How has Sergey's life changed in his new home in Turkey?

Experience of Sergey from St. Petersburg

Sergey, who lives in St. Petersburg, decided to share his experience of buying an apartment in Turkey. He chose the district of Mahmutlar, located near Alanya, and became the owner of a two-bedroom apartment with a total area of 122 square meters for the sum of 87 thousand euros. The deal took place in the middle of 2015, and Sergey spoke about his choice, as well as about the life in the new building he had found.

The transformation of Mahmutlar neighborhood

Mahmutlar used to be famous for its banana plantations, but today the area has become modern with many new buildings. The old plantations are gradually being replaced by new housing developments. Over the past two years, the number of people living in Sergei's house has increased from a few families to almost a quarter of all apartments. The neighbors have turned out to be quite diverse - not only Russians and Ukrainians live here, but also French and English people, as well as Scandinavians who come for summer vacations.

Climate and its benefits

The climate in the area is really amazing: about 300 sunny days a year contrast significantly with the gray St. Petersburg winters. This encourages you to spend more time outside enjoying nature instead of staying indoors. Local markets offer fresh fruits and vegetables all year round, as well as affordable fish. The sea delights swimmers from April to November.

Quality of life

Life in Mahmutlar is more pleasant and safer than in Tyumen or St. Petersburg. The feeling of gloom that St. Petersburgers are accustomed to during the dark winter months is absent here. Sunny days are longer and a general sense of joy fills every moment.

Infrastructure and landscaping

The city looks very well-maintained, which is a testament to the large investments. The streets are in excellent condition and the new bus routes guarantee convenient transportation around the city. Utilities are regularly improving the landscaping, renewing the lawns, which makes the neighborhood look even more attractive.

Alanya seafront

The beach promenade of Alanya is amazingly beautiful and well-maintained, and numerous children's and sports grounds delight families - safety and creative leisure are taken care of here. In Mahmutlar there are underground passages to the sea, which are located every 300-500 meters. In the future, the busy highway may be moved to the ring road, which will further improve the infrastructure.

Availability of services

As for the variety of services, the local market, which takes place on Tuesdays, offers a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables. All the necessary shopping infrastructure is just a five-minute walk away. The beach is only a three-minute walk away, making life here particularly comfortable. Schools, medical facilities and other important organizations are nearby, highlighting the advantages of this place as an ideal place to live.

Cycling in the region

In this neighborhood, cycling is a great pleasure. For me personally, using a bicycle has become my preferred method of transportation, as it makes it easy to maintain an active lifestyle and take care of my health.

Public transport

In addition, the public transportation system is well developed here: spacious dolmushi buses run along the main streets of Mahmutlar every thirty minutes. This year the Alanya administration plans to launch new bus routes directly to Mahmutlar itself; now they only reach the border of the neighborhood. The intercity bus service operates flawlessly, with tickets to Antalya costing just 30 liras one way, and travelers have access to free Wi-Fi and in-cabin TV.

Evening entertainment

As for evening leisure, even with the large number of tourists, no noisy parties are usually not observed: establishments close, and the music stops around 23:00. In the city you can meet a lot of street cafes, although the variety of dishes presented in the menu, does not strike the imagination. Nevertheless, almost everyone will be able to find something suitable for themselves, although most of the options are quite similar.

Advantages of the area

Talking about the pluses of the area, everything you need is within walking distance. However, I feel sorry for the lack of cultural activities:

• In St. Petersburg we often visited exhibitions.
• Theaters and concerts were fascinating to us.

Unfortunately, there are no such activities here. Also for children, the entertainment infrastructure is quite limited - the nearest major museums are at least 120 kilometers away in Antalya. Nevertheless, among the Russian-speaking population it is possible to find teachers in areas such as dance and music, and local authorities actively organize sports sections and clubs.

Adaptation to the local way of life

One of the aspects that required me to adapt temporarily was the local leisurely pace of life. We have almost no mutual contacts with the locals, as there is no urgent need to do so, and learning Turkish has not yet started, although the authorities organize free courses for those interested every year.

Food and commodity prices

In terms of clothing, casual style prevails here. The prices of fresh fruit and vegetables are pleasing to the eye; everything comes locally produced. A genuine enjoyment of the taste of the produce is returned. Fish here is presented fresh and cheaper than in Russia, and the local dorades are particularly pleasing in flavor. Prices for chicken meat, turkey, milk and eggs are generally comparable with those in Russia, but pork is not on sale, and beef and mutton are more expensive than in the Russian Federation.

Household chemicals and accessories

It is also worth noting that household chemicals will cost less than in Russia. Textiles and footwear impress with their affordability - one wonders why they cost much more in Russian stores! In Antalya you can find huge shopping centers with many stores offering a wide range of goods. This contrast between prices and quality comes as a pleasant surprise, opening new horizons for shopping and improving the quality of life.

