A gorgeous European country could be the perfect retirement destination for Britons, with costs as low as £422 a month.
Full of ancient sites, bustling cities and world-famous cuisine, the pensioner-friendly country was once the centre point of the Ottoman Empire.
Nowadays, Turkey is a popular holiday destination with a growing expat community, meaning those who make the move out are unlikely to be lonely.
The country, which spans two continents and sits as a geographical and geopolitical conduit linking Europe and Asia, has a staggering 34,000 Brits living there, making it one of the most desirable retirement destinations.
One major city, Istanbul, lies on the Bosphorus River – the boundary between the two continents – and is a melting pot of history, culture and amazing landmarks, where ‘the East meets the West’.
Among its remarkable landmarks are the incredible Blue Mosque, while the Grand Bazaar is an endless maze of fascination.
Turkey has long been a popular holiday destination with long-time favourites such as Marmaris and Bodrum continuing to be busy despite the rise in popularity of quaint villages such as Kalkan.
But it’s perhaps the cheapness of Turkey and its remarkable cities that is the main draw for British retirees.
At an average of just £422 a month for cost of living in the country, a UK pension would go at least four times further than in Britain – where the equivalent cost of living would be £1,652.
The average price for a 100 square metre property in Istanbul – the most expensive city in the country – is about £54,000.
Crime is comparatively lower than in England, with just 214 records of theft per 100,000 people compared to the UK, which has 280.
Naturally, the weather is an attractive proposition for those considering the move, with the country enjoying hot summers and mild winters.
As pensioners across the UK come to terms with Labour’s decision to remove the winter fuel allowance, alter inheritance tax rules and uncertainty over the future of free pensioner bus passes, it is unlikely that the lure of retirement in Turkey will lessen anytime soon.
