Many people dream of giving up work and enjoying a more relaxed life. Some consider splitting their time between their homeland and a second country, while others decide to sell up and move lock, stock and barrel.

It’s no surprise that Antalya is a popular place to retire to. If you’ve spent many happy holidays in the area – and maybe already invested in an Antalya holiday home – you’ll naturally wonder what it might be like to live here full time.

So will retiring to Antalya mean you’ll be living the dream? There are plenty of expats who say yes, definitely. Here are just a few of the top reasons to retire to Antalya.

Wonderful Weather

The climate is a key attraction for those considering buying their dream home in Antalya. Life on the Mediterranean means you can expect some 300-plus days of sunshine each year. Even in the cooler months, it’s often still warm enough to enjoy breakfast on the terrace and alfresco dining. And it’s not unknown for people to swim in the sea even in the middle of winter! Yes, you can expect more rain in January and February, but you’re also guaranteed wall-to-wall sun in the summer.

Beauty Everywhere

Antalya is famed for its many outstanding beaches, where clear turquoise water laps at the shore and golden sand stretches as far as the eye can see. As well as the perfect place for sun worshippers, the beach is a great choice to just sit and watch the sun rise and set, or to enjoy winter walks.

Go inland and you’ll find equally stunning scenery in the forests and mountains. There are gorges and waterfalls, a vast variety of flora and fauna, and more picturesque walks and hiking trails than you could ever hope to discover.

Live Well for Less

One of the biggest attractions among those who choose to retire to a property in Antalya is how much further their money goes. While prices inevitably rise over time, the cost of living is still considerably lower than in many other countries. Fresh, locally grown fruit and vegetables are abundant, cheap and full of flavour – the markets are a riot of colour and choice. Utilities, insurance, the equivalent of council tax and eating out – the cost of all these will come as a pleasant surprise. If you’re receiving a pension in a foreign currency, you’ll be able to cover your day-to-day expenses and still treat yourself; interest rates also remain comparatively high, so if you’re moving here permanently and have savings, this can also be a reasonable source of income.

Superb Healthcare

If you’re younger than 65 years old, you’ll need to take out health insurance in order to get your Turkish residence permit. After a year, you’re eligible to join SGK, the government-run healthcare programme. Over the age of 65, health insurance isn’t mandatory, though many choose to continue with it.

Whether you have a private policy, pay into SGK or decide to pay as you go, you’ll find excellent hospitals and healthcare in Antalya for specialised, general and cosmetic treatments. Appointments can be made quickly, and test results are rapid – no waiting for weeks worrying about what might be wrong.

It’s Easy to Travel

Antalya International Airport lies just a short journey out of the city centre. It serves a number of airlines offering direct international flights as well as domestic trips. Istanbul, the gateway to so many destinations worldwide, is just a short hop.

It’s easy to access the national bus network too for travelling around Turkey, while Antalya is also well served by numerous dolmuş routes and, in the city itself, there’s a tram service.

Plenty to Do

Have you ever heard someone who’s retired say they don’t know how they found time to work? That’s certainly true in Antalya! There are numerous clubs and organisations where you can connect with like-minded expats and make new friends, whether you enjoy art, bowling, charity work, dancing or quizzes. And that’s just for starters!

If you’re a keen walker, the Lycian Way is right on the doorstep. There are many sites and ruins where you can learn more about the area’s history. And, of course, Belek is renowned as Turkey’s golfing capital – so if that’s your game, you’ll be spoiled for choice with the championship level courses and facilities that are available.

Affordable Housing

Property prices are soaring in many countries, but you might be surprised at what’s available in Antalya that falls within your budget. If you’re looking to buy property the Antalya region, our portfolio ranges from smart city centre apartments to exclusive luxury villas in Kalkan – so whatever your dream home in Turkey looks like, we can help. Just get in touch to start your search.