Known as Turkey’s political hub, Ankara is often viewed as a grey and solemn capital, but new arrivals moving to Ankara are often surprised by its lively character and cultural depth. Ankara is home to the Presidential Symphony Orchestra, the State Opera and Ballet and several national theatre companies, making it the country’s centre for performing arts.

Ankara is a melting pot, drawing together people from across Turkey and beyond. Newcomers moving to the city will find ancient ruins standing side by side with modern buildings.

Living in Ankara

Ankara is one of the best cities in Turkey for new arrivals looking for employment, due to its largely international and continuously evolving job market. Newcomers can find work in a range of industries, including operational and administrative services, education, technology and hospitality. It is imperative that prospective newcomers ensure they have all the relevant visa and work permit paperwork if they intend to stay in Turkey long-term.

Perhaps one of the biggest downsides to living in Ankara is that the city is landlocked, meaning there aren’t many opportunities for seaside activities, as is the case in other Turkish cities. Still, with over 40 museums, two lakes and a forest, there is plenty to see and do in Ankara. One thing that stands out about Turkey’s capital is the city’s modern infrastructure and organisation, which makes getting around Ankara fairly easy. The city’s public transport system, which comprises bus and metro networks, is efficient and dense. Taxis and e-hailing services also abound.

Job Market in Ankara 
Visa in Turkey 
Work Permit in Turkey

Cost of living in Ankara

The cost of living in Ankara is far more reasonable than in Istanbul. Compared to other major cities worldwide, Ankara remains one of the more affordable options for expats, with everyday expenses generally lower than in many European or Middle Eastern capitals. Accommodation is relatively easy to find and affordable, while public transport is reliable and budget friendly.

Newcomers who want to own a vehicle will have to account for the cost of petrol and parking, which can be expensive in most Turkish cities.

Accommodation in Ankara
Getting Around Ankara

Families and children in Ankara

Family is highly valued in Turkish society, and this makes Ankara an ideal city to raise a family in. With numerous universities, free public education and a fair few international schools, parents will have no trouble finding a suitable school for their children. While international schools generally offer extensive facilities and a wider range of extracurricular activities, this comes at a high price, and parents will need to consider this carefully.

Healthcare in Ankara is accessible and costs considerably less than in other European cities. Newly arrived parents will have no issues keeping their little ones entertained during their leisure time thanks to green spaces, an aquarium and historical sites throughout the city.

Education in Ankara
Lifestyle in Ankara 

Climate in Ankara

Ankara’s climate is categorised as continental semi-arid. The weather is characterised by four distinct seasons, with freezing winters and hot summers. Rainfall typically occurs during spring, and snowfall is a marked feature of the winter months.

Newcomers moving to Ankara can truly find the best of both worlds: modern luxuries and efficiencies set against ancient Roman and Anatolian ruins, with friendly locals to boot.

Weather in Ankara

The climate in Ankara, Turkey’s capital located in the northwest but still fairly central, is temperate and semi-arid with four pronounced seasons. Given the capital’s elevation and inland location on the eastern edge of the Anatolian Plateau, its seasons are more extreme than in the port city of Istanbul. Ankara’s winters are relatively cold, with temperatures going as low as 26°F (-3°C) in January and regular night frosts throughout the season. Its clear, dry summers – the heat made more comfortable by low humidity – can reach 88°F (31°C) in July and August. Summer evenings drop by as much as 18°F (10°C) from afternoon highs, offering welcome relief.

Most precipitation in Ankara comes in the form of winter snow, which can linger for days or even weeks, and spring rain, particularly from April through May, and the dry season runs from late June through September.

Turkey’s political capital, Ankara, is also one of the country’s key commercial centres. The city has recently become a hub for innovation and industry – an excellent base for new arrivals intent on working in Ankara.

Job market in Ankara

As Turkey’s centre of power, Ankara is home to many government offices, embassies, as well as international institutions, including the UN, International Monetary Fund and the World Bank and many city residents are employed by these organisations.

Newcomers who have education and technology qualifications should find opportunities in Ankara’s job market, given the city’s more than 15 universities and the multitude of international schools. 

