Living in Turkey: Costs, Cities and Daily Life

Before you move to Turkey or buy a home, it helps to know what daily life looks like: costs, work, health insurance, transport, schools and local habits. The guides below are written by a team that deals with foreigners living in Istanbul every day. If you have not chosen a district yet, start with the guides to Istanbul districts.

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Best Beaches in Istanbul for Summer 2026: Complete Guide — Discover the best beaches in Istanbul for summer 2026: Kilyos, the Princes' Islands, Florya and Caddebostan, with access details and costs.
Driving Rules in Turkey 2026: Guide for Immigrants & Tourists — Driving rules in Turkey 2026: licenses, speed limits, fines, HGS tolls and car insurance explained for immigrants and tourists.
Health Insurance in Turkey for Immigrants (2026 Guide) — Health insurance in Turkey for immigrants in 2026: public SGK vs private cover, costs, and what you need for your residence permit.
Living in Istanbul Without Turkish: The Reality in 2026 — Can you live in Istanbul without speaking Turkish? The pros, the problems and the real experience of Iranian expats in Turkey.
Iranians Living in Turkey: Real Experiences and Challenges — What is life really like for Iranians living in Turkey? Benefits, problems, costs and real experiences in Istanbul and other Turkish cities.
Cost of Living in Istanbul 2026: Has It Got Expensive? — What is the real cost of living in Istanbul in 2026? A full look at rent, food, transportation, bills and family expenses in Turkey.
Istanbul Public Transportation Guide: Metro, Ferry, Tram — Istanbul public transportation guide covering the metro, Metrobus, buses, tram, ferries and Istanbulkart, plus tips for getting around Turkey.
Convert an Iranian Driving License to a Turkish One (2026) — How to convert an Iranian driving license to a Turkish license: documents, legal steps, costs and license classes, plus the new 2026 rules.
Turkey Residence Permit Rejected? What to Do Next — Turkey residence permit rejected? Learn what to do after a refusal, whether you can appeal, and the best legal solutions to get approved.
Why Turkey Residence Permits Get Rejected: 9 Reasons — Learn why Turkey residence permits get rejected, from closed neighborhoods and weak documents to insurance and finances, and how to avoid it.
Istanbul Districts That Still Grant Residence (2025) — A list of Istanbul districts that still grant residence permits to foreigners in 2025, with key tips for buying or renting property there.
Closed Areas for Foreigners' Residence in Turkey (2025) — Full list of Turkey's closed areas for foreigners' residence in Istanbul and other cities in 2025, why permits get rejected, and legal solutions.
Turkish Cooking and Local Dishes: Recipes and Guide — A complete guide to Turkish cooking and local dishes, with recipes for Turkish kebab, pide, dolma and other famous dishes using easy-to-find ingredients.
Turkey Road Trips: Best Routes, Costs and Driving Tips — Plan a road trip in Turkey: the best routes, car rental and daily costs, stops along the way and key driving rules for the Aegean, Lycian and Black Sea.
Winter Sports in Turkey: Best Ski Resorts, Costs & Tips — Complete guide to winter sports in Turkey: the best ski resorts, costs, snow season and winter leisure options in Turkey's mountain regions.
Nightlife in Turkey: Best Clubs, Bars & Late-Night Spots — Complete guide to nightlife in Turkey: the best clubs, bars, late-night restaurants and entertainment venues in Istanbul and other Turkish cities.
Shopping in Turkey: Best Malls, Bazaars and Brands — Complete guide to shopping in Turkey: the best malls, historic bazaars, famous brands, typical prices and tips for shopping in Istanbul and other cities.
Cappadocia Travel Guide: Balloons, Cave Hotels, Costs — Cappadocia travel guide: the best time to visit, hot air balloon tours, cave hotels, estimated costs and the top sights to see in Cappadocia.
Studying Medicine in Turkey: Universities, Costs, YÖS — Guide to studying medicine, dentistry and pharmacy in Turkey: top universities, annual costs, admission requirements and the 2025 YÖS exam.
Investing in Turkey: Sectors, Company Setup and Incentives — Complete guide to investing in Turkey: best sectors, company structures, government incentives, registration steps and 2025 rules.
Labor Laws and Salaries in Turkey (2025 Guide) — A complete guide to Turkish labor law: minimum wage, working hours, leave, social insurance and workers' rights in 2025.
Festivals and Celebrations in Turkey: A Complete Guide — A guide to Turkey's festivals and celebrations: national holidays, religious holidays, cultural festivals and the best time to experience Turkish culture.
Turkish Souvenirs: What to Buy, Where to Buy and Prices — Guide to buying souvenirs in Turkey: the best handicrafts, shopping places, approximate prices and tips for choosing gifts to take home.
Turkey's Climate and Seasons: Weather by Month and Region — Turkey's climate and seasons: weather in Istanbul, Antalya and Ankara, plus the best time to travel and live in Turkey, month by month.
Public Transport in Turkey: Metro, Buses, Taxis, Cards — Guide to public transport in Turkey: metro systems, buses, taxis, fares and the transit cards used in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and other cities.
Sports in Turkey 2026: Gym, Pool and Activity Costs — Sports in Turkey for expats: 2026 gym and pool costs in Istanbul, football tickets, skiing, diving and the sports facilities in residential complexes.
Turkish Culture and Customs: Etiquette Guide for Foreigners — Guide to Turkish culture and customs: greetings, dining etiquette, festivals, religious customs, work culture and gift-giving rules for newcomers.
Tourism in Turkey: Best Cities, Sights and Costs — A complete guide to tourism in Turkey: the best cities, top sights, daily travel costs and important tips for traveling to Turkey.
Healthcare in Turkey: Insurance, Costs & Hospitals Guide — A guide to Turkey's healthcare system: health insurance, costs, the best hospitals and how to access medical services as a foreigner.
Buying Gold in Turkey: Çeyrek Coins, Karats, Tax, Customs — Buying gold in Turkey as a foreigner: Çeyrek coin weights, karat purity, tax, invoices, and the limits for taking gold out of Turkey and into Iran.
Income Tax in Turkey 2025: Rates, Exemptions, Deadlines — Income tax in Turkey for 2025: new tax rates, exemptions, salary tax and freelancer tax, with deadlines and penalties explained.
Learn Turkish From Zero to Conversation: A Beginner's Guide — A complete guide to learning Istanbul Turkish for beginners: self-study, online classes, apps and golden tips for fluent conversation.
Buying a Car and Getting a Driver's License in Turkey (2025) — Buying a car and getting a driver's license in Turkey: 2025 rules, costs, compulsory insurance and how to convert an Iranian license to a Turkish one.
Cost of Living in Turkey in 2025: Istanbul, İzmir, Ankara — Cost of living in Turkey in 2025: a comparison of housing, food, transport and lifestyle costs in Istanbul, İzmir and Ankara.
Living in Turkey as an Iranian: Pros and Cons — Living in Turkey is attractive yet challenging for Iranians. This article covers the advantages, drawbacks and key tips for Iranians living in Turkey.
Daily Life in Istanbul: A Foreigner's Experience — Life in Istanbul blends tradition and modernity. Read foreigners' real experience of daily life in Istanbul, living costs, people and lifestyle.