A Property Buyers Guide To Turkey

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Buying Overseas Property

By yesitsmeagain ⋅ September 28, 2008 ⋅ Post a comment

A in-depth guide to Turkey aimed at buyers considering Turkish property.

Turkey has to rank at the forefront of developed countries. A vast land mass with a coastline stretching 6,000 kilometres and bordering no less than eight countries Bulgaria to the northwest; Greece to the west; Georgia to the northeast; Armenia, Azerbaijan (the exclave of Nakhichevan) and Iran to the east; with Iraq and Syria to the southeast. Turkey has long been renowned for her international trade and with a foot in both Europe and Asia may be called truly intercontental.

Turkey, strategically placed astride two continents enjoys a unique blend of Eastern and Western traditions. Turkey is a democratic, secular, unitary, constitutional republic, the political system was established in 1923 under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the father of the modern republic after the fall of the Ottoman Empire. Turkey is an associate member of the EEC since 1963 and full accession talks started in 2005. It is my opinion that acceptance for full membership will take some considerable time; there are many issues to be ratified before than can be accomplished.

The history of this vast country stretches back to one of the earliest ever recorded Neolithic settlements and then the Iron Age with the first major empire, that of the Hittites from the 18th through the 13th century BCE. The remarkable history of Turkey is evidenced with hundreds of archeological and historical sites stretching across the country. Many of these ancient monuments and sites are preserved today in a remarkable state of repair when you consider the thousands of years they have withstood the test and trials of time and earthquakes.

The internationally acclaimed Amphitheatre at Aspendos on the southern Mediterranean coast stands as a monument to the skills of the architects and builders of that time. Seating some 20,000 people it is still in regular use during the summer months when concerts and public performances are still staged to regular full houses. Acoustically it is a marvel hard to better - even with today’s technological advances.

From a tourism aspect Turkey has a great deal to offer. Although still a little difficult and time consuming for travelers from many parts of Europe, transport links are improving all the time with new airports opening, the latest Gazipasa, 35 miles east of Alanya is opening to commercial flights mid year next year (2009). The effect this will have on property values along this stretch of coast should not be glossed over. Bodrum International airport now provides a twelve months a year service where previously it was open only during the summer months. This serves to illustrate the impact that tourism is having on the country as a whole and should serve to inspire greater tourism traffic and a more stable economy.

Many first time visitors to Turkey are surprised to find an advanced, progressive country, a first class national road network which puts many developed countries road infrastructure to shame. I admit to constant amazement at the ignorance shown by many who labour under the misapprehension that Turkey is full of donkey drawn carts and bhurka’d ladies; how far from the truth this actually is. Reservations held by many about travelling to a largely Muslim country and the unfortunate bad and biased press post twin towers, can be completely ignored, you are more likely to see bhurkas (the traditional full body and face covering for Mulsim women) in Birmingham, London (Harrods) and New York than Turkey. If you venture into the more rural areas and smaller villages, you may find it does become more traditional.

Istanbul, formerly Constantinople and the former country capital city, now considered by most to still be the commercial capital, but Ankara now, of course the political capital and the seat of government. Istanbul is a fantastic city with a population around 20 million and the centre of the Christian world for hundreds of years, still boasting some of the oldest Christian churches to be found anywhere. It is a truly multi-cultural, multi-denominational city, packed full of history. Istanbul is fast becoming a skyscraper city to match many across the world, stunning architecture and technologically advanced. The other side of Istanbul is the original and the fascinating. There are the wonders of the Grand Bazaar, the quaint old Ottoman buildings the hustle and bustle of the street markets and vendors, the brain spinning aromas of spices and Turkish food. As one of the major players in the textile industry for thousands of years, you may find some of the most beautiful fabrics silks and hand woven materials anywhere in the world. Another world famous product from Turkey is the hand woven rugs and carpets, many taking a year or more to complete. Intricate traditional designs meticulously incorporated into wonderful floor coverings and wall hangings. These can often cost many hundreds of pounds, even thousands, but they will be the antiques of the future and heirlooms to be handed down through the family.

Istanbul is rather like a country in a country, completely different to anywhere else in the country, exciting, captivating, romantic, engrossing and completely unique. Istanbul is expensive, now ranked among the top most expensive cities in the world today, but worth every penny. Take a trip to Taksim Square, the heart of the city, alive and breathing with a heart and soul. It talks to you, no it simply shouts at you – to be seen, enjoyed, breathed in and exhaled with enthusiasm. In Taksim you will find the complete contrast of the modern, Burger King, MacDonald’s nestling beside an aroma full Traditional Turkish restaurant or kebab house. Flower sellers in the square that take me back to my earlier days of the Paris boulevards and the west bank. Istanbul is a city for everyone, it has culture and theatre, museums and galleries, breathtaking views over the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara and where you can stand in Europe on minute and Asia the next. This amazing city truly does have something for everyone and no trip to Turkey is complete without a visit.

If you venture out of Istanbul one can find the resort areas much favored by tourists. Antalya is the province, the host of Belek, for those whose interests lie in golfing pursuits. Belek now boasts 17 courses with international acclaim and suitable for Golfers of all levels and skills. Just 25 minutes from Antalya international airport and rapidly becoming THE area for discerning buyers for residential property. Carrrying on further east you will reach Alanya. For some years now Alanya has been a favored spot for Germans and Scandinavian people, now very much a destination for the Brits also. Here in Alanya you can find a quality apartment with 2 bedrooms and views over the sea and or Torus mountains for as little as 70,000 euros, but be warned, prices are increasing by some 14 – 15% a year.

Travelling in the opposite direction from Antalya, west along the coast you reach Kemer, a resort town, bustling in the summer months although a little quiet in the winter. Here one can swim in the crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean, snorkel, and parasail, water ski or take a boat trip along the beautiful coast, visit any one of a number of small islands for a barbecue or picnic and in the short winter months one can visit Saklikent, just 30 mins. from Kemer, THE winter ski resort where every snow pursuit may be enjoyed followed, perhaps, with a swim in the warm Med in the afternoon. Now how many resorts can offer sun, sea, sand AND snow in the same day.

Further west and you will reach Kas and Kas Kalkan, quaint fishing villages, white painted houses with all the charm and character you could wish for. Cast your eyes upwards to the hills over the harbour and you will see million dollar villas, stunning designs and with views you can only dream of.

Patara, the birthplace of Father Christmas, yes he WAS born in Turkey. In short you can only visit Turkey to believe the extraordinary contrasts of the ancient, the modern and the futuristic, no writer can accurately portray the wonders of this remarkable country. To see is to believe.

Buying Overseas Property

A Property Buyers Guide To Turkey

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