Rent prices falling in Antalya as Russians leave the city

Rent and home prices in the province of Antalya on the Mediterranean coast, have been declining as many Russians, which constitute the largest group of foreigners living in the city, are relocating to Serbia and Dubai.

Rents and home prices skyrocketed in the city after thousands of Russians and Ukrainians arrived in Antalya after the war broke out between the two countries.

The number of foreign nationals living in the city increased from 94,000 in 2020 to nearly 137,000 in 2021 and reached some 173,000 in 2022. The influx of Russians and Ukrainians had consequences for the local real estate markets. Home prices increased sharply. Many landlords preferred to lease out their homes to Russian and Ukrainian tenants at higher prices.

But the tide is turning now. Russians are leaving the city due to a combination of several factors. Authorities banned foreign nationals from residing in 10 neighborhoods in Antalya, while residency permits of foreigners living in other quarters of the city were not extended.

In the face of those developments Russians have started to leave the city, relocating to other countries.

Russians are also moving to Serbia, Croatia, Thailand, Bali, and the Maldives, said Viktor Bikkennes, who owns the International Edutant Russian School in Antalya, adding that most of them went to Dubai.

"Home and rent prices are falling as Russians leave. There are fewer home sales [to Russians] now. That's what real estate agents told me. Home prices in Antalya start from $1 million."

Antalya has become more expensive than Europe and Dubai, said Zehra Arslan, a realtor specializing in property sales to foreigners.

Since Russians have started to move to other countries, home prices have fallen as much as...