Moving to Alanya: What to Expect for Foreigners

The mild subtropical climate of Alanya and the charm of its ancient and modern architecture attract not only tourists. Many people dream of living in this cozy Turkish city or at least having property here for frequent visits. In fact, moving to Alanya is much easier than you may imagine. The Turkish government has adopted the Citizenship by Investment program, which is beneficial for the country and foreigners. Therefore, if you have already selected a house for sale in Alanya, get acquainted with the features of life in this wonderful city.

Quick Facts About Alanya

Many people know Alanya as a great resort with excellent service. However, having moved here, they discover its huge historical and cultural significance. The main facts about Alanya will help you get a general idea of this city past and present conditions:

• Time of first settlements: More than 17 thousand years ago.
• Year of Alanya's foundation: The city was founded in the 4th century BC as a settlement in Ancient Rome.
• The period of the greatest political significance: The Seljuk rule in the 13th century, when Alanya became the winter capital and residence of the sultan.
• Current population: 364,180 people.
• Percentage of foreigners living in Alanya permanently: More than 10%.

Alanya: A City with Rich History and Broad Prospects

Alanya is located on the picturesque coast of the magnificent Mediterranean Bay. Since its integration into the Ottoman Empire in 1471, it has become one of the important centers of trade. Its heyday was marked by the active construction of villas for the nobility and wealthy people. By the end of the 20th century, Alanya had become a famous international resort. Since then, the life of the city has changed significantly thanks to impressive investments and an inflow of active and creative people.

Today's Alanya is a multicultural community, inhabited by representatives of more than 82 nationalities. Some of them were attracted by the magnificent sandy beaches and the atmosphere of a seaside city. And others have discovered the unique economic opportunities provided by the huge flow of tourists.

Living in Alanya: What You Need to Know

A happy and successful life after moving is made up of many little things - from local traditions and employment opportunities to the quality of infrastructure and housing. This cozy Turkish city offers a wide range of homes for any budget - from economical apartments to luxurious villas. That is why buying a home in Alanya has become a reality for anyone who has fallen in love with it.

Weather Conditions

Alanya is protected from cold northern winds thanks to the long mountain ranges. Moreover, the warm Mediterranean Sea helps retain heat throughout the year. Therefore, the average annual temperature is almost 20 °C. Living in Alanya, you will enjoy the sun nearly 300 days a year. And the swimming season will last more than 200 days from the middle of April to November.

Such a mild subtropical climate leads to significant savings on heating apartments and houses. Moreover, residents do not need to carry out expensive work on additional insulation in their homes.

Safety

Another advantage of living in a tourist town is an effective police service. The reputation of a resort largely depends on how safe tourists feel. Therefore, the city government and special agencies carefully monitor public order. Violent crimes are extremely rare due to the large number of police officers. Petty crimes in busy areas can sometimes happen, but mostly due to the carelessness of visitors.

Real Estate Market

Buying Real Estate in Alanya is a profitable investment with great perspectives. You can buy housing while prices are low even if you are not planning to move right now. Residents can rent out their apartments to vacationers and make a solid profit. If you are going to settle in this area, you will find a variety of offers on the real estate market:

• Luxury villas;
• Economy class apartments;
• Penthouses;
• Townhouses, etc.

Proximity to the sea greatly affects the cost of housing. Therefore, if you do not intend to live on the first coastline, you can find apartments for sale in Alanya for a reasonable price. Due to the highly developed tourism, homes in the center can be cheaper. Therefore, if you are tolerant of the nightlife of a tourist city, noise, and a large number of people, you can buy a luxury apartment at a low price.

Employment

The prospects for stable economic growth in Turkey attract many investors. They create new jobs and often hire people with knowledge of several languages. Therefore, foreigners can easily find work in this country. The tourism industry in Alanya also needs employees with knowledge of several languages. So, when you move to Turkey, you do not have to worry about finding a job.

Transport System

The Alanya municipality takes care of convenient infrastructure for tourists including transportation. Its income directly depends on the number of people visiting the city. Therefore, it has created an excellent transport infrastructure, thanks to which you can easily get to any point in the city and its surroundings. There are 21 city bus routes in Alanya, which makes your car an optional mode of transport. If you move here permanently, you can refuse expensive repairs and maintenance of the car. Instead of a personal car, use public transport, which functions smoothly and connects all parts of the city.

