Yalova, Turkey

Capital City

With a population of just 17,689, this small Turkish city on the Sea of Marmara may seem quaint, but the reality is far from idyllic. Yalova is a bureaucratic headache, with a history of political tensions and natural disaster that casts a long shadow. The scorching summers and frigid winters are hardly conducive to a comfortable life. While the city's thermal spas and Atatürk's summer home hold historical appeal, the average expat would be wise to look elsewhere for a new home in Turkey.