorts in Antalya are different places during the off-season and you might find your favourite doesn’t suit you as a long-term option.
Some people enjoy the best of both worlds and split their time between Antalya and their home country. It’s also a good idea to spend a winter here so you can see what the area is like once it quietens down. In fact, that’s the perfect opportunity to start looking for your dream home in Antalya – you’ll have plenty of time to explore, do more research, and decide whether you’d be better suited to a sea view villa in Kalkan or a luxury penthouse in Antalya city!
Do your sums
Once you move to Antalya, how will you support yourself? If you’re on a pension, you will likely have a fixed regular income. If you’re not retired, where will your money come from?
Many expats have put their money into savings accounts and lived comfortably off the interest. However, as rates have dropped, this now needs careful calculation. In addition, rising exchange rates will affect your capital should you need to change it back; if you moved £100,000 to Turkey in 2014 at an exchange rate of 3.7, this is only worth around £31,600 at today’s rates.
You’ll also need to allow for other costs, such as paying for your ikamet (ik-a-met), or residence permit. If you’re under 65, you’ll also need mandatory health insurance. It’s not compulsory for over 65s, but you’ll need to pay your way should you need medical treatment.
Don’t forget to allow for visits back to your home country to see friends and family, too.
It gets really hot
You’ll probably know this if you’ve visited at the height of summer. It’s one thing lying by the pool with a cocktail when the mercury is hitting 40°C, though, and another trying to do your grocery shopping. The heat can knock you for six as you try to go about your daily life, so be prepared. In fact, many expats choose the hottest months to visit their home countries so they can escape the worst of it.
Conversely, it can get cold in the winter – especially at night and if you live away from the coast. It’s more of a problem with older properties, as they are often poorly insulated. Luckily, modern homes are built to much higher standards and options such as radiators or under-floor heating are more widely available.
You will miss your family
Moving to Antalya will be a wonderful adventure, but there are bound to be times when you feel your heartstrings tugging you back home. It would be unrealistic to think you could leave parents, children or grandchildren without a single pang.
But that’s ok – it’s entirely natural to feel that way. It certainly doesn’t mean you’ve made a mistake. Modern technology makes it easy to keep in touch, so plan ahead and arrange regular video and voice calls. You could also set up cloud-based photo sharing so you – and they – can upload pictures or video clips. Remember they will miss you, too, but it’s still possible to be part of each other’s lives.
What if you have children?
If you’re moving to Antalya with a family, you’ll need to think about schooling. Will you integrate them into the Turkish education system, or would you prefer them to attend an international school?
Younger ones tend to adapt more quickly when it comes to language learning and making friends. Older children might struggle to keep up and could need some extra support if they are in a Turkish-speaking school.
Home-schooling is considered illegal in Turkey, and children aged between six and 13 must attend school. If your child is older than this, you could consider remote schooling with an organisation from your home country if it’s easier for them to stay in a familiar education programme.
You don’t need to take everything
A glance at the local expat forums shows many people worry about whether they’ll be able to get everything they need in Antalya, from white goods to clothes. Some decide to ship all their possessions, while others come with nothing more than a couple of suitcases.
Everyone is different, but it’s worth knowing you don’t need to bring all your worldly goods. You can find everything you need here and there are different brands ranging from budget to luxury. If you’re buying a brand-new home in Antalya, then surely choosing new furniture is part of the fun?
Sorting through your possessions might be time-consuming, but there will be personal items you can’t bear to part with. Keep them, but don’t stress about the rest if it’s easier to start your new life afresh.
How we can help
Our team has vast experience when it comes to helping our clients find the perfect Antalya property. Whether you’re looking for a luxury holiday villa or a smart city apartment, we’re here to help. Just call, email or message us to speak to a local agent and let us make your dream of owning your own home in Antalya a reality.
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