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Living in Istanbul, Turkey:
Tips for Moving and Visiting

11 local experts
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If you've been wondering what it's like to live in or visit Istanbul, the Crowdsourced Explorer community can help. We asked 11 people living in Istanbul what someone who is considering moving to or visiting there should know. Here are their pros and cons, tips, and advice:

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11 comments on “Istanbul”

He must have an idea about Turkish or English language in order to communicate with the people in the streets, as most people in istanbul know only Turkish, however some people also know English, but it is very rare to find someone speaking a third language, yet there are also tourists who can speak different language but they won’t be very helpful for someone who is visiting istanbul for the first time.

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Ghuroud, says: 2020

People planning on moving out to Istanbul should consider learning the Turkish language first, since most Turks can only speak their mother language. They should also be aware of scammers who take advantage of foreigners, for example taxi drivers can be very manipulative, so buying a transportation card as soon as you land in Turkey, will save you money and you don’t have to deal with language barriers.

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Hatice, says: 2020

People who decided to move to my city should be careful when they go out at night since it is possible that they may encounter a bullier or a dangerous homeless guy. Additionally, one living in my city should get used to its complicated transportation system because they will be exposed to the crowd in rush- hours and they will have to make their plans of going out in advance. Last, they should not take the risk to drive in rush hours; otherwise, it is highly possible that they will get stuck in the heavy traffic and won’t be able to arrive home earlier than they predict.

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Istanbul is the capital of Turkey, a city that we can best describe as a mind blowing mix of Middle Eastern historical beauty and European futurism. The people in Istanbul are sophisticated and kind, there are a lot of breathtaking places to visit and spend time at, such as: The Bosphorus Strait, The Florida Aquarium, The Taksim Street that has many popular restaurants, cafes, shopping malls, and vintage stores. the weather in Istanbul is amazing, in winter it snows frequently and it can reach -5 Celsius degrees, however, in summer it is hot but bearable.

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Everyone living in Istanbul knows that we have heavy traffic daily. It is difficult for people to get used to it if they weren’t born in the city. There are other cities in the world with traffic similar to Istanbul, but the stress level this city offers is much higher. I previously lived in Canada and I noticed that the way we live in Istanbul is challenging for people from a place like Canada. There is absolutely no stress there. Here we get bored without stressful living.

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Although it is not widely known, Istanbul is in fact the largest city in Europe, and can be very complicated to travel round due to its poorly planned public transport system. English is not widely spoken outside of the more tourist areas, and the danger of being ripped off is greater than more common holiday destinations. However, it does have a fascinating history stretching back over 2,000 years, encompassing Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods of occupation.

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Istanbul is a large city which you can find various interesting activities to have fun. It is important to know for the person who wants to live in İstanbul that there exists significant traffic issue in Istanbul. Although there are problems about living in Istanbul, many of us like Istanbul for its historical background, fascinating views and various opportunities.

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Istanbul is the only transcontinental city on the planet, sitting upon the edges of both Europe and Asia. It has played a significant role in history going back nearly to the beginnings of civilization. Formerly known as Constantinople, it is now among the world’s megacities. Though not the capital of Turkey, it is the financial and cultural heart of the country.

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İstanbul is an amazing place with warm welcoming people however not English speaking. The most commonly used language is Turkish. Its industrial state, where most of the products are produced at good price makes it attractive for business people from all over the world. It’s one of the states with many artifacts which are historical and that makes it attractive.

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Before moving to Istanbul, be aware that this city is very crowded. The official reports say the population is about 15 million people, but the actual number is closer to 20 million. It’s easier to live here if you earn your salary in dollars because the city is also quite expensive, especially now that the lira is essentially worthless. I do not think that Istanbul is a great place; however, it is a wonderful place. Please consider that its magnificent architecture and historic buildings lose their appeal once you’ve visited them once or twice. I’d suggest you plan an extended holiday in Istanbul before making your final decision.

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I recommend people who want to move to Istanbul to consider three things. the expenses of living here are high. Second, traffic jam is one of the daily problem you have to get used to it. Finally, learning Turkish is of grave importance if you want to start your own career here.

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Ghuroud, says: 2020

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