Experience in İstanbul, Turkey by Çağatay

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What is it like to live in Istanbul? Would you recommend it? How is the city?

Istanbul is a very crowded city but you have the possibility to travel around the city during the evenings of working days. This city is also the place where I was born and raised. The public transportation network is very large and well connected so you won't have any difficulties.

What is student life like in Istanbul?

The best hangout location for me and the students is Beşiktaş. Nowadays, there is public transportation to every university in the city from Beşiktaş.

What about the cost of living in Istanbul?

In comparison to European countries, food and drinks are very cheap in Istanbul. Monthly public transportation fees are around 80-90 tl. One-way tickets for students costs 1. 15 tl, for others 2. 50-2. 70 tl.

Is it hard to find accommodation in Istanbul? Do you have any advice?

Depending on the location, rent changes. Rent in the central areas are very expensive for single use. Living with at least 3 or 4 other students is the best.

How is the food? What are your favourite dishes?

The Turkish kitchen has a very wide range and varies a lot, so you won't have any problems. You can find food for every taste. For me, we usually eat from Blacksea area's kitchen. And of course different variations of kebab are among mine and other European students favourites.

How are the restaurants in Istanbul? Can you tell us about your favourite places?

It is hard to say because every kind and level of restaurant exists in Istanbul.

Is the night life in Istanbul good? What are good places to go?

Night life in Istanbul is all about money and showing-off. Alcohol prices are absurdly high. These things I write are about night clubs. Other then that Taksim has the most places. I recommend that you hang around Asmalımescit.

Any advice you would like to give to the students who are going to study in Istanbul?

Istanbul is a really intense, hasty and stressful town. And its traffic is like hell. My advice is don't get use to this tempo.