Anyone living in Istanbul?

[TurkeyExpat]

I've been offered an opportunity to work in Istanbul for a couple of years (with my current company).

Is anyone living there and can give some advice. What are schools like? Is there plenty to do for kids (young teens/tween). We'd ideally like an IB school, as that's what we're used to. (I can see some listed, but reviews for all the schools seem very mixed).

I'm from the UK but currently in a large city in Asia (which we love), but this a big promotion opportunity that doesn't come up often.

I've visited as a tourist and really enjoyed it, but that was years ago, and it's obviously very different living somewhere, so I'd really appreciate some local insight.

Thank you!

Hopeful bump...

I don't live there but visit regularly. I'd jump at the chance to live there. Great people and such a melting pot! What's the worst that can happen? Good luck!!

Thanks!

I can definitely see us enjoying it. The only thing I'm unsure about is the schooling, so if anyone has any info that would be great.

Ideally I'd like to live centrally, often the schools are further out in big cities. Is it the same in Istanbul?

What part of Istanbul would your job be in? Traffic is a complete nightmare so you'd want to be fairly close to home. Also Istanbul is huge and so varied. A lot of expats live in Beseksahir (sp!) but that is my least favourite part... Luxury high rise towers implanted on the motorway, it feels like such a cultural desert to me but I know lots of people who love the exclusivity of gated facilities and being far away from the hub of Istanbul proper.

Thanks @beneathhereyes that's really helpful.

It will be some working from home, and we will have a driver, so will be able to work in the car on the way to work.

We're more concerned about getting the location for a nice lifestyle and good school. We'd love to be central, in a fairly smart area (we'll have a decent housing budget).

The expat place sounds the opposite of what we'd want. I want to be able to walk out to decent restaurants, shops etc. Would love a Bosphorus view 😁

Do you have any knowledge of the schools?

Have you tried searching for expat FB groups or similar? I imagine there are lots of international schools available given there are expats from around the world living there.

Thanks @sevenandtheraggedtiger Yes, I have. Surprisingly there isn't a huge amount of recent information. There are a couple of schools recommended, but they are quite far out of the city.

Could your employer help with research? Have they moved people before?

Yes, we will have a relocation agent.

I've had a number of overseas placements and they tend to stick to expat bubble areas, whether that is right for you or not (they'd probably try and get me to move to the area benathhereyes mentioned above). That's why it's nice to get a more impartial view.

Thanks for you help.

Have you asked on “my expat child” fb group? They’re very knowledgable. I’ve not lived in Istanbul for 25 years so my knowledge is way out of date!

Hi! I am from Istanbul so please feel free to ask any questions. Decent schools - you should go private. Distance is not a big thing for a good school, there are shuttle services which pick up from home and back. What age are your kids, depending on this I can recommend schools. If they are speaking English at home anyway, you could think about sending them to a school where they would learn one additional language (apart from Turkish), such as French, German or Italian.

Smart areas: if you are working from home, you might want to opt living on the Asian side, near the sea is amazing. Fenerbahce, Caddebostan, Bagdat Caddesi, Goztepe are good areas (this areas are part of Istanbul's Kadikoy district). Have a look at this website to give you an idea of prices (though you probably know inflation is through the roof, and prices change frequently). Note, unlike RightMove, there is no real tradition of making a house look presentable for estate agent websites! If on the European side, you could check out Bebek, Arnavutkoy, Nisantasi (Sisli district).

(and I second the poster who said traffic is a nightmare. It really is, it tires you, so a driver is a big plus)

Thanks everyone.

Yes, the company will pay for private school. Yrs 5/7 for schooling.

I'll check out those areas, so thanks for the information. I'd like to feel like I'm somewhere with plenty going on. I love big city life (I'm in a crazy busy Asian city currently).

In Istanbul, wherever you are you will experience a big city life! (unless you are in one of these gated communities outside of Istanbul - which I highly recommend not going as you will be 1 hour away from anywhere and bored senseless with no-one but snobs surrounding you discussing tv series)

So both your dc are "middle School". "old school" (pardon the pun) good schools from are: ÖZEL ÜSKÜDAR AMERİKAN LİSESİ, DOĞA KOLEJİ, ÖZEL AMERİKAN ROBERT LİSESİ, VEHBİ KOÇ VAKFI KOÇ ÖZEL LİSESİ, İSTEK ÖZEL KEMAL ATATÜRK ANADOLU LİSESİ, ÖZEL BAHÇEŞEHİR LİSESİ (known particularly for STEM), Italyan Lisesi (Italian), Avusturya Lisesi (German), Alman Lisesi (German), St. Benoit (French), St. Pulcherie (French), St. Michel(French), St. Joseph (French), Notre Dame de sion, Pierre Loti, Fener (Greek).

Hope this helps.

Thanks Kelly

I've lived there for 4 years for work and it was the best four years of my life. I'm still friends with all of them after 10 years leaving Istanbul. Some useful posts about the schools. There is loads of traffic but also a lot has been done in terms of alternative routes to ease the traffic. Stay on the Asian side Bagdat Caddesi, Cadde Bostan or European side if you can afford Besiktas, Nisantasi, Etiler. Stay away from the extended parts of Istanbul such as Bahcesehir, Basaksehir, Atasehir, Gokturk or any random settlement you see on the motorway with towers which are little cities of their own that have nothing. No community, no culture. That's where you would be stuck in traffic the most and spend your time on the road.

Thanks @doittwice that's really helpful about the different areas.