With one foot in Europe and the other in Asia, Istanbul is a cultural capital with frenzied markets, stunning royal palaces and minarets, and modern art and entertainment. Expats moving to Istanbul will experience a vibrant city, where many traditions intermingle to form a city which captivates the senses.
Compared to the rest of Turkey, the cost of living in Istanbul is expensive. Petrol prices are particularly high when compared to Europe and the US, as is imported alcohol. In fact, most branded imported items will be costly due to high import duties.
However, for daily groceries, medical care and domestic help, Istanbul is cheaper than most Western countries. Education is another expense that expats with children will have to consider when moving to Turkey. Most expats choose to send their children to international schools, which generally offer a superior education to the local public schools in Istanbul. However, this comes at a high price.
Istanbul has a lively nightlife accentuated by some very upmarket restaurants and even trendier nightclubs. There are also numerous modern shopping malls and markets to entice avid shoppers. Most notably, Istanbul is home to the Grand Bazaar, which boasts over 4,000 shops and is surrounded by a maze of streets lined with even more shops.
Expats in Istanbul will hardly find themselves being bored. The public transport system in Istanbul is efficient and highly affordable, which makes it easy to explore the city, as well as its famed historic sites. There is also an abundance of nearby villages and towns which offer the chance for weekend escapes from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Are you living in Istanbul? We are always looking for local "expat experts" to contribute to our Istanbul guide and to answer forum questions for people moving or planning to move to Turkey. Please contact us if you would like to contribute.
Are you an expat living in Istanbul?
Expat Arrivals is looking for locals to contribute to this guide, and answer forum questions from others planning their move to Istanbul. Please contact us if you'd like to contribute.
Shireen Mistry has recently returned to Bombay after living in Istanbul for 5 years. Her time in Istanbul (2003-2008) was spent exploring and getting to know the city intimately. She has also travelled around Turkey and finds the country a beautiful and fascinating place, and the people gentle and friendly. She particularly enjoyed discovering boutique hotels in various regions of Turkey, as she believes that a charming hotel set in beautiful surroundings enhances the whole travel experience of discovering a new place. Shireen made it a point to learn the Turkish language, so as to fully be able to immerse herself in the country. From 2006-2008, Shireen was Co-Chairwoman of the International Women of Istanbul, a highly regarded and well established voluntary organisation that served as a social group for foreign women in Istanbul, as well as a volunteer group for several local women's and children's charities. Amongst some of the activities of the IWI, were the organisation of several orientation tours around various parts of Istanbul for newcomers and also several cultural and cooking programmes. Being a part of this organisation has enabled Shireen to gain a deeper insight into Istanbul, and Turkish life in general, so much so that she now considers Turkey her second home.
Are there any affordable private schools in Istanbul?
Are there any suitable international schools in Istanbul?