Kocaeli is a working province. Factories, ports and logistics centres line the gulf, and many people commute between its towns and the Asian side of Istanbul. Life in the towns is practical and less hectic than in the big city, with hospitals, universities, shopping centres and seafront parks, and housing generally costs less than in Istanbul.
Nature is never far away. The hills behind the coast are covered in forest, the Kartepe ski resort draws visitors in winter, and villages such as Maşukiye, with their streams and trout restaurants, are popular weekend spots, including with visitors from the Gulf.
Getting around is straightforward: the province sits on the main motorway and rail corridor between Istanbul and Ankara, high-speed trains stop in Izmit, the Osmangazi Bridge crosses the gulf towards Bursa, and Sabiha Gökçen Airport on Istanbul's Asian side is the closest major airport.
Where to look
- Izmit is the provincial centre, with services, the seafront and good transport links.
- Başiskele, on the southern shore of the gulf, offers newer housing and a quieter pace with views across the water.
- Kartepe rises from the gulf towards the mountains near Lake Sapanca and is popular for villas and holiday homes.
- Towns at the western end of the province, such as Gebze, suit people who work on the Istanbul side.
What to check
The Marmara region is an active earthquake zone, and Kocaeli was hit hard in 1999. Make the building's permit date, the ground survey and its compliance with the current earthquake code your first questions, before the view or the finishes. In the mountains, ask how the access road copes with snow and how far the nearest shops and schools are. For new projects, ask for the building permit and a delivery date written into the contract. If you will commute to Istanbul, try the motorway at rush hour first, as traffic around Gebze is often heavy.
See the current projects, or contact us for advice on a specific home.
