I am a US citizen married to a Turk. We live in New York City now, but want to move to Turkey's west coast. I am looking for recommendations on cities along Turkey's west coast which are NOT tourist traps. Istanbul is too crowded - and gets cold in Winter. Bodrum is too sleepy - and there seems to be very little to do there (plus it's impoverished). So that leaves the west, which is kind of a mystery to me. Can you help? Where should we look? To be clear... I say Bodrum is impoverished because there clearly abject poverty scattered between the luxurious hotels. There is nothing to do but buy "Bodrum" magnets and look at the sea. I want a REAL city. Like "Istanbul Light." Maybe Izmir.
Turkey - 7 Answers
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1 :
I don't know why you say Bodrum is impoverished, but you can try Çeşme. It is near İzmir and I hear it is a nice place to live. Having said that, you can't escape from tourism on the West coast in summer. Edit: Oh, you want a city made to order! Firstly, Bodrum cannot be "impoverished" because it has been earning money from tourism for decades now. Secondly, if you want the benefits of a city, you tolerate the crowd or the cold of the city. Third, İzmir has become crowded, too, and real İzmirians escape to Çeşme, a mere 30 km away, to live the İzmir spirit. And fourth, with this attitude, I recommend you to stay in non-crowded and winter-warm NYC.
2 :
Izmir sounds like a good place for you. It is close to most of the summer towns plus it isn't as cosmopolitan as Istanbul. Edit : 10 points to Daddy Cool please :)
3 :
I travelled the world and the seven seas Man, I can tell you with utmost confidence that: the only place one should live in this world is where you'll be together with the one you love
4 :
izmir is ok. izmit is also nice and its along the marmara. or cesme is very nice as well. there's beautiful beaches and nice bazaars and very nice little restaurants. fethiye is nice marmaris canakkale is ok too.
5 :
I think your city is IZMIR
6 :
Bodrum is definitely not impoverished nor is there abject poverty scattered about.Izmir is the closest to your requirements but also gets cold winters.Possibly Antalya would suit possibly suit you it is further south and has warmer winters but is a city busy with things other than tourism
7 :
100% Izmir is where you should go. It's cosmopolitan and not far from the coast. Wherever you go, I hope you will be very happy in your new home.
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