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Like to try Istanbul as an English expat.

Last activity 20 January 2020 by istanbulsuites

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Rockdad

Hello

New member here. I've never been to Istanbul, or Turkey, so I'm fishing in the dark. I first thought of living in Athens, which I know well, but I'd like to try somewhere new, Istanbul, as an English expat. I'd begin with an extended holiday in spring/summer 2020, I'm reasonably prosperous and don't need to work, (though I have the qualifications teach English).  I'm adventurous,  make friends easily, and love to immerse in a foreign culture.

I want stay in non-tourist Istanbul, in an old part of the city - I fancy the sound of Cihangir, for 3 months on a tourist visa, starting in the spring, say June to August 2020. If Istanbul took to me, I'd look to employ a translator/Turkish language teacher to ease me through the RP paperwork (having been on the Doc Martin's Surgery for expats site - I'd need to!) and to teach me the language.

Does this sound a feasible approach? Constructive ideas/comments would be welcome, particularly if anyone knows of a top floor flat with access to panoramic roof top views. It'd need it to have a lift/elevator and air conditioning. I'd pay TL10,000+ a month rent. So probably not airbnb, but something more long term starting next June.

Warm regards
John

infoaboutTurkey

10k is absurd. you will find roof top views with 4k easily.

faisalkhan999

Rockdad wrote:

Hello

Does this sound a feasible approach? Constructive ideas/comments would be welcome, particularly if anyone knows of a top floor flat with access to panoramic roof top views. It'd need it to have a lift/elevator and air conditioning. I'd pay TL10,000+ a month rent. So probably not airbnb, but something more long term starting next June.

Warm regards
John


Plenty of AirBnB hosts will gladly rent you out to you in the long term for the budget you have cited. Heck, you could hop around to a different place every month should you so desire. Once you get acclimatized and befriend someone who is Turkish, the prices come down a lot if you're a local. There is a certain 'increase' (both officially and unofficially) for services that foreigners avail in Turkey (that's about the only negative here). You love the place otherwise.

Your ask, is very doable.

Rockdad

Many thanks for the replies. Looking at ads for rented apartments shows you are right, there are top floor flats available for 10,000TL. Also I'm encouraged by your comments on how to to be accepted by the local community. Aiming to be visiting Istanbul in the summer.

Kind regards
JohnD

Rockdad

I'm hoping to find somewhere in Cirhangir or close by.

Cheers
JohnD/Rockdad

Borraro

just for having an idea..
https://www.sahibinden.com/kiralik/ista … price_desc

Priscilla

Hi everyone,

Please note that some off topic posts have been removed from this thread.

Thanks,

Priscilla  :cheers:

Borraro

Priscilla wrote:

Hi everyone,

Please note that some off topic posts have been removed from this thread.

Thanks,

Priscilla  :cheers:


thnx priscilla,
best rgds

Borraro

Rockdad wrote:

I'm hoping to find somewhere in Cirhangir or close by.

Cheers
JohnD/Rockdad


dear john,
here below the link of the web in english version for cihangir neighbourhood, prices varies among apartments, but -10k ones wont be satisfactory enough by means of size and/or panoramic view. also, what do you understand by panoramic view, looking through industrial areas from top floor, or bosphorus or woods? 20 sqm or 120 sqm or 220 sqm? there is huge difference..
https://www.sahibinden.com/en/for-rent- … ss_city=34
as per yr message, you hever never been in istanbul. well, cihangir is very central but also such a crowded, dirty, dusty, noisy, and even sometimes violent area.
monthly rents in classy areas such like bebek, istinye, tarabya, etc. may reach +100k lira, still residence or apartment, not villa or palace.
if you need further support to use the link just to have an idea about other prices, pls do not hesitate to contact me, i can share more information via pm.
best rgds

Rockdad

Thanks Borraro, I'm guessing that Cihangir might be an interesting area for an academic like me, used to mixing with a group of cosmopolitan friends and colleagues. I'm taking a holiday in Istanbul  in the summer, in an airbnb or hotel to see first hand. If Istanbul takes to me then I'd be looking where I might live more permanently. I'm still working at the moment, but aiming to retire at the end of this academic year. My wife of fifty years died after a long illness in July and I've decided I want to live in another culture that interests me because it is a truly foreign experience (most European capitals are indistinguishable from London). We were booked for a holiday in Turkey, Istanbul and Ephesus, when she was taken ill and we never made it together. We were planning to live abroad once I'd retired, and both Istanbul and Athens were possibles as both have fascinating histories and cultures. Hope this gives some context for the wonderfully helpful people on here who have been generous with their their time and knowledge towards a stranger.

Many thanks to you all, and best wishes
Rocked/JohnD

Borraro

thnx for yr kind message dear john,
sad to read those words, there is nothing to do other than to say good luck in future. hope coming years shall bring you much better days than the very best ever.
will share my contact details by pm.
warm rgds

istanbulsuites

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