Top Places to Buy Cheap Property in Turkey

Why Turkey’s Coastline Is a Smart Choice for Budget Buyers

Turkey offers a rare combination for a seaside country: here, it is truly possible to buy a property by the sea at an affordable price without compromising on construction quality, infrastructure, or everyday comfort. That is why the Turkish coast increasingly attracts buyers who are not seeking luxury but want to own a proper home in a favorable environment.

Along the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Marmara Seas, cities are developing where residential complexes with swimming pools, green courtyards, and security are located near the beaches or waterfront promenades, and often cost less than second-hand apartments in panel-built suburbs of European capitals. This applies not only to studios or older housing, but to new apartments with balconies, decent floor plans, and modern finishes.

But the appeal is not just about price. Life on the coast is not limited to the summer holiday season. In many cities, the infrastructure is designed for year-round living: there are public and private schools, hospitals, public transportation, shops, markets, and service providers. Even in areas undergoing active development, roads, electricity, and water systems are laid in advance — construction of homes begins only after the essential infrastructure is in place. These are not tourist settlements, but growing residential neighborhoods where one can live permanently without feeling isolated.

Another important factor is that Turkish coastal cities remain in demand not only among tourists but also among locals and foreign residents who have relocated permanently. This means that even a relatively inexpensive apartment can be rented out, used for seasonal living, or kept as a long-term investment. Over time, such properties tend to retain their value.

Cheapest Places to Buy Property in Turkey

Top 6 Affordable Coastal Areas to Buy Property in Turkey

Turkey’s coastal regions offer budget-conscious buyers a unique opportunity: the chance to live by the sea with urban comfort and without excessive expenses. This is not just about low property prices, but also about the fact that these areas provide stable infrastructure, year-round activity, and a living environment rather than just a holiday destination.

Mersin - Coastal Living at the Best Price

Mersin is a large city on Turkey’s southern Mediterranean coast. It borders Antalya to the west and Adana to the east, forming part of one of Turkey’s most important coastal regions. However, Mersin is not a typical resort town. It is an urban center with a population of over a million, a port, industrial zones, and universities. It is one of the largest cities on Turkey’s southeastern coast, and its rhythm is more businesslike than holiday-oriented. Mersin is also well-connected: Adana is easily accessible by train, Çukurova International Airport is just 74 km away, and there are ferries to Northern Cyprus from Mersin Port.

Despite its size and well-developed infrastructure, Mersin remains one of the most affordable seaside cities in the country. New housing here still costs significantly less than in more popular regions like Antalya or Alanya. And yet, this does not mean compromising on quality. Developers are offering new residential complexes built for long-term living, not short-term rentals. These are modern apartment buildings designed for permanent residents, not for tourist turnover.

Particularly active development is taking place in coastal settlements that have now become de facto parts of the urban area. Neighborhoods like Tece, Tömük, and Erdemli are seeing the emergence of entire residential areas within walking distance of the sea. These regions already have everything needed for daily life: markets, pharmacies, schools, and public offices. Erdemli, for example, has grown beyond the status of a resort village - it is now a small city within a city with full infrastructure. Prices in these locations are still significantly lower than in better-known destinations, meaning buyers have a chance to purchase property in Mersin and enter the market early, at the beginning of its growth cycle.

Real estate in Mersin, Turkey

Gazipaşa - An Emerging Gem in Antalya Province

Gazipaşa is not a resort town in the traditional sense, nor is it a suburb of Alanya. It is an independent coastal city with its own rhythm, landscape, and character. Located on the eastern edge of Antalya Province, bordering Mersin, it is surrounded by mountain ranges, citrus groves, and quiet coves. There are no hotel-lined promenades, noisy beaches, or dense high-rise construction. The city is growing at its own pace — calmly, logically, and without the chaos of mass tourism.

Building height limits have helped preserve the area’s natural character. New housing consists of low-rise residential complexes with a limited number of apartments and amenities. These homes are built for living with functional layouts, soundproofing, and practical facades.

The city has all the necessary infrastructure for a comfortable lifestyle: a state hospital, schools, kindergartens, post offices, bank branches, food markets, and chain stores. A key advantage is the Gazipaşa-Alanya airport, its international terminal operates steadily, with regular domestic flights and charter routes from Europe. This makes Gazipaşa a connected and accessible place to live, not a remote backwater.

Prices of properties in Gazipaşa remain reasonable. New apartments within a kilometer of the sea are cheaper than equivalent properties in Alanya. This is not a marketing gimmick, but the result of the town’s scale, its low-density development, and moderate demand. As Gazipaşa gains attention from international agencies and the trend toward low-rise living strengthens, the landscape here is gradually shifting.

