We continue the story about the most popular cities in terms of buying real estate in Turkey, especially on the Antalya coast of Turkey. In the previous article, we talked about numerous positive changes in Alanya, the second largest resort in Antalya province. Due to Mersin, it is becoming more and more convenient to live in a rapidly growing city for its new social and transport infrastructure, medicine, education, leisure, etc.
Content:
- ABOUT MERSIN
- WHY IT IS WORTH CHOOSING MERSIN?
- TRANSPORT
- SUPPLY
- SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
- EDUCATION
- SPORT
- LEISURE
Now let's talk about Mersin, which in the last 1.5 years has shown a huge increase both in terms of the volume of housing sold (especially to foreigners) and in the growth in the cost of residential real estate. Both in April and in May 2023, Mersin got into the TOP-3 Turkish provinces, where citizens of other states purchased the most apartments in Turkey.
ABOUT MERSIN
Mersin, which was considered a very small town 10 years ago, is growing rapidly. It is not only dynamic and hardworking but also very beautiful. The residents are mostly young and very active. In early July 2023, the Mayor's office reported that the population of Mersin officially reached 1.97 million people, but now there are in fact more than 2.5 million people, including visitors, tourists working under contract, "temporary refugees" from earthquake-affected areas, etc.
The city authorities recognized that the city is expanding and being populated by newcomers very quickly, so it is necessary to solve problems with increasing drinking water supplies, laying new roads, etc. as soon as possible. In addition to the metro (as discussed below), 272 new buses were purchased in an extremely timely manner. So, the municipality keeps its finger on the pulse.
WHY IT IS WORTH CHOOSING MERSIN?
Firstly, it is a very promising province, especially due to the construction and scheduled launch of the Akkuyu NPP, the first nuclear power plant in the country. The date of commissioning of the first power unit has already been set.
Secondly, Mersin is located in a very calm zone from the point of view of seismic activity, one of the safest in all of Turkey. In light of recent events, this is its huge advantage.
Thirdly, the sea, the sun and everything else that is due to the resort. So, it's not surprising that prices are rising by leaps and bounds here.
So, what has changed in Mersin in recent months?
TRANSPORT
Airport
The main news in this segment is an almost ready-made new air hub. Çukurova Airport, the base for which was laid long ago in the Tarsus (Mersin) area, is expected to become the fourth largest airport in Turkey after commissioning. It is planned to do this by the autumn of 2023. A trial flight has already taken place, but so far, the airport does not accept or send passenger and cargo flights.
Why is this important? So far, those traveling to Mersin have to use Adana Airport, from where Mersin is more than 2 hours away by car or bus. From Mersin to the airport in Tarsus is only a little more than 70 km. So, the transfer time will be halved, if not tripled.
How soon the new airport will become international is still a question. Here we are waiting for news from the authorities.
Highways
Travel between Antalya and Mersin is simplified due to the improvement of road infrastructure. We are talking about the commissioning of a coastal highway, which will shorten the path between Mersin and Antalya by tens of kilometers, and the travel time is only up to 5 hours.
Public transport
We have already said about almost 300 new buses.
Another of the latest news is that the local municipality has just added additional flights on routes leading to the main beaches, as well as to mountain settlements. Since no one has canceled the summer heat and many are trying to outstay it by the water or in the coolness of the forest.
This is also good for Mersin. The city's population density is decreasing for the summer season.
What locations are we talking about? For example, the number of flights to Gulnar, Tashuja, Erdemli, Chamlyayla, Arslankey and some other popular destinations has been added.
Mersin is also building its own metro. This will probably be the first "resort" metro in Turkey. The first branch was planned to be launched already this year (we are waiting for clarifications here). Presumably two more branches will be added (somewhere by 2026).
The first line with a length of 13.4 km will have 11 stations and will start from the municipality of Mezitli. The new metro will be very advanced even by modern standards. It is planned to equip it with smart city technology and a fully automated control system, not to mention the latest equipment: elevators and escalators.
SUPPLY
Everything is clear about electricity. As soon as the Akkuyu NPP is launched, any questions about this will be removed. There are rumors that due to the start of the nuclear power plant, electricity in Turkey as a whole will become cheaper, but this is not yet specified.
In May 2023, the foundation of the natural gas distribution complex for Anamur and Gulnar was successfully laid. The Mayor of Gulnar explained that residents will start using local natural gas in November.
