What is life like in turkey?

Question

I currently live in America, but would like to move to Turkey some day to see where my father was born and raised. I am curious though on how my family and Iwill be recieved.

Answer 1

The peolple who have lived here tell the truth about the good things you will find in Turkey. What they forgot to mention is that if you have family here, you will be received as long-lost family, welcomed and rejoiced over. I, a western expat, have been accepted as family by wonderful people in Kayseri. Their home is my home; and my place in Istanbul is theirs. Perhaps, you would like to first come for a visit before moving. You and yours are more than welcome.

Answer 2

I came to Turkey more then 2 years ago and never went back to my country. First I was scared as I didnt know too many things about Turkey and its people, just stupid things like: men have more then 1 wife or they force them to cover their heads etc. I live in a resort on the Aegean Sea coast and I could never go away from here again. I am in love not only with the place, but with all the people, the most friendly, warm people you can ever meet. I read Butterfly's post before, it was the answer through the eye of a tourist not coming from a person living here - people may like to burgain here, its not the only country that still uses this system but they pay lots of respect for you and try their best to feel good in their country, to offer you the best services. Where I live, we are working around 16 hours a day, but my colleagues are able to smile and be polite all the time.
I dont agree when it was said in Turkey you must be careful on the streets when you are alone, it was exagerated, this is a general rule and yes Turkish men will always look at a beautiful woman ( finally God likes too what is beautiful), they may say nice words to them but they will never ever touch a woman, like it usually happens in my country.
It depends now on you in which part of Turkey you would like to live, they are some parts, tourist areas where life is different from other areas where people keep their traditions more - you will never see women working, they will cover their heads etc but this is their own culture and you have the duty to respect it.
I chose their country and they respect me for this, they will always be beside me when I need.

Answer 3

You may find Turkey a real culture shock, depends where you go. After America you will find there are lots of things that you take for granted in the USA that you will miss in Turkey. Having said that, you will be made very welcome, and you will be amazed at the cheapness of the cost of living.
The people are very friendly, but in the holiday resorts the men are well known for pestering western women, but they would not allow their own wives or girfriends the freedom that western women have, which I find rather two faced. They will even marry a British woman to enable them to get a visa to live in Britain.
Why not visit for a holiday first, get to know the culture before making a decision to live there.
My daughter was married to a Turk, (sadly he was killed in a road accident some years ago) and I have visited both Turkey and America. Whilst it was wonderful to visit Turkey for holidays, I would not like to live there, given the choice I would much prefer to live in America.

Answer 4

Ok,here we go. I live in Detroit and originally Turkish I am. Well, just a few weeks ago came back hom from Turkey. First of all, i remember my first time in the USA, which i was dreaming of for a long time. I think i exaggerated before i cam here. Coz while i was in Turkey, i always thought that it was more modern. my hometown in Turkey is Bursa. When i was in bursa, i always thought it was a very ordinary city and tehre was nothng to do. When i came here i felt kinda disappointed coz i didnt see almost nothing different from here. There is no Taco Bell there for instance:))get ready to get over it, no applebees either. But the thing is u dont look for'em either. Istanbul is kinda magic to me. Bursa is historical. People wanna know everything and wanna help u when u need. There is no more than 1 wife stuff. Its totally a BS. People yeah, some men wanna force their wives to cover their wives, which they think is the best to have a wife like that, and I totally respect coz its their choice. Life in Turkey, is not easy like in the other countries but not as hard as in the USA. Coz i work so damn hard here. U can work in a decent job and have ur life go on. If u cant pay ur rental ur landowner may understand why coz u r financially suffering. A bit degeneration there, coz almost all girls and boys have topmodel like look like Puerto Ricans here wish they were more natural. Deep down they still have the hospitality of orient which is a + for you. When u need something to eat or when u r lack of onion or stuff in the middle of cooking dont hesitate to knock on ur next door neighbor to borrow something whatever u want; from onion to lemon or tomato to olive oil, bread to tea or sugar.This is magnificent that u know there is always someone when u need to. Well, my last but noıt the least, go for it dude, u will definitely like it.. Go to Turkey asap...

Answer 5

Turkey is a strange and enigmatic place. It's really great to go and visit - I am sure you'd like it! Life there is completely different than that in the States - the streets are crowded with people, everybody wants to sell you something (original perfume for 20 euro, my friend!;), people love to bargain. However, you need to be careful not to get cheated: don't trust the guys who pull you on the street and offer to be your guide. Most probably they'll take you to a cheap restaurant or bar owned by a friend of theirs, and in some way you'll leave the place with not a cent in your pocket. But if you are careful about stuff like that you can really have great time in Turkey. In summer the weather is super - it's wonderful to stay in some resort on the seaside. On the whole, you'll find Turkey a lot more cheaper than the USA. It's good to take clothes there, as well as silver and leather stuff. One last thing to be aware of - if you are a woman, don't go alone there. Some men still treat women as possessions, and for them is perfectly OK to grab your a*s on the street, or just to leer at you. As long as you've got a friend with you, you'll for sure have fun in Turkey.
P.S. While there, you should definitely smoke nargile and eat baklava (their most famous sweet delicacy)!!!!

Here are some sites for more info: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/europe/turkey
http://www.tourismturkey.org/
http://www.turkishembassy.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=45&Itemid=69

Answer 6

Hello dear!
Have you ever been/ lived to Turkey?
Before moving, before doing on such great change in your life, I advice you to visit your country to have your own opinion about it!
Going from the USA to that region of the world is a move bringing great differences!
West Turkey is a very nice place, but, since we are used to different political, administration, etc. state, ...

Answer 7

Never been there , but I think life in Turkey not easy for westerners. May be they call them self's progressive Muslim country, I don't think so.

Answer 8

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/country_profiles/1022222.stm