Turkey hailed as a dream home for retirees
Turkey has been hailed an ideal place for Brits looking to live abroad during their retirement.
Cheap living costs and "exceptionally low" house prices mean that retirees and expatriates are increasingly attracted to the Eurasian country, according to the Global Property Group.
For £65,000, a three or four-bedroom new-build villa with pool can be purchased, while £35,000 could pay for a two-bedroom apartment, the firm said.
Director Mike Dunkerley said that compared to Spain and Bulgaria, Turkey is a "well-kept secret".
"It is a huge country and there are places where prices are exceptionally low," he commented.
"Money in the bank earns 18 per cent interest – yes, 18 per cent – so you can live off savings. There are expat British communities doing precisely this."
According to Atlas International, there are currently 12,000 British-owned properties in Turkey.
Turkey hailed as a dream home for retirees
Investors flocking to Turkey 'to take advantage of market boom'
Investors flocking to Turkey 'to take advantage of market boom'
People are buying property in Turkey in order to access "superior" interest rates in the country's banks, one expert has said.
Michael Harrop, manager of New Turkish Properties, said the Turkish government is doing all it can to attract overseas investors.
As well as offering "fantastic" interest rates to property buyers, the government has also sanctioned the building of roads, motorways and other forms of infrastructure.
Investors are also drawn to the year-round sunshine and the fact that the property market itself is booming.
Mr Harrop said that in the last two years property values have appreciated by about 40 per cent and expects them to rise by the same amount within the next three years.
"There's probably as many that are considering [buying in Turkey] from an investment point of view as there are buying holiday homes at the moment," he added.
In recent times, the Turkish government has made a concerted effort to boost the country's property market.
Thanks to a loosening of mortgage regulations, investors will be able to take out a mortgage over a term of up to 30 years from January 2008.
Hotels in Istanbul - Sultanahmet Hotels
Istanbul Sultanahmet Hotels -
Peninsula Hotel -www.hotelpeninsula.com
Istanbul is a font of picturesque scenes and memorable moments for tourists from Europe, Asia, the Americas and elsewhere.
But beautiful images and magical memories fade with the passage of the time, much like the hazy photo of Hotel Peninsula on the left.
Watch the photo spring to life as you move the mouse to the left.
The Hanedan Hotel — www.hanedanhotel.com
At the heart of the historic city, just minutes from the main sights. Amenities include Private Bathrooms, Air-con, Safe, Hairdryer, Direct Dial Phone, 24 hr Reception and a Wonderful Panoramic Roof Terrace.
Swissôtel The Bosphorus — www.swissotel.com
Superb views over the Bosphorus. 600 guestrooms; 16 Food & Beverage outlets; Wellness Center; 24-hr room service; 23 function rooms and Swissôffice... all designed to cater to the highest levels of service.
Ayasofya Pansiyonlari — www.ayasofyapensions.com
Kybele Hotel — www.kybelehotel.com
Side Hotel & Pension — www.sidehotel.com
Travel Guide Side - Map Side
Once an important Roman city, Side is now a family beach resort with a good selection of apartments and villas around it
On a small peninsular, 65 km east of Antalya, Side is a family beach resort surrounded by impressive Roman ruins. Sandy beaches stretch along the coast in either direction, attracting thousands of European and Turkish holidaymakers each summer. Due to the scarcity of land, development, mainly apartment complexes and villas, has spread along the coast to the east and west of the resort, as well as inland towards the coastal highway.
A short drive away are the beautiful waterfalls of Manavgat and the stunning Roman theatre of Aspendos, which hosts a music festival each summer. There's also rafting in the Koprulu Canyon National Park.
Getting There
Side is a 60 minute drive from Antalya airport.
There are buses to Alanya and Antalya from Side’s bus station.
Map of Side and Map of Turkey Coming soon available on the web! 
