A British man shares his frustrations with life in the UK and celebrates the cultural differences he’s found after relocating to Turkey.
A British man named Ben Iqra shared on TikTok why he left England for Turkey, highlighting his disillusionment with issues in the UK, such as litter and lack of community pride. Now residing in Bursa, he appreciates the cleanliness, respectfulness, and culture he experiences, especially the call to prayer and communal baths. However, Ben also expressed frustration with the challenges he faces as a Brit trying to stay in Turkey long-term due to visa restrictions.
A British man, Ben Iqra (@ben.iqra), recently posted a candid video on TikTok explaining why he decided to relocate his family to Turkey, voicing his discontent with life in the UK.
In his video, set against a picturesque cityscape, Ben bluntly shared, “I’m an Englishman, and I’m sick of England. I’m so sick of it that I left.” Now living in Bursa, Turkey, he noted the stark contrasts he’s experienced there, particularly the absence of “druggies and alcoholics on the street” and the clean, well-maintained surroundings—quite unlike his experience in Oxford, which he criticized for “litter everywhere and no one caring.”
Ben praised his new environment, saying, “Here, they have some pride,” before highlighting his favorite part of life in Bursa. As he showed the view from his balcony, with a mosque in sight, he paused as the call to prayer, or adhan, echoed across the area.
For Ben, a Muslim convert, the adhan holds a deep personal significance. He added, “I don’t care what you say—Turkish people aren’t religious? The mosque always has people in it.”
While Ben is thrilled with life in Turkey, he acknowledged one major downside: the challenges of staying there legally as a Brit. “One thing that really upsets me about Turkey is that it’s quite hard for me to live here,” he said, mentioning he’s currently on a tourist visa, which means he can’t stay long-term.
According to UK travel advice, British citizens can visit Turkey without a visa for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. For longer stays, a short-term residence permit is required.
Beyond the visa issues, Ben expressed a deep appreciation for Turkish culture. One highlight he mentioned was the traditional Turkish hammam, or bathhouse, which he likened to a Roman bath. “It’s normal to wash in public here,” he explained. “You go in, there’s a steam room and sauna, and afterward, you can relax on a lounger, sip drinks, and chat with friends.”
Ben’s story resonated with others. Another Brit living in Turkey praised the healthcare system: “I went straight to the hospital, saw an orthopedic consultant within five minutes, and ten minutes later I was getting an MRI. You’d never get that in the UK.”
Many viewers encouraged Ben, with one commenting, “You did the best thing, my friend. People in the UK are just paying bills, dealing with darkness, and feeling depressed.” Another British tourist agreed: “I visit Turkey three times a year—it’s so clean. England is getting worse with litter and people on the streets.”
Yet another user praised Turkey’s culture and respectfulness: “Went to Turkey for the first time this year. The family loved it—very clean, everyone polite and respectful. The call to prayer is so peaceful and beautiful. Thanks for sharing.”
