Livability takes into account several factors like safety, affordability, traffic, pollution, and access to healthcare. These factors determine the quality of life of a city — in other words, how pleasant or unpleasant it is to reside there. We made some research about which cities are the best cities for foreigners in Turkey.
Find out the most livable cities in Turkey for foreigners.
13. Mersin
Mersin (pronounced [ˈmæɾsin]) is a large city with a port on the Mediterranean coast of southern Turkey.
As of the last 2021 estimation, the Metropolitan Province population was 1,891,145 inhabitants and 1,064,850 lived in the metropolitan area made of the 4 urban districts, making it the 11th most populated area of Turkey. As urbanization continues towards the east, a larger metropolitan region with Tarsus and Adana is building up with more than 3.3 million inhabitants.
Mersin is an important hub of Turkey’s economy, and Turkey’s largest seaport is located in the city. Mersin’s nickname in Turkey is “The Pearl of the Mediterranean” (Turkish: Akdeniz’in İncisi), and the city hosted the 2013 Mediterranean Games. Mersin is the provincial capital of the eponymous Mersin Province of Turkey. There are job and trade opportunities in Mersin for foreigners.
12. Adana
Adana (Turkish pronunciation: [aˈda.na Armenian Greek: Ιδανα) is a large city located in the south of Turkey. The city is located on the Seyhan River, 35 km (22 mi) inland from the northeastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea. It has a population of 2.26 million.
Adana is located in the heart of Cilicia, which was once one of the most important regions of the classical ancient world. Cilicia, which is home to six million inhabitants, is one of the largest population densities in the Levant, as well as being an agriculturally productive area thanks to the large fertile Çukurova plain. About 10 million people live within a two-hour drive of the city center of Adana, which contributes to the large population centers surrounding Cilicia. Foreigners can find out a vibrant life and a great social life in Adana.
11. Edirne
Edirne formerly, known as Hadrianopolis or Adrianople, Edirne is in the western part of Turkey and it is very close to Turkey’s largest city Istanbul. It borders Greece and Bulgaria (the nearest point is 5.22 to 3.24 miles, or kilometers, from the border with Greece).
Edirne was the capital of the Ottoman Empire from 1369 to 1453, before Constantinople became the capital of the empire. The estimated population in 2020 is 190,408. It is a very relaxed city with great nature!
10. Muğla
Muğla (pronounced [ˈmuːɫa]) is a city in south-western Turkey. The city is the center of the District of Menteşe and Muğla Province, which stretches along Turkey’s Aegean coast. Muğla’s center is situated inland at an altitude of 660 m and lies at a distance of about 30 km (19 mi) from the nearest seacoast in the Gulf of Gökova to its southwest. Mugla has touristic provinces that are globally well-known such as Bodrum, Marmaris, Datça, Dalyan, Fethiye, Ölüdeniz.
There are lots of touristic activities to do and lots of job opportunities in the tourism sector. Foreigners can consider living in Mugla.
9. Aydın
Aydin is located in the heart of the lower valley of the Büyük Menderes River (ancient Menderes River), in a commanding position for the region stretching from the plateaus of the valley to the seashore. The population was 207,554 in 2014. The city of Aydin is located along a territory that has been famous for its fertility and productivity since ancient times. Figs remain the most well-known crop in the province, although other agricultural products are also intensively grown and the city has light industry.
A six-lane highway connects Aydın to Izmir, the second port of Turkey, in less than an hour, and Dec to the international Adnan Menderes Airport, which is located at the intersection of a busy transportation network of various types along the road between the two cities. Aydın Airport, a smaller airport, is located a few kilometers southeast of Aydın. Aydın district, 19. also in the XVIII century. It pioneered the introduction of railways to Turkey in the XVIII century and still has the busiest railway network.
Aydın province is also a province where world-famous historical sites and tourist centers are concentrated.
8. Balıkesir
Balıkesir (Turkish pronunciation: [baˈlɯkesiɾ]) is a city in Turkey. Balikesir is located in the Marmara region of Turkey and has a population of 338,936
the city, which is very rich in historical sense, is home to Ayvalık, which is included in the Unesco world heritage tentative List.
The region is also quite developed in terms of history and tourism. Tens of thousands of domestic and foreign tourists spend their holidays every year, especially in such resorts as Ayvalik, Erdek. There are also natural beauties such as Bandırma Bird Sanctuary, Şahinderesi Canyon, excellent beaches such as Sarımsaklı, historical mosques, churches and ancient cities.
7. Çanakkale
Çanakkale (pronounced [tʃaˈnakkale]), formerly Dardanellia, is a city and seaport in Turkey in Çanakkale Province on the southern shore of the Dardanelles at their narrowest point. The population of the city is 195,439 (2021 estimate).
Çanakkale is the nearest major urban center to the ancient city of Troy, which (together with the ancient region of the Troad) is located inside Çanakkale Province. The wooden horse from the 2004 movie Troy is exhibited on the seafront.
Ancient Abydos, where the story of Hero and Leander takes place, is to the north of Çanakkale.
