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Bursa, Turkey 🇹🇷
#291 ,

Nomad Score: 65%

Essentials

🏙️ City Bursa is a vibrant city in northwestern Turkey known for its historical significance and natural beauty, located near the Marmara Sea.
👥 Population Approx. 3 million
💻 Internet Speed Average internet speed of 35 Mbps, with options for fiber internet in many areas.
💸 Currency & Banking 1 EUR ≈ 28.5 TRY, 1 USD ≈ 26.5 TRY. ATMs widely available; many accept foreign cards.
🚰 Tap Water Not drinkable; bottled water is recommended.
🔌 Power 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets common.
📶 SIM Card Available from Turkcell, Vodafone, and Türk Telekom; prepaid options widely used.
💳 Banking for Expats Most cards accepted in urban areas; Revolut and Wise are popular among expats.
🛌 Accommodation Airbnb and local rentals are common; 1-bedroom apartments range from 2,500 to 5,000 TRY per month.
💳 Cashless Friendly Yes, cards accepted widely, especially in urban areas.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Airbnb, Sahibinden.com (local marketplace) provides many short-term rental options.
🛏️ Budget Accommodation Hostel Bursa offers budget stays starting from 150 TRY per night.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists City Center (Offset neighborhoods like Osmangazi) are recommended for easy access to attractions.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads Odunluk and Altıntaş neighborhoods are popular among nomads for their coworking spaces and cafes.

Working and Networking

🏢 Best Coworking Space Sosyal Bülten Coworking, known for good amenities and community events.
Best Cafe for Work Mendel's Cafe, great coffee and free Wi-Fi, located in the city center.
💼 Networking Events Frequent meetups organized through Bursa Startups and local Facebook groups.
🥂 Social Events for Expats Various cultural events organized at the Bursa International Fair Center.

Transportation

🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App Bitaksi & Uber are popular for ridesharing.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental Bursa offers bike rentals through various local shops and an emerging electric scooter service.
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby Mudanya Beach, accessible in about 30 minutes by car.
✈️ Top Regional Airline Pegasus Airlines operates flights to nearby regions.
✈️ Top International Airline Turkish Airlines has flights connecting to major international airports.
🛣️ Highway Access E90 and D200 highways provide good connectivity to Istanbul and other cities.
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub Bursa Otogar (Bus Terminal) serves as the primary transit point for local and long-distance travel.
🚍 Public Transport Passes BursaKart provides access to buses and trams.
✈️ Regional Travel Trains and buses connect Bursa to major cities like Istanbul and Ankara regularly.

Health and Wellness

🏥 Best Hospital Acibadem Bursa Hospital, known for comprehensive medical services.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers Bursa Yoga Studio offers various classes and workshops.
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers Fitness First Bursa, equipped with modern workout facilities.
🧺 Laundry Services Many laundromats are available, including Wash & Go.

Food and Drink

📱 Best Food Delivery App Yemeksepeti is the most popular food delivery service.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Iskender Kebab, a local specialty made with döner meat.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options Zeytinree is recommended for vegetarian dishes and organic foods.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots Koza Han, famous for its traditional Turkish delights.
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots Bursa Market offers fresh produce and local goods at budget prices.
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store Trendyol and Hepsiburada are popular for various online shopping needs.
🛒 Grocery Delivery Getir provides quick grocery delivery services.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area Pidecioglu and Korupark are lively areas for nightlife.
🍻 Local Brewery Tombak Brewery offers local craft beers.
🍷 Wine Bars Vino Vino is known for an excellent selection of local wines.
🍲 Street Food Stalls Setbaşı is famous for its varied street food offerings.
🍕 Popular International Cuisine Kithcen 1923 serves Italian cuisine, favored by many expats.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks The Grand Mosque (Ulu Camii) and Bursa Castle are must-visit historical sites.
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues The Bursa City Museum showcases the city's rich history.
🏰 Historical Sites The Green Tomb (Yeşil Türbe) is an iconic historical site.
🕍 Religious Sites The Ottoman Empire's Blue Mosque (Yeşil Camii) is a significant landmark.
🎉 Annual Events Bursa International Festival, celebrating arts and culture, held annually in July.
🎨 Cultural Districts The historical district of Cumalıkızık is well-preserved and culturally rich.
🎭 Theater Venues Osmangazi Theater hosts various cultural performances.
🛍️ Local Markets Bursa's Covered Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı) is full of shops for local crafts.
🎼 Music Scene Various local venues feature live music weekly, especially jazz and traditional Turkish music.
🎨 Street Art Street art can be found around the city, particularly in the old town area.
🧑‍🍳 Cooking Classes Many local cooking schools offer classes on traditional Turkish cuisine.
👩‍🎨 Art Galleries Bursa Art Gallery showcases local artists and exhibitions.
🕰️ Historic Buildings The Great Mosque and the Silk Market (Koza Han) are significant architectural sites.
🏴 Local Heritage Bursa is often referred to as the birthplace of the Ottoman Empire, rich in cultural heritage.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes Mount Uludağ National Park offers hiking and skiing options.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby Uludağ National Park is the most significant park in the region.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths Bursa's parks have numerous trails, especially in Botanik Park.
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints The viewpoint at Kozahan offers spectacular city views.
🦉 Birdwatching Locations Lake Iznik is known for its bird-watch viewing spots.
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots Uludağ National Park has designated areas for bonfires.

Other Services and Amenities

📦 Parcel Delivery Service PTT provides reliable parcel delivery services.
🛠️ Tech Repair Services Servisifik provides quality electronic repair services.
🏓 Table Tennis Spots Various parks have table tennis tables; one popular spot is Merinos Park.
🧑‍🏫 Language Classes Bursa Language School offers Turkish language classes for foreigners.
📚 Libraries & Study Spots Bursa City Library is a quiet place for studying and accessing resources.
🏘️ Community Centers The Cultural Center in Osmangazi hosts various community activities.
🕹️ Gaming Lounges Game On offers a space for console gaming and community events.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls The Casino of Bursa is a popular destination for gaming enthusiasts.

Business

🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. 35,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 1,400,000 TRY)
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. 22,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 880,000 TRY)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. 30,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 1,800,000 TRY)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. 20,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 1,200,000 TRY)
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. 28,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 2,240,000 TRY)
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. 18,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 1,440,000 TRY)
💼 Corporate Tax 25%
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax 15%
🏦 Tax System Progressive tax rates based on income, with rates ranging from 15% to 40%.
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket 40%
🧾 VAT 18%
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules Yes, strict rules apply to foreign-owned companies.
🏠 Property Tax Annual tax based on assessed value of the property.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax 4% on property sales.
💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads Special tax incentives for income earned outside Turkey; ex-pats should consult a local advisor.

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