The International Living organisation provides helpful information and advice for people who wish to live and retire abroad.  

This American organisation publishes a quality of life survey each year.  We summarise below the 2009 & 2010 findings for four countries: UK - ranked 25th, Turkey - 72nd, Spain - 17th, and first place country, France.

Here at KTLN, we don't claim to have any special insight on this subject, however we have lived in UK and Turkey (Kalkan), and we have spent several holidays in various parts of France and Spain.  We find some of the findings hard to understand.

Below: The statistics from International Living, for France, UK, Spain and Turkey.  Each category is scored out of 100.

Cost of living
In 2009, Turkey had a better score than the other three countries in our sample.  For some reason Turkey's score plummeted by 10 points in the 2010 survey.  We don't understand why.

Kalkan may not be the cheapest place to live in Turkey, but your money goes a lot further here.  For example, it is possible to eat cheaply (and more healthily).  And just look at the tiny amount we pay in council tax in Kalkan.  What we pay in Kalkan for a whole year is a fraction of what we used to pay in England for one month's council tax.

We know ex-pats who have lived in France, Spain and Turkey (Kalkan), and there is just no contest.  Your money goes further in Turkey.  Plus, remember that it is possible for many UK pensioners to get their pension paid tax free if they are resident in Turkey.  You can't say the same in France or Spain (or the UK).

Leisure & culture
The UK scores 82, whilst Turkey scores 60.  Hmm.  It depends on what floats your boat.

Turkey may not have as many multi-plex cinemas, sports centres or shopping malls, but as Asia Minor was the cradle of civilisation, Turkey can boast a treasure trove of history and culture.  Much of it is on your doorstep in Kalkan.

And if tourism figures are to be believed, fewer people holidayed in Europe in 2009, whilst numbers coming to Turkey increased.  That suggests to us that more and more people are seeing Turkey as a great place to spend their leisure time.

A word of praise for the French here, who score 81.  We think that they have got it right when it comes to closing for lunch.  That is the civilised approach.

Economy
Given the economic problems faced over recent months, and the dismal forecasts of recovery, it is somewhat surprising that ratings under this category have actually improved.

Environment
Not much to choose in the scores.  All of these countries have environmental issues, and all have fantastic landscapes and scenery.

Freedom
Of the countries we have highlighted, Turkey is the only one not to score 100%.

Health
Many people compliment the UK on the NHS, but it is France that scores 100%.

Infrastructure
Some very odd figures in here.  Fair enough, Turkey does not have an extensive railway infrastructure, and some local roads can be a bit rough.  However, the UK score has gone up by 14% in one year.  Anyone who has used trains or roads in the UK may well be asking why?

One can only assume the survey did not consult with commuters packed like sardines on the London underground, or Eurostar travellers, or anyone who has crawled along the M1, M6 or M25 motorways in the rush hour.  UK infrastructure is hardly a shining beacon of efficiency, but if you believe the survey it is twice as good as Turkey.

On a more positive note, we don't quibble with France getting top marks.  The French railway and road systems are a joy to use.

Risk & safety
In a perverse sort of way, it is not a major cause for concern for us, to see that the EU countries score an amazing 100% on this, whilst Turkey can only manage 86%.  We are not trying to trivialise injuries or deaths caused by accidents, but these numbers do reflect the Health & Safety cotton wool culture that the EU authorities wrap around their citizens.

Some people may like nannying, but it's not everyone's cup of çay.  In Turkey you are expected to watch where you are going, rather than suing the council when you trip on a pavement. 

When we discover that we have a legal assistance website called www.slippedonakebab.com, that's the time we shall leave Turkey.

Climate
And if you thought some of the earlier figures were baffling, wait until you see the climate figures.

In 2009 this survey gave the UK 82% and Turkey 73%.  (Yes - you read that correctly).  But alas, in 2010, the UK falls to 66% whilst Turkey remains the same at 73%.

So in 2009, why were there record numbers of visitors coming from the UK to Turkey?  We assumed the climate may have something to do with it, but according to this survey you should all have been flocking to Bournemouth or Skegness.

And what major climatic (or indeed, climactic) event occured to reduce the UK score by 16%?  Perhaps the survey organisers had a premonition about the Arctic weather conditions that are currently gripping the UK.

Conclusion
So what can we conclude?

Well, one conclusion could be that we should all 'up sticks' and 'aller en France'.  Alternatively, we can conclude that this analysis is about as much use as a chocolate teapot, and carry on loving Kalkan.

Strange isn't it, that many of us are quite happy to visit, or live in the 72nd most desireable place in the world.

Şerefe!