The first inhabitants of the area, which hosted many civilizations, lived on the Biga Peninsula in the Last Chalcolithic Age c. 6,000 years ago. However, very little is known about the identity and lifestyle of these early settlers. According to some excavations and research, the earliest settlements in the region were established at Kumtepe. It is supposed that Kumkale was established in 4000 BC and Troy between 3500–3000 BC. Foreigners can discover the ancient culture and beautiful nature in Çanakkale.
6. Eskişehir
Eskişehir (Turkish: [eskişehir]; formerly “eski” and kente “şehir”) is a city in northwestern Turkey. In Byzantine times, its name was Dorylaeum. The city has an urban population of 898,369, and the metropolitan area has a population of 797,708. The city is located on the banks of the Badger River at an altitude of 792 m above sea level, overlooking the fertile Phrygian Valley. Hot springs can be found on the nearby hills. The city is 233. ( (145 mi) to the west of Ankara, 330.. (205 mi) to the southeast of Istanbul, and 78 ( ( (48 mi) to the northeast of Kütahya. It is known as a university town; Eskişehir Technical University, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, and Anadolu University are located in Eskişehir. The province covers an area of 2,678 km2 (1,034 sq mi). The city has a very vibrant nightlife thanks to the universities in the city. Foreigners can have a great time in Eskişehir.
5. Bursa
Bursa (Turkish pronunciation: [busasa]) is a city and the administrative center of Bursa Province, northwestern Turkey. Bursa, the fourth most populous city in Turkey and the second most populous city of the Marmara Region, is one of the industrial centers of the country. The majority of Turkey’s automotive production takes place in Bursa. As of 2019, the Metropolitan Province was home to 3,056,120 inhabitants, of which 2,161,990 live in 3 provinces (Osmangazi, Yildirim, and Nilufer) plus Gursu and Kestel, which are largely docked. Bursa was the first major and the second Dec capital of the Ottoman Empire between 1335 and 1363.
Bursa has a rich history and it can be an interesting place for foreigners who want to experience Turkish culture. Also, they can do skiing in Uludag Mountain.
4.Antalya
Antalya (Turkish pronunciation: [antalja]; Ancient Greek: τΤτάλεια) is the fifth most populous city in Turkey. Antalya, located on the southwestern coast of Anatolia, bordered by the Taurus Mountains, is the largest Turkish city on the Mediterranean Sea.
It more than a million inhabitants in the metropolitan area. Antalya has the largest international sea resorts of Turkey, located on the Turkish Riviera. Large-scale development and state financing stimulated tourism. A record 13.6 million tourists passed through the city in 2019. It is a great location for foreigners looking for holiday and long-term stay.
3. İzmir
Izmir (English: /zzzməˈmər/ Turkish pronunciation: [izmiː]) is a metropolitan city at the western end of Anatolia. It is the third most populous city in Turkey after Istanbul and Ankara and the second largest urban agglomeration on the Aegean Sea after Athens. According to the latest estimates, the total population of Izmir province is 4,367,251. Izmir has the goal of becoming an important world city in terms of its geographical location, natural resources, historical infrastructure, cultural wealth and manpower.
Izmir has assumed a vital function in Anatolian geography for centuries, by ensuring the flow of political, economic, social and cultural relations between Eastern and Western civilizations. For this reason, Izmir has a deep and well-established history dating back to 6000 BC. Izmir has acquired the appearance of a cosmopolitan city where many different identities coexist, especially Armenians, Franks, Greeks and Jews, due to the fact that it is a historical port city.
In addition, Izmir has become an efficient, dynamic, inspiring and innovative city over the course of time, as well as being the “city of firsts” in Turkey and the world in many fields. Its excellent beaches and vibrant city life make it an ideal city for foreigners who want to live in Turkey.
2. Ankara
Ankara is the capital city of Turkey and the second largest city in the country after Istanbul. It is located at the heart of both Turkey and Central Anatolia. The population is around 4.5 million. Ankara is the administrative center of Turkey and a huge university town, so it has a large population of public officers and university students. As the national capital, Ankara is home to a large population of foreign diplomats and embassy staff, so it offers goods and services that might be more difficult to find in other Turkish cities. Ankara is a sprawling, modern city that can appear as little more than a dull, concrete jungle at first glance. As a result, many tourists tend to use it merely as a transit point for getting to places like Konya or Cappodocia. However, Ankara does have a lot to offer for those prepared to look a bit deeper. Ankara has a symbolic significance for the secular Turks. It is the place where a new era for the Turkish people started. It is a symbol of independence, development, and Western values. The foreigners can choose to live in Ankara thanks to its diversity and high life standards
1. İstanbul
Istanbul, the only city in the world with lands on two continents, has lands on both the European and Asian continents.
Istanbul, the most populous city in Turkey, is one of the five most populous cities in the world. Its population is about 16.40 million people.
Istanbul fascinates its visitors with its magnificent natural beauties, historical buildings, gilded domes, palaces, mansions, museums, parks, monuments, towers, culture and much more. Especially the Bosphorus-Istanbul Strait will deeply affect you. When the unique natural beauties of Istanbul are added to the historical monuments of Rome, Byzantium and the Ottoman Empire, a magnificent picture emerges.
Istanbul makes it to the top of our list thanks to its touristic attractions, vibrant city life and international community.
