FAQ & Practıcalities
How much does a property cost? Property cost varies by location and apartment size. In Bodrum, Didim and Kusadasi an apartment can cost anywhere from $30,000 to $200,000 and a villa $60,000 to over a million.
We offer only apartments we can certify are safe (24 hour security) and in good condition. Most of our apartments are one and two bedroom, and average $40,000-$80,000. Our three and four bedroom villas average $90,000-$160,000. We also sell land, and can work individually with owners to build a personalized property.
For specific information on apartment costs, please visit our listings here: http://www.milanestateagents.com/property and contact us at [email protected]
How much will I spend on maintenance, taxes and dues? We only select and sell properties that we have checked and can certify are in good condition. Thus, if you buy a property through us, your maintenance costs should be minimal. Furthermore, monthly fees in many communities cover most maintenance costs. Monthly fees are usually about $20-$30. If something should break, expect to pay 30-40% the rate in the US for repairs. Local property tax runs about 0.1-0.2% of property value per year.
How much should I expect to spend every month? How much you spend depends on how you spend your time. Groceries, basic items, eating out, and public transportation are all quite cheap compared to the US and Europe. Many British pensioners enjoy a comfortable life – including taking day trips and eating out several times a week – on around $1700 a month for a couple or $2,000 for a family of three.
How long can I legally stay in Turkey? The Turkish government values the role of tourism and foreign purchases in the local economy and does not try to bar foreigners, particularly retirees with purchased property, from staying in the country. Without a residence permit, you may stay in the country visa-free for ninety days. For information on obtaining a residence permit, look at your home country's Turkish embassy website, as requirements differ by nationality.
I've never lived abroad before. Can I adjust? Will it be hard? This truly depends on you. Turkey is a different country, and things do run on a different system, which will take some time to figure out (though the same is true of different communities in the US). However, people are generally patient and willing to help out. Locals are used to dealing with English-speaking expats, and many businesses cater to their habits and needs. There is also a large community of retired expats, especially around Didim. If you have any questions, there's certainly someone who has been through it before and can help you sort things out, or just figure out the bus schedule.
You may not find all the same brands in the grocery store, but you will find familiar products and everything you might need for daily life. Who knows? You may even find something new you really like – and can't live without back in the US!
Many foreigners first visiting Turkey comment on how surprisingly similar it feels.
What if I'm not sure? Come and experience Turkey before you buy! We offer apartment rentals by the day or week, so you can come and 'try out' living in the country. Once you are ready to buy, we can arrange visiting tours, where we find properties fitting your criteria and schedule visits. Property visiting tours usually last 3-4 days and if you purchase a property though us we will cover most in-country costs.
What if I only want to live in Turkey for part of the year? Turkey is a popular vacation spot for people from all over Europe. We can help you rent out your apartment while you are away, including arranging for cleaning and checking to make sure everything is in place and proper condition. Landlords make an average of 50-80 Euro a day for a mid-sized apartment in tourist season.
I have an existing medical condition. Can I get care? Will my health insurance cover medical costs? Turkey has a modern healthcare system with high standards and many specialty hospitals. Half way between Didim and Kusadasi is an International Hospital that offers both in-patient and out-patient care. If you do not have insurance, you can get medical care, or even a daily medical assistant, for a fraction of the cost in the US. You can also pay a base yearly price to the Turkish government to participate in national health care coverage (SGK). The monthly premium is $125 for a couple and any dependents under age 18. Unlike American health insurance, this will guarantee free healthcare covering most problems in all state hospitals and clinics, and a discount at most private clinics. If you have an American heath insurance provider, talk to them to see whether and what medical costs they will cover overseas.
Will my family come and visit me if I live so far away? From Chicago to Istanbul it is an eleven hour flight, and from Istanbul to Izmir or Bodrum it is only a one hour flight. The first flight may seem long, but can be made overnight – and without any layovers. From Turkey there are short, inexpensive flights to destinations all over Europe. Turkey's Mediterranean coast is a safe and fun place for children to spend their holidays, and so you can justify the longer flight by spending longer periods of time with your family.
Is Turkey safe? What about the recent political problems and riots? Like the US, political issues or crime in one part of the country don't make the whole country unsafe. The Mediterranean and Aegean coast region from Antalya to Izmir is safe, stable and politically liberal. It is not a refugee destination, nor the site of ethnic or religious unrest. Many local economies depend on the tourists and retirees and, as such, respect their way of life. Violence against or harassment of foreigners is quite rare. This is especially true of retirees, as Turkish culture emphasizes honoring and helping elders.
Isn't Turkey a Muslim country? How will I feel comfortable? Degree of religious beliefs and conservative leanings vary across the country, with the East being generally more conservative and the West, especially along the coast, being more liberal. Turks take great pride in their culture, including their Islamic heritage. They hope foreigners will respect their culture, but don't expect them to adhere to it. You will see some women conservatively dressed, but even older women can feel comfortable wearing bikinis on the beach, and alcohol is sold openly in restaurants and shops. Most people will find that habits and clothing considered acceptable in the US will not bring them any harassment around the Mediterranean region.
We offer only apartments we can certify are safe (24 hour security) and in good condition. Most of our apartments are one and two bedroom, and average $40,000-$80,000. Our three and four bedroom villas average $90,000-$160,000. We also sell land, and can work individually with owners to build a personalized property.
