Our Lives In Türkiye
In Türkiye, there really is something for everyone. Whether you enjoy art and cultural activities, a local music scene, great cuisine, a fantastic cup of coffee, or a variety of fitness and outdoor activities, Türkiye has what you are looking for.
Yes, we have challenges. But we have overcome many of them; and along the way we have grown as we take every surprise in stride to make Türkiye our home.
But don’t take our word for it, let’s see what our community members say…
How have you grown personally and/or professionally since moving here?
I completely changed my life, or rather, it has transformed. On a personal level, I married my husband who's from here, became a stepmother, and gave birth to our son a couple of years later.
On a professional level, I had set up and managed a successful spa business in Beijing for a decade. When I came to Türkiye I looked for a new purpose and aspired to reinvent an entirely new business. One that aligned with my life and that I could build around the life that I want (and not the other way around). After some soul searching, twist, and turns, I became a business coach. Got trained and certified by an ICF accredited coaching institute, built my brand from scratch and marketed it, got my first clients, and here I am today.
~ M. Endo
I started a whole new career since moving to Türkiye as I was forced to up skill and think creatively about what I could do as my old career wasn’t an option here.
~ B. Hunter-Kelm
What has surprised you the most about your life here?
“That I have come to find it just as stimulating and full of opportunities as it was in my home country (if not more).”
“I never planned on being in Türkiye long term, and now I can’t imagine being any other place than here.”
“The creativity and humour of the local artisans.”
“The difficulty of integrating life here and feeling “home”. I thought that I could learn the language quickly and plug into the system just as I did before in China - but it wasn’t like this. It took me more intentional efforts, and grit.”
“The love Türks have for their street animals.”
What was your biggest challenge and how have you overcome it?
The difference in the business culture here has been a challenge. Sometimes simply embracing and accepting the differences is the best way to overcome a challenge.
~ A. Ilhan
Homesickness and missing old friends. Learning Turkish and being committed to making friends here for the long haul has helped enormously.
~ B. Hunter-Kelm
Language. I thought that Turkish would be easier to learn, but I underestimate its difficulty. I completed a 3-month intensive at a language school and a year of private lessons to get me to a basic level. I know that I still have a long way to go and need to continue to take lessons to improve so I can become fluent and take part in conversations without feeling like I'm missing out. I feel that when I'll be completely fluent in Turkish, simple things will feel "easy".
~ M. Endo
What is one thing that you have grown to love about living here?
“Turkish breakfast and the culture that goes with it!”
“I like the Turkish “Tost” which is a warm toast bread sandwich with cheese in it - kind of like the Italian Panini. It’s so simple and comforting. When your fridge is empty, you can always make a Tost. Even on the ferry, you can buy a Tost. It can be a meal or a snack, you can add a layer of ham and a slice of tomato. I love to add a lot of dried oregano in mine, and lots of butter on the outside of the bread when I heat it. It makes it crunchy!”
“Mint. Türks use a lot of mint in their cuisine. Now I cannot image having my ‘mercimek çorbası’ without lots of mint.”
Where is one of your favorite places in Türkiye? And why?
I love Ölüdeniz, the secret lagoon. Ocean, mountains and pine forests all in one place! What’s not to love.
~ B. Hunter-Kelm
I love Nisantasi and my neighborhood, Akaretler. Maybe because its architecture reminds me of Paris where I spent most of my childhood and teenage. You can find cute coffee shops and interesting restaurants. It's lively!
~ M. Endo
One of our favorite places in Türkiye is Cappadocia — so much so that we go there every year! The unique geography, history, and ability to go on a self-selected rugged adventure or take the path of clearly defined routes mean that every time we go, we experience something different. And we make a habit of never staying in the same hotel twice!
~ K. Pınar