Casual style in clothes

With minimal social events and social gatherings, it is becoming noticeable how more and more people are starting to opt for a looser and more casual casual casual style of dressing. The closet is also influenced by weather conditions that do not require special warm clothing or footwear.

Choosing appliances

As for the choice of household appliances, in particular small kitchen electronics, it is worth noting that Turkish manufacturers, unfortunately, often do not meet the expectations of consumers - their products are sometimes not durable enough and far from ideal. In this context, it is more reasonable to pay attention to reliable foreign brands, even if they cost more.

Not wanting to overpay in this category can lead to significant disappointment in the future.

Electronics situation

The situation with electronics is not rosy either: local brands enjoy state support, which makes imported devices significantly more expensive. For example, prices for cell phones in Turkey are 25% higher than in Russia. If you are going to bring a phone from our country for permanent use in Turkey, take into account that its registration will cost 600 liras. It is therefore advisable to import only high-quality devices.

Minor repairs

When minor repairs are necessary, we prefer to turn to Russian specialists. This is because their work is of high quality and their prices remain reasonable. In addition, the absence of language barriers greatly simplifies the process of interaction.

In practice, it is often the case that Turkish craftsmen are not always qualified; they tend to prefer to replace broken parts in their entirety rather than delving into the root cause of the problem.

Medical services

As far as medicine is concerned, the level of prices for medical services in Turkey is comparable to that in Russia. We have no significant difficulties in this area, as we have high-quality medical insurance covering many different procedures.

This makes it easier to access the services you need. It is not uncommon to find Russian-speaking staff in large medical centers, which makes it much easier to get care.

Education in Turkey

In the field of education, it is worth noting that elementary school programs in Turkey may be less rich than in Russia. The education system is organized according to the 4+4+4 model, and there are actually no kindergartens, which leads to the fact that many children come to school without prior preparation.

• Unlike ours, who are often better prepared for the learning process after attending kindergarten.

Generally, the primary education program has a simpler approach, focusing on reading and writing. Education is free, although small fees are sometimes required to organize excursions and museum visits.

The classes are large groups and each school has transportation services - children are dropped off and brought back home.

Adaptation of the child

Our child went to the first grade of the local municipal school, and at the beginning it was not easy for him. To overcome the language barrier, he studied with a Russian teacher and, after a year, he began to speak Turkish quite confidently.

This emphasizes the importance of the preparatory process for successful integration into a new cultural environment and educational system.

At the beginning of high school, we plan to transfer our child to a private college. The educational programs at such institutions are usually similar to those offered at public institutions, but they offer many additional opportunities.

Private colleges often have more qualified teachers, offer advanced English courses, and smaller class sizes that allow for more attention to each student.

Famous colleges in Alanya

Several decent colleges can be found in Alanya, among which the most famous are:

• Bahcesehir
• Nature
• Öhep College
• Russian school “Classika-M”

Cost of training

The cost of tuition at these institutions, including meals, ranges from16 to 25 thousand lire per year.

Investment opportunity in Alanya

We present to you a wonderful opportunity to purchase a unique penthouse in Alanya, Turkey at a price of 234,000 euros. The total area is 55 square meters and this property offers the possibility of obtaining a residence permit upon purchase. The new investment project is located just three minutes walk from the perfectly designed promenade, where the beautiful azure Mediterranean Sea awaits you. The construction works are expected to be completed in May 2024.

Description of the complex

The complex consists of one nine-storey building, which offers apartments of different layouts:

• 2
• 2+1
• Duplexes 2+1
• Duplexes 3+1

All apartments will be provided with a completed finish, which will greatly simplify the process of moving in.

Other interesting projects

In addition, it is worth paying attention to a new residential project for 204,500 euros, which offers penthouses in Alanya with an area of 93 square meters. This modern residence is located in the picturesque area of Oba and will consist of one fifteen-storey block surrounded by a well-maintained and green area of 1646 square meters. The complex is 1500 meters from the sea and includes a rich infrastructure that will create a comfortable environment for residents.

An interesting offer is a project in Avsallar, where for 86 500 euros you can buy a penthouse of 61 square meters. This modern project is located in an ecologically clean area and is famous for its stylish design, comfort and magnificent panoramic sea views. The residential complex consists of two ten-storey buildings and 98 apartments of different layouts are available for sale.

Neoclassical residential complex

You may also be interested in a new residential complex in neoclassical style, which can be purchased for 192,000 euros. It is located in the center of Alanya, just 600 meters from the famous sandy Cleopatra Beach. The construction work starts in October 2022 and the completion is scheduled for December 2023. This project attracts attention not only by its favorable location, but also by the land plot area of 3264 square meters, which creates a cozy and peaceful atmosphere for the future owners.

Spacious apartment with furniture

If you are looking for a comfortable home, for 230,000 euros you are offered an apartment of 160 square meters in a six-volume residential complex. It is located on the second floor and has a 2+1 layout, which includes:

• A large open kitchen
• Two bedrooms
• Bathroom
• Large terrace

It is important to note that the apartment is sold with furniture and appliances. The adjacent territory of the complex is well landscaped and landscaped for comfortable living in this picturesque place.

