Did you know that an estimated 35,000 British people now own property in Turkey and a growing number of these are residents in the country.
The appeal of living in Turkey is obvious: very affordable property, sunshine, a low cost of living, pretty seaside resorts and constantly improving air access from the UK. This week we’ve picked five popular Turkish resorts that offer all of the above and are attracting an increasing number of British expats. We’ve also picked a convenient two-bedroom apartment for sale in each one.
Alanya
This large town on the south Mediterranean coast is popular with Germans and Scandinavians, as well as Brits. It neatly combines a year-round balmy climate with a long expansive seafront, a pretty old town with harbour and a more modern centre for shopping. The choice of apartment blocks is large here, with the option of being on the seafront near the centre, on the hillside on the edge of town, further along the seafront towards Mahmutlar or even just out of town. Budget around £45,000 for a mid-range two-bedroom apartment. The nearest airport with UK flights is around 90 minutes away at Antalya.
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Side
No far from Alanya, in the direction of Antalya, Side is a smaller low-rise family resort built around ancient ruins, giving it a unique, peaceful atmosphere. A quieter option to Alanya, it has a range of family restaurants and shops, and a recently built beach promenade. Another attraction is its proximity to Belek, Turkey’s golf hub that boasts a selection of championship courses. Properties here include small villa and apartment complexes, again with two-beds starting from around £45,000. The nearest airport with UK flights is around 40 minutes away at Antalya.
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Fethiye
A bustling seafront town on Turkey’s Aegean coast, popular for its colourful markets and beautiful mountain backdrop, Fethiye is also becoming increasingly cosmopolitan – a local charity there recently quoted it had 7,500 year-round foreign residents. One of the town’s great attractions is its proximity to the famous Oludeniz lagoon and beach. A popular area for expats near Fethiye’s centre is Calis but the surrounding villages are also favoured. Mid-range two-bedroom apartments here start at around £45,000. The nearest airport with UK flights is around 45 minutes away at Dalaman.
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Altinkum
Cheerful Altinkum, often referred to as Didim, on the Aegean coast is especially popular with Brits. It’s more of a holiday resort than other towns and life centres around its three beaches and small harbour, which look across Akbuk Bay. Property is a bit cheaper here, typically from £35,000 for a two-bedroom apartment, but prices could rise after the resort opened a very smart multi-million-dollar marina just a year or two ago, which is expected to attract wealthier foreigners. The nearest airport with UK flights is around an hour away at Bodrum, although a planned new road should cut this journey to 30 minutes.
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Gulluk
Slightly more upmarket and for a buyer looking for a more tranquil setting, Gulluk is a pretty beachside village near Bodrum with a population of just 3,500 residents. The area’s natural beauty means building there is strictly controlled, making property sought after and a good potential long-term investment. Added value comes with the golf course planned just six kilometres away – the area’s first – and plans for a marina. Villas and apartments, less choice than our other options, are available but budget from £50,000 here. The nearest airport with UK flights is a few minutes away at Bodrum.
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For details of more property for sale in Turkey, visit the Turkey listings on Rightmove Overseas. One way to save money when buying or living in Turkey is to use a currency specialist when transferring your pounds into lira or euros. For more information on this, contact Smart Currency Exchange.
To understand the full step-by-step process to buying a property in Turkey, collect The Overseas Guides Company’s ‘Turkey Property Buying Guide’