The Real Cost of Utilities and Bills in Diyarbakır (Don’t Say I Didn’t Warn You)
okay, so, like, I’m staring at this rain - seriously, it’s not even nice rain. It’s this grey, clinging drizzle that feels like someone’s perpetually weeping over the city. It’s the kind of weather that makes you want to curl up with a bad Turkish coffee and a pile of dusty vinyl. Diyarbakır’s been on my radar for ages, you know? I’d seen the photos - the ancient walls, the crazy-good kebabs, the vibe… but let’s be real, vibes don’t pay the bills.
Seriously, I just got back and my bank account is screaming. I’m a freelance illustrator, which is great, but it’s feast or famine, right? And Diyarbakır… it’s got a decent job market for designers, mostly tourism-related stuff, but the pay isn’t exactly Silicon Valley. I’m talking around 15,000-25,000 Turkish Lira a month for a solid gig - which, let’s be honest, barely covers rent and the crippling addiction to simit. You can find some listings on Reddit - check out r/Diyarbakir, it’s mostly expats and locals swapping tips. https://www.reddit.com/r/Diyarbakir/
Let’s break it down. I’m gonna give you the raw, unvarnished truth, like a bartender dispensing questionable advice after midnight. I’m basing this on my own experience and a few chats with people I met. Don’t take it as gospel, but it’s a starting point.
*Cost of Living Breakdown (Rough Estimates - as of November 2023)Expense Estimated Monthly Cost (TL) Notes Rent (1-bedroom apt) 8,000 - 15,000 Depends heavily on location. The old city is gorgeous but pricier. Utilities (Electricity, Water, Gas) 1,500 - 3,000 Electricity is shockingly expensive. They’re obsessed with it. Internet 500 - 800 Fiber optic is pretty good, but don’t expect lightning speed. Food (Groceries) 3,000 - 5,000 Cooking at home is essential. Street food is amazing, but it adds up. Transportation 500 - 1,000 Buses are cheap and plentiful. Taxis are… an experience. Entertainment 1,000 - 3,000 Depends on your scene. There are some surprisingly good bars. Total 14,500 - 27,800 Seriously, budget carefully.
Okay, so, I was talking to this guy, Omar, at a cafe near the Ulu Camii - the big mosque. He’s a mechanic, and he said, “The electricity bill? It’s like a monster. You turn it off, it screams. You turn it on, it laughs.”
“Seriously, man, don’t leave the lights on. It’s a war with the power company. They’ll send you a bill that’ll make you cry.”
It’s true, though. I left a light on for, like, five minutes and got a warning.
Then there’s this other story… I overheard a group of students complaining about the water pressure. Apparently, some neighborhoods have terrible pressure, especially in the evenings.
“It’s like trying to wash dishes with a damp sponge,” one of them said. “You have to turn on the tap and wait for it to build up. It’s ridiculous!”
I’m not kidding.
And don’t even get me started on the heating in the winter. It’s brutal. I’m talking bone-chilling, “I’m-questioning-all-my-life-choices” cold. I ended up buying a ridiculously oversized scarf and a thermal blanket. It’s a whole vibe.
Seriously, if you’re thinking of moving to Diyarbakır, do your research. Check out TripAdvisor for restaurants - https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g298631-Diyarbakir_Diyarb%c4%b0r%c4%b0k_Province_Southeast_ Anatolia_Turkey.html - and Yelp for local businesses. https://www.yelp.com/directory/diyarbakir-turkey
Also, a quick flight to Şanlıurfa (about an hour) is a must. It’s got this incredible ancient city, Göbekli Tepe, and the same amazing Turkish hospitality. It’s like, a mini-Diyarbakır, but with fewer electricity bills, apparently.
Honestly, the best thing about Diyarbakır is the people. They’re warm, welcoming, and obsessed with tea. And the kebabs? Forget about it. They’re legendary. Just… be prepared to budget. Like, really* budget. You’ll thank me later.
Oh, and one last thing: don’t trust the pigeons. Seriously. They’re plotting something. Just a thought.
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