Apartments for sale in Gazipaşa, Turkey

Alanya - Affordable Resort City with Year-Round Life

Alanya is a vibrant resort city on Turkey’s southern Mediterranean coast, located in the eastern part of Antalya Province, between the turquoise sea and the Taurus Mountains. Despite being one of Turkey’s most popular coastal regions, Alanya has long outgrown its reputation as a seasonal tourist destination. It is a large city with stable schools, hospitals, services, and commerce, home to both local and foreign residents throughout the year. Unlike many smaller settlements along the coast, Alanya offers a well-established urban environment with diverse neighborhoods, reliable logistics, and developed infrastructure, while the Alanya property market caters not only to vacationers but to permanent residents.

The city stretches along the sea between the coast and the mountains, and this geography shapes its urban layout. Neighborhoods line the D400 highway, each with its own character, density, and price range.

  • Mahmutlar: This is the most densely populated, dynamic, and affordable region. Most of the new housing stock is concentrated here, from simple one-bedroom apartments to penthouses and duplexes. Most residential complexes come with amenities: pools, fitness centers, security, and underground parking. Mahmutlar is convenient for everyday life, with schools, supermarkets, beauty salons, cafés, and private clinics all within walking distance.
  • Tosmur, Cikcilli, and Hasbahçe: These regions offer both older budget-friendly apartments and new complexes with panoramic sea and mountain views. They are quieter areas, home to both locals and foreigners who prefer a more peaceful environment and a better-quality living space. They are close to the city center, have good transportation, and are well-served.
  • Demirtaş: Located on the eastern edge near Gazipaşa, Demirtaş is an emerging neighborhood that has yet to attract mass buyers. However, new residential complexes with modern layouts and very low entry prices are already appearing. This area is favored by forward-looking buyers who are willing to wait for full infrastructure development. While still in formation, it already has several schools, shops, and minibuses to the city center.

Property for sale in Alanya, Turkey

Side & Belek - Golf, History, and Affordable Homes

Side and Belek are two coastal towns in Antalya Province, located just 25 kilometers apart but representing two very different lifestyles. The regions have a reputation of high-end destinations; however, property in both towns can be surprisingly affordable, especially in residential neighborhoods outside the main tourist areas.

  • Side

Most residential development is concentrated in neighborhoods like Kumköy, Sorgun, Evrenseki, and areas closer to Manavgat, away from the historical center with its boutique hotels and Roman ruins. These areas feature low-rise residential complexes — two- or three-story buildings with pools, green courtyards, and gated entrances. Most buildings were designed for European buyers, built relatively recently, and are well-maintained. There is a wide range of affordable properties in Side, including spacious apartments with terraces, duplexes, and even detached villas.

Side’s infrastructure is calm and oriented toward everyday needs. Schools, clinics, pharmacies, supermarkets, and local markets are all within walking distance. For more specialized services, residents go to Manavgat — a large district center just 5 kilometers away. Antalya is about an hour’s drive away.

Property for sale in Side, Turkey

  • Belek

Long known primarily for luxury hotels, golf resorts, spa centers, and private beaches, Belek has recently begun developing residential infrastructure outside its hotel zone, especially in the town center and towards Serik and Antalya.

Modern properties in Belek include townhouses, villas, and low-rise apartment buildings. In residential neighborhoods away from the tourist areas, it is possible to find apartments at prices comparable to the outskirts of large cities. The infrastructure is compact and convenient: schools, health clinics, supermarkets, farmers’ markets, pharmacies, and sports facilities are all within walking distance. For broader services, residents head to Serik, just 15 minutes away. Antalya Airport is about 35 kilometers away and reachable in under 40 minutes by car, with reliable bus service.

Houses for sale in Belek, Turkey

Fethiye - Nature and Affordability Combined

Fethiye lies on Turkey’s southwestern coast, between Antalya and Marmaris. It is one of the few Turkish coastal towns where you will not find high-rise construction, chaotic tourist development, or overcrowding. The town is more reminiscent of a seaside community in Spain or Portugal, not just in appearance, but in lifestyle.

Fethiye is not a typical resort; it is a quiet, residential town by the sea. It has public and private schools (including English-speaking ones), medical centers, banks, post offices, farmers' markets, and the Erasta shopping mall. The international Dalaman Airport is just 45 kilometers away, reachable in 40–45 minutes.

The town has long been known among foreigners. Since the 1990s, British, German, Dutch, and French nationals have been moving here in large numbers. English is widely spoken by doctors, lawyers, government employees, and real estate agents. Private services, schools, and cafés are tailored for foreigners. One can live here comfortably even without speaking Turkish; everything from everyday life to paperwork is easy to navigate.

