Diyarbakır on a dime: how much it really costs to live in this Turkish city
alright, let's get into it. so you're thinking about moving to diyarbakır, turkey. first off, props for picking a city that's off the beaten path. most people have no idea where this place even is.
anyway, i've been living here for a few months now and i gotta say, it's a pretty rad spot. the architecture is insane, like something straight out of a history book. but let's talk about the practical stuff, shall we?
first things first: cost of living. now, i'm no economist, but from what i can gather, diyarbakır is pretty affordable. according to numbeo, you can get by on about 2,000 turkish lira per month (that's around $230 usd). not too shabby, right?
but let's break it down a bit more. here's what you can expect to pay for some of the essentials:
- rent: anywhere from 500 to 1,500 lira, depending on where you want to live. the closer you are to the city center, the more you'll pay.
- utilities: around 200 lira for electricity, water, and internet. not bad at all.
- food: if you're cooking at home, you can get by on about 500 lira per month. eating out is also pretty cheap - a meal at a local restaurant will set you back about 20 lira.
- transportation: the city has a decent bus system, and a monthly pass will cost you about 100 lira.
so there you have it. all in all, diyarbakır is a pretty affordable place to live. but what about the other stuff, like safety and job opportunities?
well, i won't sugarcoat it: the city has had its share of unrest in recent years. there have been protests and clashes between the government and kurdish separatists. but honestly, i haven't felt unsafe here. like anywhere else, you just need to be aware of your surroundings and avoid any sketchy areas.
as for jobs, it really depends on what you do. if you're in the tourism industry, you'll probably have a pretty easy time finding work. other than that, it might be a bit tougher. but hey, if you're a digital nomad like me, you can work from anywhere, right?
anyway, that's my two cents on living in diyarbakır. if you're thinking about making the move, i say go for it. it's a pretty cool city with a lot to offer. just be prepared for a bit of culture shock and don't expect everything to be perfect.
oh, and one more thing: the weather here is pretty wild. in the summer, it gets hot as balls (like, over 100 degrees fahrenheit). but in the winter, it can actually get pretty chilly. so pack accordingly.
and if you ever need a break from the city, there are plenty of cool places to check out nearby. mardin is just a few hours away by car, and it's got some of the most incredible architecture i've ever seen. and if you're into hiking, you gotta check out the mountains around lake van.
anyway, that's all from me. if you have any other questions about living in diyarbakır, feel free to hit me up. i'm always happy to help out a fellow traveler.
peace out,
your friendly neighborhood digital nomad.
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