What with its immense coastline, Mediterranean climate and myriad of attractive outdoor lifestyle opportunities, Turkey is not only attracting those looking for a holiday home or better lifestyle, but for those buying property as an investment too.

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Turkey Country Profile
Capital City: Ankara  
Area: 779,452 sq km / 300,946 sq miles
Population: 68,100,000
Time Zone: GMT +2
Country dialing code: 90
Currency: New Turkish Lira (YTL)

Climate in Turkey
Turkey enjoys a great climate with temperate; hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters.

Accessibility
There are various low-cost airline flights to Turkey, especially during the summer holiday season. 
• All year around,  Thomas Cook Airlines  fly to Dalaman Airport from Gatwick or Manchester.
• All year around the low cost Onur Airlines are flying into Dalaman from Manchester or Gatwick airports. 
• All year around Thomas Cook Airlines and British Airways now fly into Izmir Airport.
• The low cost airline Easyjet now flies from London Luton to Istanbul (Sabina Gokcen) airport.
• During summer months the low cost airline Excel Airways are flying to Dalaman and Bodrum.
• All popular chartered airlines fly direct to Dalaman and Bodrum airports thoughout May to October (Thomsons, First Choice Airlines, Monarch Air).

Turkey Country Highlights
Split between two continents – Europe and Asia – the European side of Turkey belies its eastern status, offering the kind of lifestyle far more commonly associated with that of the west. Sandwiched between three seas – the Aegean, Mediterranean and Black – Turkey offers property buyers coastal opportunities aplenty.

Permanent move to Turkey
If you have chosen Turkey as the country to start your new life or as the location for your second property then you will be happy to hear to hear that the Turkish people are amongst the most hospitable in the world.  You can expect to be made to feel welcome from the moment you arrive at your new property and it is likely that by the time you leave you will have a large circle of local friends and acquaintances willing to put themselves out for you.  Despite the ongoing recovery from the 2001 economic crash there is still a high rate of unemployment in the country and no special privileges for EU citizens. Despite this there is a limited amount of opportunity for job seekers. A sensible approach to finding work in Turkey is to obtain a job offer and work permit before you arrive as this will ensure you are not left frantically job hunting whilst your funds disappear. It is advisable that you contact the Turkish embassy or consulate before you arrive and arrange a work visa. You will need a written offer of employment from within Turkey, proof of your qualifications, passport photos and the relevant completed embassy forms and fees paid. Once you have your work visa you are automatically entitled to a two year residence permit.

Buying property in Turkey
In the overseas property market history dictates that where holidaymakers go, overseas property buyers will follow.  So it's no surprise that as tourist numbers to Turkey have swelled over the past few years – no doubt helped by a strong marketing campaign in the UK – so too has interest in buying property in Turkey.

Split between two continents – Europe and Asia – the European side of Turkey belies its eastern status, offering the kind of lifestyle far more commonly associated with that of the west. Sandwiched between three seas – the Aegean, Mediterranean and Black – Turkey offers those buying property coastal opportunities aplenty, although property buyers thus far have only really been attracted to the resorts along the southern Aegean and Mediterranean. With property still affordable even in the most popular areas – prices for property in need of renovation starts from as low as £14,000 – and with the country hoping to join the EU in the not too distant future (it enters negotiations on 3rd October), now may be the time to scour the country for your very own Turkish delight.  But be quick. Property prices have already risen by an average of 25 per cent in the past 12 months, and acceptance to join the EU would only propel these prices higher.

Destination Hot Spots

Istanbul
Turkey's best known city Istanbul, (often mistaken for its capital), is a thriving multi-cultural city, where the influences of both Islamic and Christian cultures are both in evidence, giving it a unique feel compared to other east European cities. While Istanbul has slowly established itself as a popular destination for tourists, the city has failed to grab the attention of overseas property buyers, however this doesn't mean it's not worth considering a property there for future investment. Prices are still cheap for a city, with apartments starting from £50,000.

Koroglu Mountains
While Turkey may not be synonymous for skiing, for those looking for something a little different, the Koroglu Mountains could be for you.  The Koroglu Mountains are located 275 kilometres away from Istanbul airport, and 220 kilometres from the country's capital, Ankara. Kartalkaya is the main ski resort in the mountains, experiencing a ski season lasting approximately 120 days (December–March). Snow conditions are particularly good early in the season but can become slushy around March. Property in the resort is very cheap – around £20,000 for a one-bedroom apartment.

Aegean Coast
The Aegean coastline has long been Turkey's overseas tourism mecca – especially the area surrounding the Bodrum peninsula in the south - and so it is to for those buying property in Turkey.  For those looking for peace and quiet Dalyan, Bodrum and Kusadasi will all appeal, while for those seeking something livelier Altinkum and Marmaris are renowned for their party atmosphere. For between 50,000 to 100,000 euros you will be able to find a decent apartment in Bodrum and Kusadasi, while for excess of 100,000 euros you will be able to afford a villa.

Mediterranean coast
Until recently, Turkey's Mediterranean coast was far less popular than the Aegean. However, in recent years, as more of Turkey has opened up to holidaymakers, the coast has grown in popularity. Like the Aegean its resorts have a mixture of different lifestyles, and some affordable property. Fethiye, located on a popular stretch of coastline known as the 'Turquoise coast' is known for having some of the best beaches in Turkey. Property there is a similar price to what it is in Bodrum.  At the other end of the price scale, Kas, a popular stop for  holiday cruiseliners, offers property purchasers a far more affluent lifestyle when compared to most other coastal areas, but this is reflected by the region's property prices. There the cost of a three-bedroom villa is likely to start closer to £140,000.  Further east, the resorts of Antalya and Alanya are both up and coming areas, and while prices have risen by almost 30 per cent in the last 12 months, three-bedroom villas in good condition can still be purchased from around £60,000.

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Articles about buying property in Turkey:
Advice on living and working in Turkey
Buying property in Turkey explained
Could Turkey be the new Spain?

Useful websites:
All you want to know about Antalya
Comprehensive site about Marmaris
Official guide to Istanbul
Practical guide on how to buy Turkish property
The popular area of Bodrum is here
Useful information about the resort of Altinkum
Turkish tourism and culture revealed here

Article first published in May 2006