Here's Why I'm Leaving the UK (for Turkey/Türkiye)
A summary of the push/pull factors we considered
[Feel free to watch the video above or, if you want to avoid my tired late-night ramblings, read the significantly shortened AI-generated summary below!]
Our reasons for wanting to leave London and the UK, and why we’ve chosen Antalya as our new home, are diverse. Some are unique to my family and our personal situation, but some may resonate with you.
I’m a 44-year-old (young?!) married man, blessed with four kids between the ages of 21 and 6. I was born and raised in East London. Although I’ve always lived in London, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve become more disenfranchised with city life.
Our decision to move didn’t happen overnight. We’ve been planning to move out of London for at least six years, actively working on an exit plan. This plan included transitioning to running my own business, one that would allow me to be more footloose and work from anywhere.
Initially, we planned to move to another part of the UK for a better quality of life, always with the dream of moving abroad one day. But it looks like we might be making the leap directly overseas!
Making the decision wasn’t easy; here are some of the many factors we took into consideration:
Pull Factors of the UK:
Family: My parents are no longer alive, but my siblings (and their kids) and my wife’s family are in London or nearby, as are other relatives.
Friends: Many of our lifelong friends are here (although some have already legged it!).
Stability and Civility: Compared to some other countries, the UK offers some degree of stability and civility.
Business Environment: The UK is not a terrible place to do business or even work; systems and rule of law exist - at least in theory.
Healthcare: Access to "free" healthcare through the NHS.
Push Factors of the UK:
Weather: The British weather is notoriously gloomy and unpredictable.
Rat Race and Quality of Life: London life is a constant hustle, often leading to a poor quality of life.
Crime: Increasing crime levels and the types of crimes are concerning.
Pollution: While you get used to it, the pollution becomes noticeable once you leave London (especially for an asthmatic like me).
Education and Statism: Issues with the education system and the overreach of the state.
Declining Living Standards: The decline of the NHS, for example, is symptomatic of broader economic problems.
Islamophobia: Even the left-wing now leans right, with growing Islamophobia across Europe and the West.
There’s a fantastic animated video on YouTube by Ray Dalio that outlines why and how the US, like other empires before it, is in decline. I’d highly recommend watching the video, as it offers some very keen insights into what might happen next in the world.
For example, as inequality rises and living standards drop, internal and external conflicts will increase.
Internally, non-Whites and Muslims (good luck if, like me, you’re a non-White Muslim!) are often scapegoated. Externally, the language of increasing militarism and hawkish posturing is alarming.
It feels like the world is heading towards difficult times, again…
Where do we want to be if/when things get worse? Where do we want to raise our families? For me, the answer is “not in the UK”. But why Turkey over other options?
Pull Factors of Turkey:
Weather: Antalya boasts 300 days of sunshine, a significant improvement over the UK's weather!
Proximity to the UK: Antalya is relatively close, with regular, cheap flights available.
Cost of Living: Rising but still cheaper than many other countries, including the UK, both in terms of property and everyday living.
Quality of Life: A better quality of life in a less stressful environment.
Muslim Country: It’s comforting to be in a country where being Muslim is the norm and not a reason for discrimination.
Safety: Relative safety compared to other locations.
Nature: Antalya offers a stunning natural environment with beaches, mountains, and everything in between.
Hope of Citizenship: The potential to gain Turkish citizenship (or permanent residency) in the future.
Business Opportunities: Turkey's rapidly growing economy presents numerous opportunities.
The Project: The entire Türkiye project is exciting, with many more factors that make it appealing.
Push Factors / Challenges of Turkey:
Language: English is not as widely spoken in Turkey as in places like Dubai.
Economic Challenges: Many people in Turkey face tough economic times, and finding work can be difficult, particularly as a foreigner.
Cost of Luxury Goods: Luxury goods and electronics, cars, and some other items are very expensive!
Immigration Sentiment: Not all locals are happy with immigration (or immigrants!).
Political Instability: The political climate can be unstable, with a failed attempted coup in the not-too-distant past and the constant threat of terrorist attacks.
Bureaucracy: Dealing with bureaucracy and sudden policy changes can be challenging.
Every country has its pros and cons, and right now, for us, the pros of moving to Turkey outweigh the cons. However, everyone’s situation is different.
I’ve found that listing everything out helps with clarity and tempering emotional decision-making.
A Decision-Making Formula for Fellow Muslims:
1. Istishara: Seek advice and consultation.
2. Make a Decision: Decide on a course of action.
3. Istikhara: Perform the prayer for guidance.
4. Make a Plan: Strategise and plan thoroughly.
5. Tawakkul: Place your trust in Allah once you’ve made a firm decision - and crack on!
Even for small decisions, this approach ensures that you can never go wrong.
That’s why I’m not scared, apprehensive, or even nervous about the move. It doesn’t mean it will be easy (in fact, I expect the first year to be hard quite challenging), but it will bring ease in the long term, God willing.
And if God wills that the move doesn’t happen, and we’re "stuck" here in the UK, that’s OK too.
Either way, it will be an interesting journey…