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This is part of the detailed Turkey city atlas for choosing where to live, relocate or spend a longer season. In Turkey, the exact neighbourhood, building, transport and registration situation matter as much as the city itself.
In this guide
Who is it suitable for?
Mersin is suitable for those who want a big city by the sea cheaper than Antalya/Izmir, mild winters, food, a large promenade and a less touristy environment. This is a good budget option if you don’t mind the humidity, heat and more chaotic urban environments.
Districts
Mezitli. The most common choice of foreigners: the sea, modern houses, shops, beaches, a more relaxed style.
Yenişehir. More central, city life, services, medicine, cafes, malls.
Viranşehir/Soli. Coastal life, modern complexes, walks.
Tece. Further, quieter, cheaper, you need transport.
Marina/Pozcu. Cafes, restaurants, shopping life, urban environment.
Where to be careful
Old center and noisy highways. Remote areas without a car. Apartments by the sea with humidity. The summer heat can be severe.
Where are there more foreigners?
Mezitli, Yenişehir, Viranşehir, Tece. There is a lot of Arabic-speaking environment, there are Russian-speaking ones, but less.
Housing
Check the air conditioning, humidity, elevators, generator, parking. In new complexes, keep an eye on aidat. It can be damp near the sea in winter.
Transport
The city stretches along the sea, so the area greatly influences travel times. The car is useful, but you can live along the Mezitli/Yenişehir axis.
Cafe and food
Marina/Pozcu: cafes, restaurants, evening.
Mezitli: beach places, family cafes.
Be sure to try tantuni, cezerye, local kebap/lokanta.
Clinics
Sufficient for basic and secondary medicine. For complex cases, they can go to Adana, Ankara, Istanbul.
Little tricks
- Stay a week in August before moving: the climate makes a difference.
- Mezitli is the easiest start.
- Mersin is cheaper, but less “glossy”: this is a plus or minus, depending on your expectations.