Job Discussion Forums

[greent]

I'm looking at jobs in both cities and not sure which one to go for. Which is the preferable city to live in? Any opinions or info you can give would be great!

[Bahcevan]

Yo greent,

Is it possible for you to go and look at both places
first? That would be my suggestion- that way you can
find which one has your "feel."

It depends on what criteria you will use in choosing
your preference:

Weather (Ist. is coastal, Ankara inland-dry and cold.)
or
"Culture" (Istanbul was the capital for over 400 years, Ankara
is captal since 1923)
or
Nightlife (more in Ist.)
or
People (Ist. is very cosmopolitan, Ankara...?)
or
Accessibility (I-bul to Greece and Yurp, Ankara to Anatolia
and "the East." )
or
Wages/Profit (I dunno about this!)
or
"The Sea" (Istanbul has, Ankara doesn't)
or
Business Opportunities (I-bul is a vast web, Ankara is the seat
of the Government)
or
Whatever else you deem important!

I'd say to go and investigate in person if you can.
Overcome the need to feel that you have a job
waiting for you-"the responsible way," you know.

Otherwise shoot for the moon and flip a coin or something!

[ekmekparasi]

Don't listen to bahcevan he has never been to Turkey.

[Bahcevan]

You are a real peach, bokparcasi. I mean ekmekparasi.

But unfortunately, you do not know a single thing about
me- including whether or not I have ever been to Turkey.

It is of note that you never say anything about yourself,
but only snipe at other people from behind the safety of
your keyboard and your alias. (A cunning strategy!)

It is a pitiful hobby, don't you think, to spend so much
time doing that? You must be someplace where there
is nothing else to do- OR you just do not have any friends
because people cannot stand to be around you. Go figure.

[gelin]

I've lived both in Ankara and Istanbul. I'm not a backpacker teacher, but a "real" one, whatever that means. I've worked as a teacher and administrator in private K-12 schools for the past ten years in Turkey. Speaking for K-12 schools ONLY (I don't know or do language schools), I would say that the salaries in Istanbul are higher, but so also is the inconvenience of living in a huge city higher. Some people like that, but I rather like Ankara for the ease. I also will say that I'm not a nightlife seeker, so I'm content to "boring" Ankara (though it's not so boring as before). I don't agree that the people of Istanbul are more cosmopolitan than Ankara. I think it's just the opposite. Villagers don't head to Ankara for their opportunity for a better life -- they head to Istanbul, where they take their small-town customs and beliefs with them (not saying that's a bad thing -- just not very cosmopolitan). Istanbul's a prettier city and it has water. Ankara is pretty dry and drab. Housing is cheaper in Ankara, I believe -- you get more for your money, let's say. You have a better chance of living an easy commute distance to your work in Ankara than Istanbul, I believe. So, I guess what I'm saying, is that it all depends on what's important to you whether you concentrate on Istanbul or Ankara.

[ekmekparasi]

So you've never been to Turkey bahcIvan or should I say bakire.

[greent]

Thanks for the tips. I�ve been leaning to Istanbul as I tend to prefer larger cities, but was curious what the upshots of Ankara are. I also prefer to teach only K-12 institutions, so would love to get any leads from you gelin!

[gelin]

You can PM me with more specific questions if you like. As far as job leads -- now's the time to look for a job, but most of the K12 schools probably attend job fairs around the world. Are you planning on attending any? I know the school I taught at in Istanbul will be all over recruiting. You can check out school websites for where and when.