Job Discussion Forums

Kodak · Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 101 Location: Leeds, England

Hello all,

I realise that with a TEFL career people aren't gonna be making a penthouse, Chauffeur driven, Paris Hilton party lifestyle kidna wage, and that as a 'newbie' it's even less but I was just wandering if you could help a bit on the cost of living in Istanbul.

One of the places I am interested in offers around a �700 per month wage with subisdised accomadation (so they say). I've lived abroad before (kind of) but I've never had to take into account a wage and bills etc. (Lived in an apartment in Bali for 6 months prior to Uni).

I'm not expecting a lavish lifestyle at all, but the odd night out would be nice. Are places cheaper (accomadation / bars / restaurants / supermarkets etc. ) on the Asian side than on the European side or is it the other way around? Is internet access expensive?

I checked out some links in the MAster Index at the top but couldn't find much useful about living costs.

Thanks in advance for any help Smile

Ben

mbd26 · Joined: 31 May 2006 Posts: 36 Location: Istanbul

700 pounds is pretty good IF you don't have to pay any rent. Generally $1500+ plus free housing and full insurance is good compensation for working at a school (as opposed to a language center).

Internet access is cheap, DSL or Kablonet. I pay about 25 lira a month for Cable: internet and TV. Phone charges not bad if you don't call internationally; gas, electricity and water reasonable. Prices in shops and services are going up every day (literally), both sides of Istanbul are expensive nowadays.

Kodak · Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 101 Location: Leeds, England

Thanks for the post mbd26 Very Happy

As for the rent, that's one thing that I need to find out. It's not free, they said 'subsidised' which I suppose could mean anything.

Here is your 'subsidised' 0.5% off flat. Enjoy! Rolling Eyes

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Must be better than living in Leeds ! Sheech !

yaramaz · Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 3:26 pm Post subject:

If you can make 1500-1600 ytl/month, you should be able to live nicely, go out a few times a week, and rent a solo flat in non-Cihangir'y places (I'm in Harbiye, near taksim but not yet trendy). I made that amount last year at a dersane and actually saved a few hundred each month in spite of going out after work a lot (bad me!). This year I make a lot more than that but after stashing away savings and travel money, this is what I tend to live on. Sometimes less, sometimes a little more but not much more.

Kodak · Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 101 Location: Leeds, England

Alright, cheers ladies / gents Very Happy

mongrelcat · Joined: 12 Mar 2004 Posts: 232

i have to ask your opinion on this...

i've been offered a job with Istek.

the pay seems stupid low. 1300 month YTL

but it does include an apt. and airfare. Still though, it seems really low to me. Apparently thats what you get with even 3 years experience. What do you think?

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

mongrelcat:

mongrelcat · Joined: 12 Mar 2004 Posts: 232

calim, was it istek you worked for with that salary?

maybe it is dollars. I'll have to double check....

yaramaz · Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2006 5:23 am Post subject:

I was offered $1200 three years ago so it must be dollars- otherwise they are insane. Still seems low though.

mongrelcat · Joined: 12 Mar 2004 Posts: 232

yes it is dollars...i checked

god i am an idiot
Embarassed