Job Discussion Forums

fishmb · Joined: 08 Jul 2009 Posts: 184 Location: Istanbul

big3bc - washers and dryers too?

big3bc · Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 132 Location: Turkey

I have no idea where you will be working, so I can quote a price for transportation. If you work in Kadik�y, it would only be about 4TL/ day. I work on the European side (Esentepe), and it costs me 8TL/ day. That's 2 buses in the morning, and 1 bus plus a long walk in the afternoon. As far as food costs, you could probably survive on that amount, but you would be living frugally. You wouldn't be able to save much money because not only would you be paying rent, but also the monthly security/ maintenance fee.
A new washing machine came with the place, but no dryer. There are also 2 air conditioners, a garbage disposal, and a heating system in the floor (much cheaper) which you control yourself with a thermostat. The lounge downstairs also has free internet.

fishmb · Joined: 08 Jul 2009 Posts: 184 Location: Istanbul

are the utilities extra or included? thanks!

big3bc · Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 132 Location: Turkey

The utilities aren't included but they seem to be less than what I used to pay when living in Ankara, Sirinevler or Esentepe. I love it cold (my biggest gas bill in the last 10 years in Turkey during the winter months was 30TL). I would estimate that if you like a warm apartment, you might pay about 200TL/ month. As I stated before, I have 2 air conditioners which also can be used for heat. That may be less expensive. My water bill each month is less than 10TL, but I only use the washer twice/ week. The electric bill is about 35TL/ month. I use the oven quite often. I have Digiturk (47TL/ month) and internet (49TL/ month).
A couple of other things that I really like- the apartment's water comes from a huge tank in the basement; thus, the water is never shut off. The building also has a generator which makes an electricity outage only a 30-second affair. It is also morgue-quiet all the time as the walls are well-insulated, and there are no children living there.
For all of the wonderful things about the flat, I may move in 3 months. I can't fathom paying so much for security when it is totally unnecessary for me. A good lock on the door suffices.
If you want to see what's available in Atasehir, go to hurriyetemlak.com and punch in what you are interested in under detailed search. Good luck!

fishmb · Joined: 08 Jul 2009 Posts: 184 Location: Istanbul

OK, i'll check out the website, but i've got one last one - do you have to sign a year lease?

big3bc · Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 132 Location: Turkey

I had to sign a year lease, but that may vary from landlord to landlord. I also had to pay an exorbitant amount of money for a deposit ($1750) because everything inside was new, and the landlord put the utility bills in his name.

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

turkey can go to hell

tiptronic · Joined: 12 Nov 2009 Posts: 24

Rentals in Istanbul and Ankara are too expensive. You will easily spend your half salary on housing and utilities. Furnished apartments are rare and ridculously expensive. Eating out is more expensive than it is in major cities of usa and uk.

coffeespoonman · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 512 Location: At my computer...

30 TL for gas??? Less than 10 TL for water??? 35 TL for electric???

I don't know how you do it. I was paying 250 TL for gas (now have central heating and paid 270 TL for the whole year, thank God). I still pay about 60 for water and like 100 for electric (have 2 computers always running and hot water heater is electric).

Sounds like you've got a great deal!

big3bc · Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 132 Location: Turkey

I have never paid more than 20TL/ month for water in the years I have been here. I don't take long showers and use the washing machine twice a week. The water bill in Ataşehır is about 50% cheaper for some reason.
I am from upstate NY and love the cold weather, so I rarely turn the heat on inside. It seems that the heat emanating from the adjacent flats has always been enough for me. This is the first time I have lived in a flat (outside of S. Korea) where the heating system is in the floor. People in my building say it's about 35% cheaper than normal heaters with kombis (or however you spell it). My past electric bills were always around 25TL/ month, but this is the first apartment that I have lived in with a real oven, so my bill is a bit more.
I spoke with my real estate woman on Saturday, and she said there are lots of flats with prices around 850TL/ month available in Ataşehır. If anyone is interested, I can email you some photos of my flat and building.
Ciao.