Izmir: an Aegean city where the commute can be a ferry ride

The expat scene: Izmir doesn't have a big expat bubble. One foreign resident interviewed by the city's tourism site says she hardly sees her expat friends anymore and her circle is now mostly locals. That's the usual path here: Turkish classes, the neighborhood market and the ferry will settle you in faster than meetups. Alsancak and Karşıyaka are the lively central picks, Bornova has a busier, younger feel, and Urla is the quiet small-town option.

Before you sign a lease: Türkiye closes some neighborhoods to new foreign residence registrations once foreigners pass a set share of residents, and the list changes. Check the address against the current list from the Presidency of Migration Management (goc.gov.tr) before you sign anything.

Healthcare: The U.S. State Department notes that Izmir's newer private hospitals have modern equipment. Medicare doesn't cover care abroad, and most hospitals won't take U.S. insurance. Plan on a policy that works in Türkiye. You'll need one for your residence permit anyway. One foreign resident says even nursing staff spoke at least basic English.

Remote work: Home internet runs about $15 a month. Regus has coworking in Alsancak, Konak, Bornova and Bayraklı, including a floor in Folkart Towers.

Safety and the law: Pickpocketing and purse snatching are common across Türkiye; watch your bag on crowded ferries and in the bazaar. Insulting Atatürk or the Turkish government is a crime, and that covers social media posts. Earthquakes occur throughout the country, so ask how old a building is and how it was built before you rent.

LGBTQ expats: Same-sex relations are legal in Türkiye, though legal protections are limited and discrimination happens. Izmir's provincial authorities banned every event of the 14th Izmir Pride in June 2026; the Izmir Bar Association sued over the ban. Private life is your own business here; public visibility is where the risk sits.

Black Americans: One Black American living in Türkiye told Essence there aren't many Black people in the country, and many of those are African students. She describes curiosity more than hostility, including compliments on her natural hair, but says Black hair products are hard to find or cost about twice as much, so bring a supply. Hers is one account from a village, not Izmir, so talk to Black Americans living in the city before you commit.

Limited mobility: Hard. The State Department says access to buildings and public transit for people with disabilities is limited in most Turkish cities. Visit first, and check the elevator, the sidewalks and your route to the nearest metro or İZBAN station before you sign a lease.

Retirement: Izmir works for retirees who want city hospitals and transit and don't need an English-speaking bubble. Most retirees live on Türkiye's short-term residence permit on the tourism ground, backed by a pension or savings, with health insurance that covers you in Türkiye (foreign-only policies generally aren't accepted). Long stretches back in the U.S. can cost you a renewal. Our Türkiye residence permit guide has the details, our retirement visa guide compares other countries, and our Türkiye moving guide covers the rest of the country.