For specific information on apartment costs, please visit our listings here: http://www.milanestateagents.com/property and contact us at [email protected]
How much will I spend on maintenance, taxes and dues? We only select and sell properties that we have checked and can certify are in good condition. Thus, if you buy a property through us, your maintenance costs should be minimal. Furthermore, monthly fees in many communities cover most maintenance costs. Monthly fees are usually about $20-$30. If something should break, expect to pay 30-40% the rate in the US for repairs. Local property tax runs about 0.1-0.2% of property value per year.
How much should I expect to spend every month? How much you spend depends on how you spend your time. Groceries, basic items, eating out, and public transportation are all quite cheap compared to the US and Europe. Many British pensioners enjoy a comfortable life – including taking day trips and eating out several times a week – on around $1700 a month for a couple or $2,000 for a family of three.
How long can I legally stay in Turkey? The Turkish government values the role of tourism and foreign purchases in the local economy and does not try to bar foreigners, particularly retirees with purchased property, from staying in the country. Without a residence permit, you may stay in the country visa-free for ninety days. For information on obtaining a residence permit, look at your home country's Turkish embassy website, as requirements differ by nationality.
I've never lived abroad before. Can I adjust? Will it be hard? This truly depends on you. Turkey is a different country, and things do run on a different system, which will take some time to figure out (though the same is true of different communities in the US). However, people are generally patient and willing to help out. Locals are used to dealing with English-speaking expats, and many businesses cater to their habits and needs. There is also a large community of retired expats, especially around Didim. If you have any questions, there's certainly someone who has been through it before and can help you sort things out, or just figure out the bus schedule.
You may not find all the same brands in the grocery store, but you will find familiar products and everything you might need for daily life. Who knows? You may even find something new you really like – and can't live without back in the US!
Many foreigners first visiting Turkey comment on how surprisingly similar it feels.
What if I'm not sure? Come and experience Turkey before you buy! We offer apartment rentals by the day or week, so you can come and 'try out' living in the country. Once you are ready to buy, we can arrange visiting tours, where we find properties fitting your criteria and schedule visits. Property visiting tours usually last 3-4 days and if you purchase a property though us we will cover most in-country costs.
What if I only want to live in Turkey for part of the year? Turkey is a popular vacation spot for people from all over Europe. We can help you rent out your apartment while you are away, including arranging for cleaning and checking to make sure everything is in place and proper condition. Landlords make an average of 50-80 Euro a day for a mid-sized apartment in tourist season.
I have an existing medical condition. Can I get care? Will my health insurance cover medical costs? Turkey has a modern healthcare system with high standards and many specialty hospitals. Half way between Didim and Kusadasi is an International Hospital that offers both in-patient and out-patient care. If you do not have insurance, you can get medical care, or even a daily medical assistant, for a fraction of the cost in the US. You can also pay a base yearly price to the Turkish government to participate in national health care coverage (SGK). The monthly premium is $125 for a couple and any dependents under age 18. Unlike American health insurance, this will guarantee free healthcare covering most problems in all state hospitals and clinics, and a discount at most private clinics. If you have an American heath insurance provider, talk to them to see whether and what medical costs they will cover overseas.
Will my family come and visit me if I live so far away? From Chicago to Istanbul it is an eleven hour flight, and from Istanbul to Izmir or Bodrum it is only a one hour flight. The first flight may seem long, but can be made overnight – and without any layovers. From Turkey there are short, inexpensive flights to destinations all over Europe. Turkey's Mediterranean coast is a safe and fun place for children to spend their holidays, and so you can justify the longer flight by spending longer periods of time with your family.
Is Turkey safe? What about the recent political problems and riots? Like the US, political issues or crime in one part of the country don't make the whole country unsafe. The Mediterranean and Aegean coast region from Antalya to Izmir is safe, stable and politically liberal. It is not a refugee destination, nor the site of ethnic or religious unrest. Many local economies depend on the tourists and retirees and, as such, respect their way of life. Violence against or harassment of foreigners is quite rare. This is especially true of retirees, as Turkish culture emphasizes honoring and helping elders.
Isn't Turkey a Muslim country? How will I feel comfortable? Degree of religious beliefs and conservative leanings vary across the country, with the East being generally more conservative and the West, especially along the coast, being more liberal. Turks take great pride in their culture, including their Islamic heritage. They hope foreigners will respect their culture, but don't expect them to adhere to it. You will see some women conservatively dressed, but even older women can feel comfortable wearing bikinis on the beach, and alcohol is sold openly in restaurants and shops. Most people will find that habits and clothing considered acceptable in the US will not bring them any harassment around the Mediterranean region.
Resources
- www.expatfocus.com/countryguides/turkey
- turkey.angloinfo.com
- American Embassy in Turkey
- British Embassy in Turkey
- My Merhaba
- Internations Turkey
- I was in Turkey
- What's in Istanbul?
Forums:
Blogs and Other Fun Sites:
- Fethiye Fogies
- Ellen In Turkey
- Far From the Sticks
- Adventures in Ankara
- Turkey's For Life
- Novel Benedictions
- Empty Nest Expat
Local Sites