I’m living in Canada but I just wondered if we have anyone from Türkiye?

If so, how is life there? I know economy and everything got worse but I just wondered if there is hope for Erdoğan-free Türkiye with EU membership?

I moved to Canada at age 18, and I realized I’m trans here (fuck me sideways for not doing any research until moving to Canada like I could do something at age 15…) and I started HRT at age 18,5. I’m 22 now, and I don’t really see a future in Canada for myself.

Rents are crazy, no jobs anywhere, here is not really accepting imo anyways like not dystopia, and FFS costs 124k CAD like what the fuck?! I would rather get it in Türkiye.

I barely passed B2 English in Türkiye, and English is harder than I expected. I got accepted to a college but it was hard asf and I left. Education is really overrated like it’s not better than Türkiye imo. Everyone is so cold and fake here. I wish I figured out everything earlier but idk which option would be best for me.

I’m feeling hopeless and down…

  • Maxxie@piefed.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    3·
    4 days ago

    Lived there for a couple years, not a local so take this as you will.

    Economy wise its your average C-tier: inflation is very high, saving is difficult. Rent is not cheap, but definitely not Canada level. I was renting a good (albeit tiny) studio on the outskirts of Istanbul for 600$ back in 2023-2024, yearly contract. Probably around 850 now. Food and utilities are affordable.

    Legalisation can be tricky: for example, you need to consult a list of areas where you’re permitted to live as a foreigner if you wanna do it legally. Migration offices are a buerocratic hell, but that highly depends on your citizenship and skin color.

    Dunno how’s your türkçe, but its a must unless you wanna be stuck with expats. Ppl rarely know other languages outside of tourist traps.

    Progressivity-wise, it’s complicated :) Local gay scene is pretty vibrant, but genderqueers have it rough: I had black nailpolish while looking vaguely femboy-ish, had some unpleasant interactions. If you pass though you’ll probably be fine.

    Other than that though people are very friendly. Many will try to fleece you as a foreigner (like any tourist country), once you show that you’re broke it’s all chill.

    Whereever you end up going I’m rooting for you fam ♥️