Sports Infrastructure

If you like to play sports or want to take your children to any sports section, Alanya will provide plenty of such opportunities. Thanks to the highly developed tourism, the city has stadiums, tennis courts, gyms, golf courses, swimming pools, etc.

Also, Alanya is famous for extreme, sports such as windsurfing, rafting, mountaineering, and paragliding. So, you can enjoy the natural force of mountains, air, and water and discover new active forms of leisure.

Advantages of Living in Alanya

• Buying property in Alanya will be much cheaper than in other Mediterranean countries located in Europe.
• The Turkish economy is on an upward trajectory, which has a positive impact on investments in industry, construction, and infrastructure.
• The labor market offers many profitable employment opportunities. Moreover, you can work remotely while living in your house on the seashore.
• Turkey has created a favorable climate for running a business. The basic corporate tax rate is currently 25%. But this is a temporary measure, and the government promises to subsequently lower it to 20%, as it was until 2024.
• Convenient airlines and proximity to an international airport make it easy to travel to other countries. Distance to the nearest airport is 42 km and is easily covered in half an hour.
• A rich entertainment infrastructure, including various cafes, restaurants, opportunities to go on interesting excursions, etc.
• High-standard medical service and modern facilities provide ideal healthcare if needed. You will be able to choose between private and public hospitals because the city has alternative healthcare systems.

Why Alanya Has Become a Favorite Turkish City for Foreigners

The attractiveness of this Mediterranean city for foreigners is evidenced by statistics from the Turkish Statistical Institute. According to 2024 data, the number of permanently residing foreigners in Alanya reached 43 thousand people. The Turkish government and NGOs have created favorable conditions for a more complete integration of citizens of other countries after their move:

• The opportunity to obtain citizenship by investing in property, securities, a Turkish company, etc. The investment amount must be at least 400,000 US dollars.
• Alanya Foreigners Council has been promoting the inclusion of foreigners in local government for over 20 years. The organization cares about the protection of human rights and helps with foreigner initiatives, complaints, and a variety of other issues.

The cost of living in Alanya is significantly lower compared to other European countries. Therefore, many people prefer buying Apartments in Alanya after retirement. When they move to Turkey, they get a much higher standard of living for their pension than in the country where they earned it.

Most locals speak some other language besides Turkish, most often English. That is why foreigners have no problems integrating into the local community. Moreover, you can join some of the local cultural communities that organize many cultural events and different courses. Also, you can choose a school for your children to study foreign languages.

Alanya Real Estate Market Compared to Other Turkish Cities

Alanya is considered an inexpensive resort compared to such iconic places as Bodrum, Belek, or Kemer. Therefore, Houses in Alanya are significantly cheaper, even if they have more comfort. At the same time, housing prices are gradually increasing, which stimulates long-term property investment. Therefore, buying apartments is beneficial not only for moving but also for making a profit. In addition to renting out a house, you can subsequently sell it for a more favorable price.

Alanya has a well-developed market for primary and secondary housing. Construction companies are building new apartment complexes and comfortable luxury villas. Such villas are usually located at some distance from busy areas to ensure privacy for their owners. They have swimming pools, excellent terraces with a gorgeous view of the mountains and sea, sports grounds, and other amenities. If you prefer real estate deals on the secondary market, Alanya is an excellent place to make a profit. Homes on the secondary market are highly liquid, so homeowners find buyers quickly.

The Bottom Line: Why Go to Alanya

Alanya is one of the main seaside resorts in Turkey, which has gained international recognition. It attracts with its magnificent beaches, all kinds of entertainment, and wide opportunities for extreme sports. The city has a rich history and many preserved ancient buildings, including a medieval fortress. If you succeed in buying apartments in Alanya, you will live in the midst of this splendor all year round. And while tourists come here for just a couple of weeks, you will have constant access to wonderful beaches, cozy little streets of the city, and the majestic Taurus Mountains.