Experience in Istanbul, Turkey by N

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

As long as you choose a nice neighbourhood, Istanbul life is great. I definitely recommend it.

The city is multicultural, with lots of good eateries, museums and social life.

What is the student lifestyle like in Istanbul?

It is active. It works for both introverts and extroverts. If you want to be studious, you can. If you want to be social, you can. If you want to be involved in cultural activities, you can. If you want to use Istanbul as a base for cultural and touristic trips, you can.

How much does it cost to live in Istanbul?

It all depends on the type of accommodation and the neighborhood you choose. And whether you prefer to cook or eat out. It is difficult to put a price tag on it. Do your research well, find a place near your school and decide for yourself.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Istanbul? Is there any advice you can give?

It is easy to find a place for rent. There are websites for it, the most popular is: https://www.sahibinden.com/en/for-rent Any real estate owner in any country will try to benefit from people who are not locals, so if you have a Turkish friend or acquaintance, visit the places with them. Or ask lots of questions online.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Food is varied. You can find international fast food chains, you can find local eateries selling more traditional food (sulu yemek), you can find high quality dining experiences. And if you are into cooking, you can find cheap and good quality vegetables. Supermarkets may not sell the freshest ingredients, so be sure to learn when the local produce bazaar day is and visit it. Language will not be a high barrier, there will be price tags on produce and you can just point to things and say "1 kilo".

What places would you recommend visiting in Istanbul?

Kadikoy for social life, cafes and restaurants, some of which are small international ones. Ottoman palace and museum. Archeological museum. A Bosphorus tour. There many options which I can't remember and list right now.

Is it good to eat out in Istanbul? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

I like sulu yemek restaurants for Turkish food. This is one example. For international food (I am Turkish), I prefer Korean and Japanese. Try Korekoy in Kadıköy or Bunka under the Japanese Cultural Center in Taksim. Small places, but the food is authentic.

Is the nightlife good in Istanbul? Where is good to go?

I'm a day person, so I don't have experience in this area.

What advice would you give future students heading to Istanbul?

Location, location, location. Where you live and how you commute to the school will affect your quality of life a lot. So, research, research, research. And ask a lot of questions to locals before you headout.