New York couple living their retirement in Istanbul: We don’t have much to spend here
A New York couple, who moved to Istanbul after retiring, told the Wall Street Journal about life in Istanbul through the eyes of Americans.
Eric-Kay Farber’s partner, who decided to move to Turkey after living and working in New York for years, said they enjoyed living in Istanbul despite some difficulties they faced.
“What is it like to grow old in Istanbul?” In the news titled, the adventure of the American couple in Türkiye was given in detail. The Farber couple, who have been married for 44 years and moved to Istanbul in 2004 after retiring, bought a house in Moda, where rents are almost unaffordable for many Turks today.
The garden of the Farber couple’s house in Moda.
Eric Farber explains why he chose Turkey to live with his love of history. “It was my dream to live near the centers of the Old World,” Farber said, adding that they also wanted to feel the neighborhood atmosphere, which is rare in the West. Explaining that they walk everywhere in Moda and always say hello to the locals, the couple also emphasized that Moda is too expensive for local people.
INFLATION BENEFITS THEM
Explaining that they can see the sea, ships and Hagia Sophia from their windows, the American couple stated that they like Istanbul’s complex and irregular streets.
Wall Street Journal shared this photo from Moda.
The Farber couple said they did not prefer Istanbul to live a cheap life, but their spending decreased as the dollar gained value against the LT and inflation in Turkey played in their favor. Noting that they can eat a good meal for two for $25 in a nice restaurant, Eric Farber said it’s very easy to make friends and socialize in Turkey.
Explaining that you can benefit from private hospitals in Turkey as you wish thanks to your health insurance, Farber said that life in Turkey is safe and they enjoy the beautiful weather. The couple added that they travel a lot.