The town has grown explosively in the last decade, becoming a major package holiday destination and property hot-spot
ONCE A SMALL AEGEAN FISHING TOWN, in the last 20 years Kusadasi has grown into a major resort popular with British and Irish package tourists and domestic holiday makers. The town is also a port-of-call for cruise liners, whose passengers disembark to visit the nearby archaeological site of Ephesus, which is one of Turkey's biggest tourist attractions. There are many other interesting sights nearby, and the Dilek National Park, 30 km south, has good beaches and forest walks.
KUSADASI AT A GLANCE
Population: 60,000
Telephone Area Code: 0256
Airport: Izmir [45 mins)
PROPERTY LOWDOWN TYPICAL PRICES:
Apartment (2-bed): 35,000gbp
Villa (3-bed): 65,000gbp
Rental Potential: Fair
Advantages:
Close to Izmir airport. Good year-round facilities and services. Close to tourist attractions and beaches
The town centre is bustling year-round and there is a good selection of shops and services, including several large supermarkets. The narrow streets of the old town are lined with touristy shops, restaurants, bars and clubs, which are crowded during the summer season. There is a large marina and beaches just north and south of the center, where many of the largest hotel complexes and villa developments are situated. Kadinlar Denizi (Ladies' Beach), to the south of" the center, is the town's best-known beach.
Kusadasi has experienced explosive growth in recent years. Although the new apartments and villas arc primarily for the Turkish market, the number of foreign buyers has increased rapidly to over 3500. Poorly planned, low-quality developments have spoilt some areas. However, on the plus side there is a huge variety of property to choose from and prices are low.
Apartments predominate in the centre but there arc also some older villas. These properties benefit from being close to the amenities and shopping of the town centre, but they may be noisy depending on their location. Prices start from 25,000gbp for a very basic two-bedroom apartment. A short walk or minibus ride from the center, prices arc considerably higher in the Ladies' Beach area, particularly if you want a view of the sea. Expect to pay from 60,000gbp for a new two-bedroom apartment near the beach.
South of the town, Long Beach and Davutlar have beaches backed by orchards and agricultural land. There are also some huge, ugly cooperative developments. It is a much quieter area with only small shops for basic supplies, although minibuses into Kusadasi run every few minutes during the season. Prices are lower than in town, with a new-build villa on a complex with shared pool typically starting from 40,000gbp.
To the north of Kusadasi and closer to Izmir airport, the small Turkish resort of Ozdere offers excellent value for money,
Property prices have risen rapidly over the last few years due to strong demand from domestic and foreign buyers. The resulting building boom has produced a glut of rental properties. However, rental opportunities are best in the most desirable areas of town such as Ladies'Beach.
