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I’m not an expat just yet but I have visited Turkey enough to have an understanding of what I’ll be facing.  As a first generation American to Turkish parents, I know basic Turkish with very limited vocabulary.  I am certain the little Turkish I know will help me overcome many obstacles in daily life and I would advise future expats (and current ones) to invest the time and effort in learning basic Turkish.  Many times, I don’t understand a lot words people use but being able to ask for clarification in Turkish becomes the key to adapting to your new life. 

Beyond that, Turkish people are most always very helpful to do what they can to assist you with  whatever needs you have.  They are good natured and hospitable people.

Be inquisitive and open minded in learning the ways and culture of Turkey to ease your adjustment to your new life.  Enjoy the process.

Me and my wife are semi-retired and have lived in many countries, whereas language is very important, for 60+ it is difficult to master, I did not even try in Hungary, and in Turkey I manage to say meraba and nasisi, I can not even count but sign language helps.

My wife is much better, she knows quite a lot of words and she can count in Turkish quite well.

We tend to visit local restaurants and local providers and as I do not walk too well my wife does the shopping (and by now (almost 4 years in Turkey) they know her. Of course I realize that we pay more then the real locals, but far less then tourists (if they come nowadays, but that is another topic).

For language I speak Dutch, English and German, same for my wife but she also speaks Russian which in our neighbourhood (Mahmutlar) helps quite a bit.

Turkish people are great, rather then be a criminal, they tend to be too commercial (moreso in Alanya which is a problem)

On new life, clearly this very very different from my past in Netherlands, UK, Luxembourg and Hungary. I like to live here and no problem, but learning Turkish is one stap too far (how long do I have to live?)

BTW for Gino, why are you not here already?

@cdw057

I am a friend of Gino's, First talked to him on this site and we are now good friends. I relocated 4 years ago from the USA. I now live in Kusadasi and consider it one of the best thigs I ever did in my life, (moving here to retire). Where are you living cdw? Would like to get a conversation going with you. Maybe we can exchange some ideas.

Dennis

Difficult post,

First , I live in Alanya (Mahmutlar), very convenient with restaurants, markets and shops, so very far away from where you live (does not nowadays present communicatuon (expat is easy)).

I have to say infrastructure here is excellent.

On ideas, I have had many posts and ( I have given so many ideas but nobody jumps in)

I probably repeat myself in the upcoming period.

there, I am sensitive on the topic of friends

In one of my posts, friends are only friends if they can help you all the way, I only have one, luckily I can take care of myself (and my wife),

Bottom line, I am quite happy in Turkey (considering health), within 500 m restaurants crawling distance, for my wife there is a wool shop, with supermarkets (I  am a bit upset but (so much) .. (A 101 ,(just 50 m), SOK, BIM,Coop, but also MMM), butchers are also around.

More then hairdressers (I am sad , rip off by many(

@cdw057

My wife is happy, and that is important