Expat Experience: Ellen Rabiner, Antalya

Who are you?

I am an American opera singer and former lawyer.

Where, when and why did you move abroad?

I moved to Antalya, Turkey in March of 2010. I came here because I wanted to go someplace I'd never been and to explore a new culture and language. I also wanted sun, beach and low cost of living.

What challenges did you face during the move?

One challenge of moving into my own apartment was getting it set up with the basics. In the U.S. An unfurnished apartment has a refrigerator, stove, heat and hot water. In Turkey you have to buy everything, including your own water heater and heat/air conditioning unit.

If you want cable TV or internet, you need to get a residence permit first, which is another challenge...

Read more about Ellen's expat life in Turkey.