Apartment by the sea in Mahmutlar

For those who dream of living near the sea, there is an apartment in Mahmutlar. For 399,000 euros you can own an apartment with a 2+1 layout that offers beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea. This property is ideal for both permanent residence and successful rental. The layout includes an open plan kitchen and spacious rooms, providing comfort and usability.

Opportunities for buying real estate in Alanya

In Alanya, Turkey, there are unique opportunities to purchase real estate, which can not only provide comfort, but also become the basis for obtaining a residence permit. Let's consider a few interesting offers that deserve your attention.

First apartment in Mahmutlar

Let's start with a cozy apartment worth137,500 €with a total area55 square meters. It is located in the neighborhood of Mahmutlar, just in the800 metersfrom the coast. There are three main streets in the area:

• Barabaros
• Ataturk
• Central Coastal Street

These streets along the highway connect Antalya with Mersin. Mahmutlar offers everything you need for a comfortable stay: stores, atmospheric cafes and a farmer's market open on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Two-room apartment

The next option is a two-bedroom apartment, valued at156,000 €and an area of110 square metersalso located in Mahmutlar, but at a distance of1300 meters.from the sea. Like the previous option, the main streets can be found here:

• Barabaros
• Ataturk
• Central Coastal Street

The neighborhood continues to delight with convenient access to local markets and a variety of recreational amenities.

Apartments in Kestel

There are also some interesting apartments in Kestel for a price145,500 €, with an area54 square metersLocated in a new residential complex in a prestigious and developing area of Alanya, just a few meters away from the center of Alanya.in 15 minutesfrom the city center. There are fewer tourist hotels, no noisy nightlife, and the first coastline is occupied by modern residential complexes.

Luxury options for comfortable living

Now let's move on to the luxury options for those looking for an above average standard of living. In one of the best areas of Alanya, a three-storey villa with an area of280 m²for626,500 €This villa has a layout.4+2with two spacious living rooms, one of which is adjacent to the kitchen, four bedrooms, and three bathrooms. Built inin 2008The villa offers modern amenities, such as high-quality finishes and shower cabins in the bathrooms.

Penthouse in Alanya

For fans of penthouses in Alanya, there is also a luxurious option available for a price of€274,000with an area95 m²This project includes a ten-story block with modern design and is located just in800 metersfrom the beach. The residential complex offers penthouses with various layouts – from two to three bedrooms, and the total area of these units varies.

Luxury villa for sale

Finally, let's take a look at an elite villa that is up for sale for680,000 €This villa has an area of280 m²Designed in a new, modern style and crafted for the comfortable living of a family, it is located in a quiet and secluded area, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. The pure mountain air and serene atmosphere make this residence ideal for those who value harmony with nature and the coziness of home.

Conclusion

Each of the proposed real estate options is an opportunity for a fresh start on the sunny coast of Turkey, where comfort and coziness await you.

Conclusion

As I conclude my story about life in Mahmutlar, I would like to emphasize how radically my life has changed since I made the decision to move from St. Petersburg to Turkey. This region has given me not only a new apartment but also an entirely new reality. I have freed myself from the familiar hustle and bustle of Moscow, the gray weekdays, and the constant pressure, especially during the winter months. Here, in sunny Mahmutlar, I enjoy the mild climate, spaciousness, and life surrounded by people from different corners of the world every day.

The local community has become a true support for us, and I am glad to see how our home is becoming more and more filled with life and diversity. Interacting with neighbors from different countries has enriched our understanding of various cultures. I enjoy knowing that many different lives intersect in our neighborhood, which enriches our own existence.

Infrastructure and leisure

Moreover, I was pleasantly surprised by how successfully the infrastructure and leisure activities are developing. Mahmutlar offers comfortable living conditions:

• Local produce market
• Convenient public transport

This makes everyday tasks less burdensome. Sports and an active lifestyle have become an integral part of our routine — I finally feel energetic and full of strength, which once seemed unattainable in the harsh conditions of a St. Petersburg winter.

Cultural events

Sometimes it feels like this warm idyll is missing something.cultural events...that were so familiar back home. But we found ways to enrich our lives with other joys:

• Communication with locals
• Participation in sports clubs
• Opening new horizons for our children through their activities

Habits and lifestyle

As for habits, I find myself immersing more and more into the local lifestyle every day. The feeling of lightness, freshness, and the unique taste of fruits and vegetables from our market inspires me to try new culinary experiments. At the same time, I am gradually getting used toslow pace of life, which, although different from that of St. Petersburg, brings tranquility to everyday worries.

Thus, the choice of life here turned out to be not only fortunate for me but also a vital decision. Mahmutlar has become a place where I can be myself, enjoy the challenges and joys, expand my horizons, and find inspiration even in simple things. My new journey is just beginning, and there is so much exciting ahead!