Job Discussion Forums

[happeningthang]

Hey people,

I've been trawling through the old threads trying to get some idea of what it costs to live in Istanbul and just how much money I'll have to do it. the operative word seems to be 'old' with a lot of the threads two or three years out of date.

From what I've gathered;

Living Expenses: Supposedly on par with 'home' Australia, N. Americas and England.

Groceries and local food cheapish.

Rent, I've heard from outrageous to reasonable. Looking on Craigslist I can see reasonable flats and apartments ranging from 800 - 2000 YTL although it seems EVERYTHING is in Taksim.

Utilities, what woud that run me?Including a fastasispossible ADSL connection?

Salary:

I'm led to believe I can get 20-26 YTL an hour. as an off the boat newbie. I'd like to think I'm worth more, but paying dues and all that. I make that to be about 3200 a month for a 40 hour week at 20YTL an hour. How much do I lose in tax on that? Do most of the McEnglish Schools deduct taxes?

I'm still trying to gather some basic information, and I'd appreciate any indications as to how far off track I am. I've heard a couple of times now that I'll be worse off than I am in Korea, which is to be expected considering rent is paid for. Even so, Seoul has ranked up there as one of the world's most expensive cities and it doesn't seem that bad.

Am I in for a series of rude surprises? I've got a good amount of savings, but I'd like to keep it that way.

[happeningthang]

75 views and not a sausage? Camon!

[vre]

Hi

Turkey IS much more expensive than people think. But if you get a full time job, you can probably live on your salary if you live within your means. I think it really depends on the place you work but the salary tends to be quoted with the tax already having been taken off/ into consideration. Accommodation is expensive in Istanbul, but varies greatly, depends if you want to share, live in basic style or have luxury. Many things are quite expensive here compared to 'back home' such as deodorants and the like. Produce, again varies and is not as cheap as it used to be. Actually, on the news recently the crazy prices for normal Turksih grown produce has been causing some waves. (But then again, there is a lot more choice and out of season stuff nowadays. I can't remember how much I apid for my ADSL when I had it, but I don't think it is unreasonable. Istanbul is as diverse as they come so everything is relative to how you want to live, where you live, where you work.

Are you thinking of 40 hrs teaching or 40 hrs work? 40 hrs teaching is pretty full on and tiring, I've done it. You may get a job paid hourly but try to get a job with a monthly salary and package e.g. contribution to accommodation, if not provided and don't forget all the legal work visa stuff.

[tarte tatin]

You have calculated your potential income based on 40 hours but have you had an offer of 40 hours work? Most language schools do not timetable teachers for that much contact time. You must be realistic, a lot of teachers in language schools earn 2500 or less and it is quite difficult to make ends meet.

I don't share and pay 900 for rent. In the winter when I am using my gas heating, bills come to around 300 YTL a month. If your school gives you split shifts this will cost you either in extra travel expenses or eating lunch out.

Myself and two of my colleagues have recently taught in Korea and the difference in what we can do with our money is considerable. One of my colleagues is going straight back to Korea at the end of her contract although she was glad to leave there a few months ago.

I dip into my savings every month and I have only been out in the evening here a few times in the last 8 months, I don't smoke and don't drink. It is actually costing me to live here and if I didn't have personal ties here I would have cut my losses long ago and gone home or back to the Far East.

If you are prepared to share and live a student lifestyle you could manage more easily but please be realistic.

[dagi]

I think you should earn about 3000YTL to lead a normal live and be able to put away some savings. 2500YTL would be doable but I doubt you'd be able to save anything, unless you are willing to not spend any money at all.

Some things here I find very cheap, but other things you'll pay more. ADSL is much more expensive than in Europe and so is mobile phone usage.
Like Tarte said it, you won't pay much for gas during the summer but will pay lots in winter and at the end of the day the costs for heating are the same than in a European country.

When it comes to social life I think in Istanbul you can spend as much as you want to. You can do it cheap and upwards there is no limit.
Same for shopping, which can be reasonable, but if you go to Migros and Carrefour and insist on buying the brands you know it'll be more expensive than back home.

