I am new to the forum so not sure if this is the correct place for this but here goes....
Hi All,
Although I am new to the forum but not new to Turkey. I have been coming to Turkey since my first big OS trip in 1990. Since then, my husband and I have gone back and forth between Australia and Turkey, first living in Istanbul, then in Kayseri and once again in Istanbul. This time round we are here to stay (provided the bureacracy doesn't kill us!!!), and have just bought an apartment in sunny Goztepe. We both work as English teachers, but make films and write in our spare time. If you are interested in reading about our experiences in Turkey, just Google Lisa+Morrow+Turkey. If you want to know what it was like growing up in Australia in the 1960s Google Kim+Hewett+Sharpie.
Cheers
A Life In Istanbul
Started by
Goreme1990
, Aug 27 2010 08:19 AM
14 replies to this topic
#2
sunny
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Posted 27 August 2010 - 09:06 AM
Welcome to our forum Goreme. I will certainly take a look at your web pages when I have a minute. 
#3
Goreme1990
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Posted 27 August 2010 - 01:53 PM
Hi Sunny,
Nice to be greeted. I see you are in Cesme. That is one place we haven't been yet, but keep hearing from everyone, Turk and foreigner alike, how great it is. Do you know of any reasonable (for Australians - our currency is less boyant than the pound) pensions there that we might be able to stay in.
Ta muchly.
Lisa
Nice to be greeted. I see you are in Cesme. That is one place we haven't been yet, but keep hearing from everyone, Turk and foreigner alike, how great it is. Do you know of any reasonable (for Australians - our currency is less boyant than the pound) pensions there that we might be able to stay in.
Ta muchly.
Lisa
#4
cayaholic
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Posted 14 September 2010 - 11:33 AM
I am new to the forum so not sure if this is the correct place for this but here goes....
Hi All,
Although I am new to the forum but not new to Turkey. I have been coming to Turkey since my first big OS trip in 1990. Since then, my husband and I have gone back and forth between Australia and Turkey, first living in Istanbul, then in Kayseri and once again in Istanbul. This time round we are here to stay (provided the bureacracy doesn't kill us!!!), and have just bought an apartment in sunny Goztepe. We both work as English teachers, but make films and write in our spare time. If you are interested in reading about our experiences in Turkey, just Google Lisa+Morrow+Turkey. If you want to know what it was like growing up in Australia in the 1960s Google Kim+Hewett+Sharpie.
Cheers
Hi Goreme,
I live in Goztepe too. I didn't know there were any other foreigners living here. Welcome to the site. I've just joined too
#5
Goreme1990
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Posted 14 September 2010 - 05:08 PM
Hi Cayaholic,
Goztepe is definitely off the beaten track for foreigners isn't it. My partner and I have friends in the area and we have always liked the fact that it is relatively quiet and normal. We are a few streets back from minibus street, near Ozgurluk Park. How about you?
Lisa
Goztepe is definitely off the beaten track for foreigners isn't it. My partner and I have friends in the area and we have always liked the fact that it is relatively quiet and normal. We are a few streets back from minibus street, near Ozgurluk Park. How about you?
Lisa
#6
cayaholic
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Posted 14 September 2010 - 09:53 PM
Hi Cayaholic,
Goztepe is definitely off the beaten track for foreigners isn't it. My partner and I have friends in the area and we have always liked the fact that it is relatively quiet and normal. We are a few streets back from minibus street, near Ozgurluk Park. How about you?
Lisa
I like the fact it's normal too. I live near minibus street, near the PO petrol station. I love Ozgurluk Park, often go there for breakfast
I used to live on the same street as the toy museum but moved a few months ago. Do you work near here too?I work in Suadiye.
#7
sunny
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Posted 14 September 2010 - 10:38 PM
Goreme1990 Sorry for the late reply. I have sent you a PM with some info about pansiyons.
#8
Goreme1990
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Posted 15 September 2010 - 09:48 AM
Hi Sunny,
Thanks for the info on pensions. I am in the throws of setting up a new house so will look more at the info when I get the time.
Lisa
Hi Cayaholic,
I agree with you re the park. The cafe there has really expanded it's repertoire. When I first came here they only had Nescafe on the menu. Now they have filter coffee!!!! I am not working at the moment. My partner and I arrived three months ago and in between house hunting applied for lots of jobs. Unfortunately we keep missing out, mainly due to student numbers. Do you know of anyone looking for teachers - but not at slave labour rates?
I think I have to do a certain number of posts before I can PM anyone - if this is not the case let me know.
Cheers
Lisa
Thanks for the info on pensions. I am in the throws of setting up a new house so will look more at the info when I get the time.
Lisa
Hi Cayaholic,
I agree with you re the park. The cafe there has really expanded it's repertoire. When I first came here they only had Nescafe on the menu. Now they have filter coffee!!!! I am not working at the moment. My partner and I arrived three months ago and in between house hunting applied for lots of jobs. Unfortunately we keep missing out, mainly due to student numbers. Do you know of anyone looking for teachers - but not at slave labour rates?
I think I have to do a certain number of posts before I can PM anyone - if this is not the case let me know.
Cheers
Lisa
#9
benhalterci
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Posted 16 September 2010 - 09:12 AM
Welcome to Istanbul and sorry for the late reply;) I live oh the European side and shame on me, hardly know the Asian side except most of my friends live there and either work there or commute as the house prices are cheaper there and it is better for famliies.
