Job Discussion Forums

[jamessmart50]

Hey,

You need to try Craigslist and mymerhaba.com.

Avoid the evil Emlaks if at all possible...

Down Istiklal Caddesi you've got the German bookshop (kitabevi Alman) in Tunel, and the French Consulate, both of which have advert boards.

Also, regarding getting water, electricity or gas turned on, and also regarding landlords who want to screw with you: imagine the worst case scanario, then double it. Good luck pal, you're going to need it.

Have a Turkish friend for negociations (sp?).

What's going on at the French Consulate these days, anyone know?

[heathergray]

Not at all surprised to hear about landlords quite willing to screw non-Turks (or anyone, for that matter) over. In any case thanks for the warning ... I'm going to plumb the depths of my "Turkish persons who may be willing to provide me with accommodation" contacts list.

Tekirdag, thanks for all your help. Cute avatar by the way.

[Delpha]

There are many things to consider also when choosing a place.

I live in a very old house with drafty windows and a cole burning stoves 2bdr 1 chilly bath for dirt cheap (400 lira). I found this dump through a friend. While it is not luxury, I have a garden with trees (fig, plum, and mullberry), herbs, flowers, safety, privacy, peace and quiet. Priceless things, really.

Would you mind having a squatter toilet and a cole burning stove?

Also you should probably know that many places are not furnished and do not come with the "white goods" (fridge, stove, washer). So expect to pay more if you want these things. On the other hand you can buy these things on the cheap second hand.

My advice is to wait to set something up until you get here. Stay with a friend until you can find a place, if possible. Friends go a long way here. Regardless of how much you plan, things never seem to go as you intended here. It's just the way life is in Istanbul.

-Delpha

[FGT]

Delpha - you are blessed! A garden with trees is worth any number of mod cons.

Many years ago, I chose my flat (at the time the most I could afford - 9 million tl a month) largely on the grounds that it looked over (from the third floor) a garden with big trees, up to my balcony's height. I could get cats, thinking they could scale the trees down to the garden. I liked the sound of the birds roosting in the trees at night. I appreciated the shade and the privacy afforded.

Disillusionment came slowly. At first I was happy with my flat. I had a kettle, toaster, bed only. I got cats, they scaled the balcony railings to the neighbour's territorory, she freaked. My cats were not allowed out again. I got more fixtures and fittings (in one year at English Fast I could afford TV, cooker, washing machine and water heater without feeling the pinch). The flat became more homely.

One day the trees were cut down. Nobody asked my opinion. My balcony became everyone's theatre. The temperature rose. My flat became unloved.

Without trees we live in a wasteland. F*ck the mod cons. I'd rather have my trees back.

[heathergray]

Yeah, trees are pretty awesome.

I'm trying not to become too anxious about my housing. I'm just not the young person I was a few years ago, willing to overlook dirt, decomposition, and below-par plumbing for a little novelty.

[heathergray]

By the way, judging from all the stray kedis running around Ist., has anyone adopted a cat? Worms and fleas aside, they are pretty cute.

[Shaytess]

Yes, good question. I really want to adopt 2 kittens (kittens, because they have to be indoor-only according to my landlord so I want to train them that way while they're young). Where can I find 2 free kittens, are there any shelters in Taksim anybody knows of? Or not too far from Taksim?

[molly farquharson]

go to a vet. when i took my cat to the vet in cihangir, there were lots of ads up for people giving away cats. otherwise, just take your kitties off the street-- there are lots there. a lot of vets will give a reduced rate for care for street cats.