Rachels100

Hello
I am thinking about moving to Turkey as most people on here already know,lol. One of the things I am hoping to do in Turkey is make new friends and have an active social life. I am thinking of living in or near Kusadasi or Akbuk, anywhere between Izmir to Alkintum. I am going to pick a place that has a mixture of people and is open all year. Will I be able to make friends and have a good social life? As this is very important to me and my hubby. We do not have a social life here as he works long hours and I am home alone as I do not have a car( sold it ready to move). I want to make friends and have parties and have friends around me as my family will not be. What are your experiences of making friends and socialising after your move to Turkey?

Thanks
Rachel.

AzraCansel

I live in Izmir and I have family here but for me I still had to find my own friends. My family is great don't get me wrong lol, just they socialize differantly then the way they do in Canada plus my Turkish is not so good and they do not speak english. I found for me the best things to do to make friends was to join the American-Turkish Assc. in Izmir (they have a british one too I believe). I have made friends and I go to the cooking club which has also helped my Turkish cooking skills. I also tend to go to Alsancak as I found that if you go to the places where english is spoken and you strike up a conversation with anyone you meet they are more than willing to start a friendship with you. I also use the various turkey expat websites to keep an eye out for any gatherings that may be of interest to me to attend. So far this has worked for me and it made it easy for me to make friends. Goodluck preparing for your move and if you are in Izmir feel free to contact me. Azra

P.S. Even though I do drive sometimes I find it is easier to get around on the buses.

Rachels100

Thanks
We are hoping to move to a place that has people living there all year round. So we can goto clubs and have bbq's and ask people round etc.We intend to own a car and drive, but take buses on short trips. I am hoping to live in a residential area .

BRUSANDRA

hi we were over in altinkum for the xmas lots of brits there made lots of new freinds had day trips out xmas dinners new yr partys met these people every day went on buses to aidian soke went to wine tasting also have had a phone call of a new freind i made. saying one of the men had bought a mini bus and is going to take people to soke or eny were shopping just for the ptrol price and a bit extra for himself just like beer money for him. i enjoyed every bit of it meeting new people going to quizes. felt as though i had nown them all my life . was only one down side with a docter but thats another story
sandra

rafiki

HI to you both..Glad you enjoyed your time over Christmas..it was good meeting you both!