Living and Investing in Turkey: A Country Between Two Continents

Turkey is one of the few countries in the world that belongs to two continents at once. Its larger part lies in Anatolia, in Asia, while a smaller part, Thrace, lies in Europe. For anyone thinking of moving abroad or buying property outside their home country, this position explains a great deal: the country's history, its culture, its climate and the way it connects people and markets. This introduction gives you a broad picture of Turkey before you look at a specific city, district or home.

A land between Europe and Asia

Turkey is surrounded by water on three sides. The Black Sea lies to the north, the Aegean to the west and the Mediterranean to the south, while the Sea of Marmara sits inside the country, linked to the Black Sea by the Bosphorus and to the Aegean by the Dardanelles. Between these coasts stretch high plateaus, mountain ranges, lakes and fertile plains. The result is a country of strong contrasts: green forests along the Black Sea, warm beaches in the south and west, and wide open landscapes in the interior, with clear seasons and a different climate in each region.

Culture and everyday life

Over the centuries, Anatolia and Thrace have been home to many civilisations, and their traces are still visible in ancient sites, Byzantine churches and Ottoman mosques, palaces and bazaars. Turkish culture gives great importance to family and hospitality, and newcomers often notice how quickly neighbours, shopkeepers and colleagues make them feel welcome. Food is a central part of daily life, from long family breakfasts to tea shared at any time of day. At the same time, the large cities offer a fully modern way of life, with shopping centres, international schools, private hospitals, cafés and cultural venues, so tradition and modern living sit side by side.

Connected to the world

Turkey's location makes it a natural crossroads. Istanbul Airport, on the European side of Istanbul, is one of the main air hubs linking Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa, and many cities in these regions can be reached with a direct flight. Within the country, motorways, high-speed rail lines and domestic flights connect the major cities, while Istanbul itself relies on a growing network of metro lines, the Metrobüs and main roads such as the E-5 and the TEM. For families who travel often, or who keep business ties in more than one region, this connectivity is one of the strongest practical reasons to choose Turkey.

Why foreigners choose Turkey

People from many countries choose Turkey for a mix of reasons: a comfortable lifestyle, a culture that feels familiar to many newcomers from the region, varied landscapes within easy reach, and a property market open to foreign buyers. New residential communities are often planned as complete living environments, with landscaped gardens, fitness centres, pools, indoor car parks and 24/7 security. Buyers can choose between city apartments, homes close to the sea, villas with private gardens and home offices in business districts, depending on whether they want a family home, a second residence or an investment.

Property can also open the door to residence and citizenship. Under the current rules, a foreign investor who buys real estate worth at least $400,000 and keeps it for at least three years can apply for Turkish citizenship, together with a spouse and children under 18, without having to live in Turkey and while keeping their current nationality. For buyers who are not seeking citizenship, owning a home can also support a renewable residence permit. The conditions are per current law and may change, so each case should be checked before you buy.

For most international buyers, the journey begins in Istanbul, the country's largest city and its main gateway to the world. It brings together the sea, green districts, business centres and a wide range of new projects, which is why we cover it in a separate guide. Before choosing a district, it helps to decide what matters most to you: being close to the sea, to nature, to work or to good transport links.

HADARA, your real estate partner in Istanbul, can help you turn this broad picture into a clear shortlist. Contact us or book a private video tour to see suitable homes and ask your questions, then visit Istanbul to view them in person before you decide.