The OSTIM Industrial Zone houses approximately 5,000 companies in key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, defence, aviation and medical technologies. Turkey’s largest industrial production area, it employs between 50,000 and 65,000 workers. Other major employment sectors include hospitality, agriculture and the media and arts industries, which are particularly suited for those with excellent English-speaking abilities.

Work culture in Ankara

The work culture in Ankara is shaped by both Western and Eastern influences, and it reflects the influence of the many multinational corporations and global institutions that call the city home.

Hard work is highly valued in Ankara, and working long hours is a common practice. The Turkish are friendly and professional, which makes for a welcoming and pleasant work environment. Those employed in international or diplomatic organisations may experience more Western workplace cultures, although building strong relationships with Turkish clients and colleagues remains an integral part of decision-making here.

Respecting authority and hierarchy is important when working in Ankara. New arrivals who are accustomed to egalitarian cultures may struggle to adjust to the decision-making process here, which is typically hierarchical and top-down. Still, working in Ankara offers a culturally enriching experience.

The typical workweek runs from Monday to Friday, with hours generally from 9am to 6pm. Lunch breaks usually last an hour, commonly taken between noon and 1pm. Professional networking in Ankara centres around personal relationships rather than formal events. Building trust takes time, and expats often find that connections made through colleagues, LinkedIn groups or expat communities like the Ankara Expat Connection prove most valuable for career advancement.

Doing Business in Turkey

New arrivals moving to Ankara will have their pick when it comes to accommodation. Despite being Turkey’s capital and the country’s second-largest city, Ankara’s property market is straightforward. There are 25 districts in the city, and each one has its own unique charm and character, so new arrivals are likely to find something to suit their budget and lifestyle.

Types of accommodation in Ankara

As a university city, Ankara offers a host of both furnished and unfurnished accommodation options, with the former being the most expensive.

The most common type of accommodation in Ankara’s city centre is apartments and condominiums, while the outlying suburbs offer luxury villas and houses that cater to the city’s diplomat population and families. Flatshares are also quite popular with students and newly arrived young professionals, as they provide affordable temporary housing and are a fantastic way to meet new people. Foreigners can buy property in Turkey, although restrictions apply in certain areas such as military zones.

Property and rental prices will largely depend on the district, the age of the home and its proximity to the city centre, as well as parking facilities.

Areas and suburbs in Ankara

Newcomers to Ankara will most likely want to live close to their places of work and their children’s schools. The city is well served by wide-reaching and largely efficient public transport networks.

Çankaya District

Known as the heart of Ankara, Çankaya is the most popular district in the city and is home to more than 120 neighbourhoods. New arrivals from all walks prefer this district for its easy access to business centres, embassies, ministries and a range of leisure amenities. 

The Kızılay and Bahçelievler areas are well loved by young professionals for their plethora of quaint cafés, shopping centres, dazzling restaurants and buzzing nightlife. 

Those who can afford to splurge should look no further than Ankara’s premium and picturesque residential areas, Ayrancı and Oran. Newcomers can expect to find modern luxury apartments with breathtaking city views and green spaces in these neighbourhoods.

Keçiören District

Thanks to its budget-friendly housing, Keçiören is home to many students and small families who are looking to get more bang for their buck. Neighbourhoods such as Gümüşdere, Esertepe, Ayvalı and Sancaktepe are perfectly located close to Çankaya and have excellent transport links, making for easy commutes into the centre. Owing to its growing popularity, Keçiören is constantly developing, and new arrivals are likely to find newly built apartments at an affordable price.

Gölbaşı District

Nature-loving newcomers will feel right at home in the tranquil Gölbaşı District. The Mogan and Eymir lakes, as well as the Beynam Atatürk Forest, surround Gölbaşı and create a beautiful place that offers apartments and standalone homes with striking lake and forest views. With outdoor leisure activities, spacious homes, and proximity to Çankaya, the Eymir, Bahçelievler, and Örencik neighbourhoods are perfect for families or those looking for calm in the city.

Public Transport in Ankara

Finding accommodation in Ankara

New arrivals looking for accommodation in Ankara can make use of property rental websites, such as sahibinden.com and hurriyetemlak.com, as well as Facebook groups and local real estate agents (emlak). Word of mouth is another often underestimated but effective tool that house hunters can use.