Also, the public utilities service of another district of Mersin – Erdemli – told about the beginning of repair work, the purpose of which is to replace old water pipes with new ones. About 6,000 meters of pipes are subject to replacement. But it's worth it. After all, the updated water supply system will provide local residents with better drinking water, and farmers with extensive irrigation opportunities.
SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
A lot of properties "for life" are being built in Mersin. Two articles will not be enough for enumeration. However, one of the most high-profile projects of recent months is the Chamlyala market with a multi-storey parking lot, which was recently opened. This is one of the brainchild of the local mayor and a clear result of the work carried out by the municipality of Mersin.
So, there is not only a spacious and convenient Sunday market in Chamlyala, where farmers, according to Turkish tradition, will sell the freshest and most delicious products (vegetables, fruits, herbs, etc.) of their own production, in addition, the transport problem in the center of the district, especially in summer and on weekends, will be solved.
"Moreover, the parking lot is so well thought out and equipped that on its ground floor it is quite possible to hold public events like concerts and open-air film screenings on days when the market is not working," the mayor said.
EDUCATION
There are more than enough opportunities to teach children in Mersin. At the same time, we are talking not only about secondary education (although there are also enough colleges here), but also about higher education. Pay attention to Mersin University – a state non-profit educational institution. The university is new. It opened in 1992, so it is a little more than 20 years old. However, this university is a member of the European University Association (EUA), has already been included in the list of the best universities in the country and has taken a worthy place in the world ranking.
Moreover, he is not the only one: on the territory of the province, you can also enroll in the University of Chag (more than 10 bachelor's degree programmess, and 5 master's degree programmes; the training is conducted in Turkish and English) and Toros University. There are even more bachelor's and master's degree programmes here. The training is also in English and Turkish.
SPORT
Mersin has an abundance of sports clubs and schools. In the area of Erdemli, two football fields are being built at once, which will be equipped with portable stands. They say that Mersin will become the new base for one of the Turkish football teams – Hatayspor, which lost a permanent training ground due to an earthquake with an epicenter in Kahramanmaraş.
Not so long ago it became known about a new sports youth center that will appear in Akdeniz. The authorities have allocated a plot of almost 5,000 m² for this good undertaking, so that a new large-scale and modern sports facility will appear on the territory of Ozgyurlyuk.
The foundation of the future sports complex has already been laid. Judging by the plans, the infrastructure will include three gyms and a number of multi-purpose playgrounds. By the way, due to this "versatility," it will be possible to hold not only sports competitions, but also festivals, exhibitions and other cultural events.
There are cafes and convenient parking with a canopy that protects cars from the scorching sun and partly from overheating. In case of force majeure (natural disasters, etc.), the center is designed in such a way that it is easy to convert it into a temporary accommodation point for the local population. The estimated investment in the project is 29 million Turkish liras.
LEISURE
Entertainment and cultural events in Mersin now take place all year round. But there are especially a lot of it in the summer: gatherings, festivals, concerts and amateur competitions are waiting for adults, sports schools and so on.
Finally, we will tell you about the beaches of Mersin. After all, this is what many potential homebuyers are interested in, deciding for themselves whether to take an apartment in Mersin or another province.
Kizkalesi Beach is a famous and "instagrammed" beach. Here you can both enjoy your vacation and take pictures with might and main (or make videos for YouTube) against the backdrop of the fortress of Kizkalesi. This is one of the symbols of Mersin.
There are beautiful sandy beaches: Altynorphoz, Limonlu, Kapyzli, Yeshilovadzhik, Kum Mahallesi, Susanoglu, Incekum. By the way, the national park of the same name is located next to Incekum, on the territory of which there is a camping.
Mavikent, Akchakil (popular among owners of "caravans", motorhomes and campers), Anamur (there are both pebbles and sand) are pebble beaches.
Diving and snorkeling enthusiasts will appreciate Yenikash Yarymadasy, Buyukedzheli, as well as Anamur (the territory of the ancient city of Anamurim under the water and divers can look at the historical ruins).
See more:
- Souksu (translated from Turkish as "cold water"): there is fresh water from mountain springs merges with the sea, so the water temperature is slightly lower than on other Mersin beaches;
- Akyar Koyu: a spacious picnic area is provided next to it;
- Yaprakly Koyu is the most popular bay for swimming in these parts: it is a natural water pool surrounded by rocks;
- Barbaros Koyu is another bay, one of the most beautiful and also the most peaceful in the region;
- Bogsak Koyu is the owner of the "Blue Flag", where giant sea turtles lay eggs. A camping site is also seen next to it.