Istanbul is getting more difficult to find teaching work as everyone goes to teach there. I would have thought the Asian side would have more opportunities but from what you said apparently not. Actually last year there were several schools looking for teachers on that side. I enquired to see if it was worth the commute but the teaching rates were really low which seems to be the norm nowadays sorry:(
Istanbul is getting more difficult to find teaching work as everyone goes to teach there. I would have thought the Asian side would have more opportunities but from what you said apparently not. Actually last year there were several schools looking for teachers on that side. I enquired to see if it was worth the commute but the teaching rates were really low which seems to be the norm nowadays sorry:(
#10
shark34
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Posted 06 January 2012 - 06:00 PM
Hi Guys,
well, i was reading your comments and just wonder if you can give me more info about Istanbul. My partner just got a job in Istanbul and it seem we i will move over there within couple of month. Well im from EU country and would love to know more about Istanbul. I live in London now and so many people says, that Istanbul is like 2nd London. well, can someone tell me how is the life there? I mean if i go there, how about my health insurance, ect. I will try to get a job as i already start applying for jobs. I found a webiste where international companies are advertising jobs every day.
To be honest, i little bit im scared as i dont really know the city and never been there. I have been in Turkey 5x times but not in Istanbul. I liked Ankara very much and Izmir too.
Many thanks for your comments.
well, i was reading your comments and just wonder if you can give me more info about Istanbul. My partner just got a job in Istanbul and it seem we i will move over there within couple of month. Well im from EU country and would love to know more about Istanbul. I live in London now and so many people says, that Istanbul is like 2nd London. well, can someone tell me how is the life there? I mean if i go there, how about my health insurance, ect. I will try to get a job as i already start applying for jobs. I found a webiste where international companies are advertising jobs every day.
To be honest, i little bit im scared as i dont really know the city and never been there. I have been in Turkey 5x times but not in Istanbul. I liked Ankara very much and Izmir too.
Many thanks for your comments.
#11
Abi
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Posted 06 January 2012 - 06:59 PM
It is impossible to give you more information about Istanbul as there would be too much to say. If you liked Ankara and Izmir you will like Istanbul.
If you get a job your employers will give you SGK medical insurance, if not you will have to take out a private health insurance policy and suggest you do a search on the internet for insurance companies.
If you get a job your employers will give you SGK medical insurance, if not you will have to take out a private health insurance policy and suggest you do a search on the internet for insurance companies.
#12
bubu
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Posted 07 January 2012 - 01:47 PM
HI Abi,
I wonder too how is it in Istanbul. i heard that there is 2 sides. Europe and Asian. And wonder what is the different between them?
Also, how much you would say to be able to live in turkey> 2000TL? or more/month?
I wonder too how is it in Istanbul. i heard that there is 2 sides. Europe and Asian. And wonder what is the different between them?
Also, how much you would say to be able to live in turkey> 2000TL? or more/month?
#13
shark34
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Posted 07 January 2012 - 01:53 PM
thanks Abi, Yes, i heard too that there is two side. well, my partner got a job there and i will joining him soon but as i said i bit worried. i think he said he will work o the Asian side and his flat will be there too. what is the different between EU and AS side?
#14
Abi
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Posted 07 January 2012 - 03:59 PM
I don't know that there is much of a difference really but if you husband is working on the asian side it makes sense to live there as well really. If you are worried about living there maybe it would be a good idea if you went and spent sometime there so you could have a look around first.
It's hard to say how much you would need to live in Turkey per month as it depends on what food you eat, also how much you go out and where you go, also how much rent you pay etc etc.
It's hard to say how much you would need to live in Turkey per month as it depends on what food you eat, also how much you go out and where you go, also how much rent you pay etc etc.
#15
signhere
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Posted 08 January 2012 - 01:51 PM
There are two sides of İstanbul, Asian and European as mentioned before.
European side was the main side in Ottoman Empire and Asian side was the suburban. Mainly because of that the Asian side is more peaceful than the European -in my opinion, at least
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For instance, European side has more skyscrapers or high buildings, business centers and etc while the Asian side has more low buildings, parks and etc.
Given the traffic and distance, if your partner will work on the Asian side, it's better to live there. When I was an university student my school was on the European side and I was living on Asian side and it's been taking two hours to go there!
Rent depends on the area, the apartment, the size of the flat and etc. Most of the buildings on Asian side- expect for those new ones- are old buildings. They are cheaper than the new ones. If it's close to the main street, it's more expensive. For example, I live in a 2 rooms flat in the middle of Bostancı, i'm nearly live on one of the main streets, 10 minutes away from 3 others. The building is 25 years old. My best friend also lives in a 2 rooms but larger than mine, she lives in a building complex which has a pool, security and market, the building is nearly 2 years old but since she's relatively far from the city center, she pays less than I do.
European side was the main side in Ottoman Empire and Asian side was the suburban. Mainly because of that the Asian side is more peaceful than the European -in my opinion, at least
-For instance, European side has more skyscrapers or high buildings, business centers and etc while the Asian side has more low buildings, parks and etc.
Given the traffic and distance, if your partner will work on the Asian side, it's better to live there. When I was an university student my school was on the European side and I was living on Asian side and it's been taking two hours to go there!
Rent depends on the area, the apartment, the size of the flat and etc. Most of the buildings on Asian side- expect for those new ones- are old buildings. They are cheaper than the new ones. If it's close to the main street, it's more expensive. For example, I live in a 2 rooms flat in the middle of Bostancı, i'm nearly live on one of the main streets, 10 minutes away from 3 others. The building is 25 years old. My best friend also lives in a 2 rooms but larger than mine, she lives in a building complex which has a pool, security and market, the building is nearly 2 years old but since she's relatively far from the city center, she pays less than I do.