Landlords in Ankara prefer advertising their rentals quietly and liaising with local real estate agents, so they frequently have knowledge of the best rentals on the market. As Ankara is a multicultural city, new arrivals are likely to find an English-speaking emlak, which will mitigate any language barriers during the rental process.

Renting accommodation in Ankara

Making an application

Renting accommodation in Ankara is a fairly painless process. House hunters will typically research a few properties online or through an emlak and then make appointments to view the rentals. Once they find a suitable home, new arrivals who have the knack for it can negotiate the rental and deposit price with their landlord until they reach a mutually beneficial agreement.

Deposits

Tenants will need approximately three months’ worth of rent to secure a lease in Ankara. Deposits are typically one month’s rent, and they will also have to pay the first month’s rent on top of this, as well as the emlak’s fee, which is generally 10 percent of the annual rental fee. The deposit is fully refundable at the end of the lease if the property is not damaged beyond normal wear and tear.

Leases

The standard lease agreement in Ankara runs for 12 months, although tenants can often negotiate different terms with their landlord. New arrivals are advised to conduct a comprehensive inventory of the property before signing the lease. They should also ensure that utilities such as the internet are connected, as it could take some time to get these hooked up. Prospective tenants should also confirm which utilities are included in the rent and check that internet and phone connectivity meet their needs.

Utilities

Tenants in Ankara can usually negotiate who will bear the cost of utilities with their landlord, although utilities are typically paid by the lessee. Some villas and apartment complexes also charge separate maintenance fees, so newcomers should be aware of this and include this cost in their monthly budget.

Schools in Ankara offer education to expat children, who can attend Turkish public schools free of charge. The standard of education varies, and the language of instruction is Turkish. Many expat parents choose private or international schools instead.

Public schools in Ankara

Public schools in Ankara provide compulsory education free of charge for all children. Compulsory education in Turkey lasts 12 years, divided into three stages of four years each. Although the language of instruction is Turkish, all children are required to learn a foreign language – typically English, French, Spanish or German.

The school week runs from Monday to Friday, and the school year stretches from mid-September to mid-June. Public schools in larger cities like Ankara often struggle with overcrowding, sometimes splitting school days into morning and afternoon sessions.

International schools in Ankara

International schools in Ankara cater for various foreign nationalities, with most to be found alongside those in Istanbul. Many of these schools organise outings and cultural activities and offer learners a chance to study Turkish. This helps children assimilate more easily into Turkish culture. Ankara has a large diplomatic community, and international school spaces are quite limited. Expat parents should plan well ahead to make sure their children have a spot when the school term starts.

International school tuition is expensive, and the additional costs of uniforms, textbooks, transport and extracurriculars can build up. Expat parents should budget carefully and, if moving as part of a corporate relocation, try to negotiate an education allowance as part of their relocation package.

Special educational needs in Ankara

Special educational needs in Ankara are addressed through inclusive education policies. The Turkish government aims to keep children with special educational needs in mainstream classes as much as possible. Many international schools in Ankara offer special-needs education, but the type and scope of support vary between schools.

Parents can apply to their local Guidance and Research Centre (Rehberlik ve Araştırma Merkezi, or RAM) with a disability health report if more support is required. Once the child has been tested, the Ministry of Education will fund a portion of the expenses incurred for special education.

Tutors in Ankara

Tutoring in Ankara is common, especially for exam preparation during the run-up to a major national examination. Many school boards organise tutoring and extra classes on premises outside of the school day, often offered by volunteer or trainee teachers. Private tutoring is also available.

Expat parents may consider hiring a Turkish language tutor for their children or for the whole family to smooth their integration into Turkish culture.

Thanks to the presence of foreign embassies, multinational corporations and government offices, Ankara boasts the biggest concentration of international schools in Turkey. There are also several curricula on offer, so expat parents are likely to find a school that perfectly suits their children’s needs. As Turkey’s political capital, Ankara has a large diplomatic community. Competition for placements is fierce. Parents should ensure they apply well in advance and prepare for the often demanding admission processes.

Below is a list of the most prominent international schools in Ankara.

