Job Discussion Forums

BCopeland · Joined: 18 Sep 2004 Posts: 24 Location: Damascus, Syria

I know that this has probably been done to death, but here it goes. I was given a job offer to go to Istanbul. This offer would include about 1500 USD a month.

My question is, would this be sufficient for a family of four(myself, my wife, and our two daughters)? I am thinking about residing in old Istanbul, particularly close to the Al-Fatih Mosque.

Many of you have been living in Istanbul for quite some time so you have a better understanding than I regarding the cost of living. I currently reside in Damascus, Syria, so I'm used to living in a place that doesn't quite have the comforts of home(i.e. the US).

Anyways, some advice would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance

B. Copeland Question

Faustino · Joined: 10 Sep 2004 Posts: 601

You'll struggle to live on that much. For one person, it's OK. For a family, it'll be very difficult.

31 · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 1797

[quote="BCopeland"]I know that this has probably been done to death, but here it goes. I was given a job offer to go to Istanbul. This offer would include about 1500 USD a month.

My question is, would this be sufficient for a family of four(myself, my wife, and our two daughters)? I am thinking about residing in old Istanbul, particularly close to the Al-Fatih Mosque.

NO

BCopeland · Joined: 18 Sep 2004 Posts: 24 Location: Damascus, Syria

Interesting! Now I want to throw in some monkey-wrenches. I currently live on 500 less than that in Damascus, so I wonder is Istanbul really that much more expensive than Syria?

Likewise, my two daughters are not even school age, will this play heavily on the cost of living as well. My oldest is only 2 and my second daughter is a month old.

Thanks to those who answered

B. Copeland

31 · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 1797

yaramaz · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 5:58 pm Post subject:

I have been here three years and have never had to pay my own visa costs. Also, in my previous job I was paid in pounds into a pound account. They also paid into my social security. I have the booklet. I don't know if my latest job is doing that but pensions are so piddly here it isnt really relevant. I have investments and a private pension savings account back home.

As for 1500 being enough, it depends on whether you get housing included. If so, I think it could be, since your kids are tiny and dont need school and you are used to living in a place without every modern comfort. Turkish brands are cheaper than foreign ones so buy Turkish nappy cream... Or bring it with you.

31 · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 1797

BCopeland · Joined: 18 Sep 2004 Posts: 24 Location: Damascus, Syria

Thanks for the replies guys this is helpful. I do need to clear some things up however. I won't be working for a Turk, I will be working in a branch office of our company based in Dubai.

Likewise, my pay would be in dollars and not YTL. Also, I was still in school back in Dallas with my wife and only one child at the time, however I was only bringing in about 1600 a month. Does that mean that Turkey is as expensive as Dallas?

Also, could someone perhaps give me a breakdown of the costs of rent for a decent place including your typical heating/cooling costs, groceries, utilities, transportation, etc?

Again, I appreciate the advice! Thanks!

B. Copeland

yaramaz · Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2005 9:46 am Post subject:

Otuz bir,

Was there a point to your post above? MOD EDIT Very Happy

And I can say I have a pound account if I want to-- this is a forum not a bank. I earned pounds. Call them Sterling, sure, but in the end I still have the money. Hell, call them Blorts or Whinx and I still have the cash.

As for the housing thing, sometimes jobs give a housing allowance on top of salary rather than housing staff on school or company grounds. Ergo that possibility.

Also, please learn to use the quote function. Your posts look like you are simply quoting the previous person and no more.

Faustino · Joined: 10 Sep 2004 Posts: 601

[quote="yaramaz"]Otuz bir,

Also, please learn to use the quote function. Your posts look like you are simply quoting the previous person and no more.[/quote]

Hey, this is really cool. I hope I'm not annoying anyone.

calsimsek · Joined: 15 Jul 2004 Posts: 775 Location: Ist Turkey

'Love is in the air, yea oh yea love is in the air.'

Start with a song to help the red meat eaters out there.

One Istanbul can be one of the most expensive cites in Europe, a 3 bedroom flat in good family area in west part of the straits ie Beşiktaş and so on will start at around 400 and go up. Even in old goldern Horn flats in Haşk�y or Fener (on the east side of the bank) will cost you at least 200 -300 dollars a month. Near the air port you have think about Barik�y or perhapes Floriya(?) and there rents going to cost you at least 400-500 $.
The Asain side is no better Rent in old Kadikoy flats start at at least 250.

If you don't have to pay rent then 1500 a month is more than enough. Food is cheap (local food, not imports) and home goods are cheap as well
So it's not that bad, yet if you try to drink good wine eat out (non Turk) alot it will cost you.

BCopeland · Joined: 18 Sep 2004 Posts: 24 Location: Damascus, Syria

Thanks Calsimsek...in fact as more details are unfolding, it seems that the company will cover partial housing i.e. half the cost of rent.

So even if I rent a 400-500 dollar apartment, I will ultimately only be paying 200-300 which will leave me roughly 1200 for everything else.

The decision is still all mine, but I do want to have a good idea about rents before I really start making up my mind.

But all of your advice has been really helpful. By all means keep it coming!

Thanks,

B. Copeland

gelin · Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 144 Location: Istanbul, Turkey

I think you need to keep in mind that if you are going to rent an unfurnished place, you will have to buy everything -- all the appliances and even the light fixtures. That's a hefty sum to plop down at one go. Furnished housing will set you back more. Don't forget about utilities. If you are in a place with central heating (meaning the whole building), then you will be at the mercy of the building manager who will decide when they will turn the heat on and off. And don't be surprised if they come to you in the middle of the month saying that the fuel oil has been used up and they need more money. Then there's the kapici expense, water, electricity, phone, etc. I don't think $1500 is enough for a family of four unless you really don't go anywhere and don't buy anything. Do you have a car?

Faustino · Joined: 10 Sep 2004 Posts: 601

Trust me, it's not enough to live on in Istanbul, unless your accomodation is free. Even then, it will be tough.

calsimsek · Joined: 15 Jul 2004 Posts: 775 Location: Ist Turkey

Most peoplein this city live on 1000$ or less. Things can be brought on 12 month payments. so you don't have drop alot of cash at once.

The key is the cost of your house. My family runs 150$ a month food bill, you would have to think around the 300 to 400 $ level for a famiy of 4.

It not really a great deal but it can be done and milloins do it on less.