Job Discussion Forums

rycal1 · Joined: 08 Mar 2005 Posts: 34 Location: USA

Ive been looking for a flat for just a little while, but already I can see that finding a good flat seems to depend as much on luck as it does on perseverance. Yet, Istanbul is chock full of expats, many of whom seem to live in adequate flats-- or even good ones. So my question is... how did you find your flat, house, etc? Through sheer luck? The Apartment Mafia?

I've checked mymerhaba, expatinistanbul, some major Turkish site with a Turkish friend (sorry I can't remember the name), and talked to several people. I know there's more out there to explore...

What would you recommend? And were you lucky, or do you have skillz?

rycal1 the eternal questioner

PS I'm looking in the general Taksim area.

molly farquharson · Joined: 16 Jun 2004 Posts: 839 Location: istanbul

I live in a great flat-- and I got it through an emlakci, the first one in 8 years. before that I found flats through a couple of friends. Before that it was always school housing. You might have to bite the bullet and go through an emlakci.

Baba Alex · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 2411

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

If you or any one else is intereseted I know of a nice full furnished flat in Haşk�y (near Hali�) around 15-20 min from Taksim. They want around 600 Y.T.L P.M me for info.

Mark Loyd · Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Posts: 517

Nice flats in Suadiye.

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

check craigslist.com. There are posts almost everyday, but most of them are vacation rentals. Still, you may get lucky. Also, I know Molly had something a couple of weeks ago... Molly, is it still available?

Baba Alex · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 2411

molly farquharson · Joined: 16 Jun 2004 Posts: 839 Location: istanbul

mine is rented out, sorry.

rycal1 · Joined: 08 Mar 2005 Posts: 34 Location: USA

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I have been checking Craigslist as well.

As luck would have it (of course), through a random set of circumstances I found a promising flat today (I'm giving myself a day or two to consider other options-- and so is the landlord, who is remodeling). So I ask you-- what is the lesson learned? I guess you just try and then something happens. Or is it the magic of Dave's ESL? Hmmmm... Confused

So with any luck, my next question will be-- where do I get a TV set?, etc.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

If you are looking in the Cıhangir area then try Kamera Emlak. Of course you pay a fee but they know about all the best flats.

VoxiBurchenau · Joined: 19 Jan 2005 Posts: 11

Go to the French consulate, all expats go there cause it's the most accessible one, people put up ads every day from apts. to furniture to pvt. lessons in all languages, it's worth a try. My boyfriend got ours because its owned by the same huy who owned the hostel he stayed at, right off Istiklal, pedestrian street, fun unobtrusive neighbors