What is it like in Ankara?

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Rengim

You'll survive in Ankara but you won't love it. I've survived for the past five years but I don't like it one tad bit, if we didn't have our regular cafes (which, if you're coming here I'd be more than happy to give you the adresses) it would probably be unbearable. But I'm a big city gal that yearns excitment so this'll depend on your personality and preferences.

Ankara is the capital so expect to see a lot of suits most of them leaning towards the AKP (what you'll notice in Ankara is the amount of turban, the politically charged headscarf, teens agains the very very few amount of hijabs, you'll mostly not even come across any if you stick to the centers but even in the suburbs they're pretty non-existent, I like to think that Ankara is much less conservative in its totally than Istanbul). Honestly if you've lived in an actual big city like Paris or Istanbul you'll notice that Ankara isn't really all that big. There is basically nothing special to it. Every city has its charm and an exotic appearance to it, but Ankara just doesn't it's a big block of concrete. Your best bet is to find lovely people to hang out with, it really isn't hard. The people of Ankara are nice and very warm. You can easily make friends.

Like I said Ankara isn't all that big but you'll notice that the major concentration of hangouts are usually far in between. For example you'll have Tunali/Arjantin in Cankaya, Konur/Sakarya in Kizilay, 7.Cadde in Bahcelievler, Park Caddesi in Cayyolu. Generally people who live near one stick to it, it also depends on your budget. Park Caddesi and Arjantin are usually reserved for a higher class. If you live in the center of the city though you won't have any difficulty, you'll have everything at your feet and you'll have enough things to occupy yourself with. Once they get bored people in Ankara go to malls, there a lot of them it's unbelievable. The most famous are Ankamall, Optimum (which are out of town), Arcadium, Armada, Panora (which are new) and Karum (Which is in the middle of Tunali, that's why its popular, otherwise there isn't much to do). Malls have everything in one place and offer a warm place in winter and a cool place in summer. Movies, drinking, clubbing, shooping would be more in short what people tend to do for fun in Ankara, oh and hanging out in one cafe for 6 hours (which is my favorite activity). Usually people choose favorite places to hang-out and stick to there till they find a new place. Everyone is a regular customer at somewhere in this city. You'll learn where to go what to do once you make friends here, but otherwise I can give you pointers on where to find what, it'll be too long to detail here so ask me directly if you want to know. It's a university city so you can expect to find a lot of young people and a lot of activity oriented towards their preferences, so if you're young you can keep yourself occupied easily. Not to mention the fact that you'll find a lot of expats in the city, so a lot of things foreigners can do (it's certainly not Istanbul but my expat friends are fine here)

The public transport is nuts, it's definetely not the best in the world but I wouldn't call it the worst either. The good thing: the hours are set, you usually have a few options to get somewhere and you'll find a bus that even if you live in the most unatteinable place, will take you near it. The bad: it's way too expensive compared with the population's general salary, ranging from 1,10 tls for student to 1,80 tls in dolmus (something along the line of a big collective taxi). You also need to buy this paper card things for municipality buses (they're sold in two, 10 or 20 rides). And it's terribly unpractical. I said the hours were set but they're easily shifted if it rains or there's an accident on road. Also there are no subway system (Actually there is but has only two rails and very few stops). In theory they're constructing a new elaborated line but that's just for show and we're assuming it'll be done the earliest in 2178. But if you're thinking of staying only 6 months I honestly don't thing these problems will bother you too much. These are sentiments that you developp over the time and they generally don't hurt your daily routine. I noticed a lot of people saying that it's the best public transportation system in Turkey, this is a wrong assumption that they get because it's clean and nicely constructed but Istanbul's transportation is way better and way safer (especially the subway), it's the city's traffic and unkept appearance that makes people think otherwise.

ertugrul a

Ankara is steady city and really cold in winter and hot in summer.
City is big but there are not much to do like sea side cities.
I think Ankara has the best public transit in Turkey.
I would live in Ankara instead of Istanbul.
There are not much to see in Ankara. That makes easy to spend times with friends.
For me; Ankara is good because there is no chaos. Ankara is bad because there is no chaos.
Best city depends on what you want to see. history, people, cheap, fast or slow city, weather etc.
last year during my millitary service i used to drink tap water so do many locals.

Bix

Although I was born there, I wouldn't say that Ankara is a beautiful city. There are so many other beautiful places and cities in Turkey. It's a big city and as the capital of Turkey which is a centralist country, it's the place of public administration.