International schools in Ankara

Oasis International School of Ankara

Gender: Co-educational 
Curriculum: American 
Ages: 4 to 18 
Website: www.oisankara.org

British Embassy School Ankara

Gender: Co-educational 
Curriculum: English National Curriculum (including Cambridge IGCSE)
Ages: 3 to 16
Website: www.besaturkey.org

Hamidiye International Schools

Gender: Co-educational 
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels)
Ages: 5 to 18 
Website: www.hamidiyeschools.com

Bilkent Laboratory and International School

Gender: Co-educational 
Curriculum: Turkish, International Baccalaureate, and British (Cambridge IGCSE)
Ages: 4 to 18 
Website: www.blisankara.org

International Gokkusagi Schools

Gender: Co-educational 
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate and British (Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels) 
Ages: 3 to 18 
Website: www.gokkusagi.tr

Kazanim Cankaya International School Ankara

Gender: Co-educational 
Curriculum: Arabic and American 
Ages: 4 to 18
Website: www.kazanim-k12.com

The expat lifestyle in Ankara is one of access to modern amenities amid the capital’s administrative gravitas. Turkey’s second-largest city provides globally mobile professionals a more measured pace than Istanbul, yet the diplomatic quarter and international business community keep things cosmopolitan.

Eating out and entertainment in Ankara

Eating out and entertainment in Ankara showcases Turkish cuisine at its most diverse, drawing on Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Central Asian, Western and Balkan traditions. The surrounding region supplies fresh ingredients, and the Kalecik district produces Kalecik Karası, Central Anatolia’s signature red wine. You’ll find everything from street vendors grilling kebabs to upscale dining rooms serving modern interpretations of Ottoman dishes.

Most of the nightlife in Ankara is concentrated in Kızılay, where bars, clubs, live music venues and outdoor beer gardens along Sakarya Caddesi draw students and young professionals. Tunali Hilmi Street (also called Tunalı Hilmi Caddesi) hosts a more polished scene, with wine bars and live music venues. On summer evenings, Ankarans spill into courtyards and open-air spaces to catch the breeze.

Shopping in Ankara

Shopping in Ankara ranges from centuries-old bazaars to gleaming contemporary malls. Kızılay, the commercial heart of Ankara, concentrates the city’s retail energy along Atatürk Boulevard and nearby streets. Tunali Street and the Kavaklıdere branch off with their own character, lined with boutiques and cafés.

Some of the best malls in Ankara include the massive ANKAmall – Turkey’s second largest after Istanbul’s Cevahir – and the six-floor Karum Mall, known for its upscale designer boutiques.

Bazaar shopping is an unmissable Turkish experience, and Ankara’s historic Ulus district is home to some of the country’s most flavourful markets, with authentic and handcrafted Turkish goods including handwoven textiles, carpets and traditional fabrics, handmade leather and copper goods, jewellery, spices, embroidery and ceramics. Ulus also hosts Ankara’s oldest food market, where many Ottoman-era houses now serve as restaurants and cafés. Notable market areas include Suluhan Çarşısı, a restored 16th-century caravanserai, and Çıkrıkçılar Yokuşu, known for antiques and traditional crafts.

Sports and fitness in Ankara

Sports and fitness in Ankara include international gym chains scattered across the city, plus sports clubs and country clubs for expats. Parks provide green space throughout the capital, although serious runners and hikers head south to Lake Eymir and the adjacent METU Forest. The Eymir loop runs 6.6 miles (10.6km) around the lake, while the 7,500-acre forest offers hilly trail running. Gençlik Parkı in the city centre works for shorter runs, with a roughly 1.2-mile (2km) circuit.

See and do in Ankara

Atakule

Atakule (Turkish for ‘Ancestor Tower’) stands 410 feet (125m) above Ankara’s administrative centre. This communication and observation tower provides panoramic city views. Visitors can dine at the rotating Sevilla Restaurant as they plan their next move.

Ankara Castle

Ankara Castle rises in the historical Ulus district, where stone walls overlook wooden Ottoman houses. First fortified by the Phrygians in the 8th century BCE and rebuilt by the Galatians in 278 BCE, the castle underwent continuous modification under Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman rule. The current walls largely date from the 7th and 9th centuries CE, when Byzantines rebuilt the fortress after Persian destruction. The neighbouring streets are packed with traditional workshops, antique dealers, cafés and restaurants.