[happeningthang]

Thanks for the input people...

From what ballpark figures I'm hearing it sounds like Turkey's manageable. Then again, when people are saying they're paying to be there and projecting savings of as little as 500TRY a month it's a bit disheartening.

My goals are to live a modest enough life - no shared accomodation - make my way around Istanbul on the weekends - Turkey on my holidays, and save around 800 a month.

What would I need to get and do to achieve that? I'm just trying to determine how much to settle for in job negotiations, and how much I'd need to make up in privates.

The offer I've seen gives housing allowances of 300TRY, so that eases the burden of rent. I'm not a big drinker, and have done my time in the clubs - and in shared households.

Would it be feasible to pay 600 rent (plus the allowance), and an average of 450 in bills a month over a year?

Even if I top out on income at 2500, that still gives me 650 for food and entertainment a month, and lets me save my 800.

[Otterman Ollie]

I think you are in for a rude awakening when you get here.
Firstly you are aimimg your sights too low as far as your job is concerned without knowing what experience or quals you have its difficult to predict your earning potential. I would respectfully suggest that although most posters on THİS forum will tell you Istanbul is the only place to work and live in this country I can confirm that alternatives exist where you don't have to work in a language school or be constrained by an hourly and unreliable salary. your start up costs by them self are going to give you a financial headache unless you secure a gig that includes low cost or rent free accomodation. Living costs here have risen significantly in the last year or two and the trend will continue. Welcome to the pleasuredome, but the fun is not as easy or as cheap as it used to be. Btw I don't have to pay rent, I own my own place. That makes a big difference.

[happeningthang]

[Otterman Ollie]

In the great scheme of things places outside of the big cities are less blase about seeing native speakers. Therefore, it means a bit more respect and kudos may come your way,they regard you as more of a celebrity so to speak, not just another backpacking member of the great unwashed dershane dipstick brigade. Your salary may be a bit lower but it will go further and there is a greater chance of getting private students. Working in a so-called "language school" for starters puts you at the bottom of the food chain, hence the high turnover and of course there are always vacancies you are just cannon fodder there. With your quals you should be looking at a private school or uni, anything less is really beneath you.

[dagi]

300YTL housing allowance? That is a joke, really. You'll have to fork out about 3 times as much if you want to live on your own.
For a reasonable flat you can budget about 1000YTL at least. I went house hunting 2 month ago and there were flats for less but they were either far out of the centre or in a really bad state.
Also, if you set up a flat here there is a big chance you'll use a real estate agent and need to pay one month rent as a fee for him and another month's rent as a deposit to the landlord.
I was told this when I came here almost 2 years ago and it still is true.

[happeningthang]

Thanks for the input guys.

I was thinking around 900TRY for an apartment dagi, so I guess another 100 won't kill me. If I can settle in with my own place and work a dershane until I get my bearings, I can hopefully find a better position. I can't see anything advertised for private schools and unis - save Bilkent and Ozyegin.

I've heard that emlaks get one months rent as a fee, but in terms of initial outlay it's the same back home in Australia with first and last month and deposit and in Japan where you gift a months rent to the landlord. I have heard disturbing reports about Turkey where you don't always get your deposit back. What's up with that?

[scot47]

40 hours class contact is way too much. You cannot sustain that.

[dagi]

Indeed you might run into troubles when it comes to getting your deposit back. My old landlord did not intend to pay me back my deposit. He teamed up with the caretaker and both of them claimed that I hadn't paid the rent/caretaker fee for the two month prior to moving out.
Then he also claimed that the electricity/water/gas hadn't been paid and presented me a bill that turned out in a way that I even owed them money instead of getting something back.
I could easily prove that I had paid for electricity/etc. but the rent was another thing.
The landlord only accepted it in cash and always refused to sign anything that he received it. Well I certainly now know why he never wanted to sign anything and why he didn't want me to pay it by bank transfer!

[tararu]

....so what are the perks of private universities these days? Pay...rent allowance..permits etc...