Istanbul of course, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Amasya is one of the most beautiful cities in Turkey.

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~hulya/Personal/Places/Turkey/TurkiyeResimleri/Amasya.JPG

http://www.resimhayattir.com/r5732.search.htm

The city of Safranbolu is in the World Heritage List of UNESCO and a real gem.

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/614

http://www.otc-international.com.tr/00-TR/80-Images/safranbolu_3.jpg

http://www.fotokaradeniz.com/data/media/38/safranbolu_2.jpg

Don't drink tap water in Turkey.

Derrick B

yes ankara is a big city and there are lots to do and it could have been one of the the most beautiful cities in europe if there was a sea in there.i think that's the only thing that missing in ankara otherwise it's a very modern city lots of huge shopping malls and one of the most modernized subway systems in europe although the traffic ain't as bad as istanbul.it's sorta laid back city there ain't not much to do during the week days as it is more like a government city like going to the bars discos etc on the other hand there are numerous night clubs irish pubs etc to go during the weekends i liked it a lot when i was in there oh about the tap water i think it's like the same in any big cities in the world like you can't drink tap water in new york city because of the pollution and stuff and 6 months is not a long time as there are things that are waiting to be discovered you should go to peri bacalari it s an amazing place it is not very far from the city i think it took us 2 hours to get there by a car

anyway i'm pretty sure you'll like it have fun i'm hoping to visit there by this time next year

amaannnn

Ankara is best city for live
it is really big, bigger than a lot of countries so u can find everything that u want to do
best public transport system in Turkey.
Very beautiful for me
Bad things she hasnt got see or beautifull natural things. just buildings.

u can drink tap water in some areas in Ankara but dont take risk. deal with one of water dealers. phone them, 19 lt clean water ll be ur home in half hour.

ZoГ© B

it's big i guess not bigger than istanbul tho there isn't much to do there but that leaves you plenty time 2 chill with friends =)) it's beautiful, not in the common sense but it has a calm feeling to it & i like it everything's so in order it's like you're in toy city or something lol... turkey's best public transit is in ankara... the best city in turkey is of course istanbul than izmir & antalya... also tap water is not very healthy but most houses have a system that cleans & makes it drinkable & most hotels too so you shouldnt have a problem...

amada

Here is a good link about Ankara

http://www.kultur.gov.tr/EN/BelgeGoster.aspx?17A16AE30572D3137EE1F1486EE5030EDA0F7D5833632EE9

You'll not be harmed if you drink top water, but unless, it is boiling in the food I cook, I don't drink tap water in Turkey.
I drink bottled water.
In the house I use big plastic bottles they bring home. You'll find out after you come.
But I wash everything, vegetables, fruits with water, and I don't peel them, so it should be safe.

Tao Lee te ching

Unlike istanbul, Ankara is a nice,clean,very organized and a very safe city

oh btw ignore the person above me because she has no clue what she is talking about.I firmly believe that the ugliness that she meant is herself not the city

wwww.youhavenocluewhatyouaretalkingabo...

Edit:The person above me, I've been living in Turkey for almost 10 years now and I am truly aware of the situations in this country.My point is that it is an enormous task. One that we cannot do with out the help of the people of this town and surrounding area. I was skeptical at first that we would be able to pull it off until I began to see everyoneвЂ™s response.In fact, I am truly amazed by how incredibly generous everyone has been. As a business owner myself, I am aware of how many people are out there seeking money for their cause. That is why I am writing; to tell everyone how grateful I am for the great support of this beautiful city,Ankara and also to thank those who considered donating but just find they canвЂ™t.Again, the response from everyone has been extraordinary. I am truly blessed to live in this great city, ANKARA in addition you think twice before making any false accusations I never meant to insult anybody on here in fact I everything I said that meant to tell the truth about this beautiful city not the ugliness of someone who has been spreading through the net by hiding behind a lie.

Isobel Kitty

It's capital.
It is big but not bigger than Istanbul. It depends on what you want to do. If you are art lover, there are some. If you love night life, it is not the best but it's not the worse.
Public transit is OK but always be careful.
It's ordinary.
It's generally OK.
Best city is Istanbul.
You shouldn't drink Ankara water it tastes awful.

ritter

its a beautiful city, its big and the food its amazing, the people are beautiful and friendly..... its a city with so much to do, clubs, restaurants, movie theaters, parks, zoos, malls, etc.......... you'll love it,

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