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The idea of living permanently or part-time in Turkey is still a dream for many potential expats, but the over-riding question asked by many, is how much does it cost? Including property, healthcare, running costs such as electricity and essentials such as food, people want to know whether Turkey, in 2016, still gives you more bang for your buck? So, let’s take a look at some of the average costs involved…

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PROPERTY : TO BUY OR TO RENT
The UK Office for National Statistics says the average price of real estate in England has jumped to £288,000. For such an outlay, you could quite easily buy up several cheap properties in the Turkish coastal towns of Didim, Marmaris, Fethiye and Kusadasi…
A two-bedroom apartment in Didim on the Aegean Turkish Coast averages about £35,000, – £40.000 while in the bustling metropolis of ISTANBUL, that is the country’s prime location, prices skyrocketed by 25 percent in the final quarter of 2015, making a three-bed apartment in the city cost an average of £212,500 – £237.500…
The vast difference in property prices according to the region also applies to rentals with a three-bed apartment in Didim averaging about 650TL or £160 a month (taking the Turkish Lira rate at 4TL as at April 14, 2016) compared to 2,800TL (£720) for the same property in Istanbul, it’s like 3.000 TL at some places (£750)…
The property development companies have been designing some really nice apartments and house buildings in Marmaris over the last ten years and some really nice villas with private swimming pools. The sale price for three-bedroom apartment would range from £95.000 – £110.000. And the villas are on sale for like £165.500 – £212.500…

HOW MUCH DO UTILITIES COST MONTHLY IN TURKEY?
The below figures are taken from the running costs for a three-bedroom property in the coastal holiday resort of Didim.
– Water/Sewage: Average monthly costs are around 40TL (£10) a month
– Electricity: The average monthly cost is about 100TL (£25) a month
– Council tax: About 140TL a year (£35)
– Rubbish Tax: A one-offer annual charge covering bin collections: 70TL (£17.50)
– Internet: Pay 60TL (£15) a month for unlimited internet with TTNet, although cheaper deals, such as 300TL installation and 30TL a month, are available from independent operators…
– Property maintenance fees: Properties within a communal complex pay an annual maintenance fee for the upkeep of shared facilities such as a swimming pool. The cost varies depending on the number of apartments and type of facilities, from £60 a year to an eye-watering £400.
– Property Insurance: An average three-bed villa will need house and contents insurance at roughly £50 and earthquake insurance (DASK) that is compulsory for roughly £40…
RUNNING A VEHICLE IN TURKEY
If you opt to buy a car in Turkey, be prepared to shell out for some of the very high priced fuel on earth. A litre of diesel can cost about 3.50TL (£0.90) and petrol is 4.40TL (£1.10). Further costs include car insurance, polis insurance, car tax, and MOTs. Collectively, yearly costs can average a minimum of 2,000TL (£500)…

RESIDENCY PERMITS & HEALTHCARE IN TURKEY
Those looking to live in Turkey full-time, will need an annual residency permit of which the basic cost is £50, but using people such as a translator, will naturally incur variable costs. Permits are given on condition that the person applying has medical insurance but for over 65s it is free. Alternatively, obtaining a 90-in-180 day tourist visa, costs £12.50, including an administration fee…
Healthcare is a major requirement for many expats but there is no NHS in Turkey, like they do in the UK. So the residents have a choice. They can pay into the government scheme SGK to cover medical operations through government hospitals. This costs for a married couple 395TL (£98.75) per month. If you aren’t married, but live together or are single, then you pay 395TL per person. Your SGK will cover a small part of the financial costs if you use private hospitals. And the local people will also pay ythe same amount to SGK for their health care…
If SGK is not a preferred option, private health insurance shields most people from the high costs of treatment and operations at private hospitals. Costs are variable on a person’s age and health condition. A 48-year-old male can be expected to pay annually about 700TL (£175)…

FOOD & DRINKS – EATING OUT & SOCIALIZING
With inflation hovering around 7.5 percent, a year, the average weekly cost of shopping for two people amounts to about 150TL (£37.50). For smokers, a packet of cigarettes averages about 7.50TL – 9.50 TL while a beer can set you back about 10 TL.-14 TL. Meat, particularly lamb and beef, can be expensive while chicken and fish are relatively affordable. For a three-course meal at a restaurant offering continental food, expect to spend about 118TL, including drinks £29.50. However, those looking for Turkish food will be happy to discover that prices are substantially lower, at about half the cost…

SAVING MONEY & WORKING IN TURKEY
If you are looking to top up your monthly income with work, be aware that foreigners are working illegally unless they have a valid work permit. A work permit can be applied individually or in part with the employer, but costs can vary, running to about £375. However, the minimum wage in Turkey is just 1,300TL (£325 a month), so careful consideration is required as to whether it is worth it…
Many expats take advantage of healthy interest rates for savings accounts. Although the rates are variable on the amounts of money you have in a high-interest TL 8Turkish Lİras) bank account, expect an average monthly percentage to range between 10 and 13 per cent. Banks offer a monthly bonus for the first month, but will revert to their market rates in the end…

CONCLUSIONS
While it is hard to declare an overall winner, what you gain on the swings – cheaper utilities, taxes, fruit, and veg – you will lose on the roundabouts – fuel, residency, health care. Careful planning and active money management is the key to success of living an affordable and comfortable lifestyle in Turkey… Please do remember people are always ready to pay a little bir more for food and drinks by the water front cafes and restaurants then anywhere else…

By Sinan S. Unsal

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