Job Discussion Forums

[Lilo's Mum]

My husband and I are leaving for Istanbul next week with our 1 year old and we want to know a little more about it from the "expat" side of things.

Presently we are Canadians who have been teaching in South Korea since June '06.
Our school closed recently and so we decided that we've had enough of Korea for now and wanted to try a new country.

We've secured a position at 2 different schools. My school includes a daycare which is inside the school and at no cost to us.
We're making 2400 TRY each which is almost $2000 USD.
I admit that it's a little pay cut than what we are used to but we thought we'd give it a try.
Since we'll be getting our certificates as well we thought we may as well go for it.
That monthly salary includes a housing subsidy so we'll have to pay for our own flat.

What's the cost of living like there? Are we making a typical foreign teacher's salary?
What about the rent and other fees?
We'll be staying in a hotel when we first arrive and then someone will be taking around to choose our own apt.
Anything we should know before then?

What about basic necessities? Should we stock pile deodorant? Is it expensive to buy pain relievers such a Tylenol/Aspirin?
Anybody with a small child out there?
We'll be looking for a playpen and other things like bedding when we arrive.

Any help that anyone could extend would be beneficial!

Thanks~

[windstar]

Istanbul is a very big city you can find everything you want, good quality or cheap ones. Salary is ok. I can suggest you bargain for an apartment from the institution you will work. At least, they can arrange it for you. I dont know which part you are going to work, anatolian or european side. Good luck. Be patient with traffic though. Medicine is cheap compared to Canada, no tylenols but if you have migraine headaches, you can find much better ones in Istanbul, reasonably priced.

[Lilo's Mum]

[mongrelcat]

I'm curious what schools you'll be working at, are they private?

Also, how were you able to teach in Korea without ESL certificates?

[Lilo's Mum]

[big3bc]

I taught in Pusan, South Korea for a year, and have been employed here in Istanbul for the past ten years. I think you will like Istanbul more than any large city in Korea. Believe it or not, traffic is worse in Korea. Turks are much more laid back than Koreans. The entire city of Pusan smelled like a mixture of cabbage, fish and raw sewage. There is no such odor here.
You can buy anything you want here (even pork if you want to search); however, the selection isn't nearly as good as at home. Food prices here are comparable to those in Korea. Computers, TVs etc. are ridiculously expensive. Transportation both within the city and the country is cheap and fairly reliable.
Unlike the U.S., here in Turkey you don't need a prescription to purchase drugs at a pharmacy, as long as they aren't addictive (lythium, zanax etc). They are also cheaper than at home. Vitamins, though, are much more expensive.

[Lilo's Mum]

Oh great.....that'll be useful!

Yeah Korea does SMELL come to think of it...... lol!

We're excited about the change and new experience for sure.

Do many people speak English in Istanbul? Will we run into a lot of the same language barriers that we have in SK?


Thanks again all!

[dagi]

[b]What type of medicine do they have or migraine headaches? I do get them on occasion. [/b]
You can get Zomig in almost any pharmacy. Imigran is available as well but only as injections and they often need to order it.

If you rent a flat, be prepared that you pay one month rent as a fee to the real estate agent, most often one month rent as a deposit and then you need to pay the first months rent as well. It can all add up.
Decent flats start at around 1000YTL although you might be lucky and find something cheaper.

[big3bc]

You should have a much easier time here in Istanbul. You will be surprised at the number of people who speak English. In the touristy areas, all of the shop owners will speak a bit, especially if they think you are interested in buying something. If you are a student, and you want to find a decent job upon graduation, then English is absolutely essential. English is being taught in both government and private schools; of course, it is up to the student as to whether they want to learn it or not.

[keitepai]

Hello Lilo's Mum,
Welcome to Istanbul!
We moved here about 6 months ago and have 2 children with the youngest 4 years.
I am a teacher here also - your salary sounds around the same although you can get more. We have our accomodation provided; 4 bedroom apartment in a suburb within the Sariyer district for 900 YTL month. Utilities are water 30 YTL, electricity 35YTL, gas 250 YTL has been our most expensive but was around 80-90 YTL during summer. Digiturk 34 YTL for family package and our internet is 29 YTL but we don't use a lot.

Food is reasonable if you eat what the locals do, but if you want peanut butter, cheddar cheese, baked beans, bacon...... you'll pay a lot more!
Macro centre, Migros have the more European food but they are an expensive choice. Local markets are good for fresh produce if you have time to get there with both of you working and a little one as well.

Sorry, don't think I have seen play pens here - if they are used at all? Turkish parenting is VERY different to my experience they tend to carry children a lot and do not seem to encourage independence. Be prepared to have your child's cheeks pinched or sweets handed to them without checking with you first. Leave your stroller at home unless you are going to a mall - streets are bumpy with cars parked all over the footpaths and have high curbs that are difficult to get over.

I went to IKEA for my bedding - measure your beds first as sizes are quite random here. IKEA will deliver for a fee if you decide you want bulky items, they have a shop on the Asian side and I think have just opened one new one over this side also.
For good quality children's clothes all the malls have Zara kids, Mothercare, Next, LC Waikiki etc or local shops will have lower prices.

The medicine question has been answered but the pharmicists usually speak a little English so you can ask them for baby paracetamol etc. We have found an excellent paediatrician that speaks very good English and does not over medicate children as is sometimes the case here. Your medical insurance should cover most of the fee's for someone like him.

Transport is an issue with children, we stick to the bigger buses and use taxi's if we have a lot of shopping with us. Both are quite reasonably priced - you can get a teacher discount card for buses, children are free.

Any other info let me know as I could go on and on........hope you settle in well and find a nice place to live.

[mongrelcat]