Several residential areas outside the town center offer properties in Fethiye at relatively lower prices. Çalış is a beachside neighborhood with small-scale buildings and a mix of 2-bedroom apartments and duplexes. Taşyaka is closer to the center and better suited for year-round living. Suburban areas like Ovacık and Hisarönü offer privacy, scenic views, and villas with pools, popular among those seeking tranquility.

Homes for sale in Fethiye, Turkey

Bodrum - Budget Options Still Exist

For many, Bodrum is synonymous with waterfront villas, yachts, and summer homes of Turkish and European elites. And that image is not without basis, the peninsula is indeed one of the most prestigious and expensive regions on the Aegean coast. However, there is another side to Bodrum: peaceful residential areas with standard low-rise housing where affordable homes can still be found.

Unlike Mediterranean resort cities, Bodrum does not have traditional neighborhoods but individual towns and bays, each with its own rhythm. Most residents live in areas such as Turgutreis, Gündoğan, Mumcular, Bitez, Akyarlar, Konacık, and the more remote parts of Yalıkavak. These areas feature compact residential buildings, gardens, terraces, shared courtyards, and sometimes pools. 

These are not luxury properties, but they offer reliable infrastructure: shops, pharmacies, public beaches, local markets, cafés, and public transport. In Mumcular, 15 km inland, prices are even lower. This quiet area, surrounded by vineyards and olive trees, is home to locals and expats.

Properties in Bodrum are accessible even with a limited budget: these are typically apartments in low-rise complexes without sea views, but with practical layouts and basic amenities. While it is not realistic to expect a villa with a pool at this price, for those seeking a peaceful life by the sea, this is a viable and realistic segment.

Bodrum is oriented toward the domestic market and long-term living. Foreigners do live here — mostly French, British, and Istanbulites with summer homes — but the density is low, and the pace of life is steady year-round. Schools, hospitals, local markets, cafés, and public services all operate year-round. Milas–Bodrum Airport is within a 30–40 minute drive from almost any part of the peninsula.

Homes for sale in Bodrum, Turkey

Istanbul & Antalya: Are There Still Affordable Options?

With rising prices in coastal areas and growing demand from foreign buyers, it is natural to ask: Are there still affordable apartments in major cities like Istanbul and Antalya? The answer is yes, but with an important caveat: affordability in these metropolises is defined not so much by the price per square meter, but by the distance from the city center, the status of the neighborhood, the type of development, and access to transportation.

Affordable Apartments in Istanbul’s Outskirts

Istanbul is Turkey’s largest city, and its real estate market is the most complex in the country. It is home to the country’s main business and educational centers, transport hubs, new residential developments, and older neighborhoods with dense construction. Despite its reputation as an expensive metropolis, there are still areas in the city where you can buy an apartment at a lower price, especially during the construction stage.

The main source of affordable properties in Istanbul lies in the new neighborhoods on the Asian side, such as Tuzla, Pendik, and Sancaktepe, as well as in the western outskirts of the European side: Esenyurt, Arnavutköy, Beylikdüzü, and Başakşehir. These areas are rapidly developing as part of the urban transformation program. High-rise complexes are being built with gated grounds, security, parking, green courtyards, retail spaces, and social areas. Major roads (E-5, TEM), metro lines, and the Metrobus pass nearby.

These districts are often criticized for their distance from the city center, but they are precisely where a new residential framework for the city is being formed. These are areas with high demand from working families and young professionals. 

Properties for sale in Istanbul, Turkey

Antalya – Budget Living in Kepez or Altıntaş

Antalya is one of the most populous cities in Turkey, and in recent years, housing demand here has remained consistently high, both from domestic buyers and foreign investors. Price growth has been especially noticeable in popular regions such as Lara, Konyaaltı, and the city center. However, there are still areas where the situation remains different, most notably in Kepez and Altıntaş.

Kepez is the city’s largest district by population, and it is undergoing major renewal, with both the redevelopment of older buildings and the construction of new complexes. In neighborhoods such as Göksu, Mazıdağı, Yeni Doğanlar, and Fevzi Çakmak, new residential developments are emerging, offering apartments at accessible prices. Infrastructure is improving: there are schools, health clinics, a tram line, and highway connections to the airport. However, the district still retains an urban, non-touristic character — an important factor for buyers focused on long-term rental potential.

Altıntaş is a rapidly growing residential area near the airport and offers bargain Antalya properties in new projects, particularly at the off-plan stage. Infrastructure is being built in parallel: schools, clinics, tram routes, and parks are all planned. The region is particularly appealing to buyers looking to purchase in a promising location, while prices are still at early-stage levels.

Apartments for sale in Antalya, Turkey

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