Museum of Anatolian Civilizations & Erimtan Archaeology and Art Museum

The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara holds collections that cover human habitation from the Palaeolithic age through the Ottoman period, including artefacts from the Hittites, Phrygians, Urartians and the Neolithic settlement of Çatalhöyük, one of the oldest settlements in the world.

The nearby Erimtan Archaeology and Art Museum focuses solely on the Classical era, with contemporary installations aimed at bringing to life the Greek and Roman periods.

Expats bitten by the history bug can plan a day trip to the Hittite sites of Hattuşa, Yazilikaya and Alacahöyük or the Phrygian city of Gordion at Yassıhüyük.

Anitkabir

Anitkabir is the hilltop site of the mausoleum of Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, and is an important pilgrimage site for Turks to pay respects to their first president. Besides the mausoleum, there is a large museum complex commemorating Atatürk’s life and the war for independence. Open daily from 9am to 5pm (4pm in winter), admission is free.

Ankara State Opera House

This theatre shows regular performances for the Turkish State’s Opera, Ballet and Theatre companies, as well as from international classical music companies.

Roman Ruins

Near Ankara Castle in the Ulus district are preserved ruins from the Roman Empire during the reign of Augustus Caesar. These ruins include the remnants of the Temple of Augustus and Rome, as well as the ruins of the Roman baths. Currently under restoration, there are also ruins of a Roman theatre that once sat 3,000-plus spectators.

Once expats have gotten used to the capital’s public transport system, getting around in Ankara is relatively easy. The city is quite accessible by public transport, especially in the city centre; however, expats in the suburbs may prefer to have a car for an easier commute.

Public transport in Ankara

Ankara’s EGO General Directorate runs the city’s bus and metro services, and there are also commuter rail lines. For metro, rail and bus services, expats can use a prepaid AnkaraKart transport card, also known as an EGO card. There are single-use and multi-use cards, and school and university students, as well as teachers, are eligible for discounts.

Bus

Recently, private public buses (known as ÖHO) have begun accepting EGO cards, bringing the two providers together. Ankara’s bus network operates frequently and provides thorough coverage of the city.

EGO buses are run by the municipality and are recognised by their blue and white paint jobs. The ÖHO buses, operated by private companies, are blue.

The EGO CEP’TE app helps commuters to keep track of bus times, stops and routes.

Rail

Ankara’s metro system consists of the Ankaray light rail line and three metro lines (M1, M2, and M3 operate as one integrated service, and M4 runs separately). The rail system includes both light rail (Ankaray) and heavy metro lines connecting major districts across the capital. Although sometimes crowded during rush hour, the metro is the easiest and quickest way to get around longer distances in Ankara.

The Başkentray (also known as CapitalRail) is a commuter railway that runs along the city’s east-west axis and provides access to the suburbs. It is well integrated into the metro system.

The Yenimahalle–Şentepe line is a two-mile (3.25km) cable car line with four stops and provides access to the steep Şentepe district.

Taxis in Ankara

Dolmuşes (Turkish for ‘filled’) are shared minibus taxis with set routes indicated by signs on the front. These share taxis are an inexpensive and flexible alternative to buses, but can be crowded and chaotic. In Ankara, dolmuş fares are fixed by the city municipality.

Yellow taxis are widely available in Ankara, although they’re among the pricier transport options in the city. Tariffs and per-kilometre fares are set by the municipality, and expats who phone to request a taxi should be aware that the cab may charge for the distance travelled to pick them up.

Ride-hailing apps like Uber and the locally popular BiTaksi connect you with licensed taxi drivers through your phone. Most dolmuş and taxi drivers don’t speak English, so having a translation app handy helps.

Driving in Ankara

In Turkey, traffic drives on the right side of the road. The roads are well surfaced and have clear signage, but driving around Ankara can be challenging. Many prefer to use public transport. Expats who do decide to drive will have to contend with narrow and one-way backstreets as well as assertive local drivers.