Reverse migration from Istanbul should be on the agenda not only of individuals but also of companies.
Apr 24, 2025
The Cost of Living is Making Relocation Necessary
The cost of housing, transportation, and basic needs is rising every year in large cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. By 2025, setting up a life in big cities has become unsustainable, especially for young workers and recent graduates. In contrast, regions like Central Anatolia and the inland parts of the Aegean have a lower and more balanced cost of living.
Istanbul's Earthquake Risk: The Most Critical Reason for Leaving the City
After the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, attention has turned back to Istanbul. By the end of 2024, experts frequently emphasize that neighborhoods in Istanbul, particularly Kadıköy, Avcılar, Bağcılar, and Sefaköy, carry a high earthquake risk. This risk goes beyond individual moving decisions and leads companies to reconsider their office locations.
To reduce the risk Istanbul carries and limit the effects of a potential disaster, it has now become not just a strategic but also an ethical responsibility for companies to move their offices to less risky areas like Central Anatolia.
Is Remote Work Becoming Permanent, or is a Mandatory Return to the Office Coming?
After the pandemic, remote work has become permanent for many sectors. This model has provided efficiency and cost advantages for both companies and employees, especially in fields such as technology, finance, and consultancy. However, as we approach 2025, this realm of freedom has unfortunately begun to become contentious.
Many large corporations, particularly those based in America and Europe, have started to force their employees to return to the office. The number of firms removing the option for remote work in new hires and adding "office requirement" clauses to contracts is increasing daily. For instance, Amazon has made a return to the office for 5 days a week mandatory for more than 300,000 employees worldwide; giants like Apple, Meta, and Google are also implementing a requirement to be in the office at least 3 days a week. A similar scenario is present in Turkey: according to Robert Half's research, 61% of job postings are still entirely office-based.
However, these institutions have proven during the pandemic how efficient remote work can be. According to Gallup's global research, less than 10% of employees in jobs suitable for remote work want to work entirely in the office. Nevertheless, 60% of employees say they would consider changing jobs if their remote work rights were restricted.
This approach creates significant disappointment for employees living in high earthquake risk regions like Istanbul who want to move to safer areas by working remotely. In a survey conducted by Keiken Consultancy, 84% of participants expressed their desire to move from Istanbul when all conditions are suitable. However, the biggest obstacle is the need to leave their jobs.
Ironically but truthfully: In the age of technology, attachment to the office is still seen as a control mechanism.
However, granting employees geographical freedom of movement is not just a privilege; it is also a strategic necessity in terms of sustainability, security, and motivation.
📊 Survey Result – Living Preferences in Istanbul
According to the survey conducted by Keiken Consultancy with 3026 participants, 84% of respondents want to move from Istanbul when suitable conditions are met. This data highlights both the importance employees place on safety and quality of life and the necessity for companies to respond to these expectations.
🏢 Reassess Office Location Strategically
Istanbul has long been prominent as Turkey's economic, cultural, and social center. However, factors such as increasing earthquake risk, high living costs, and heavy population have prompted companies and employees to consider alternative locations. In this context, moving offices to safer and more sustainable cities can enhance employee satisfaction and contribute to regional development.
📈 Migration Trend from Istanbul
According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) for 2023, Istanbul has been the province with the highest migration, with 581,330 people leaving. This indicates that many people living in Istanbul are seeking alternative living spaces.
🏙️ Alternative Cities and Their Advantages
Some cities that companies could consider relocating their offices to, along with their advantages, include:
Ankara: As the capital of Turkey, it has a strong public infrastructure and developed transportation networks.
Eskişehir: Being a university city, it offers a young and educated workforce potential.
Konya: Strong in industry and agriculture sectors; also provides logistical advantages through its railway connections.
Kayseri: Notable for its developed industrial infrastructure and entrepreneurial culture.
Sivas: Its location on the railway network provides advantages in logistics and transportation.
Samsun and Trabzon: These cities on the Black Sea coast attract attention with their ports and expanding trade volume.
Mersin and Adana: Located in the Mediterranean region, these cities have economic potential due to their ports and industrial areas.
Relocating offices from Istanbul to other cities not only reduces earthquake risk but also provides employees with more favorable living conditions and supports regional development. This strategic move can be a sustainable solution for both companies and employees in the long run.
📌 Conclusion: Shaping the Future is in Companies’ Hands
After reading this blog, we hope that you realize we are not just at the center of an individual migration trend, but also of institutional transformation.
🌍 The migration from Istanbul to Central Anatolia is becoming not just a choice but an obligation.
🏢 And the steps companies take in the face of this obligation will directly impact not only their sustainability but also the future urbanization model of Turkey.
If your company wants to provide its employees with safer, more livable, more productive conditions;
now is the time to rethink your office locations and make hybrid models permanent.
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#cities #remotework #istanbul #migrationfromistanbul #mobility
#geographicalmobility
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